The State Archive of Lviv Region has digitized and uploaded to the internet 500 thousand unique historical documents, including a birchbark manuscript from the 12th century and personal documents of Andrey Sheptytsky.

This was reported by Maxym Kozitsky, the head of the Lviv Regional State Administration.

"The Lviv Historical Archive has uploaded 500 thousand digitized copies of unique historical documents related to the history of western regions of Ukraine, including Lviv region, to the internet. Among them are a collection of parchment charters, records from the archives of judicial institutions of the Rus Voivodeship from the 15th to the 18th centuries, a baptism certificate, diplomatic passports, and other personal documents of Andrey Sheptytsky," said Maxym Kozitsky.

The documents can be viewed on the Interarchive Search Portal using the following link.

"All historical documents need to be digitized because not only are the originals at risk from enemies, but also from the passage of time," says Maxim Kozitsky. "Digitization is also about convenience for researchers because needed sources can now be found with a few clicks. Moreover, it's a good opportunity to show the world that we are a large European state with a strong historical background, and all of this has an evidence base."

The portal was established through the initiative of the State Archival Service of Ukraine and "Archival Information Systems."