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Romania

March 17th, 2004: Archive Research Permission

The permission process for researching in the national or county-level archives of Romania has been diligently bureaucratic in the past, and has thwarted many an unprepared visitor/genealogist’s objective. However, while researching in Romania recently, some critical changes began to occur.

Previously, permission needed to be granted from Bucharest for research in the individual county archives, even though each archive had a very educated and capable director. When in Cluj recently, on March 4th, 2004, I presented letters of recommendation from officials and observed the process as it was intended, and began my research. However, clues quickly demanded a change in locations being researched, and meant another lengthy foray through the paperwork gauntlet, beginning back at Bucharest. The process had to start all over again.

With patience, I requested to meet with the local director, hoping to skirt any unnecessary step in the next round of requests since my time was short. He was in an important meeting that lasted all afternoon, and our discussions were delayed until the following morning. Discouraging? On the contrary, I was elated!

The purpose of that important meeting, between the National Director and the Cluj Director, was the change in policies for permission to research. The requests for permission now can be sent directly to the county archive, though should still be made well in advance of arrival. However, when a sudden shift to a new and unexpected location is warranted, the approval can be granted from within the repository itself. There are still some specific special requests that require authorization from Bucharest, but the process of Romanian research has just become much simpler.

The gradual evolution of archival administration in Romania is great news for those of us trying to help reconnect Romanian descendants with their fascinating heritage.