History of the Archive
First founded in 1967, the archive was brought into being in the fall of 1970 by Dr Kurt Düwell, who was the director of the archive at the time. Prior to that, there had only been a number of local registries at departments and institutions.
Using the Archive
Welcome!
We are glad about your interest in the history of Aachen University or its members, and we are eager to offer you the best possible service.
The archive can be used on site as well as by request (via e-mail, telephone, fax, or postally). Some items can already be viewed online.
Requests are normally answered within a few days. As far as possible, we research the documentation ourselves. However, in the case of issues that require a great expenditure of time, you will understand that we must ask you to inspect the documents yourself on site.
Who is authorised to use the archive’s documents?
Everyone!
The fonds can be used by anyone who credibly shows a legitimate interest in using them. A legitimate interest is given especially if the use is desired for official, academic or journalistic purposes (§ 7 North Rhine-Westphalian Archival Law). Thus, everyone can use the records ultimately. However, the documents can only be viewed after their respective access dates.
Which documents must not be accessed yet?
Case files are available for consultation after thirty years. Files that contain personal data cannot be accessed until ten years after the person has deceased.
Further constrictions can ensue from § 7 subsections 2-5 of the North Rhine-Westphalian Archival Law.
Does using documents from the archives cost money?
No!
The archive does not charge any fees for using the records and other units, whether they are inspected personally or by request, and neither does it charge a fee for using the archive library. The archive library is a reference library, which means that the basic principle is that lending is not possible.
Is it advisable to give an advance notification?
Since the regular opening hours may be changed on short notice, it is recommended to give an advance notice of your visit via telephone, e-mail, fax, or postally. Preliminary orders of documents are also possible.
There are no fixed charge-out times. The documents will be provided shortly after the order.
Technical possibilities
Visitors can use their own laptops or digital cameras. A power connection is available.
By request, black-and-white copies and colour scans can be made, and digital pictures can be taken and sent to the users.
Plan of record groups
There is a total stock of ca. 500 running meters of files. There has been considerable war damage that affects mostly the years between 1935/36 and 1946.
- A) Records of the rectorate (1870-1977);
- B) Central administration files (inter alia: estimates including pre-files from 1858 onwards; 1870-1980 incomplete);
- C) Records of the senate (from 1881 onwards, incomplete) and its commissions until 1999 (incomplete);
- D) Minutes of meetings and files of the faculties and departments (from ca. 1900 to 1964/85, partially incomplete);
- E) Audit files and exam papers (diploma examinations 1874/1900-1941, 1946-1951; doctorates 1901-1922, 1932-1940, 1948-1988; postdoctoral lecture qualifications (Habilitationen) from 1876 onwards, incomplete; honorary doctorates from 1901 onwards);
- F) A collection of photos;
- G) Personal papers of academic teachers (unfinished)
- H) Special stocks: a collection of all university calendars from 1870 onwards; register lists 1870-1920/21; files of individual trusts (from ca. 1880 onwards); a collection of examination regulations in chronological as well as functional order (diploma examinations, doctorates, postdoctoral lecture qualifications (Habilitationen) from 1871/76 onwards);
- I) Sources on Aachen University and its history (external provenance, mostly copies and microfilm).
- J) Aachen University’s cultural assets
Internet research
Search via all online finding aids
Overview of files from the time between 1933 and 1945 (listed by shelfmark)
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the university archive are determined by North Rhine-Westphalian Archival Law, especially § 11 in combination with § 3 subsection 6. The legal responsibility of university institutions to transfer extends to all documents the retention period of which has expired, and which are not needed anymore by the respective institution in order to fulfill its duties. This applies not only to the central university administration, but also to the faculties, the departments and the respective chairs and other (central) university institutions.
Back to the German version of the university archive’s website.