This volume serves as the foundational reference work for locating primary source manuscripts and documents within the British Isles that pertain to the history and study of Africa south of the Sahara. Compiled by Noel Matthews and M. Doreen Wainwright under the editorial guidance of J.D. Pearson, the work provides a systematic cataloging of records held across various repositories. It functions as a critical research tool for historians and scholars seeking to navigate the vast, dispersed archival collections of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Researchers and archivists frequently cite this volume as an essential, foundational resource for navigating colonial and historical records. Experts highlight the meticulous nature of the compilation, noting that it remains a standard reference for those conducting deep archival research in African history.