Municipal archive; information on archive maintenance

The archives in the municipalities, counties and districts have the task of archiving historically important documents. They ensure the orderly and proper permanent storage and usability of the archive material and its protection against unauthorized use or destruction by means of suitable technical, personnel and organizational measures.

Archive records are all documents worthy of archiving, including the resources for their use, which have been created by authorities, courts and other public bodies or by natural persons or legal entities under private law. Documents are above all files, deeds and other individual documents, maps, plans, image, film and sound material and other data carriers as well as files including the programs required for their evaluation. Archival material also includes documentation material that is collected by the archives as a supplement.

Documents that are of lasting value for scientific research, for safeguarding the legitimate interests of affected persons or third parties or for the purposes of legislation, jurisdiction or administration are archival material.

Archiving includes the task of recording, accepting, permanently storing and securing, preserving, indexing, making usable and evaluating archive material.

The archive holdings may include, for example, former official records and administrative files, old trade and population registers, maps and plans as well as collections of printed matter, photographs and newspaper articles.

The archives provide information, assist with research and promote research into the history of the municipality, county or district.

Counties and districts that do not maintain their own archives must offer documents that they no longer need to fulfill their tasks to the responsible state archive for takeover.