Description
The State
Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau was established in 1947 on the site of the former
concentration and extermination camp. The archival collections consist of
original camp documents of German provenance, copies of documents obtained from
other institutions in Poland and abroad, and post-war primary sources
(altogether 200 metres of shelf space). Furthermore the archives hold
microfilms, documentary films and various other materials.
The most important archival holdings are:
Auschwitz "Death Book", containing nearly 70,000 death certificates, 48
vols.
A search function is available at: http://www.auschwitz.org.pl/szukaj/index.php?language=EN
Personal prisoner files, 16 vols.
Accounts and recollections of former prisoners, 223 vols. and 2,000 audio tapes
Documents from the SS Central Building Administration (Zentralbauleitung), 248 vols.
Documents from the SS Hygiene Institute (Hygiene Institut), 64 vols.
Depositions of former prisoners, 152 vols.
8,000 letters and postcards sent from the camp by prisoners
Files of trials of camp staff, including the Höss trial (1947) and the Frankfurt Auschwitz trial (1963-67)
Materials of the camp resistance movement
Photolibrary
The Auschwitz Museum is currently engaged in a number of initiatives designed to supplement and enhance the existing collection. These include the creation of an integrated database of prisoners; detailed surveys, with questions addressed to both former prisoners and their families; and the interviewing of survivors, an ongoing project since the 1950s.
Contact
Information
The State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
ul.
Wiezniow Oswiecimia 20
32 603 Oswiecim
Poland
Tel.: +48 33 43
2022
Fax: +48 33 43 1934
Email: lmuzeum@auschwitz-muzeum.oswiecim.pl
www.auschwitz-muzeum.oswiecim.pl
Director:
Jerzy Wroblewski
Archivist: Barbara Jarosz
Opening Times:
Monday to Sunday
8.00-15.00 (16 December through
February)
8.00-16.00 (March, November, and 1-15 December)
8.00-17.00
(April and October)
8.00-18.00 (May and September)
8.00-19.00 (June, July
and August)
Access
Conditions
Archival materials can be made available to
researchers after prior notification of the research subject and date of
arrival. Persons affiliated to institutions or associations, university
students, and other interested persons are required to submit a letter of
recommendation. When a legitimate need is demonstrated, the Archives will make
copies or photographs of materials, for a fee.
Source
Guide européen
des sources d'archives sur la Shoah
<http://www.memorial-cdjc.org/fr/guide/poland.htm>,
accessed 4 March 2004
Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
<http://www.auschwitz-muzeum.oswiecim.pl/html/eng/start/index.php>,
accessed 4 March 2004
Archival Collections at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, by Teresa
Swiebocka <http://www.rtrfoundation.org/webart/chappolteresa.pdf>,
accessed 4 March 2004