For genealogists
SKS offers diverse resources and services for genealogists
The collections of the SKS archive and library are an inexhaustible treasure trove of cultural heritage and literature, from which genealogists also make discoveries. Some of the resources are available on-site, but an increasing amount is also available online. The services of the SKS archive and library are open for everyone – welcome!
Most popular resources, services and links for genealogists
- Our online resources
- Archives
- Library Reference and Information Services
- SKS Finna
- Using the Archive materials
- National Biography of Finland
- Kynällä kyntäjät (Ploughing with Pen)
- 1918 – Minä olin siellä (I was there)
- Inkeri ja inkeriläisyys (Ingria and Ingrian Culture)
- Stalinin vainojen muistot (Memories of Stalin’s Great Purge)
- Codex Aitolahti (in Finnish)
- SKVR Database (in Finnish)
Here are some tips from SKS for genealogists
Run searches for personal history databases
The National Biography of Finland includes almost 6,500 short biographies by researchers and the collection is being continuously updated and supplemented. SKS’ online resources also include other personal historical databases.
Go to the National Biography of Finland
Make use of the SKS archive’s collections
The SKS archive’s Tradition and Contemporary Culture Collection includes oral history and traditions conveyed by thousands of collectors and informants. The Literature and Cultural History Collection includes extensive personal, family and association archives. We will happily assist you in finding and using the materials. We recommend that you book visits to the archive in advance. This will ensure that you will receive the materials immediately on your first visit.
Read more about the archive
Learn more about the background information sources
Information about the history, professions, residences and settlements, immigration and war experiences of Finland and municipalities help us develop genealogy. Information on these sources is available on SKS Finna.
Go to SKS Finna
Ask SKS Experts for Help with Information Retrieval
Our experts are at your service when you seek information and sources. We will guide you in the library and archive via a remote connection or on the spot. You can book an appointment for information retrieval by yourself or as a group.
Ask SKS
Visit the SKS’ peaceful workspaces
The bottom floor of SKS’ main building in Helsinki includes peaceful workplaces which are freely available, and some of which include computers. Welcome!
Read more about workspaces
Subscribe to the SKS newsletter
By subscribing to the newsletter to your email, you will hear the latest news of SKS. In the newsletters, we inform you about the latest news, resources, ethnographic surveys, services, publications and events of SKS.
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