The Danish National Business Archives collect and preserve archival material with the purpose of clarifying the History and Development of Danish Trade and Industry.
The purpose of the Danish National Business Archives is to ensure the preservation of records for the most significant major social and historical enterprises. Furthermore, the Archives collect a representative selection of records from other undertakings within all varieties of businesses and sectors. Records are collected from the central organisations within Danish Trade and Industry, from local and national sectorial associations and labour market organisations, as well as from a number of regional and local organisations. Additionally, they collect private records from prominent individuals within businesses and organisations.
Businesses and organisations are not under any obligation to keep and submit their archival material. The collections at the National Business Archives are, consequently, based on agreements relating to voluntary submissions to this repository.
The collections at the National Business Archives comprise approximately 50 kilometres of shelving.
The oldest material dates back to around 1500. By the end of the eighteenth century there was a steady increase in the size of the collections: the main part originates from the period dated 1850 to 1950.
There are around 6,500 archives from businesses of every kind, particularly from trade, industry and the crafts; however, there are important collections from other areas as well. Moreover, archives from approximately 800 central and sectorial organisations within trade and industry, as well as from other professional and labour organisations, have been preserved. Finally, 200 to 300 archives from business people, professionals and institutions with ties to trade and industry are held at this archival body.
In 1991 to 2000, a guide in four volumes (only in Danish) was published of the collections at the Danish National Business Archives, with lists organised according to business sector. Condensed lists of the contents of the main part of the archives may be found at: www.danpa.dk.
Since 1949, the Danish National Business Archives have published "Erhvervshistorisk Årbog" (a historical business yearbook with a summary in English) which features articles and lists of all archival materials submitted during the year.
The Archives' library holds approximately 100,000 volumes, as well as trade journals, including a large number of historical business handbooks, monographs and publications made for special occasions,. The Archives have affiliated collections of booklets, leaflets and pamphlets, e.g. inventories and price lists, articles and regulations, company newsletters, etc. as well as extensive collections of media cuttings about individuals and businesses of historical importance.
Access to the business archives is to be agreed with the submitters of the archival material. Most of these archives are governed by the same rules that apply to public archives according to the Danish Public Archives Law. Some of the business archives have other access dates, however, or require special permission.
Part of the material may be lent to other repositories.
The National Business Archives also function as the holding body for the archives of the City of Århus. The major part of the City's municipal records are kept here (minor parts from before 1869 are held at the regional archives at Viborg). The National Business Archives, furthermore, hold a considerable collection of private records with local history from societies and institutions in Århus, as well as records from private individuals.
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