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

Vas Megyei Levéltár (Vas County Archives)

Of the archives of the estates of monks that of the Szentgotthárd Cistercian Abbey is outstanding, with medieval documents and a very rich socage (urbarial) material. Among the 46 family archival groups the medieval documents and the papers on extensive farming make those of the Erdődy of Vep, the Szelestey and the Horváth of Szentgyörgy especially precious. Of our collections the collection of maps with 1567 manuscript maps and the press collection (from 1867) deserve to be mentioned. Finally one of the most valuable parts of the Archives is the material of the royal free city of Kőszeg, totalling 350 running metres, located in an art monument of Kőszeg city (Lábasház) and representing a self-standing archive branch. Its assembly journals are continuous from 1572. Its secret archives preserve the most important records of the city rights from the thirteenth century, its mixed series called Acta miscellanea contains valuable data on the political, social and cultural history of Western Transdanubia. The economic account books of the city from 1600 are relevant for economic history but also for the history of art. The records of its bourgeois period have been selected from 1860 to 1913. Publication of the Archives: A Vas megyei Levéltár fondjainak jegyzéke (List of Archival Groups of the Vas County Archives), Budapest 1969. The research room is apt for 10 persons, open in office hours from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. A microfilm reader is at disposal. The reference library totals almost 6000 volumes and contains a rich material on local history. Dictionaries and encyclopaedias are at hand for research. The archival photographic laboratory is able to take minor commands. Xerox copies may be obtained through the county library. Dr. Ferenc HORVATH