DOCUMENTARY FILMS KEPT AT ARMENIA’S NATIONAL ARCHIVES TO BE DIGITALIZED IN 2008
Ruzanna Bagratunian
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 6 2007
Armenia
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Over 300 million documents whicg can
be included in 3.5 million files are kept at the National Archives
of Armenia. Most of these documents date back to the 19th century,
while the oldest one is Shah Abas’ edict in Arabic. The director
of the National Archives of Armenia Amatuni Virabian told this to
reporters on October 5.
He said that any resident of Armenia whose ancestors lived in Eastern
Armenia can make his/her family tree, while family trees of those from
Western Armenia can be traced beginning from the late 19th century.
According to A. Virabian, the scope of interests is changing over
time: for example, in the 1990s people showed great interest in the
history of the first Republic of Armenia because all documents on
this subject had been under ban for a long time. In 1990-1991, the
policy on archives was changed, and experts may study the history of
1918-1920. Right now, many take much interest in history of Armenian
settlements.
The director of the National Archives informed those present that
state departments have to transfer their documents to archives after
keeping them for 10 years. Only force structures may break this order
and keep their documents for 50 years. Files of repressed persons
are currently being received from the National Security Service.
"We are hehind many others in terms of digitalizing documents, whereas
in other countries people can obtain the necessary information just
from their home computers," A. Virabian noted.
According to him, starting from 2008, documentary films kept at the
National Archives of Armenia will be digitalized.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
