A Historical and Archival Guide to Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár, 2003)

THE HISTORY OF SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR TOWN ARCHIVES

Although the archives office was instituted only in 1 793, several regulations were made regarding the town's file management during the time of King Joseph II. A regulation of the Council of Governor-Generals is worth mentioning; it prohibits the town-clerk and other officials from creating a separate cabinet.

7 It should also be noted that during this period not only documents but also other valuables were kept in the archives. The first director of the archives mentioned personally is János Zsarvóczay (Zarnóczay); he held his office from 1788.

8 Earlier he had been a scribe employed by the town between 1763-1765.

9 In 1790 the chief-scribe József Papp was appointed registrator. At the same time his 100 forints salary was doubled.

10 He served in his position until he died in 1794." Then a deputy was found, György Soós was charged with a temporary commission. This office was filled in 1 796. The fact that ten applicants applied for the position with town officials among them indicates the appreciated role of the archivist. The candidate was selected by secret voting, where János Szabó won by the majority of votes. However, a few months later he resigned his office.

12 Probably due to the state of affairs following his resignation, the unregulated situation of the office came to the surface, as both the chancellery and the council wished to exercise control over it. Finally, inspired by the example of the town of Buda, the town-clerk's office exercised supervision over the archivist.

13 János Szabó was followed by Mátyás Kis(z)ling in the year after.

14 At the re-election of officials on 3 July 1801 György Soós was elected;

15 he served for a longer period in his post. Mátyás Knitt(e)lhojfer, who became his successor on 13 Mav 1 814,

16 held the office until his death. On 22 November 1816 János Faster was elected as archivist.

17 Füster held the archivist office till 17 February 1820, then the royal commissioner appointed him second deputy clerk; later he obtained higher town offices.

18 Füster's successor in the post was István Lasits, who spent nine years in the service of the town; prior to his promotion he had been second chancellery clerk. Besides his tasks in the archives he had to go on with keeping the land-register.

19