Navigating the German Archives

By Sarah Brophy

As I write my May blogpost 30,000 feet in the sky, I am taking a moment to reflect on the past months of preparation for my research journey in Germany. Without a doubt the most challenging aspect of this project has been navigating the German beauracracy and culture surrounding archival research within the country. My research not only delves into a very dark, difficult part of the country’s history but focuses on an often-overlooked part of the Holocaust – intermarried couples. Many of the documents I need to access have been mixed in with hundreds of pages of Wehrmacht reports, public opinion polls, and other documents deposited within the BundesArchiv. A second issue stems from record keeping and archival practices over the past century. While the Nazis are well known for having documented their atrocities, many of these documents ended up being destroyed as the allies closed in on the Country.

Furthermore, many places of archival significance were bombed during World War II forever destroying pieces of history. Germany’s unique separation after the war also caused some confusion over documents as the allies took many archival documents back to their home countries, some of which have been returned to Germany while others remain missing, particularly documents from the Soviet-controlled East Germany disappearing to Moscow. Many local documents regarding Jewish communities – including marriage records – were left in the hands of the remaining Jewish communities in Germany. Due to an increase in antisemitism in the country, these archival documents are not open to the public and are closely guarded – for good reason.

There is a third complicating factor that stems from meetings I have had with various historians, after the wall fell and Germany was reunited there seems to have been a phenomenon where many documents were simply destroyed – particularly court cases – as the new country tried to streamline and create room for the new German Republic. Historians – including my mentors – were able to use these documents in their research, but many of these documents were not preserved for future generations.

Even the modern-day archival culture in Germany is very different from the U.S. based system which values transparency and access above all else. The German archives have a much more exhausting procedural way of accessing documents and registering researchers. This includes a limit of the number of documents a single researcher can look at over a 21-day period. Forms must be turned in and approved by the BundesArchiv before one is even allowed to contact subject matter librarians and strict etiquette. This approach, while long and tedious, does allow for closer oversight over the documents and better overall preservation of materials. Still, learning the different archival practices will only strengthen my abilities as a researcher and historian. It also provides important cultural insight and how different cultures value the written proof of their past. The ability to experience the archives firsthand is beyond incredible and will lead to important discoveries.

I am incredibly excited to touch down in Deutschland and delve into the rich history and culture of German