history of national archive
On August 26, 1969 the National Archives was established. The initial goal of the National Archives was to safeguard the primary sources of national history, which were in a bad state at that time. The National Archives was and is committed to professionally manage and preserve these archives with the aim to make them useful. All archives in the National Archives are publicly available.
The National Archives manages the original sources of our history over the period 1828-1939 with a volume of approximately three linear kilometers of shelf space. Since its inception, the National Archives, through its own restoration studio, safeguarded and restored many of these sources from further decay. The records were processed and made available for public viewing. Most of the Federal Archives for the period after 1939 have still to be transferred. An extensive project is scheduled for that in the coming years.
Meanwhile, the National Archives holds extensive collections of microfilm copies of archives from 1713, newspapers, interesting private archives, nearly 400,000 photographs and negatives, audio-visual material from app. 1928 and an extensive collection of historical maps and drawings. Together they form our national memory. These collections are open to everyone.
In 1989, the first ordinance to federal archives was drafted. It regulated the whole (not only historical) archival care of the federal government. The first Archives Law passed Parliament in 1996. In 2008 an entire new Archives Law came into being. Since the nineties, a master plan was developed, based on the (new) requirements of the Archives Law. The trajectory plotted from then included a comprehensive update of organization, housing, services and regulations.
products and services
reading room
It is in the reading rooms where the archives meet their main function: they are made available to you. You can read and touch the originals of our national history. You are entitled to free access to these originals. There are a number of reading rooms available.
First there is a room for genealogical research (ancestor’s research), a separate room for general historical research and a room for our audio visual material. We accommodate modern facilities for microfilm reading as well. We have made available more then one million entries of the Civil Registers Records on the Genlias Database on Internet.
restoration
The Restoration Studio guards our national memory for decay, restoring damaged resources, repairing damage and bind books and journals. As it is the only restoration studio in our country, it serves for third parties as well.
photography
The photo and Repro section provides all public and government demands for photographic and digital reproductions. The section also explains the characteristic changes in our community and helps to establish photographic exhibitions, publications and presentations. Microfilming of newspapers and archival records is also a task of this section.
Inspection and Advice
National Archives primary processes begin with the "entry" of archives from the various federal departments. After 20 years the Departments Records should be transferred to the National Archives. Not all their records will be transferred / made public at the National Archives. Only those records that do not qualify for destruction should be transferred. Appraisal is therefore a main effort of the federal departments. They decide which of their records qualifies for transfer or disposition.
This selection / appraisal is an obligation of these various federal bodies. It is a part of their mainstream information management. The National Archivist, delegated by the Minister, is the senior executive overseeing federal records management. He sees to it that appraisal and transfer to the National Archives will take place on a regular basis. An Inspection report is made up annually by the General State Archivist and reported to the Minister. These findings also set policy priorities. A mayor project is planned to catch up with the backlog in disposition and transfer.
Acquisition
Private archives and collections are an important addition to the information in public records to find. They may contain information about the particular socio-economic life in a particular period of history. Therefore, the National Archives is also acquiring private archives and collections. Individuals, institutions and foundations can contact the National Archives if they wish to transfer their archives and collections. Employees of the National Archives will come to you to determine whether they qualify our acquisition profile.
exhibition
By organizing exhibitions, the National Archives seeks interest and knowledge of our national history to promote. With these exhibitions, the National Archives also displays their most unique, otherwise hidden, material.
publication
The National Archives aims to promote and stimulate knowledge of our national history. In this context, the magazine Lantèrnu is published. The publications are made on the basis of the sources / archives held by the National Archives. Thus, a number Lantèrnu publications are realized. All these publications are available and for sale at the National Archives.
Special Editions The special editions are basically not part of the Lantèrnu series.
Courses / Tours / Lectures / Education
By means of active promotion, we strive to diffuse the knowledge of our history and culture to the widest possible audience. We therefore organize publications, lectures, tours and exhibitions. Especially for students, programs and meetings are set up to introduce them in a playful manner to the unique collections of our National Archives and the principle of evidence-based-research.
genealogy
Most people who deal with a pedigree find it fun. They search for the names and other details of their parents and ancestors to complete their family mapping. Sometimes family researchers go all the way as to writing an entire family history. Genealogy is performed in Europe for centuries. It used to be the “noble” families who mapped their ancestors. Genealogical research has increased considerably in recent years. At the National Archives different kinds of sources can be used in genealogical research.
The main sources are: The Civil Registers Records from (1817) 1831 until 1920:
- Birth Registers, 1831-1920
- Death Records, 1831-1920
- Marriages and divorces in the wedding attachments, 1817-1920
- The records of births and deaths of slaves, 1838-1863
“Manumission” Letters. The National Archives also has relevant literature such as books and magazines helping you to conduct genealogical research. More than one million Civil Records deeds are indexed and available online. Most of the civil status registers has been put on microfilm or have been digitized. You can research your use of the reading and printing devices. Their use is free, but there are costs involved in making copies.
mission statement
We strive to develop the National Archives of Curaçao as the uniting force of our nation. We keep control of public records, shall ensure the professional management of the public records, we preserve our cultural and historical heritage, being the memory of our nation, with the aim to help improve our administrative quality and functioning, promote our historical awareness and nationbuilding.
Our final product, public available records, is fully accessible to the public in general and researchers in particular. Our products are available without charge through all kinds of media and data carriers.
We strive to ensure optimum service to our clients, become the most specialized and complete cultural-historical information center of our nation, and strive to continuously professionalize our work.
The National Archives is committed to:
Strengthening the national memory and awareness of the population through the provision and management of historical archives;
The preservation of the cultural-historical heritage;
Promote the knowledge of our culture and history on the basis of recorded information (written, audio-visual and digital sources);
Supporting Government’s Administration by keeping their records accessible and available;
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Promoting good and transparent governance a.o. by means of supervising information and records management;
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Perform all other tasks delegated to the National Archives by the National Archives Ordinance.
Tasks and Organization
To meet these objectives proactively, the National Archives has determined three main task areas within the organization. We distinguish the input, output and processing of historical information. Within the organization these tasks are dealt with by three different sections.
The Acquisition and Inspection Department handles the input of new records. The Recordsmanagement Section is responsible for processing the input: it makes the inventories, restores and preserves records in the most optimal conditions. After these processes it is the Public Service Department which is responsible for the output: records are made available for public viewing in our reading rooms. Actively promoting our history is also a function of this department.
To support these primary tasks, a department Personnel and General Affairs, a secretary and a policy adviser are included in the formation of the National Archives. They exercise the so called secondary or ancillary tasks.
