Archival document search

Obtaining archival certificates, extracts, records, and copies

The service of searching for information in archival institutions can be extremely useful in a wide variety of situations and circumstances. Often, the need arises when confirming kinship for inheritance purposes, establishing nationality for citizenship applications, proving property rights, or clarifying other legally significant facts and historical details. Additionally, document searches are frequently in demand for compiling comprehensive family trees, preparing in-depth personal history research, restoring detailed family chronicles, and finding specific information about particular ancestors and relatives. The European Genealogical Center actively assists in identifying and retrieving archival materials of various types and formats. We conduct searches in civil status records, parish registers, household and property books, population censuses, as well as military, service, and departmental documents. Our specialists carefully work with national and regional archives, in addition to municipal institutions, libraries, and specialized museum collections, helping clients reliably obtain accurate and verifiable evidence from the past for personal, legal, and historical purposes.

How is document research conducted, and what does the client receive?

Document delivery formats

Upon the client’s request, we obtain:

Certificates and extracts from archives;
Digital copies of materials in high resolution;
Certified copies from archives that carry legal validity.

Each document comes with an explanation that helps understand its content and significance for the research. If necessary, we prepare a detailed report with expert commentary.

Working with paleographic sources

When searching for materials from the 16th–17th centuries, our researchers often encounter texts written in scripts unique to their era. Reading such documents is a complex process requiring professional paleography knowledge and practical experience. As a result of our work, we have collected and deciphered numerous texts: we interpret old abbreviations and writing features and translate them into modern language. This allows clients not only to obtain a copy of a document but also to fully understand its content and its significance for the family.

Multilingual sources

Depending on the geography of the search, we analyze records in Latin, French, German, English, Italian, Polish, and other languages. Having specialists with the necessary skills allows us to work with these documents directly without distorting their meaning.

Legal and research value

Archival research is valuable not only for genealogical studies but also for practical purposes. This work allows access to documents that can be used in courts, inheritance proceedings, proof of employment or education, recovery of lost documents, or clarification of property rights. At the same time, for family history enthusiasts, the obtained certificates and extracts become invaluable sources that help reconstruct ancestors’ biographies and trace family lines.

Individual approach

Every request has different goals. For some clients, it is important to find a specific marriage certificate or a service record of a great-grandfather in the army; for others, it is to restore a full family tree across multiple generations. Therefore, we start by analyzing the initial data, creating a research plan, and selecting the most promising sources. The client is kept informed about the progress and can provide clarifications and additional wishes.

Final result

Upon completion of the search, the client receives a complete package of collected documents: archival copies, certificates, extracts, and a report with genealogists’ commentary.

Sample report with the results of the search

Cost and timeline for document research

The cost of archival document research starts at €50. The final total price depends on the volume of the search and the specific region where the work will be carried out. Payment is made in full before the research begins. Retrieval of documents and obtaining copies or official certificates is typically completed within 1 to 3 months.