Archive
The archive, which is part of the CDZWiP, collects original and unique materials reflecting the fate of the inhabitants of the Republic (within its present and former borders) subjected to deportation, expulsion and resettlement. The materials come from donors, mainly Siberians, their families and acquaintances from the time of resettlement. The collection consists of documentary records, photographs, manuscript materials, artefacts, interviews with witnesses of history, memorabilia such as diaries, diaries, letters, school notebooks, chronicles of the lives of scouts, school and scout cards and passports – confirming identity. There are also various types of official letters such as school certificates, diplomas, acknowledgements, private letters, letters of recommendation, passes, certificates of travel, hospital stays. In addition, the archive collects documentary evidence of military service, as well as plans, maps or leaflets. There are also documentary photographs reflecting life in exile or the journey of soldiers alongside General Władysław Anders, as well as unique photographs of Polish settlements in Africa and India or photographs from Kazakhstan, as well as post-war shots of Polish emigrants from Great Britain, Canada, South Africa, the USA and Australia. In addition, there are artistic photographs, original photographs and photographs of witnesses taken during interviews. An important part of the Archive’s collection is made up of memorabilia, objects of everyday use and those related to the profession, military decorations, Second Polish Corps uniforms, British Army uniforms (Battle Dress), a jute rucksack, banners, a comb from Kazakhstan used to comb out lice, African patterned scarves, sculptures, masks. Undoubtedly, these memorabilia can be described as valuable legacies. The Centre’s resource is not only traditional documentation, but also digital, consisting of high-quality collections of resettlement documentation in Poland, in film and photographic form. Stories of witnesses to history have been documented in the form of audio-visual recordings, thus capturing not only the historical facts about resettlement, but also the figure of the witness to history. Thanks to the collected materials, it became possible to reconstruct the fate of many families, one such example being the Piskorz-Somchjanc family. Last but not least, it is worth emphasising the uniqueness of the Centre’s collection in terms of its territorial scope, as it was produced in many countries around the world, including Poland, the USSR, Iran, Iraq, Tanganyika, Italy, Egypt, Uganda, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada and Australia.
Access to the collection takes place in the reading room at the headquarters of the Centre for Documentation of Deportations, Expulsions and Resettlements.
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Fort Skotniki, 24 Kozienicka St., 30-397 Kraków
MONDAY – FRIDAY
8:00 – 15:00
Contact
+48 797 996 384
centrumdokumentacji@up.krakow.pl
Please contact us in advance to schedule an appointment.