North Rhine-Westphalia State Archives Westphalia Division, Government archive in Münster, Germany
The North Rhine-Westphalia State Archives Westphalia Division is a government facility in Münster holding records from secular and church territories spanning roughly twelve centuries. It houses documents from courts, tax offices, and authorities alongside records from dissolved monasteries in the region.
Founded in 1832, the facility preserves records from former Prussian territories and monasteries that were dissolved before 1815. These documents document territorial reorganization and religious changes in Westphalia during that era.
The collections reflect the religious and secular history of the region through documents from monasteries and authorities that shaped society. Visitors can trace how daily life, governance, and community changed across centuries through the records preserved here.
The reading room is accessible by elevator, and two reserved parking spaces near the rear entrance provide barrier-free access to the facility. Visitors should plan ahead and check which collections relate to their research topics before arriving.
The archive manages records from courts and tax authorities in the former districts of Arnsberg and Münster that visitors often overlook. These specialized collections offer rare glimpses into past administrative practices and local legal proceedings.
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