We provide search services within the archives of Ukraine for documents of any nature that are open to public access. These may include files concerning specific individuals as well as sources of a historical nature.
Terms of Access
- Documents created less than 75 years ago: These contain personal data and, according to current legislation, are only released to researchers upon documentary proof of a direct ancestral link to the individuals involved. If the research is conducted on behalf of another person, the client must provide both proof of kinship and a notarised power of attorney.
- Documents over 75 years old: These do not require any certificates or powers of attorney to confirm the purpose of the search and are fully accessible.
Documents and Materials We Can Find for You
The following types of sources are not an exhaustive list. For detailed information, please contact us at:
📞 +38 (066) 355-60-80 (Vodafone)
📞 +38 (068) 502-42-04 (Lifecell)
Files of Repressed Persons
In 2015, Ukraine adopted the law “On Access to the Archives of Repressive Bodies of the Communist Totalitarian Regime 1917–1991”. Consequently, anyone can now access the criminal files of the repressed, which were previously classified as “top secret”.
By using our document search service, you will receive information detailing when, why, and how a specific person was repressed. These files typically consist of interrogation transcripts, various certificates, biographies, and character references; some even contain photographs. In most cases, the criminal file is kept alongside a rehabilitation file, which outlines the false testimonies upon which a sentence was based. We provide copies of all necessary documents and a brief summary with references to specific pages.
Notarial and Administrative Documents
Notarial documents are divided into two types: those drawn up by private individuals (wills, deeds of sale, lease agreements, etc.) and those issued by state authorities.
While state legislative and regulatory documents are primarily of interest to historians, administrative documents are highly valuable for genealogical research. These include:
- Organisational records: Employment agreements, contracts.
- Directive records: Instructions, orders, resolutions.
- Accounting and Registry records: Registration books, questionnaires, registers, and correspondence.
Library Materials
Crucial evidence is often found outside the archives. Genealogists frequently overlook libraries, yet the most comprehensive research combines archival sources with library materials such as newspapers, journals, brochures, and books.
Libraries house extensive printed materials from the 19th and 20th centuries. Local and national newspapers contain articles about individuals—ranging from commendations to public censures. You can also find published personal records: memoirs, diaries, letters, and autobiographies. Furthermore, as genealogical research has a long history, someone may have already researched and published materials on your lineage. While the 19th century saw a surge in books on noble families, research into peasant genealogy has flourished since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Beyond periodicals, institutions like the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine hold dissertations, early printed books, cartographic materials, and rare editions.