Realizacja funkcji archiwalnych w połowie XX wieku w świetle korespondencji zachowanej w spuściznach Włodzimierza Budki i Adama Kamińskiego

The history of archives and archivists as well as evolution of archival theory and methodology in Poland has already been a subject of numerous studies. It is clearly illustrated by reports from scientific conferences as well as the NDAP (Head Office of State Archives) and state archives’ activity, which have been published in “Archeion”. However, they rarely reveal discussions, polemics or alternative opinions, especially in the first decades after World War II. It was still a period when the way in which archives could accomplish their functions was being regulated and remains valid until today. As a rule researchers usually pay attention to the final results of archive-related work: legal acts, instructions, guidelines and the effects of their implementation. Correspondence preserved in the legacy of Włodzimierz Budka and Adam Kamiński, two Cracow archivists with considerable national standing, depicts an unofficial exchange of thoughts with other Polish archival bigwigs from various parts of the country. Its analysis proves that there were many controversies and several visions of roles and functions that state archives should play in the society. Therefore not all state archives were able to accomplish all archival functions in post-war Poland. This resource indicates that some attempts to adopt archival methodology were made as a result of private, letter contacts by employees (managers) of particular institutions.