Who's behind the news?
Who's behind the news?
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Newsjunkie.net is a resource guide for journalists. We show who's behind the news, and provide tools to help navigate the modern business of information.
Use of Data
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The National Archives of Iceland (Icelandic: Þjóðskjalasafn Íslands) was founded in April 1882 by Hilmar Finsen, the Danish-appointed governor of Iceland. It is the country's official national archive, holding materials spanning more than 850 years of Icelandic history, from 12th-century saga-era documents through to the present day. Initially housed in the attic of Reykjavík Cathedral, it later moved to the Parliament Building before settling at its current premises on Laugavegur 162. Under the Public Archives Act No. 77 of 2014, the Archives operates as a separate government entity under the Minister of Education, Science and Culture.
The Archives is the largest repository of primary sources on Icelandic history. Its principal holdings include records of government officials and departments from the Reformation (mid-16th century) to the present, as well as the archives of national and regional governors from the period of Danish rule, Home Rule administrations, ministries, district commissioners, bishops, clergy, and private individuals and corporations. Collections include census records, church records, court documents, tax and mortgage records, legal documents, official correspondence, and electronic government data. Paper documents are accepted once they reach 30 years of age; electronic records are received after five years.
Although primarily a governmental archive, the National Archives holds extensive collections of official correspondence and records that document press regulation, broadcasting legislation, and public communications from the era of Danish rule through the modern Icelandic state. The online register contains approximately 1.2 million entries covering three-quarters of total holdings, and Tímarit.is, a separate digital initiative, provides access to millions of pages from Icelandic newspapers and magazines in partnership with other institutions.
The reading room at Laugavegur 162 is open to the public on weekdays throughout the year. Document requests must be submitted in writing at least 24 hours in advance. Access restrictions apply to personal and financial records (80-year limit), medical records (100-year limit), and certain active public interest documents (40-year limit). Census and church records become accessible after 50 years. The Archives also offers guided tours for groups and educational institutions, in Icelandic and English. Digital copies of materials can be ordered for a fee, and an extensive online database allows remote searching.