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Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries (view source)
Revision as of 10:59, 10 March 2020
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Although the records you need may be in a foreign archive or library, the [[Family History Library|Family History Library may]] have a digital or microfilm copy of them. Check the ''[http://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog]'' before writing to or visiting archives in Russia, Ukraine, former Soviet countries, or Germany. You may also want to check the holdings of major genealogical societies such as the [https://www.ahsgr.org/ American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR)], the [https://www.grhs.org/pages/home Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS)], or the [https://sggee.org/ Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe (SGGEE).] For more information about these societies, refer to the [[Germans from Russia Societies]] page on the Wiki. | Although the records you need may be in a foreign archive or library, the [[Family History Library|Family History Library may]] have a digital or microfilm copy of them. Check the ''[http://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog]'' before writing to or visiting archives in Russia, Ukraine, former Soviet countries, or Germany. You may also want to check the holdings of major genealogical societies such as the [https://www.ahsgr.org/ American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR)], the [https://www.grhs.org/pages/home Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS)], or the [https://sggee.org/ Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe (SGGEE).] For more information about these societies, refer to the [[Germans from Russia Societies]] page on the Wiki. | ||
Archives can generally be contacted via email or letter correspondence. To learn more about writing to an archive see the section '''Writing to an Archive'''. Occasionally archives do not have the funding to respond to correspondences. In these cases, researchers must either visit the archives personally or hire an agent to do research for them. If you plan to visit one of these repositories, check their website, or contact the organization and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, fees, and whether they allow visitors. For tips on visiting archives in Russia, Ukraine, and the Former Soviet Union, please see the section '''Visiting an Archive'''. | Archives can generally be contacted via email or letter correspondence. To learn more about writing to an archive see the section '''Writing to an Archive''' in this Wiki article. Occasionally archives do not have the funding to respond to correspondences. In these cases, researchers must either visit the archives personally or hire an agent to do research for them. If you plan to visit one of these repositories, check their website, or contact the organization and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, fees, and whether they allow visitors. For tips on visiting archives in Russia, Ukraine, and the Former Soviet Union, please see the section '''Visiting an Archive''' in this Wiki article. | ||
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==Archives in Russia, Ukraine, and the Former Soviet Union== | =='''Archives in Russia, Ukraine, and the Former Soviet Union'''== | ||
It's a common misconception that the Soviets systematically destroyed all genealogical records from the Russian Empire. In fact, the Soviet government did quite the opposite - metrical books, revision lists and other records were gathered, collected and preserved in state historical archives throughout the Soviet period. For example, the State Archive of the Saratov Oblast, an archive that holds many important Germans from Russia genealogical records, was established during the Soviet period. | It's a common misconception that the Soviets systematically destroyed all genealogical records from the Russian Empire. In fact, the Soviet government did quite the opposite - metrical books, revision lists and other records were gathered, collected and preserved in state historical archives throughout the Soviet period. For example, the State Archive of the Saratov Oblast, an archive that holds many important Germans from Russia genealogical records, was established during the Soviet period. | ||
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== | ==Archives in Germany== | ||
Researchers who identify the German, French, Swiss, or Austrian town of origin of their German-speaking ancestors who settled in Russia can find information about significant archives and how to contact them in the “[[Germany Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” page of the Germany Wiki. Four German archives in particular are important for researching Germans from Russia: | Researchers who identify the German, French, Swiss, or Austrian town of origin of their German-speaking ancestors who settled in Russia can find information about significant archives and how to contact them in the “[[Germany Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” page of the Germany Wiki. Four German archives in particular are important for researching Germans from Russia: | ||
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Archiv, Bibliothek und Museum im Haus der Deutschen aus Rußland<br> Raitelsbergstr. 49<br> D-70188 Stuttgart<br> GERMANY | Archiv, Bibliothek und Museum im Haus der Deutschen aus Rußland<br> Raitelsbergstr. 49<br> D-70188 Stuttgart<br> GERMANY | ||
==Archives and Libraries in the United States== | =='''Archives and Libraries in the United States'''== | ||
===National Archives II=== | ===The National Archives at College Park, Maryland (National Archives II)=== | ||
The National Archives at College Park has a collection of Berlin war documents. Among those captured documents were EWZ records. They are available in A3342, Series EWZ (7,320 rolls). The Family History Library has some (but not all) of these records and a partial index to EWZ records can be found through the Odessa Digital Library (http://www.odessa3.org/collections/war/). To learn more about this collection at NARA, click [https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/know-your-records/dec14-salyer-presentation.pdf here]. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+Contact Information | |||
|'''Website:''' | |||
|https://www.archives.gov/college-park | |||
|- | |||
|'''Email Address:''' | |||
|inquire@nara.gov | |||
|- | |||
|'''Address:''' | |||
|8601 Adelphi Road | |||
College Park, Maryland 20740 | |||
|} | |||
===Family History Library=== | ===Family History Library=== | ||
The FamilySearch Family History Library has acquired many records from various archives in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union. It's a good idea to check the [http://familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] to see if records are available through FamilySearch before contacting or visiting an archive. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+'''Contact Information''' | |||
|'''Website:''' | |||
|https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/saltlakecity-library | |||
|- | |||
|'''Address:''' | |||
