fot. Magdalena Lapshin / CC-BY-SA 4.0
Since 2015, the Kochłowice Digital Archive has been collecting unique archival materials about Kochłowice, once an independent municipality and today a district of Ruda Śląska in Upper Silesia, Poland. These include photos, letters, postcards, documents and press clippings as well as oral history interviews, which we perform ourselves. The materials are collected not only for their historical value, but also due to their significance for the community of present and former inhabitants of the district.
The concept of the digital archive originated in the Genius Loci Association, most of the members of which come from Kochłowice. Since 2008, the Association has been engaged in cultural heritage work and history education about the region of Upper Silesia. Among others, we look after two historical monuments in Ruda Śląska (remains of a medieval settlement and a combat shelter from the 1930s).
fot. Małgorzata Hadała / All rights reserved
Our archive is digital – this means that we do not store physical files, but only make digital copies of materials, primarily from family and private collections. Our findings are presented on this website. Moreover, we organize readings, city rallies, contests and informal meetings for those interested in the history of the district.
The Kochłowice Digital Archive is a non-commercial project based on volunteer work. That is why we are happy to receive donations that will enable us to expand the scope of our activities and to purchase the necessary technical equipment (scanners, sound recorders).
You can transfer donations directly to the bank account of the Genius Loci Association (SWIFT: INGBPLPW, IBAN: PL24 2130 0004 2001 0522 1858 0001) with a note "Cyfrowe Archiwum Kochlowic".
We also would like to get in touch with people who could share with us the treasure trove of their family archives. If you are considering making your family photos available for the archive, please contact us by email or by phone.