Users are requested to carefully read and abide by the “Reading Room Regulations”.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
For obtaining information and assistance with regard to the procedures for registering on the Portal, reserving seats in the Reading Room and requesting archival material, please follow the tutorials at the following link
MINIMUM GLOSSARY OF ARCHIVAL TERMINOLOGY
To make it easier to understand the descriptions and use the services of the Historical Diplomatic Archives, we provide some definitions below.
Deposit: the delivery of a set of documents by a public organisation to Archives
Fonds: a set of documents produced and/or accumulated by a given organisation in the course of its activities. The selection of fonds is the first step in choosing the material to consult.
Envelope or folder:
container in which documents are stored. The selection of the envelope, identifiable through the descriptive tools of our Archives, is the second step in the choice of the material to consult.
FAQ
- What are the essential steps to access consultation?
Registering, completing and sending the search request, booking the visit dates and the documents to consult: all these operations can be carried out through the Portal.
- Is it necessary to book the documents to consult BEFORE accessing the Archives?
Yes, it is. After you have reserved your visit, you shall proceed to book the documents (envelopes), again through the Portal.
- How can I communicate with the Historical Diplomatic Archives?
Through the e-mail address archiviostorico@esteri.it or the telephone numbers indicated on the website, NOT through the Portal, which should be used only for registrations, reservations, etc.
- How can I publish material consulted at the Archives?
If users wish to include copies of documents or the transcription of the entire document in their own publications, they shall submit a specific request by e-mail (archiviostorico@esteri.it) pursuant to the Reading Room Regulations.
- Is it possible to receive copies of documents by e-mail or regular mail?
No, it is not possible. The Historical Diplomatic Archives do not provide a photo-reproduction service and do not send copies of stored material.
- Is it possible to make reproductions and photographs?
Yes, it is possible on site and with personal devices, but after obtaining the relevant authorisation through the Archives’ portal.
- What can I do if all the places in the Reading Room time schedule are reserved?
We recommend that you continue to periodically consult the time schedule (on the Portal) to check for new available places resulting from cancellations by other users.
- What should I do if I am unable to come on the day I reserved?
We recommend cancelling your reservation as far in advance as possible, again through the Portal. Requests for reservations are numerous, so it is advisable to make it easier for other interested users to come.
- When should I make a new search request?
Search requests shall be renewed in the event of a change in the search subject and an extension of the search timeframe. They shall NOT be renewed in the event of communications or new visit reservations.