Dr. Péter Balázs: Guide to the archives of Hungary (Budapest, 1976)

(Special Archives of State Organs and Social Organizations) - A Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Levéltára (Archives of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

Up to 1946 the Archives of Military History found a home in the building of the Hungarian National Archives. Hence it was transferred to its present place, the former Nándor barracks, erected in 1847. It is active in the framework of the scientific institution of the Hungarian People's Army, the Military History Institute and Museum. It is subordinated to the Political Section of the Ministry of Defence. The archival material totals about 5,600 running metres, the annual growth is 40 to 50 running metres. # The most ancient records of the Archives of Military History are contained in several collections. The most valuable is the collection of the Turkish period (1441-1789). There are 5 pre-1526 charters among the records, alas, they are only copies. The collection contains important data on the life of the territories under Turkish domination and still under Hungarian rule, and also on the operational moves of the troops. The material is well accessible to research, a shelf-list has been prepared. The collection of family archival groups (1459-1945) embraces the records connected with^the activity of several persons, having run a significant military career (e.g. András HADIK, Ignác SPLÉNYI, Artúr GÖRGEY, etc.). The archives of the family Dániel keep the oldest record of the collection, the grant of King Matthias from 1459. The collection of Kuruc times (1703-1711) contains copies in the first place, but also some valuable original letters by Rákóczi and Bercsényi. For the activity of the nobilitary guards, founded by Queen Maria Theresa (1760-1850) the archival group of this body is important. The records of the Royal Guards are preserved between the years 1867 and 1918. The Archives also keeps the records of the nobilitary insurrection between 1797 and 1809. The General Headquarters of Hungary (General Commando fur Ungarn) was active from 1740 to 1883 under various names. Being the highest military Headquarters of Hungary, it was responsible for the maintenance of order and safety of the country, and it directed, supervised and controlled the life and the activity of the army stationed in Hungary, all military objects and all sorts of headquarters. It had five great sections: military, political, economic, judicial affairs and provision. Its records are important for the eighteenthnineteenth century recruiting, allocation and provision of the troops, building