Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Good morning,

I wonder if anybody could offer any advice on getting documents from the Bundesarchiv?

In the present circumstances we all find ourselves in, its unlikely that I'll be in a position to visit there any time soon, so I wonder if anybody could advise/recommend if there is somebody who provides a paid service for visiting and copying documents for others?

Regards,

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

You could try Sebastian Remus.

E-Mail: remusresearch@t-online.de

I've used him a number of times and the quality of his images is excellent. His charges (assuming they are unchanged) are:

EUR 0.20 per image

His time charge is EUR 38 per hour but quite often as long as he is given a large enough order, he'll waive the time charge.

He doesn't ask for payment in advance but doesn't release the images until he has been paid, sending out an invoice on completion of the work. You'll need to pay him by bank transfer. Files are then sent out by post on discs. He only accesses the internet via his mobile phone so for that reason doesn't send images via WeTransfer (or similar).

I've never had any difficulties with him even when I've given him requests to part copy a file. He was also very helpful to me in getting access to PERS-1 files and Fliegerkarteikarten.

Please feel free to mention my recommendation.

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Thanks Steve that's very helpful. Apologies for the stupid question, but I obtained the personnel records of my Great-Uncle a few years back as his closest relative (well my dad submitted the request!), but I understand you can't get the records of anyone else unless you are directly related? Just curious as I really would love to find out more about some of the pilots I own Flugbucher for....

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

That's no longer the case. It was when these files were held by the former BA-ZNS. Sebastian has been incredibly useful in helping me to access these files as well as the Fliegerkarteikarten. You will of course need to search on Invenio to see if a Luftwaffenpersonalamt file is available for any of your guys. Indeed, the BA-MA has digitised quite a chunk of files relating to the higher echelon members of the Luftwaffe

PERS-1 relates to those who had a post-war career in the Bundeswehr. These are not searchable but their files will contain some documentation relating to 39-45 and as I mentioned Sebastian was a huge help in accessing these as they have to be agreed to be released.

There is no searchable index for the Fliegerkarteikarten but index cards can exist for officers for whom no PERS-6 file exists.

In short, it's sometimes a question of throwing mud at a wall and seeing what sticks but some of these files contain fabulous nuggets.

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Hi Steve,

Thanks for that I'll drop him a message.

Regards

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Steve that's absolutely amazing thank you. I have messaged Sebastian and asked if he would be able to assist. Many thanks for your help...I am a total novice at this and just trying to find more out on some of the notable characters I own Flugbucher for. I guess the next issue is whether their records survived the war...sadly my Grandfathers (a Hungarian officer) didn't :(

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Si

Searching on Invenio is straightforward once you get the hang of it. If you have any difficulties, feel free to PM me (with your e-mail address) as I have written up a guide for a friend you'd be more than welcome to see.

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Bundsarchiv has been closed for 2 years, due to covid. Highly doubt they are open now.

They do not give out as much as they used to...for example, I had to get my attorney involved to get scans, as too many people are getting scans and them re-selling them on eBay.

Mike

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Cheers, I see that their website says that they're open for researchers, but only for those who have made a booking (much like Kew was for much of last year).

So hopefully I'll be able to find someone who provides a copying service.

Regards,

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

It has not been closed. Only part time. But last year was fully booked allready in spring.
And as Steve has told us you can access the Personalunterlagen, but only officers. NCO's and privates papers were transferred to WASt in Berlin.
Junker

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Getting scans and re-selling them on eBay. Appalling. I recently posted a handbook listed on German eBay with a Bundesarchiv stamp.


Ed

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

As Jörn has said, it's not been closed at all but has been open on a limited places basis and is certainly currently open.

Jörn - when you say that 'NCO's and private papers were transferred to WASt in Berlin', are you in a position to provide guidance as to exactly what they hold and what might be accessible? I understand that the microfilmed records of NCO's previously held by the BA-ZNS were sent to Freiburg but have now degraded to such a state that they are beyond salvage.

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

I'm looking for copies of various reports related to the Dieppe raid, so hopefully I can find someone who is able to provide that service.

If not I can only hope that the world starts to open up more as 2022 progresses and then maybe I can hope to make a visit myself in 2023...

Regards,

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

I was informed by the staff at Aachen, were the Personalakte were before beeing moved. They stated that only officers went to Freiburg. All others went to Berlin.
Junker

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Junker is correct, Officers Personalakten went to Freiburg and can be ordered or viewed. Only if they are Pers 1 records meaning they went into the Bundesluftwaffe it is more complicated. Personalakten of NCO's and lower grades went to BAPA Berlin (former WAST) and cannot be accessed. And of course not every Akte survived and their contents can vary a lot. I have Personalakten of Officers of over 300 pages and others as few as 5 pages.

J.

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

John

Have you ever seen an example of a file for an NCO? I say this because when I enquired of the BA-ZNS back several decades ago, I was only offered print outs of cards from microfilm.

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

I have some from Aachen. Exampel Ogfr. Hoppe 19 pages with Wehrstambuch and different tranfer papers. Not from microfilm.
Junker

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Jörn

Thanks. That's mildly hopeful.

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Steve,

Yes, I have seen probably around 100+ files or so. Some of them with "everything" (Wehrstammbuch, Soldbuch, Beurteilungen, etc.). Some of them "nothing"...it is just like the officers. Maybe less complete.

John

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

John

Thanks.

Steve

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Hi Steve, I would be very interested in your Guide, see PM.

Regards,

Marcel

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

Please note that Invenio is not without flaws.....quite often I could not find a Pers 6 files in Invenio although it in reality exists....

John

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

that depends on your Rechteprofil. Ask the staff for help and you might be surprised

Re: Visiting the Bundesarchiv
 

NCO and privates are stored in Berlin. PERS 18.
Junker