83,402
edits
Russia Archives and Libraries (view source)
Revision as of 14:15, 20 December 2010
, 20 December 2010no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Back to [[Russia|Russia Page]]► | Back to [[Russia|Russia Page]]► | ||
== About Archives == | == About Archives == | ||
Archives collect and preserve original documents created by organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published books, maps, microfilms, and other sources. This section describes major repositories of Russia’s genealogical and historical records. When you need the address of an archive or library, look in this section. | Archives collect and preserve original documents created by organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published books, maps, microfilms, and other sources. This section describes major repositories of Russia’s genealogical and historical records. When you need the address of an archive or library, look in this section. | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
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. | ||
You may write to request information. However, most archives are not staffed to do research for clients and only a few do it. The more provincial areas cannot read English. If you choose to go yourself, your success will depend largely on making prior arrangements so that the archive knows you are coming. Even then access may be restricted by the disposition or mood of the archivist. Travel conditions and facilities are primitive in many areas, usually worse the further east you go. Unless you speak the native language you are advised to hire a local guide/interpreter. | |||
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. | ||