Archive & Documentation
The NS-Documentation Centre's Archive and Documentation department collects, assesses and preserves all types of evidence relating to the history of Cologne under National Socialism, makes it available for research and is gradually making it accessible online.
Archival collections
Our own archival collections mainly consist of written material and collection items donated by private owners. Interviews with witnesses that were conducted as part of the NS-DOK’s projects also form an important part of our collection. Finally, we also collect objects from and about the NS era in Cologne. The archive focuses on the Jewish history of Cologne from 1900 to 1945, forced labour in Cologne, youths from 1918 – 1945 as well as the analysis of the NS era and remembrance after 1945.
The archive comprises the following sections:
- bequests and collections, especially written documents
- photographs, photo albums and posters
- audio documents, films and videos
Documentation about Cologne's NS history
In addition to the main archive, the NS-Documentation Centre also documents the highly fragmented written records from Cologne's NS history. Relevant files from Cologne's city archive, the NRW state archive and other archives both in Germany and around the world are also systematically analysed. The NS-Documentation Centre manages the obtained information in databases that also form the basis for replying to enquiries. This data will also be published online, provided this is possible with regard to archive and personal rights. Selected databases can be found here.
Notes for users
The archival materials and collection items belonging to the NS-Documentation Centre are generally available to anyone who is interested in them. The provisions stipulated in North Rhine-Westphalia's Archive Act apply to the use of the archive and to the information held in the databases. A written application must be submitted to access the material. Permission for use may be granted subject to certain restrictions. These restrictions on use might result from legal provisions regarding copyright or data protection, from special agreements made with donors or because of the poor preservation state or deterioration level of the materials.
The archival and collection materials are presented as originals or as reproductions. Accessing the collections is free-of-charge and takes place in the reading room of the NS- Documentation Centre's library. Fees will be charged for services such as making reproductions or for publishing images. For more information, please see our fee schedule.
You must make an appointment with us so that we can provide you with the required archival materials for viewing in the reading room. Please let us know the topic and purpose of your research or which sources you would like to access. Please provide a telephone number for any queries we might have.