Resources for your Research
There is an accumulation of inquiries in some research areas. Here you will find initial information on frequently requested topics and overviews of sources in the Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Provenance research
As a historical research discipline, provenance research often uses archives to reconstruct the origin of art and cultural assets.
Forced labor
Over the course of the Second World War, the National Socialists brought millions of people to Germany to work. A large group came to the country as prisoners of war.
Occupation of the Ruhr
In 2023, it will be exactly 100 years since the occupation of the Ruhr by Belgian and French troops began.
Child deportation
Between 1949 and 1990, it is estimated that over 2 million children and adolescents were sent to cures in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Kahnakten
The restoration of the so-called “Kahnakten” is the most extensive and time-consuming project for the rescue of war-damaged archive material in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Denazification files
The Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen holds approx. 1.15 million denazification files (approx. 1.8 linear kilometres). These files document the denazification proceedings of over 800,000 people between 1946 and 1952
Land registers and land records
All three regional branches of the Landesarchiv hold land registers and land records. These are frequently requested in connection with the purchase of property. The Landesarchiv requires certain information in order to carry out a search.
A Brief Guide to Sources
In order to provide an overview of the relevant holdings at the Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen for research into cultural property confiscated as a result of persecution under National Socialism, relevant sources are presented here by way of example.
Thematic Inventories
Thematic inventories compile archival records according to thematic focus across collections and archives. This distinguishes them from ‘normal’ archival finding aids, which generally list archival records by fonds. They therefore allow convenient access to the relevant sources on a subject area.
The links below will take you to the inventories of the respective divisions.
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