A Historical and Archival Guide to Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár, 2003)
THE HISTORY OF SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR TOWN ARCHIVES
The director of the archives was not among the most honoured jobs. Lasits requested a pay-rise in 1821, but the council refused his right and proper claim referring to the economic and financial conditions of the town: "The officials would deserve a pay-rise, as the salaries do not even reach the systematicum of the year 1764, nevertheless food and other goods have become more expensive, but the town does not have income in pengő currency, " 2() Lasits however, managed to make improvements in other fields, as he acquired consoles for storing the law-court documents, and he got a cabinet in his study. 21 Lasits served in his office until he died, then in 1827 a scribe Károly Fanta was appointed from six applicants. 22 Fanta's archivist career did not last long, later he held higher town offices. In 1848 at the municipal elections he obtained one of the town-councillor places. 23 A scribe, János Mihalik was appointed temporarily as his successor. 24 Mihalik had been employed by the town for 15 years and served in the town-clerks office. 25 He was affirmed in his office bv the royal commissioner in May the following year. 26 Mihalik held his office as archivist for a longer period. In the first years he had to perform significant work. It partly meant taking over the records left in the scribes' office and making catalogues, registers. In 1 833 the archives' permanent staff became enlarged, on this occasion a scribe György Horváth was appointed to work here. János Mihalik requested later as well to employ assistance staff, but he could not find means of employing permanent colleagues. Royal commissioner David Marich followed the affairs of the archives with attention, just as well as other offices and positions. In 1823 he asked the council for information about the functioning of the archives and the circumstances of its establishment. The council explained in their response, that it had been established in 1793 on the order of the royal commissioner János Latinovits, but detailed written orders had not been made, only verbal instructions had been given to the archivist, who could issue documents only with the permission of the town-clerk's office. 27 The instructions of the archives were elaborated in 1 824. 28 Prior to this the institute changed place; in 1813 some major reconstructions were made. The northern part of the building was pulled down and a new one was built; the archives were housed here. 29 The ever-
