University Archive Göttingen
Das Universitätsarchiv Göttingen bewahrt seit 1737 die schriftliche Überlieferung der Universität. Über das Archivportal Arcinsys lassen sich viele Bestände recherchieren, einige sind auch als Digitalisat aufrufbar.
Since 1737, the University Archive has preserved the matriculation registers, charters, files, and plans of the Georg-August-University and its faculties. It offers comprehensive sources for research into the history of Göttingen University and the history of science. In addition, the holdings include records of the Prussian Royal Forest Academy in Hann. Münden, the University of Applied Social Sciences in Wilhelmshaven, and, in fragmentary form, the Pedagogical College, all of which were incorporated into the University.
The total holdings of the University Archive amount to 2,300 meters, covering the period from 1733 to the present. As a special feature, the University Archive also contains the records of the former university curator and the University Registry of the Hanoverian Ministry of Culture up to 1866 (Kuratorium). Another unique aspect is the complete collection of 25,000 court records of the University Court, which existed until 1878, preserved in 25,000 legal files. Personal papers and autograph as well as portraits of professors , however, are not part of the University Archive. Archiving at the Georg August University began in 1773.
As a central archive, the University Archive was founded in 1925, and has since served as a hub for preserving and accessing the university’s records.
Search archival materials
The archival holdings are listed in the Archival Portal Arcinsys Niedersachsen-Bremen. Many holdings are also directly searchable, meaning you can search for the titles of the contained archival materials (such as charters and files). A number of central archival materials are also available as digital copies via Arcinsys, particularly the “Kuratorium” collection, including personal files up to around 1930.
Some archival materials are subject to retention periods according to the Lower Saxony Archive Law. These materials are not displayed in Arcinsys and cannot be directly searched. This primarily affects files relating to living individuals (data protection). A yellow warning message will inform you if archival materials are not permitted to be displayed. In this case, please contact the University Archive via email (archiv@sub.uni-goettingen.de).
If you have hits from the Kalliope database or references in the form of “Cod. Ms.,” these refer to estates that are not part of the University Archive. Please read on here: Personal Papers and Autographs.
Using archival materials
How can you access archival materials?
There are three ways to access materials:
- Existing digitized items are available directly through Arcinsys.
- Digital copies can be ordered for a fee.
- All searchable archival materials can be requested via Arcinsys for consultation in the reading room of the Historical Building of the SUB Göttingen. If needed, you may also take photographs free of charge.
Please note: The last two options require you to first create an account in Arcinsys and submit a request for access at the University Archive. The SUB Göttingen’s terms of use do not apply.
How to prepare your research
Biographical data on faculty members up to 1962 and students up to 1900 can be found in published and digitized reference works:
- Ebel, Wilhelm (1962): Catalogus professorum Gottingensium 1734–1962. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
- Selle, Götz von (1937): Die Matrikel der Georg-August-Universität zu Göttingen 1734–1837. 2 vols. Hildesheim und Leipzig: Lax.
- Ebel, Wilhelm (1974): Die Matrikel der Georg-August-Universität zu Göttingen 1837–1900. 2 vols. Hildesheim: Lax.
Before submitting a request to the University Archive, please check whether your question can be answered using the reference works listed above, the Arcinsys tutorials, or the information searchable in Arcinsys. If your inquiry cannot be resolved this way, you are welcome to contact the University Archive by email. There are no fees for processing requests. Please note, however, that the University Archive can only respond to inquiries according to its available capacity and cannot conduct in-depth genealogical research on your behalf.
