State Archives in Poland belong to the national archival network and are subject to the General Director of State Archives in Poland.

Currently the national archival network of Poland is comprised of 3 central archives seated in Warsaw along with 29 regional archives and their branches - which store historical sources related to the history of their respective regions.

 

  Three central archives are seated in Warsaw:

• Central Archives of Historical Records – preserves governmental and local authorities’ records dating up to 1918, as well as family archives of national significance;

• Archives of Modern Records – preserves governmental records created after 1918, as well as records from institutions and societies of national significance, legacies of prominent political and social activists;

• National Digital Archives – preserves photographic, sound and audiovisual documentation dating from the beginning of XX century.

 

The majority of archival resources preserved in Polish State Archives dates to XIX and XX century, however certain archives preserve even older objects dating up to medieval times. Regional archives along with their branches collect archival objects generated by local authorities, state offices, social organizations and entrepreneurships, as well as legacies of private persons. Check jurisdictions of respective regional State Archives in Poland.

Polish State Archives are headed by the General Director of State Archives in Poland under the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The General Director of State Archives in Poland is governing the Head Office of State Archives in Poland. General Director of State Archives in Poland holds custody over national archival resources and oversees thereof.

Archival resources are also preserved by numerous libraries (mostly scientific) or state and regional museums. They are also found in private collections

Archival resources pertaining to Poland and Polish communities around the world are preserved by Polish archives, libraries, institutes and museums abroad (i.a. France, The United States of America, United Kingdom, Argentina, Switzerland and Australia).

Learn more about State Archives in Poland on archiwa.gov.pl.