Bundesarchiv

The German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv) are comprised of nine branches located in various cities across Germany. Each archive provides access to its collections through a research platform with an online overview of its holdings and inventories that include digitised data, a picture database, and a comprehensive Internet presence. On-site research is encouraged, however one must contact the specific archive beforehand in order to reserve a "Arbeitsplatz."

The Bundesarchiv includes documents that date back as far as the Holy Roman Empire (1495-1806) and the German Confederation (1815-1866) all the way up to the Federal Republic of Germany. Which archive you need visit will depend on the specific period that you are researching; in some cases you might have to visit two or three separate archives. The three Bundesarchiv branches most visited by researchers are located in Koblenz, Berlin, and Freiburg.

Bundesarchiv-Koblenz

Koblenz is the headquarters of the Federal Archives and houses Department B (Federal Republic of Germany). It is primarily responsible for the records of the central civil authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany (since 1949) including the western occupation zones (1945–1949) and also papers of private origin.

Strengths:

Relaxed Atmosphere: Security procedures are more or less a joke in Koblenz and although you are told to put your jacket in an assigned locker, you are allowed to bring just about anything into the research room. The staff/archivists at Koblenz are laid back (as much as Germans can be) and are surprisingly flexible with regards to research procedures.

Archivists: This may be the largest archive in Germany but there are surprisingly few researchers visiting at any one time. This means that there are always workspaces available, including microfilm and computer stations, and there are archivists around who can help point you in the right direction. The archivists at Koblenz are numerous and knowledgeable, upon arrival make sure you take the time sit down with one of them to chat about your research (don't assume that English will be spoken).

Weaknesses:

Online Finding Aid System: The official online finding aid system for the entire Bundesarchiv network is called ARGUS. You can access this search engine outside of the Bundesarchiv but it is extremely finicky and is only useful if you know exactly what you are looking for and if the documents you require have been digitally catalogued (this accounts for less than 15% of collections at Koblenz). You are probably better off sticking to the Findbücher located in the main reading room.

Document Reproduction: Unlike at NARA and most Canadian archives, you are NOT allowed to take photographs of documents at Koblenz or even make photocopies. Instead, you must use a primitive system of "bookmarking" in order to identify which documents you want. After handing over your marked documents, a  private research company (Selke) will scan them and put them on a CD disk for you. The whole process can take up to 6 weeks (CD mailed to Canada), it costs a ton (approx. 33 Europe cents per page), and requires that you have a German bank account (for a bank transfer).

Koblenz: I don't want to say that city of Koblenz is boring, but it isn't exactly a happening place. It's good for a week at best, then you just run out of things to do. However, Köln is a short train ride away, as is Luxemburg and Belgium.

Bundesarchiv-Berlin-Lichterfelde

The Berlin-Lichterfelde branch is the most visited archive in Germany and includes collections from Departments R (German Reich), DDR (German Democratic Republic) and SAPMO (Foundation Archives of Parties and Mass Organisations of the GDR in the Federal Archives).

Strengths:

Access: Depending on your verbal skills, you might be pleasantly surprised to find staff who will assist you in English if required. It really can help get you set up quickly.

Staff and Archivists: Both are excellent, helpful and available for questions. The Berlin National Archives are very quick and very efficient.

Berlin: It is in Berlin. Berlin is fun.

Weaknesses:

Location: Although Lichterfelde is a nice neighbourhood, there are not many good options for accommodation nearby. It is therefore generally better to stay somewhere you will enjoy and then commute. However it is a 20 minute walk from the nearest S-Bahn station so you may want to consider renting a bicycle for the final leg of your journey. Additionally the grounds of the archives are quite extensive and undergoing almost continual renovations, so be warned it might be a bit of a trek to get to the reading room and to your documents!

Lunch: There are no real options close by that would allow you to promptly get back to work. Preferable to bring a lunch.

Costs: No photography is allowed. You must pay to use Selke’s services to reproduce documents at their usual rates (33 euro cents/page).

Bundesarchiv-Freiburg

Freiburg is the Department Military Archive of the Bundesarchiv. Its holdings comprise the documents (particularly files, cartographic materials, construction plans, photographs) of all state military facilities from the year 1867 up to the present. There are several ways of accessing the archive, the easiest would be flying to Basel, Switzerland and taking the 45 minute train to Freiburg. Alternatively, you can fly into Munich and take a 3 hour 45 minute train, or Frankfurt am Main with a 4 hour train ride, depending on transfers.

Strengths:

Archivists: Although you need to make an appointment a head of time to ensure access, the archivists at the Military Archive are very knowledgeable and generally speak some English.

Comprehensive: Simply put, if it deals with the military it will be in Freiburg. This does help when planning your research trip! Generally taking a trip to Freiburg is not a waste and you should come home with something of value, given a military focus.

Cost Effective: Freiburg is not particularly expensive, compared to Munich for example, easy to get around, and charges you the national rate for photocopying (33 Euro cents/page, no photography allowed). Additionally, you can generally find good accommodation in the city for a fair price.

Transportation: There is a street car stop located near the archives, about a 10 minute walk. If you stay near the centre of the city, it should only take about 30-40 minutes to reach the archives.

Weaknesses:

Staff: Without being overly specific, the staff at the archives varies greatly in helpfulness. Some staff members speak some English and are excellent at their jobs, others leave much to be desired in their bedside manner. Approach carefully.

Lunch: Bring your own, because there are no options nearby.

Getting Started: The German system is quite efficient and effective, once you understand how it works, but gaining that knowledge can be somewhat tricky. Try to talk to someone in your native language to breakdown how it works before you go, as hearing the explanation at 8 in the morning, whilst suffering from jetlag may not be the best way of learning how it all works.

Online Finding Aids: Very few find aids are online, although the number is improving. Do not be discouraged if you look online and cannot seem to find anything helpful. At the archives there are much more extensive records of the Military Archive’s holdings.

Photocopying: You are not allowed photographs in the German archive system and instead must pay for a company, Selke, to do it for you. Selke does a good job, but the cost is quite high. The student rate is a bargain at 33 Euro cents/page or about 50 cents CDN/page.

Bayerusche Hauptsstaataarchiv - Abteilung IV

Located in the beautiful city of Munich, the archives are centrally positioned, accessible by street car and contain documents pertaining to military history in Bavaria from the 1600s up until 1919.

Strengths:

Access: Given that there are usually few researchers at the archives, document delivery speed and access to archivists and staff is usually excellent. 

Regional Focus: Given that Munich was bombed relatively less than other parts of Germany in the Second World War, the Bavarian archives contain documents on periods and subjects that are hard or impossible to find. Often overlooked in favour of the system of National Archives, the Bavarian Archives can often yield good results, depending on subject matter.

Weaknesses:

Cost: Even more so than other archives, it costs to research in Munich. The city is quite expensive so be prepared for a higher hotel/hostel bill. The archives charges 1 dollar CDN/page to photocopy documents as well.