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Russia Archives and Libraries (view source)
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There are many government archives in Russia as well as in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. These archives contain a rich assortment of materials for the genealogist tracing families in the Russian Empire. However, the archives do not communicate with each other and information on similar subjects is not coordinated. Each archive will provide specific information on subjects sought if they are found within their archive. They may recommend another archive if they are unable to provide such a work. | There are many government archives in Russia as well as in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. These archives contain a rich assortment of materials for the genealogist tracing families in the Russian Empire. However, the archives do not communicate with each other and information on similar subjects is not coordinated. Each archive will provide specific information on subjects sought if they are found within their archive. They may recommend another archive if they are unable to provide such a work. | ||
Information in the archives can now be accessed by contacting the archives directly or by contacting a commercial research service such as BLITZ. However, unlike research in many western countries, it is not possible to simply request a birth, marriage or death certificate. Archives in the former Soviet Union were not organized to respond to this kind of straight forward request or to provide such information or documentation. | Information in the archives can now be accessed by contacting the archives directly or by contacting a commercial research service such as [http://www.feefhs.org/members/blitz/frgblitz.html BLITZ]. However, unlike research in many western countries, it is not possible to simply request a birth, marriage or death certificate. Archives in the former Soviet Union were not organized to respond to this kind of straight forward request or to provide such information or documentation. | ||
In general, the archives in the former Soviet Union are poorly organized, poorly indexed and in poor physical condition. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the budgets from the central government for maintaining the many archives have been drastically cut or are non-existent. Archives must now pay for their own electricity, heating and fire protection services. | In general, the archives in the former Soviet Union are poorly organized, poorly indexed and in poor physical condition. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the budgets from the central government for maintaining the many archives have been drastically cut or are non-existent. Archives must now pay for their own electricity, heating and fire protection services. | ||
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Unfortunately, a great many records have been lost during wars and by fire. Some records were discarded after they were thought not to be useful any longer and some records have simply not been catalogued so their existence is not known even to the Archive. | Unfortunately, a great many records have been lost during wars and by fire. Some records were discarded after they were thought not to be useful any longer and some records have simply not been catalogued so their existence is not known even to the Archive. | ||
Efforts are now being made to systematize the records and publish catalogues for the various archives. The FamilySearch is now microfilming a great many records in Russia. The problem remains that many of these records are handwritten in the old Russian alphabet. Needless to say, these records are very difficult to read and translate. Unless you are skilled in reading old Russian, this is a good reason to use a local research service such as | Efforts are now being made to systematize the records and publish catalogues for the various archives. The FamilySearch is now microfilming a great many records in Russia. The problem remains that many of these records are handwritten in the old Russian alphabet. Needless to say, these records are very difficult to read and translate. Unless you are skilled in reading old Russian, this is a good reason to use a local research service such as [http://www.feefhs.org/members/blitz/frgblitz.html BLITZ]. | ||
Some of the types of records that can be accessed in the archives of the former Soviet Union are listed below: | Some of the types of records that can be accessed in the archives of the former Soviet Union are listed below: | ||
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== Archival Terminology == | == Archival Terminology == | ||
During the period of Soviet rule, archives centralized and preserved a vast holding of church and vital records dating from 1721-1917. Access had now been granted to this material though the degree of availability varies from archive to archive. | |||
''akt'' official document, act<br>''aktovaia kniga'' register<br>''delo'' basic classification unit<br>''edinitsa khraneniia'' storage unit, smallest unit of a fond<br>''fond'' basic organizational grouping in an archive<br>''gramota'' a deed, charter, official document<br>''list'' folio, leaf, sheet<br>''opis’'' subunit of a fond, series; or finding aid<br>''putevoditel’'' finding aid to an archive<br>''rukopis’'' manuscript<br>''sbornik'' collection (misc.)<br>''sobranie'' collection (artificial) | ''akt'' official document, act<br>''aktovaia kniga'' register<br>''delo'' basic classification unit<br>''edinitsa khraneniia'' storage unit, smallest unit of a fond<br>''fond'' basic organizational grouping in an archive<br>''gramota'' a deed, charter, official document<br>''list'' folio, leaf, sheet<br>''opis’'' subunit of a fond, series; or finding aid<br>''putevoditel’'' finding aid to an archive<br>''rukopis’'' manuscript<br>''sbornik'' collection (misc.)<br>''sobranie'' collection (artificial) | ||