Archives d'État de Genève AEG

Overview

The Archives d'État de Genève (AEG, State Archives of Geneva) are the official archival institution of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. Located primarily at Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville 1 (the former Arsenal building), the AEG is responsible for forming, communicating, and enhancing the archives of the cantonal state. They are open to all members of the public.

History and Founding

The origins of Geneva's archives trace back to the Middle Ages, when the city was subject to episcopal authority. From the 14th century, as the community of citizens developed its autonomy, documentary evidence of rights and privileges began to be preserved. By the mid-15th century, Geneva had established formal repositories and finding tools. As Geneva became sovereign with the departure of the bishop in the early 16th century, the archives grew in importance. Archives were united and placed under the care of a guardian in 1815; systematic classification began in 1839 with the appointment of the first archivist, Louis Sordet. The Adhemar online database, launched in 1986 and expanded in 1989, now provides access to inventories of post-1986 fonds and digitized collections.

Collections and Holdings

The AEG preserves approximately 30 linear kilometers of documents covering the activities of the cantonal administration from the beginning of the 14th century to the present. Holdings include deliberations and decisions of the executive and legislative bodies, financial and territorial records, population registers, judicial and police records, notarial archives, and Reformation and Protestant Church records including a complete fund of the Compagnie des pasteurs (1546–1944). The archive also holds private archives—collections of families, political parties, trade unions, associations, and individuals—linked to Geneva. A press documentation collection and a collection of miscellaneous printed items (ephemera) are also maintained. The archive holds a collection of approximately 40,000 items in its historical portfolio ranging from 912 to 1846.

Access and Usage

The main reading room and library are at the AEG headquarters at Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville 1 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00 from September to June; 09:00–17:00 in July–August). A second reading room is at 52 Rue de la Terrassière. The online Adhemar database provides inventory access and digitized documents. Since 2020, the library catalogue is integrated into the Swiss Library Service Platform (SLSP), accessible via Swisscovery.