Records and their use

The Provincial Archives of Vaasa holds the records of district and local authorities in its archives district (the Regional Councils of Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia and South Ostrobothnia). Several church archives and the archives of various municipalities have also been deposited in the Provincial Archives. In addition to archives of the authorities, the Provincial Archives holds several hundred private archives, such as records of businesses, associations and societies, villages, houses, families and private individuals.

The oldest record held in the Provincial Archives is a deed of sale dating from 1407 in the village archives of Norra Vallgrund. The oldest records from government authorities generally date from the 17th and 18th centuries. However, most of the records are from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Provincial Archives of Vaasa houses a total of around 2,800 archives and has 7,500 shelf-metres of records.

More detailed information on the records held by the Provincial Archives is available in the Vakka Archival Database.

In addition to original records, the Provincial Archives holds records on microfilms and microfiche. Some of the oldest court records and census lists as well as parish records have been microfilmed There is a total of around 2,600 microfilms and 92,500 microfiche in the Provincial Archives of Vaasa.