From protecting historical records to supporting justice and human rights, archives shape how we understand the past and the future. International Archives Week 2026 shines a light on their global importance.
Decoding historical records often feels like solving a mystery. Between old German handwriting, smudged ink, and unfamiliar scripts such as Kurrent, even experienced researchers sometimes have to stop and rethink what they’re seeing.
Your ancestors did not check a weather app. They did not even check a thermometer in most centuries. What they had instead was a tightly woven calendar of saints' days, farm rhythms, and proverbs handed down across generations, refined by anyone who
What sounds like “Halloween in April” is actually Walpurgisnacht - a night where bonfires, saints, and centuries-old folklore collide. Discover what this layered tradition reveals about the world your German ancestors lived in.