You can certainly take a “learning by doing” approach to your work in the Political Archive and allow yourself to be guided by your curiosity and intuition. However, you can also take a systematic approach! These pages will explain how to do so and tell you about the aids you can use. Only in this way you can ensure that you include all of the documents relevant to your research topic.

Please start with the this page:

Rechercheleitfäden (in German)

This page contains essential background information for working with all of the record groups. Sound preparation will make your work in the archives easier and faster.

Please continue by reading the relevant research guidelines for your topic. These guidelines provide an introduction to working with various types of finding aids and tools in the Reading Room. Guidelines are available for each of the Political Archive’s three main holding groups.

It is not possible to make general statements on the Nachlässe (personal papers) holding group.

As a rule, it is not necessary to consult original treaties, as international treaties are published in the relevant law gazettes.

In order to prepare your visit in the best way our German website offers a listing publications on the history of the ministries and the Political Archive as well as on source criticism and historical methods. The “Glossar” (in German) explains archival terms that you will encounter on these pages and during your visit to the Political Archive. The page “Andere Archive” (in German) provides information about other relevant records concerning the history of German foreign policy.

Our website also contains information on the legal basis and practical guidelines for using the Archive.