They usually also preserve written materials from a great variety of independent local organisations, churches, prominent families, businesses and private individuals, acquired either through donation or (more generally) by deposit on long-term loan.
They usually also preserve written materials from a great variety of independent local organisations, churches and schools, prominent families and their estates, businesses, solicitor's offices and ordinary private individuals. Archives may have been acquired either through donation or (more generally) by deposit on long-term loan.