arkivforvaltningen

Arkivforvaltningen is a Norwegian government agency responsible for managing the country's public archives and records. It was created in 1862 with the aim of collecting, preserving, and providing access to historical documents and archives. The agency is headquartered in Oslo and operates under the Ministry of Culture and Equality.

The main responsibility of Arkivforvaltningen is to safeguard Norway's cultural heritage by preserving and storing records and archives from various government agencies, institutions, and private organizations. This includes documents related to politics, economy, education, and social affairs, which provide insight into the country's history, development, and cultural context.

Arkivforvaltningen acquires, appraises, and evaluates archive collections from public and private sources, and makes them available to researchers, historians, genealogists, and the general public. The agency also provides guidance on archival management, digitization, and preservation techniques for institutions and organizations with archival responsibilities.

Arkivforvaltningen owns and manages a large collection of archival materials, including paper documents, photographs, films, sound recordings, and digital files. These materials are housed in the National Archives in Hamar and the Oslo Central Archives, where they are preserved and stored in secure conditions.

The agency's collection spans over a thousand years, covering the Middle Ages to the present day. The materials are used in historical research, academic studies, and cultural projects, as well as in genealogical and family research. Arkivforvaltningen also cooperates with other European countries and international organizations to exchange knowledge and best practices in archival management.