|35 N West Temple | |||
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 | |||
|} | |||
===Germans from Russia Heritage Collection - University of North Dakota Library=== | ===Germans from Russia Heritage Collection - University of North Dakota Library=== | ||
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===Lithuania=== | ===Lithuania=== | ||
State Archives of Lithuania<br> 232016 Vilnius<br> Ul. Kareiviu 21<br> LITHUANIA | State Archives of Lithuania<br> 232016 Vilnius<br> Ul. Kareiviu 21<br> LITHUANIA | ||
==Writing to an Archive== | =='''Writing to an Archive'''== | ||
==Visiting an Archive== | =='''Visiting an Archive'''== | ||
In some cases, it may be necessary to visit an archive personally to obtain the desired record. Visiting an archive is not something that you can plan at the drop of a hat - it takes planning and preparation. '''Before''' you purchase airfare and plan your trip, be sure to contact the archive to see if they will be open during the time you plan to visit. | In some cases, it may be necessary to visit an archive personally to obtain the desired record. Visiting an archive is not something that you can plan at the drop of a hat - it takes planning and preparation. '''Before''' you purchase airfare and plan your trip, be sure to contact the archive to see if they will be open during the time you plan to visit. | ||
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*'''Contact the Archive:''' Inform the archive of the dates you plan to visit the archive and what materials you would be interested in viewing. You may need to set up an appointment with the archive or the Читальный зал, or the reading room. Archivists will generally bring documents and archival manuscripts to the reading room for visitors to use. Be sure to know what the reading room hours are so that you can maximize your research time. | *'''Contact the Archive:''' Inform the archive of the dates you plan to visit the archive and what materials you would be interested in viewing. You may need to set up an appointment with the archive or the Читальный зал, or the reading room. Archivists will generally bring documents and archival manuscripts to the reading room for visitors to use. Be sure to know what the reading room hours are so that you can maximize your research time. | ||
*'''Apply to Visit the Archive:''' In some cases, you must submit an application to obtain a reading card and access to the archive. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, so be sure to ask the archive about the process well in advance. Applicants are typically asked to provide contact information, forms of identification, reasons for visiting the archive etc. | *'''Apply to Visit the Archive:''' In some cases, you must submit an application to obtain a reading card and access to the archive. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, so be sure to ask the archive about the process well in advance. Applicants are typically asked to provide contact information, forms of identification, reasons for visiting the archive etc. | ||
*'''Plan Ahead:''' Planning ahead will help you get the most out of your experience. Examine putevoditeli and opisi ''before'' your visit so you know the fond and delo number. Knowing these "call numbers" will allow the archivist to quickly retrieve your desired records and you won't have to waste your or the archivist's precious time looking for its location within the archive. | *'''Plan Ahead:''' Planning ahead will help you get the most out of your experience. Examine putevoditeli and opisi ''before'' your visit so you know the fond and delo number. Knowing these "call numbers" will allow the archivist to quickly retrieve your desired records and you won't have to waste your or the archivist's precious time looking for its location within the archive. | ||
*'''Schedule Time for the Unexpected:''' Give yourself some buffer time in case of travel complications, unexpected archival closures, or for new discoveries that lead you in a different direction than you had originally anticipated. | *'''Schedule Time for the Unexpected:''' Give yourself some buffer time in case of travel complications, unexpected archival closures, or for new discoveries that lead you in a different direction than you had originally anticipated. | ||
*'''Review Guidelines:''' Be sure you understand the archive's policies regarding their materials. Inquire if there any limits to the number of documents you can view each day, or if materials can only be requested as specific times. Also ask what kind of fees are necessary for photocopies, scans, or photography. You may also wish to ask if there are charging stations or internet access available. Knowing the policies in advance also helps you know what to pack for your visit. Commonly restricted items include pens, food/drink, coats and large bags. In some archives, electronic devices may not be permitted, so be sure to remember to pack pencils and a notebook. | *'''Review Guidelines:''' Be sure you understand the archive's policies regarding their materials. Inquire if there any limits to the number of documents you can view each day, or if materials can only be requested as specific times. Also ask what kind of fees are necessary for photocopies, scans, or photography. You may also wish to ask if there are charging stations or internet access available. Knowing the policies in advance also helps you know what to pack for your visit. Commonly restricted items include pens, food/drink, coats and large bags. In some archives, electronic devices may not be permitted, so be sure to remember to pack pencils and a notebook. | ||
*'''Create a Template to Organize your Notes:''' Keeping a research log is an important step in research and helps you stay organized. Prepare a template ahead of time to help you keep track of what you have looked at (fond, delo, information found on record etc.). Be sure to save a spot to cite your sources. | *'''Create a Template to Organize your Notes:''' Keeping a research log is an important step in research and helps you stay organized. Prepare a template ahead of time to help you keep track of what you have looked at (fond, delo, information found on record etc.). Be sure to save a spot to cite your sources. | ||
*'''Travel:''' Before booking your airfare or travel arrangements, be sure you are aware of any visa requirements. Be sure your passport is up to date. | *'''Travel:''' Before booking your airfare or travel arrangements, be sure you are aware of any visa requirements. Be sure your passport is up to date. | ||
*'''Transportation:''' plan out in advance how you will get to the archive. You can use services like [https://www.google.com/maps Google Maps] or [https://2gis.ru/moscow 2ГИС] (for Russia) to help you navigate public transportation. If you plan on driving to the archive, be sure to find out if there is parking available at or near the archive. | *'''Transportation:''' plan out in advance how you will get to the archive. You can use services like [https://www.google.com/maps Google Maps] or [https://2gis.ru/moscow 2ГИС] (for Russia) to help you navigate public transportation. If you plan on driving to the archive, be sure to find out if there is parking available at or near the archive. | ||
* | * | ||