Online research in the holdings of the city archive
Online research in the holdings of the city archive will be possible from March 31, 2025 via the archive information system "Arcinsys".
Online research allows you to search the holdings of the city archive.
You can search the archives of the Wiesbaden City Archive directly here. The system can also be used to pre-order archive materials from the City Archive's holdings for use in the reading room during opening hours. While research can also be carried out without registration, registration is required to order archive materials.
The City Archive continues to use "FAUST" to search the database for library materials. Please follow the second link.
Research in the holdings of the city archive
In order to view the external content, you must enable it by clicking on the "Activate content" button. In doing so, the provider sets cookies and collects data on your usage behavior. You can revoke your consent at any time in the privacy settings (opens in a new tab) at https://www.wiesbaden.de/datenschutz.
FAQs on online research in the holdings of the city archive
How can I search the city archive's holdings in Arcinsys?
From the start page, first click on "Navigator" at the top left and then on "Municipal archives" in the tree view. Here you will see the Hessian municipal archives listed in alphabetical order. You will find the Wiesbaden City Archives under "W". You can access its holdings overview via "Show content" on the right-hand side of the entry. From here you can either navigate in the tree view on the left or use the "Search" function to display records containing one or more search terms. Tip: Before you start your search, select "Selection in navigation tree" and make sure that "Structure" is selected below "Stadtarchiv Wiesbaden" in the navigation tree so that only hits from the city archive are displayed. For further information, please refer to the tutorial and the manual, which you can find under "Help" in Arcinsys.
Is registration/login necessary to use the online search?
No. Registration is not required for pure research in the archive information system "Arcinsys". However, if you would like to view archive records in the reading room of the city archive, you must register and fill out the user form online in "Arcinsys". The order is placed via "Arcinsys".
Are all archive records of the city archive indexed in "Arcinsys"?
No. To date, around 150,000 data records have been recorded in "Arcinsys". This is only a part of all the archive records in the city archive. Many archive holdings are only partially or not yet archivally indexed. In some cases, legal (especially personal) embargo periods or copyright laws also prevent the holdings from being displayed on the Internet. This applies, for example, to the photo collection of the city archive or the municipal personnel files. The searchable data records are updated daily.
What do I do if I get no or only a few hits for my search query?
Only some of the holdings of the Wiesbaden City Archive can be found via "Arcinsys" (see previous question). Therefore, in addition to the online search, you can also send your request directly by e-mail to stadtarchivwiesbadende.
I am looking for digitized civil status documents (birth, marriage and death registers) of Wiesbaden citizens. Can I find these via the search engine?
Digital copies of the civil status records from the holdings of the City Archives are not yet available in "Arcinsys". However, older duplicates of Wiesbaden's civil status records have been digitized by the Hessian State Archives. These are available up to the reference years 1900 (births), 1930 (marriages) and 1980 (deaths) for direct digital viewing via "Arcinsys". These can be found in the "Personenstandsarchiv Hessen" fonds in the Hessian State Archives in Marburg. Further information is available online via the following link.
I need certified copies of civil status documents. Can I order these directly via "Arcinsys"?
No. You can only order documents with an expired retention period for inspection in the reading room. For all other requests, please use the e-mail address stadtarchivwiesbadende
Is it possible to download scans or digital copies of the archive records directly from the online database "Arcinsys"?
At present, only a few archival records of the Wiesbaden City Archives have been digitized or prepared for presentation on the Internet. For this reason, as well as due to legal restrictions, we can only offer this service to a very limited extent. We are constantly striving to improve our customer service and hope to be able to offer you an ever-increasing number of digitized records for convenient download in the foreseeable future.
Can I search library and archive material at the same time?
No. You can search the archive material via "Arcinsys" and the library material via "FAUST".
I have discovered information about one of my ancestors in the database. Where can I obtain further information on archival data protection?
Our archivists will be happy to advise you on this topic. Please contact us at stadtarchivwiesbadende or phone 0611 / 31-3022.
The documents I want to view are marked with a red "lock" symbol in "Arcinsys". What does this mean?
Archival records marked with a red lock are subject to a protection period.
The lock indicates that archive records are subject to a protection period. This applies to archive records that were created less than 30 years ago. This is generally blocked for use. For archive records containing personal data, the protection period runs for 10 years after the death of the person(s) concerned. More recent archive material often contains information on individual persons who are still alive. Special time limits apply to documents that are subject to confidentiality regulations.
In individual cases, protection periods can be shortened on request. This allows the protected archive material to be used before the time limits expire. It is recommended that the application be submitted approx. 14 days before the planned use of the archive. If the shortening of the protection period is approved, the archive material can usually be viewed subject to certain conditions, such as the obligation to anonymize individual personal data.
The application to shorten the protection period is submitted online in the archive information system "Arcinsys". Please contact the Wiesbaden City Archive by e-mail or by other means. It will check your (blocked) orders or the desired archive records that are still subject to protection periods or hidden holdings and records. If necessary, the City Archive will create an individual request form for you. If the application form is available for you in the archive information system "Arcinsys", you will be automatically informed by "Arcinsys" by e-mail. Then fill out the application form in "Arcinsys" and send it back to the city archive. As soon as the decision is available, you will receive an information e-mail and can view the decision in "Arcinsys".
I have discovered incorrect indexing information or a technical error. Who can I contact?
We welcome all forms of feedback. If you have registered with "Arcinsys", please use the "Improve" function. Alternatively, you can contact us by e-mailstadtarchivwiesbadende or telephone (0611 / 31-3022)
Is it possible to access information in the Wiesbaden Archives` search engine Arcinsys in English or any other language than German?
Currently, we can only provide information in German via "Arcinsys". If you have any questions, please contact us by email at stadtarchivwiesbadende
Where can I get additional help in using the archive information system "Arcinsys"?
In "Arcinsys" you can click on the "Help" function. This will take you to the manual and the online tutorial. If the information there does not help you, you can contact us at stadtarchivwiesbadende or by telephone (0611 / 31-3022).
Can I also find the holdings of the city library (Mauritius-Mediathek) via the search engine?
No. Like the holdings, the search engines are also separate. You can find the online catalog of the city library via the following link.
I have discovered a quotation from a file in the city archives in a publication and would like to order the file, but cannot find the signature in Arcinsys.
The signature could be an old entry. This can occur in the WI/3 fonds in particular. A search is possible as follows.
1. Click on "2.4 State capital Wiesbaden (from 1945)" in the Wiesbaden City Archive classification,
2. click on "Search" in the menu bar next to the Arcinsys lettering [the "Simple search" is preset directly]
3. Click on "Mark in tree" in the search area,
4. enter the old signature in quotation marks in the "Search words" field,
z. e.g. "WI/3 No. 162" [important: put in quotation marks]. 5.
5. click on the blue "Search" button.
Now check the search result.
Or:
1. click on "Search" in the menu bar next to the Arcinsys lettering and select "Advanced search",
2. in the "Element" field, select the "Old archive signature" data field via the selection field [click on arrow "v"],
3. enter the signature in the "Search words" field, e.g. "WI/3 No. 162".
Now check the search result.
If you still cannot find the signature, you can contact us at stadtarchivwiesbadende or by telephone (0611 / 31-3022).
