Remote Archive Services

East View’s Remote Archive Services portal provides mediated access to archival, museum, and library collections in Russia that lack digital content for remote research and discovery. Leveraging East View’s extensive and dependable acquisition network of partner institutions and archivists, scholars and researchers based in the West can request materials by providing bibliographic or other identifying information.

The establishment of Remote Archive Services was prompted by challenges arising from the Russia-Ukraine war and the deteriorating security situation for foreign researchers and students in Russia and elsewhere in the region. These factors have collectively created barriers for researchers traveling to Russia for archival research and fieldwork. While not a complete substitute, our new service aligns with East View’s decades-long mission to assist researchers in obtaining crucial primary source materials while minimizing risks and serving as a cost-effective measure.

Research Support for Locating Archival Collections in Russia
Working in collaboration with East View, the Slavic Reference Service (SRS) at the University of Illinois will work one-on-one with students and scholars to identify relevant archival collections in Russia. SRS reference specialists can meet with scholars online before duplication requests are submitted through this new service. The SRS is funded by the Title VIII grant program, administered by the Department of State. All services are free of charge and open to all.
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Key features of our Remote Archive Services include the following:

• Access to a wide array of federal and regional archives in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
• Tailored Approach: Recognizing that each research project has its specific needs, our team offers personalized consultation and assistance.
• Our network of local researchers and institutional partners in Russia plays a critical role. These experts understand perfectly the nuances of navigating Russian archives.
• All materials are retrieved in full compliance with local laws, respecting current regulations in archival research.
• We will provide the best available digital copies of the requested materials. Where digital copies are not feasible, we offer reproduction and photocopying services.
• Secure digital file transfer.
• Fast turnaround time. Expedited orders available upon request and for an additional fee.

Researchers can access guides to federal and regional archives through East View:

• Gosudarstvennyi arkhiv Rossiiskoi Federatsii (GARF) [State Archive of the Russian Federation]
• Rossiiskii gosudarstvennyi arkhiv drevnikh aktov (RGADA) [Russian State Archive of Early Acts]
• Rossiiskii gosudarstvennyi istoricheskii arkhiv (RGIA in St. Petersburg)[Russian State Historical Archive]
• Rossiiskii gosudarstvennyi arkhiv ekonomiki (RGAE)[Russian State Archive of the Economy]
• … and more.

For questions regarding content, timeline, pricing, or anything else, please fill out the Request Form below or contact us at [email protected].