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Consult our collections

CegeSoma's collections are stored in various locations (for long-term preservation purposes): before your visit, please check in which reading room you can access them!

General guidelines: Where to consult our collections?

  • Archives of individuals and organizations -> Belgian National Archives 2 – Joseph Cuvelier Repository
  • Archives produced by CegeSoma or the State Security Service -> Aviation Square
  • Library -> Aviation Square
  • Audiovisual archives -> Aviation Square
  • Digitized photos -> online, via Pallas
  • Clandestine press or censored press -> online, via Warpress

1. Reading room of the Belgian National Archives 2 (NAB) – Joseph Cuvelier Repository

What? Archival collections of individuals and specific organizations; microfilms

Search? Via AGATHA

Consult?
    1. Note the exact references of the documents you wish to consult via AGATHA (title of the archival collection/inventory numbers);
    2. Request an appointment in the reading room by sending an email to agr_ar_2@arch.be, providing the references mentioned above.
    3. You will receive a confirmation email when the documents are reserved for you.

2. CegeSoma Reading room – Aviation Square

What?
(1) Archives produced by CegeSoma itself: interviews, surveys, correspondence, etc.
(2) State Security files relating to the Services and Agents of Intelligence and Action (AA1333).
(3) Library, iconographic, and audiovisual collections.

Search?
(1) In general: Via AGATHA.
(2) For State Security concerning agents of the Intelligence and Action Services (AA1333): via the ‘Resistance in Belgium’ database
(3) For the Library: via our catalog

How to access the materials?
    1. Note down the exact references of the documents you wish to consult via AGATHA (archive collection title/inventory numbers) or the library catalog;
    2. Reserve a seat in the reading room via the online calendar at least 7 days in advance, providing the references mentioned above.
    3. You will receive a confirmation email once the documents are reserved for you.

Procedure for accessing State Security files concerning Intelligence and Action Services and Agents (AA1333)

1. Send your request to info-arch@vsse.be. Due to increased scrutiny of these files by State Security, processing your request may take several weeks.
2. After this period, you will receive an email from the State Security Service authorizing you to consult the requested documents.
3.  Then reserve a seat in the CegeSoma reading room via the online calendar at least 7 days in advance. Please be careful with the reference numbers you provide when reserving archive files related to members of the resistance. In the ‘Resistance in Belgium’ database, if you search for a person, it is not the reference ‘Q’ followed by a number next to the person’s name that indicates where their file is located, but rather the name of the archival collection followed by the “inventory number(s)” listed under the “about” heading. 
!   If you wish to consult a dossier that is part of the “Resistance Status through the Underground Press of the War Victims Archives Service files” please direct your request to our colleagues in that department.
4. You will receive a confirmation email once the documents are reserved for you.
5. Don’t forget to bring the authorization from the State Security Service with you on the day you visit the reading room.

Registration for the reading room is free but compulsory. You cannot borrow materials. Under certain conditions, you may make copies yourself or purchase them (see the Reproductions of Documents page and our rates).

Closing days of the reading room at Aviation Square :
Monday, 6 April and Tuesday, 7 April: Easter holiday – Thursday, 9 April: special closure – Friday, 1 May: Labor Day – Thursday, 14 May: Ascension Day – Friday, 15 May: long weekend – Monday, 25 May: Pentecost Monday – Monday, 20 July: long weekend – Tuesday, 21 July: National Holiday – Monday, 2 November: All Souls’ Day – Wednesday, 11 November: Armistice Day – Friday, 25 December 2026 to Friday, 1 January 2027: Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Interesting links

https://cegesoma.be/en