Defining and establishing a general understanding of the term "community archives" is important, but also quite complex, and the synonyms are local historical group, oral history project, historical community project and community memory projects. The Community Archives and Heritage Group has developed and uses its own description and definitions of community archiving and argues that in a community archive it is essential that the object of the collection is the community of people and that the process itself involves the community. The practice of community archives is not new, but originates from antiquarianism from the 17th century, and the name itself has been gaining popularity since the end of the 90s. Many research results in United Kingdom show the existence of community archives that are 25 or even 100 years old, and the groups collected archival materials such as documents, photographs, tapes, and others. What encouraged communities to collect and preserve their history was their marginalization, and it resulted in the launch of numerous organizations and initiatives for the protection of oppressed groups. The thesis cites an example of Kirsten Thorpe's research on launching Australian First Nations community archives and an example of online popular music community archives, with an emphasis on cultural justice and a DIY approach to heritage. Community archives face many challenges such as lack of space, finances, human resources and even expertise. Establishing and maintaining successful working relationships, and ultimately equitable partnerships with community archives will help raise the profile of archives in those communities, perhaps providing knowledge and skills to those groups otherwise unavailable to the mainstream sector.