Using the Archive

Using Archival Materials from Nunatta Allagaateqarfia

Nunatta Allagaateqarfia – the Greenland National Archives – holds a broad range of records documenting Greenland’s history, society, and administration. This page is intended for anyone who wishes to use archival material for research, media production, education, or personal interest.

Whether you are a researcher, filmmaker, student, journalist, or curious citizen, this page will help you:

• Understand what kinds of material are available
• Learn how to request and access archival record
• Navigate rules for access and use under Greenlandic law
• Make use of our services, whether in person or remotely

Access to materials is regulated by the Greenlandic Archive Act, and practical services may include everything from reading room visits to scanned copies or commissioned research by our staff.

To get started, we recommend reviewing the steps and information below or visiting our detailed page:

For general inquiries, you are welcome to contact us by email or telephone. We are available Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00 (local time).

For research-related inquiries, requests for access to archival materials, or assistance in locating specific documents, we recommend visiting our dedicated page: Archives in Research

This page provides practical guidance on:

• How to plan your research using our collection
• What information we need to help you efficiently
• How to fill out our Archival Research/Information Request form
• What to expect regarding access, processing time, and services

The request form allows us to assess whether we can assist you directly, or whether your request requires a more extensive archival search.

Please note that inquiries requiring in-depth research by our staff may incur a fee. If applicable, we will inform you of the terms and conditions before any work begins.

Access to archival materials and access restrictions

Access to records is regulated by the Greenlandic Archive Act:

• General administrative records open 25 years after their creation.
• Records containing sensitive personal information (e.g., health, social, or personal matters) are restricted for 80 years.
• Access before the embargo ends can be applied through exemptions for research purposes this requires a written application upon request and assessment.

Booking and Access to the reading room

• Access to the reading room is by appointment only.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00–15:00
• Guidelines for handling archival materials will be provided.

Please note that most archival documents — especially prior to Greenland Home Rule in 1979 - are written in Danish. Some more recent records may be in Greenlandic or bilingual.

Family History Research

Church ledgers are the most common source for family history research in the archive. These records are available online and can be accessed remotely at any time.

Archives in Research

In addition to church ledgers, we have many other documents and records. If you would like to use other sources for research or other purposes please submit a request using our Research Request Form.
Visit the form and guidelines here to get started.

Please note that the documents and records in our archive are subject to different accessibility time limits. Records from public authorities are accessible after 25 years – or 80 years if they contain personal information. In principle the same rules apply to records submitted by private individuals or associations. There are cases, however, where specific time limits have been agreed between the archive and those submitting documents. Some documents and records may also be inaccessible due to their poor state of preservation.

If you wish to access documents that are not publicly available, you may apply for special permission. Applications must be submitted in writing and should include details about the specific documents or records, the purpose of your request, and your full name and contact information. To apply, please use our Research Request Form and provide as much detail as possible to support your request.

Research assistance and Paid Services

We offer both free and paid services depending on the scope of your request:

• Routine inquiries requiring less than one hour of work are processed free of charge.
• For more extensive tasks, including locating documents, scanning, or conducting detailed research, we offer fee-based services.

If you cannot visit the archives in person, you may, in some cases, hire an archivist to carry out research on your behalf. This service:

• Is not available for family history/genealogy inquiries
• Is only offered for clearly defined, feasible research tasks
• Is billed by the hour (or part thereof), with additional fees for copying, scanning, and postage

Before any paid service begins, we will assess your request and, if feasible, provide you with an estimate of time and cost.

We cannot guarantee the existence of all records. Some documents may be missing, lost before delivery to the archives, or fall under the responsibility of Danish central authorities.

If you are interested in commissioning a paid archival search, please indicate this in the Research Request form under the field “Subject of request”.

In the same form, be sure to include:

1. A clear description of what you are looking for and any helpful background information that can assist us in identifying relevant materials.
2. Whether you would like to set a maximum time limit for the research (e.g., number of hours).

Once we receive the completed form, we will assess whether the request is feasible. If so, we will provide you with an estimate of the expected time and cost before initiating the search.

Handling and Photographing Documents

All records and documents are to be handled with care. Gloves are not necessary, but your hands should be clean and devoid of hand cream, etc. prior to touching any documents. In general you are allowed to photograph the documents made available to you, with the exception of those under copyright. These include various kinds of manuscripts. The archive staff will inform you of any such limitations before the documents are made available.

Delivery of Private Archives

You are also welcome to contact us regarding the delivery of material. We accept documents and records with links to Greenland from associations, individuals, companies, etc.

Services for Public Authorities

The National Archives advise public institutions in Greenland on the storage and delivery of documents worthy of preservation, as well as on archiving current casework. The work of the National Archives is subject to current archive legislation and regulations.