National Archives preserve more than 1.5 million valuable records
Archived documents in Moldova are becoming increasingly accessible. Citizens can now browse records online and request documents whether they are researchers or have a personal interest in a particular subject.
"A few years ago, we digitized all our archival finding aids and published them on the agency's website. They can now be accessed from anywhere. We have also digitized several collections, including the Sfatul Țării archive, and we are currently digitizing the Government archive. Of course, these are available to the public," said Maria Gogu Zinovii, head of a department at the National Archives Agency, during the Bună Dimineața program on Moldova 1.
The agency also holds what she described as "very interesting" family trees. Asked whether citizens can obtain their own family tree, Gogu Zinovii explained that the National Archives Agency does not provide genealogical research services but does make the necessary records available.
"Anyone can build their own family tree. It may even be more rewarding to do it yourself, opening a document and discovering something about your grandfather or great grandfather. I encourage people to visit us, and we will help them," she said.
One of the agency's longstanding challenges is a lack of storage space, as archival collections require special preservation conditions. The National Archives Agency stores only original documents, with a few exceptions. When originals have been destroyed, as happened with Moldova's Declaration of Independence, archivists also preserve copies.
Under the law, a list of designated organizations must transfer important records to the National Archives every year, while others do so voluntarily. The same applies to personal collections.
"Archivists have the mission of selecting documents we consider valuable, and every year we receive records from key public institutions. Personal collections are different because we have to convince people that it is important to entrust their documents to the National Archives Agency," Gogu Zinovii said.
International Archives Day is observed each year on June 9. The National Archives Agency holds more than 1.5 million archival files.
