BA / MA digital files

[nickterry]

Biggest @BundesarchivD update for a good while: 18.5.23 - 368.365 files; 20.5.23 - 377.862 files = +9.467 files, but totally unclear which collections were boosted. A few hundred added to 'OKH' keyword search, for example, most other terms the same as before. ??????
https://twitter.com/historiannick/statu ... 7951886337

Almost all other keywords that might normally show incremental growth for a small update remained the same. I wondered if this was a housekeeping change to the system, i.e. which files were counted as digitised, since last year there were some updates to keyword searches that did not show up in the headline count, but did not see if some previously barred files were now accessible.

One good thing from tweeting: Piet Duits replied to one of my updates, noting he had problems with a file he had ordered at Freiburg that was out for digitisation, and the Bundesarchiv Twitter team noticed this in their mentions, so replied to him asking for more information. But whether this means they clarify this mystery is another matter - likely they would not know, although in principle they should be able to find out.

The Bundesarchiv Twitter team turn out to be very responsive to their mentions and replied to my tweet about the +9K update then clarified the new collections. The main part of the extra +9K files come from the Bundeskanzleramt records from after 1949, the main thing of note for Axis History Forum was RH 15 AHA expanding a bit.
https://twitter.com/historiannick/statu ... 3935704064

Yesterday's update was a measly +56 files. Seems like a couple of files from NS 4 BU for Buchenwald went up. The pattern of updates means we should get something more from Freiburg soon.

[Piet Duits]

I did not get a reaction on my reply to them. I only mentioned one particular file, but there are more. I was even contacted by a staff member of the Ba-Ma regarding a particular RH 7 file which was incomplete. They are digitizing it and asked me if I perhaps made some pics of it.

[Mori]

I did not get a reaction on my reply to them. I only mentioned one particular file, but there are more. I was even contacted by a staff member of the Ba-Ma regarding a particular RH 7 file which was incomplete. They are digitizing it and asked me if I perhaps made some pics of it.

Funny

But that should (also) be the way. Private researchers who made copies over the years are also a backup for the official archives.

[nickterry]

@Bundesarchiv big update: 1.6.23 - 378.570 files; 3.6.23 - 379.906 files = +1,336 files. Berlin-Lichterfelde and Koblenz (+50 to ALLPROZ 3), mostly Freiburg - 300+ files added to RH 2 including 200 to the Org.Abt, ca. 600 Luftwaffe personnel files added to PERS 6. A good day
https://twitter.com/historiannick/statu ... 2607787011

also 100 more for Bundeskanzleramt, so at least +150 for Koblenz. SS went up +22 as a search term but unsure where.

File counts for RH 2 - 3368>3647, 562>605 Op, 418>630 Org. There are still a few gaps in the Org.Abt. files but they are significantly more complete, especially within the KTB sub-sections.

Also a few more Wehrkreis and Armeeoberkommando (+30 to RH 20) files, a smattering of more division files, Kriegstagebuch went from 4868>4946 within Reichswehr/Wehrmacht, not all of which is explained by the Org.Abt. additions.

[Tom Peters]

Is there a list that shows the titles of the new files ?

thanks,

Mad Dog

[Piet Duits]

Tom,
Nope, they don't do that

[nickterry]

If there was such a list, there would be no need to keep track of the updates indirectly with the headline counts or the additions to particular record groups.

One should keep notes on record groups being updated; at the turn of 2021/2022 there were only 3758 files marked as digitised for a OKH search, today there are 8681, with 3647 in RH 2, up from 969 in February 2022. I noted back then that there were 4756 files catalogued in RH 2, today it's 4795 catalogued files, so this record group is now 76% complete for the catalogued total.

It's easier to note when there is any digitisation at all in a record group, but this can vary between fairly complete and entirely nominal (scanning 1-2 map files in army or division records). Just adding 1-2 files doesn't mean the rest are imminently following.

The list of temporarily restricted record groups is by far the best indicator of what to expect from Freiburg, after one has done the basic searches for keywords and surveyed what is already there in RH, RL, RM, RS, RW.

The landing page is also now much more frequently updated; only record groups with more than 10 digitised files should be listed, and the lag between passing 10 and being added to the landing page is much shorter.
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/DE/Navigati ... aende.html

[Mihai Pica]

Also on Twitter they gave me this link which would have been super helpful it was being updated

https://www.bundesarchiv.de/DE/Content/ ... bt-ma.html

[Tom Peters]

Tom,
Nope, they don't do that

Hmmm...is there any way to examine the of files in the subdirectories so you can determine, for example, which Army in RH20 was updated ?

If not, would it be correct to think new files would have the highest # ?

thanks,

Mad Dog

[TH]

Hmmm...is there any way to examine the of files in the subdirectories so you can determine, for example, which Army in RH20 was updated ?

Yes, search by signature, e.g. 'RH *' or 'RH 20-*' (without quotes), and navigate to the level you want.

If not, would it be correct to think new files would have the highest # ?

No.

[pintere]

Is there a way to know the digitization timeline of selected record groups? Right now PERS 6 (for the Heer) has been digitized down to the level of Generalmajor (PERS 6/3149), and it would be good to know when they intend to move on to those who finished the war with the rank of Oberst.

[Mori]

Is there a way to know the digitization timeline of selected record groups? Right now PERS 6 (for the Heer) has been digitized down to the level of Generalmajor (PERS 6/3149), and it would be good to know when they intend to move on to those who finished the war with the rank of Oberst.

No, there is not.

[Westphalia1812]

Was los bei den...sind die eingeschlafen oder was?

[nickterry]

@BundesarchivD update this morning: as of 1.7.23, 383.882 files = +1129. Some Koblenz, more Berlin-Lichterfelde (incl +4 to NS 19 and +a few to R 15001 and R 55), lots of Freiburg - +260 to Kriegsmarine keyword search.
Freiburg's updates include another tranche of 6th Army files (+100 or so, now 877 files of 1693 digitised) in RH 20.
https://twitter.com/historiannick/statu ... 1651648513

[Joda]

Hallo all,

Just a question before asking to Bundesarchiv: does anyone owns these folders? Obviously also for sale...Just for personal use, no publishing.

- R 70-SOWJETUNION/88
- R 70-SOWJETUNION/87
- R 70-SOWJETUNION/41

Many thanks in advance