Information about “Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny”

nr ISSN 1233-2135, e-ISSN 2720-0833

MEiN points: 20

Description of the journal, its mission and goals

“Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny” is a scientific journal published since 1995. The publisher is the National Archives in Krakow.

The journal includes texts concerning archival-historical issues connected with the history of Krakow and the whole of Lesser Poland, as well as the auxiliary sciences of history, and in particular archival science.
The aim of the journal is to support research connected with such issues, as well as the development and integration of the research community through the creation of a user-friendly forum for announcing the results of research and polemics. “Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny” provides access to both experienced researchers and those who are beginning their scientific careers.

The permanent sections of the journal are: papers, source materials, archival issues, miscellanea, in memoriam, reviews and discussions as well as chronicles.

The texts are published in Polish, English, French, German or Russian. Texts in foreign languages contain abstracts in Polish and English (and additionally in other foreign languages), and Polish texts include abstracts in Polish and English.

The main (original) version of the journal is printed. All volumes are openly accessible online.

History of the journal

The first volume of “Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny” appeared in 1995. In the foreword, Sławomir Radoń, the director of the State Archives in Krakow and the first chief editor, defined the goals of the new publication:

“Taking the decision to publish our own annual, we would like to be associated with the great publishing tradition of the Krakow archives, reaching back to the end of the 19th century. This refers in particular to the scientific community gathered around the Krakow Town Archives of Former Records, the period before World War I and the two decades of the inter-war period, which can boast impressive collections in the area of publications: archival aids, source materials, monographs and papers based on valuable resources stored in the building at 16 Sienna Street.”

Wiesław Bieńkowski, Krystyna Jelonek-Litewka, Maria Kocójowa, Wacław Kolak, Ludwik Łysiak, Janina Stoksik and Teresa Zielińska were invited to join the Editorial Committee. Bogusława Czajecka was selected as the Scientific Secretary.

Through the years, the Editorial Committee (from 2015 the Scientific Council) underwent changes (see Scientific Council). The chief editors and scientific secretaries of the journal also changed (you can find more information by clicking Editorial Team).

While analysing the first decade of “Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny”, Maria Kocójowa stated: “Systematic attempts to fulfil the demands set when KRA was established, reflected in the first ten annuals, confirm the need to create a new journal as well as strengthening the presence of KRA in the minds of archivists and historians. The following deserve praise: formulation and fulfilment of the mission, the engagement of authors and the editorial team, the size and quality of the publication in papers and source materials, based on correct historical workshops, and in the documentation parts – on reliable information.”

In 2020, the magazine celebrated 25 years of its existence. During a quarter of a century, it has published hundreds of texts – papers, historical source editing, memoires and reports, discussing issues connected with archival studies and the history of Krakow and Lesser Poland from ancient times until the modern era. In this period, “Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny” has presented the scientific work of over 170 authors. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the journal the Editorial Team has created contents of volumes 1-25 (1995-2019) of Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny (“Krakowski Rocznik Archiwalny. Spis zawartości tomów 1-25 (1995-2019)”, available in the section Volumes online.

Prospects

We hope to continue the tradition begun in 1995 and to constantly develop our journal.

We plan to constantly increase its visibility and profile online. Above all, this involves publishing the journal in accessible databases, open repositories and digital magazine platforms. Indexing the contents of the magazine in databases and Internet catalogues will help to increase its usage.

We encourage all authors and reviewers with research interests in line with the profile and subject area of our journal to cooperate with us.