Some tips for working in the Russian archives
Before you go
 Research archival holdings thoroughly
o Most Russian archives have published guides, many of which are
available through OSU or ILL, that can give you a sense of the holdings –
read these carefully
o Also check out the spravochniki or putevoditeli available online through
individual archives’ websites (see http://www.rusarchives.ru/)
o Some of the archives have electronic search functions accessible online –
search through these as well
 Check opening and closing times
o Russian archives close for ‘sanitary’ days, all manner of holidays, and for
any number of other reasons – be sure to plan your research accordingly
(some of this info is on their websites, but email/call to be sure)
 When I was in St. P, it was the 300th anniversary of the archival
system, so the main archive was closed for several days
 Call - the hours posted on the RGVIA website did not correspond
to reality
o Most archives are closed for at least part of the summer; be sure to check
when before you go
 Get letters of introduction from your advisor, on letterhead. You will need these
to gain access to archives and some libraries.
o Have your advisor address letters to specific archives, and bring several
copies for general use (i.e. to no one in particular)
 Adapt the title of your research (and get your advisor to use this title in his/her
letter) so that it is in the style of Russian academic publications (i.e. descriptive,
not flashy). For example – Russian state policy toward immigrants in the Far
East in the second half of the 19th/first half of the 20th century; Politika rossiiskoi
vlasti v otnoshenii immigrantov na Dal'nem Vostoke vo vtoroi polovine XIX nachale XX v. It is best to specify dates in the title (e.g. ‘second half of the XIX
century’).
o Avoid politically-charged vocabulary (I had some issues with the word
“colonization,” for instance)
 Bring several passport-sized photos for the many ID badges, propuski, and other
documents you will acquire
When you’re there:
 Get on good terms with the archivists/staff. In small/provincial archives, gifts may be
appreciated (use your judgment for this)
 Getting in – you’ll need a ‘propusk’ for entry (temp. first time visit, then long-term one)–
bring several passport-sized photos for this
 Economize your time.
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o Read lots of opisi when you arrive. Make a list of relevant documents, prioritize
them, and make a schedule of what you plan to order/examine when. You may
want to go back to the opisi later, but it is good to get a general sense from the
outset.
o Card catalogues often have hidden gems
o There is usually a lag between ordering and receiving documents, especially at
large archives (RGIA, GARF). Plan your work accordingly. You might be able to
talk the archivist into a quicker turnaround.
o Writing out the orders can be time consuming (name, project title, separate slips
for separate dela/fondy) – leave time near end of the day (ususally 1hr before
close)
o Electronic catalogues vary a great deal – GARF has an electronic system that
searches to the level of individual dela, but apparently not all are entered; most
others have electronic to the opis level; RGIA has scans of the opisi
o There are limits on what you can order – 6/4 at RGIA, 10(?) at GARF
Like most Russian buildings, the archives tend to be overheated. The exception is GARF
1 (on Pirogovskaia), which is cold in the winter. Dress in layers.
Check on photocopy policy as soon as you arrive
o Copies are usually 50-120 r. per page, more for scans, but this varies a lot. At
smaller archives you may be able to get a deal.
o You have to pay through Sberbank, which charges a flat rate commission, so
order copies in large batches
o It can take a very long time to get copies done; ask about the turnaround time
and plan accordingly. Some archives will mail copies to the US
o Copying is far cheaper at the Russian National Library (St. P) and the Lenin
Library (Moscow) libraries – cross check anything that might be available there
o Usually no cameras or handheld scanners allowed; there are videocameras in
most rooms (dozens); the woman at GARF 2 is totally in her own world, I saw
some people taking pictures
The cafeteria at RGIA is excellent and cheap, and GARF is not bad.
Some archives have lockers where you can leave food, water etc. Embrace the long
Russian lunch.
o The Lenin Library sells decent drip coffee at the bufet for something like 30r
Bakhili at RGIA (5r each)
Commuting can be very time consuming (esp. in Moscow) – plan your day(s) and
accommodations accordingly
o Arrive early at RGVIA, for microfilm at RGIA, probably at others in the summer
If you have questions, ask the archive staff – they are often incredibly knowledgeable,
and sometimes friendly!
Compiled by Mark Sokolsky