FAQ

The majority of the archive material originated from state records. It is supplemented by private archives and collections. These include estates, family archives, association archives, photographs, films, plans and maps. Depending on the subject, it may be necessary to visit other archives beside the Landesarchiv.

Documents relating to the House Archives of the Reigning Princes of Liechtenstein are not located in the National Archive. They can be found in Vienna: https://www.liechtensteincollections.at/

The National Archives are open to the public and to any person who has a legitimate interest . This includes both scientific and private research like genealogical research.

Depending on age, archive records may still be subject to retention periods. Subject files have a retention period of 30 years and files with personal information have a retention period of 80 years. However, it is possible to shorten the retention periods by means of application protection period shortening if a person has legitimate scientific interests. 

Furthermore, official secrecy, protection of personality, and copyright may restrict the use of archival materials.
Also conservational reasons can limit the accessibility of archive material. In such cases, the state archive provides reproductions in the form of microfilms or digital copies. 

Only a fraction of the archive material is available digitally. These are primarily collection items such as audiovisual media or plans and maps. These holdings are among the most frequently requested. For this reason and in the interest of preservation, they were digitized first. Digitized copies can be viewed in the user room of the Landesarchiv. 

No, registration is not necessary, you are welcome to visit us anytime during opening hours: 

Monday to Friday
08.00 - 12.00
13.30 - 17.00

If you have a large volume of records to order, it is recommended that you call ahead so that the archive can be prepared for your visit. 

All archival materials are unique and therefore require careful handling. In the reading room, pencils, book wedges, lead cords and other aids are available to handle archival materials with care. In the interest of preservation, microfilms are provided in some cases instead of originals. When reviewing files, the internal order of the files should be preserved in order not to destroy the context in which they were created. By handling them with care, you ensure that the archival records we hold will be preserved for as long as possible.

Archival materials may only be copied/photographed with the consent of archive staff. Legal reasons and aspects of preservation may lead to restrictions.

The use of the archive material is only possible in the reading room of the Liechtenstein National Archives. It can only be borrowed for public administration offices use and for exhibition purposes.

No, you can find borrowable media, for example, at the Liechtenstein National Library.

Source citation requirements

Please consider the following guidelines when publishing archival materials from the State Archives:

1. Source citations in general

title (may be shortened), year

Archival signature

Source: Liechtensteinisches Landesarchiv

Example: 

         Einbürgerung des Barons Carl von Vogelsang in Schellenberg, 1869-1870

         V 004/1869/01

         Source: Liechtenstein National Archives

2. Captions/credits for publications

Title (may be shortened), year, location (if possible)

Archive signature

Source: Liechtensteinisches Landesarchiv

Photographer: first name last name/city

Example: 

Töchterinstitut Gutenberg, ca. 1900, Balzers (postcard)

B 11Ba.3/001/001

Source: Liechtenstein National Archives

Photographer: Walter Ospelt/Vaduz

The House Archives of the Reigning Princes of Liechtenstein form part of the Princely Collections Art Service GmbH & Co OG and are located in Vienna. It houses the records of the princely family.

The archive is one of the best preserved archives of the nobility in the German-speaking world and, along with the Liechtenstein National Archives, is the most important archive for the history of Liechtenstein. 

The holdings of the Hausarchiv were divided between Vienna and Vaduz in 1945. In Vienna, primarily records relating to the central and local administration are kept. At Vaduz Castle there are archival records relating to family history, as well as the majority of the manuscripts.

In 2007, Prince Hans-Adam II arranged for the transfer of all archive material with a key date of the end of 1954 from Vaduz Castle to Vienna. The more recent archive material is at Vaduz Castle.

Address

LIECHTENSTEIN - The Princely Collections
Princely Collections Art Service GmbH & Co OG
Fürstengasse 1
A-1090 Vienna
Austria

Archive and Library

Dr. Arthur Stögmann
Tel. +43 1319 139 18 08
Fax +43 1319 139 18 20
E-mail a.stoegmann@liechtensteincollections.at
www.liechtensteincollections.at
www.palaisliechtenstein.com

In the Women's Archives Liechtenstein you will find various sources such as minutes, letters, speeches, lectures, project descriptions, media reports, official notices, readers letters, draft laws, brochures, flyers, consultation drafts, photographs, film clips, sound documents, posters, illustrations and art objects on the history of women in Liechtenstein.  

Because of the historical development of the Principality of Liechtenstein, important historical sources are located abroad, which can be found, among others, in the following archives:

A detailed Terminology of Archival Science is offered, among others, by the Archivschule Marburg. Also helpful is the Multilingual Archival Terminology of the International Council on Archives.

Use of the Liechtenstein National Archives is free of charge. Special services such as providing copies or the production of digital copies are chargeable.