Archivitaly conducts archival research throughout Italy and across several European countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

In Italy, our researchers regularly work in Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Genoa, Palermo, and Cagliari, as well as in numerous regional and specialized archives of scholarly interest.

No. Archivitaly does not undertake genealogical research or family tree reconstruction. Our work focuses on historical, artistic, and documentary archival research, intended for academic, editorial, or private collection purposes.

Our clients include researchers, scholars, collectors, antiquarians, art dealers, museum curators, publishers, authors, universities, research institutes, museums, and international cultural foundations. We provide a confidential and bespoke service tailored to each client’s needs — from academic research support to documentary and provenance investigations on artworks and historical objects held in museums and private collections.

Archivitaly analyses, transcribes, and translates a wide range of archival and documentary materials — from notarial acts (such as wills, contracts, and inventories) to parish registers, correspondence, judicial records, cadastral and administrative documents, and other historical sources.

Our work spans numerous disciplines within the humanities, including history, art history, social and economic history, political history, legal and institutional history, religious history, history of medicine and science, musicology and music history, theatre and literary history, fashion studies, book and print history, library and archival history, urban and military history, maritime and cartographic history, diplomatic history, food history, architectural history, collecting studies, gender studies, the history of the art market, intellectual history, and other related fields.

Each project is custom-designed according to its scope and complexity. To ensure efficiency and transparency, work is divided into time-based modules (daily, weekly, or monthly), chosen according to the research goals and materials involved. At the end of each module, the client receives a detailed report outlining the activities carried out and the results achieved, and may decide whether to continue or conclude the project.

Every archival project differs in scope, duration, and complexity, making it impossible to apply fixed rates. Fees vary depending on the nature of the request, the number of archives involved, the quantity of material to be examined, and any additional services requested. For this reason, we provide personalized quotations, prepared on a case-by-case basis after an initial feasibility assessment.

At the end of each module — whether daily, weekly, or monthly — the client receives a comprehensive report, structured in three sections:

1. Overview of findings: a summary of materials identified and analysed so far;
2. Sources accessed: list of consulted archival units, short abstracts, and cross-references to photographs (delivered, when numerous, via a secure file-sharing platform);
3. Next: recommendations for subsequent stages or possible further investigation.

This modular system allows the client to decide, after each stage, whether to proceed or conclude the research.

Yes, upon explicit request from the client. Normally, each module produces an independent and complete report; however, for long-term projects, we can prepare a comprehensive final report that provides an overall synthesis of the research results. This document offers a broad overview of the findings but does not include the full table of consulted sources, which are already provided in the individual module reports. Should the client wish to receive an extended final report that consolidates all sources and abstracts into a single document, this additional work — given the substantial time involved — will be subject to a separate quotation.

No. Our archivists and researchers cannot be hired directly. For privacy and contractual reasons, their identity is not disclosed. All communication and project management are handled exclusively through the Chief Research Officer, who ensures methodological consistency, clarity and quality throughout the process.

Consultations and correspondence are normally conducted online or in writing. Upon request, an in-person meeting with the Chief Research Officer may be arranged, subject to availability. Such meetings are subject to a separate quotation, as they involve dedicated travel and time commitments. It is not possible to arrange meetings directly with archivists or researchers, whose identities remain confidential for contractual and privacy reasons.

Yes. We can provide palaeographic transcription and analysis of digitised documents or materials already in your possession. To ensure maximum accuracy, images must be high-resolution and perfectly in focus: we cannot guarantee full accuracy if the photographs are blurred or of low quality. This work follows the same methodological and confidentiality standards as our on-site archival research.

Yes. We offer preliminary research modules to assess the presence, consistency and relevance of sources before launching a larger project. This type of assessment usually corresponds to a weekly module, but the duration can be adjusted depending on the nature and objectives of the research.

Yes. If you already have references or shelf marks, we can focus the research on specific archives, fonds or institutions. Each request is nonetheless evaluated according to feasibility and the access conditions of the relevant institution.

Access to archives depends on the policies and regulations of each institution. Archivitaly does not benefit from preferential access, but fully complies with the official authorisation procedures and consultation rules of each archive.

All research is reviewed and validated by the Chief Research Officer, who ensures completeness of data, methodological consistency and coherence of sources before delivery to the client.

An assignment can be cancelled only before payment has been made. Once payment has been received, the research is considered active. If you decide to stop the work, it can be done only at the end of the current module, with no refund. The modular structure is designed precisely to allow clients to discontinue collaboration at the end of any module without further commitments.

Yes. All services provided by Archivitaly are accompanied by a formal invoice issued in compliance with Italian tax regulations. The amount indicated in the quotation includes all applicable fiscal charges.

Yes, we provide complementary services upon request:

• Full transcriptions of historical documents;
• Translations from Latin or Italian into English;
• Professional photography or high-resolution reproductions, in compliance with the regulations of the holding institution.

All additional services are quoted separately.

Yes. Any questions or requests for clarification regarding the delivered material may be submitted within a short time after receipt of the report. Requests that involve further analysis, investigation, or additional research are treated as a new module and quoted separately.

All materials produced during the research — including reports, transcriptions, photographs, and related documentation — remain the property of the client. Archivitaly may refer generically to the project (e.g., “archival research for a private collection, 17th century”) for professional or portfolio purposes, without disclosing sensitive or identifying details.

No. All communication is handled exclusively through the Chief Research Officer, who oversees the project from start to finish to ensure methodological consistency, clarity, and quality.

For inquiries or topics outside the original scope (such as general historical or archival questions), clients can submit a dedicated query form. These additional requests are quoted separately according to the time required. For further information or to discuss a potential research project, please contact Archivitaly via the online form. All enquiries are handled with strict confidentiality.