Reading room

The Estonian Historical Archives has been a rich source of information for professional historians, students as well as for lay users. During the recent years the number of visitors has increased and the range of research topics has broadened.
The Archives is open to all people interested. Previous knowledge of history, Russian and German language and palaeography is to the visitor's advantage.
The visitors of archives can use the reading room with 17 seats.

The opening times of the reading rooms:
9.00 – 16.00 Mon, Wed, Fri
12.00 – 19.00 Tue, Thu
9.00 – 13.00 on days before national holidays

NB! Opening hours in December:
23. December 9.00–13.00;
27. December 9.00–16.00;
28. December 9.00–16.00;
29. December 9.00–16.00;
30. December 12.00–19.00;
on 31. December is reading room closed.

Allow yourself plenty of time for your first visit to the reading room!

The first time you visit the archives you have to fill in the application form. You have to abide by the rules concerning handling of the records as well as the reading room rules.

Researchers can use electronic databases and reference literature. The researcher can ask the reading room staff for a professional consultation on his/her research subject concerning the documents in the archives or how to fill in the order form.

The orders are forvarded to the holding rooms at 9.00, 11.00, 14.00 and 15.30, the records will be brought to the reading room in two hours. IRecords kept in Vahi Street depository will arrive to the reading room in one or two days.
If you know a full reference you can order records in advance by writing,
fax (+ 372 7/ 387 510), phone (+ 372 7/ 387 521) or e-mail (uurimissaal@ra.ee).

It is possible to order records to our reading room from the units of the National Archives (except from the Film Archives).

There are Internet-connected researches' computers in the reading room. We also offer WiFi, please ask for the password from the archivist.

It is allowed to take pictures with your own camera in the reading room. It is not to allowed to use a stand and flash.

Library

The library of the Estonian Historical Archives was founded in 1922. In the beginning, the library of the Baltic-German knighthood of the Estonian Province formed the main part of the collection. In the following years, the number of the publications has increased.

Nowadays there are approximately 200,000 editions in the archives' library: books, periodicals, leaflets, music books, geographical plans and manuscripts. Editions published before 1900 make up about 50% of their total number. The oldest publications originate from the 16th century. New publications relating to history and archival studies are constantly added to the library.

The books of the library can be ordered and used in the reading room only.