The State Archives
The State Archives are the national archives of the State Schleswig-Holstein. There main task is the storage of historical documents (deeds, files, maps and diagrams, photos and documentary films), pertaining to the government, law, and administration of the area since the Middle Ages. The archives keep many documents from dynasties, like e. g. the ‘Schauenburger’ (counts) and the ‘Oldenburger’ (dukes), the Prussian regime following the German-Danish War of 1864 as well as the State of Schleswig-Holstein following World War II. In addition, many documents are available in regard to individual towns and villages, families and individual persons, businesses and associations that are tied to this area.
The State Archives are located in Schleswig, the oldest town in the northern part of Schleswig-Holstein. There are two archive buildings: the ‘Prinzenpalais’ (around 1700) and the ‘Neubau’ (new building) (1991), where the reading room is located for our users. Visitors may study documents from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a. m. and 5:00 p. m. It is recommended to send a written inquiry to the State Archive prior to visiting in order to determine whether the requested archived material is available. Doing so saves unnecessary research time.
With genealogical research, such as researching your family history, you should provide the State Archives with as much written information about the respective person as possible ahead of time, especially the place of birth or residence. The State of Schleswig-Holstein is approximately 15.000 sq km in area, which is comparable to the US State New Jersey. Therefore, performing research of individual persons in an area of this size is not possible without a specific place. Researchers should keep in mind that church registers (baptismal, marriage and death registers) are not stored at the State Archives but at the local Church District Archives.
Landesarchiv Schleswig-Holstein
Prinzenpalais
24837 Schleswig
Deutschland
Telephone +49 4621 8618-00
Facsimile +49 4621 8618-01
