Russian archives play a vital role in uncovering ancestral roots and tracing lineage for those with ancestors being born or having lived in Russia. The entirety of archival documents, regardless of their creation time, storage location, or other parameters, constitute the Archival Fund of the Russian Federation. The Archival Fund consists of two parts: the state part and the non-state part. The state part encompasses documents stored in archives of government institutions at various levels (federal, regional, or municipal). The non-state part of the Archival Fund comprises archives of non-state entities: public associations, religious organizations, joint-stock and private enterprises, as well as private individuals if these documents hold significant value.
Research your ancestors on MyHeritage
Searching for Pre-Revolutionary Period documents in Russian archives
When searching for documents from the pre-revolutionary period, the crucial factor in choosing the appropriate archive to approach is the location of the event (birth, baptism, wedding or marriage, residence, education, employment, military service, death) and take into account that before the Russian Revolution, the Russian Empire used the Julian Calendar instead of the Gregorian Calendar, which means that someone with an immigration document issued in the Western World may not necessarily have the same date that is in the same person's Russian documents; for example, by the year 1900 it was lagging 13 days behind its more modern Gregorian counterpart.[1]
Searching for Soviet-era documents in Russian archives
When seeking documents from the Soviet era, it's important to identify the type of event you're looking for:
- Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death: These events are recorded at the Registrar's Office (ZAGS) of a district or city.
- Residence and Relocations: Information about these matters for city residents can often be found in residential registration books kept at Multi-Function Centers (MFC), passport offices, and sometimes archives. For rural residents, relevant information can be located in agricultural records kept at rural councils, district archives, or regional archives.
- Education: Information regarding education can be found in educational institutions' records and archives.
- Employment: To find employment-related information, search in the archives of the organizations where these records were deposited.
- Membership and Activities in the Party: For details about party membership and activities, consult regional party archives and the Russian State Archive of Socio-Political History (RGASPI).
- Military Service or Participation in WWII: Look into databases, the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense (TsAMO), and the Russian State Military Historical Archive (RGVIA).
- Arrests and Repression: Information about arrests and repressions can often be found in the archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Most important Russian archives
State Archive of the Russian Federation (GARF)
.jpg)
GARF is a comprehensive repository holding a diverse collection of historical documents, including census records, vital records (birth, marriage, and death records), property records, military service documents, as well as some official documents relating to the history of the Russian Empire, mostly concerning the activity of police. These resources offer insights into the lives of past generations and are essential for constructing family trees.
Russian State Historical Archive (RGIA)
RGIA is a valuable source for researching nobility, landownership, and estates. It holds documents related to land transactions, inheritance records, and family correspondence, making it ideal for tracing aristocratic families.
Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA)
RGADA specializes in medieval and early modern documents, making it invaluable for genealogical research spanning several centuries. It contains records of royal decrees, charters, and administrative documents offering insights into the lives of both nobles and commoners.
Russian State Archive of Literature and Art (RGALI)
While not exclusively dedicated to genealogy, RGALI holds manuscripts, diaries, letters, and personal materials of notable literary figures and artists. These resources offer insights into the lives of creative ancestors and their social circles.
KGB archives
The KGB archives have been integrated into various successor agencies, including the FSB (Federal Security Service) and the SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service). Accessing KGB archives in FSB archive requires careful navigation due to the sensitive nature of the materials. First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the regulations and laws governing access to sensitive archives in Russia. These rules can vary, so understanding the legal landscape is crucial. Next, identify the specific archives holding the records you're interested in. Determine the appropriate institution based on your research focus.
National libraries
Libraries such as the Russian State Library (RSL) in Moscow and the National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg hold extensive collections of books, periodicals, and reference materials. These institutions often have specialized sections dedicated to local history, genealogy, and heraldry.
Local and regional libraries and archives
Municipal and regional libraries across Russia also contribute significantly to genealogy research. They often maintain collections of local history publications, family histories, and local newspapers that can offer insights into the lives and activities of ancestors within specific communities. Also, Many Russian regions have their own archives that house local records, including church registers, municipal documents, and census records. These archives provide glimpses into the daily lives of ancestors and their roles within their communities.
Challenges associated with searching in Russian archives
Genealogical research in Russian archives comes with challenges such as language barriers, administrative complexities, and variations in recordkeeping across time periods and regions. Historical events like World Wars and political upheavals have also led to record loss or relocation.
- Soviet Union, Award Records, 1939-1991 records collection at MyHeritage
- Russian cemetery records collection at MyHeritage
- Russia, Births and Baptisms, 1755-1917 records collection at MyHeritage
- Russia Deaths and Burials, 1815-1917 records collection at MyHeritage
- Russia, Marriages, 1793-1919 records collection at MyHeritage
- Germans from Russia (BONUS webinar for subscribers) at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
References
- ↑ Why Russia has 2 calendars and how it lost 13 days of history. Russia Beyond