Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich State Archives of the Canton of Zurich (StAZH)

Overview

The Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich (State Archives of the Canton of Zurich), abbreviated StAZH, is the official archive of the Swiss Canton of Zurich and its legal predecessors, most notably the former city-state of Zurich. It is one of Switzerland's most historically significant cantonal archives, with holdings extending back more than 1,100 years.

History and Founding

The modern State Archive dates formally to 4 February 1837, when Hans Jakob Ammann was elected as the first director with the new title of State Archivist, succeeding the previous registrar. At the same time, the various separate archives of the canton began consolidating into a single central archive. From that point, outside researchers no longer required government council permission to access the archive. Prior to the modern institution, archival records were maintained by the Cantonal Chancellery. The archive was housed in temporary buildings until 1982, when it moved to its current premises on Winterthurerstrasse in Zurich.

Collections and Holdings

The State Archive's historical holdings date back to 853 AD; the oldest surviving document is the founding charter of the Fraumünster. The archive currently holds approximately 30 linear kilometers of records, supplemented by several terabytes of electronic data. Annual accessions amount to around 800 linear meters. The collection encompasses records of cantonal authorities (Cantonal Council, Government Council, central and district administration, courts, notaries, and public institutions), as well as private materials from companies, associations, guilds, families, and individuals. The archive operates a public reference library focused on the history of the Canton of Zurich and archival science. Its staff of approximately 75 includes historians and restorers.

Notable Materials

Among its most remarkable holdings are government protocols preserved nearly continuously since the late fifteenth century. The archive holds unique medieval manuscript documents, maps and charts, collections of laws and official journals, and cantonal council minutes. Digital access to full texts of the collection of laws, official journal, and council resolutions is available through the online catalogue.

Access and Usage

The archive provides public access to its holdings through publicly accessible reading rooms, an online archive catalogue at suche.staatsarchiv.djiktzh.ch, and advisory services for researchers. It also supervises and advises municipal archives throughout the canton. Reading room hours include extended evening access on Tuesdays and Thursdays.