Understanding Portuguese Historical Archives
Portuguese historical archives are treasure troves of information, containing documents that date back centuries. These archives include a wide range of materials such as letters, maps, photographs, manuscripts, and official records. To begin your research, it is important to familiarize yourself with the types of archives available in Portugal.
Types of Archives
1. **Arquivo Nacional Torre do Tombo**: This is the national archive of Portugal, located in Lisbon. It holds some of the most significant historical documents of the country, including royal decrees, census records, and colonial archives.
2. **Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal**: Also located in Lisbon, the National Library of Portugal houses an extensive collection of books, periodicals, and manuscripts. It is a valuable resource for researchers looking for literary and historical texts.
3. **Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino**: This archive specializes in documents related to Portugal’s overseas territories. It is an invaluable resource for those researching the colonial history of Portugal.
4. **Municipal Archives**: Many cities and towns in Portugal have their own municipal archives, which contain documents related to the local history and administration. Examples include the Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa and the Arquivo Municipal do Porto.
5. **Ecclesiastical Archives**: These archives contain records related to the Catholic Church in Portugal, including baptismal, marriage, and burial records. Examples include the Arquivo da Sé Patriarcal de Lisboa and the Arquivo da Mitra de Braga.
Key Research Terms in Portuguese
To effectively navigate these archives, it is crucial to understand some key research terms in Portuguese. Here are some important terms and their English translations:
General Terms
– **Arquivo**: Archive
– **Documento**: Document
– **Manuscrito**: Manuscript
– **Registro**: Record
– **Biblioteca**: Library
– **Catálogo**: Catalog
– **Coleção**: Collection
– **Inventário**: Inventory
– **Pesquisa**: Research
– **Fonte**: Source
Types of Documents
– **Carta**: Letter
– **Mapa**: Map
– **Fotografia**: Photograph
– **Atas**: Minutes (of meetings)
– **Testamento**: Will
– **Certidão**: Certificate
– **Censo**: Census
– **Decreto**: Decree
– **Proclamação**: Proclamation
– **Relatório**: Report
– **Diário**: Diary
Archival Descriptions
– **Fundo**: Collection or fund
– **Série**: Series
– **Dossiê**: File
– **Unidade de Conservação**: Conservation unit
– **Subsérie**: Subseries
– **Conjunto documental**: Document set
– **Documento avulso**: Loose document
– **Índice**: Index
People and Institutions
– **Autor**: Author
– **Destinatário**: Recipient
– **Assinatura**: Signature
– **Oficial**: Official
– **Secretário**: Secretary
– **Governador**: Governor
– **Rei**: King
– **Rainha**: Queen
– **Padre**: Priest
– **Bispo**: Bishop
Dates and Time Periods
– **Data**: Date
– **Ano**: Year
– **Século**: Century
– **Década**: Decade
– **Período**: Period
– **Era**: Era
– **Ano de nascimento**: Year of birth
– **Ano de falecimento**: Year of death
Geographical Terms
– **Local**: Place
– **Cidade**: City
– **Vila**: Town
– **Aldeia**: Village
– **Distrito**: District
– **Província**: Province
– **Região**: Region
– **Território**: Territory
Tips for Conducting Research in Portuguese Archives
Conducting research in Portuguese archives can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Define Your Research Objectives
Before you begin your research, it is important to clearly define your research objectives. What specific information are you looking for? Are you researching a particular historical event, a specific individual, or a broader topic? Having a clear research focus will help you navigate the archives more efficiently.
2. Familiarize Yourself with Archival Finding Aids
Most archives have finding aids, such as catalogs, inventories, and indexes, that help researchers locate specific documents. Familiarize yourself with these tools and learn how to use them effectively. Many finding aids are available online, allowing you to conduct preliminary research before visiting the archive in person.
3. Learn Basic Portuguese Phrases
While many archivists and librarians in Portugal may speak English, it is helpful to learn some basic Portuguese phrases to facilitate communication. Phrases such as “Onde posso encontrar…” (Where can I find…) and “Estou procurando por…” (I am looking for…) can be very useful.
4. Take Detailed Notes
When conducting research, take detailed notes on the documents you examine. Include information such as the document title, date, author, and location within the archive. This will help you keep track of your findings and make it easier to reference specific documents later.
5. Respect Archival Rules and Regulations
Archives often have specific rules and regulations regarding the handling of documents. Be sure to follow these rules to ensure the preservation of historical materials. This may include using gloves when handling fragile documents, not using flash photography, and maintaining a quiet environment.
Online Resources for Portuguese Historical Research
In addition to physical archives, there are several online resources that can aid in your Portuguese historical research. Here are some valuable online tools and databases:
1. DigitArq
DigitArq is the online catalog of the Arquivo Nacional Torre do Tombo. It provides access to a vast collection of digitized documents, including royal decrees, colonial records, and manuscripts. The website is available in both Portuguese and English, making it a valuable resource for non-Portuguese speakers.
2. Biblioteca Nacional Digital
The Biblioteca Nacional Digital (National Digital Library) is the digital branch of the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal. It offers access to digitized books, manuscripts, and periodicals. The website also provides tools for searching and browsing the collection.
3. Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino Digital
This digital archive provides access to documents related to Portugal’s overseas territories. It includes maps, letters, and reports from the colonial period. The website is available in Portuguese, but many documents are in multiple languages, including English.
4. PORDATA
PORDATA is a comprehensive database of statistical information about Portugal. It includes historical data on population, economy, education, and more. The website is available in both Portuguese and English, making it a useful resource for researchers looking for quantitative data.
5. Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts & Culture provides access to digitized collections from museums and archives around the world, including Portugal. It offers virtual tours, high-resolution images, and detailed descriptions of historical artifacts. This can be a great starting point for visual research.
Conclusion
Researching Portuguese historical archives can be a challenging but immensely rewarding endeavor. By familiarizing yourself with key research terms and understanding the types of archives available, you can navigate these rich repositories of information more effectively. Whether you are researching a specific historical event, tracing your family history, or exploring the cultural heritage of Portugal, the knowledge and resources provided in this article will serve as a valuable guide on your journey. Remember to define your research objectives, utilize finding aids, and respect archival rules to make the most of your research experience. Happy exploring!
