Archives Territoriales de Martinique

Until the middle of the 20th century, the absence of specific regulations and natural hazards (in particular the eruption of the Pelée in 1902) did not allow for the conservation of abundant collections that trace the history of French colonisation since the 17th century. Thus, the most important collections do not go back much further than the end of the 19th century. The edict of 1776, which instituted the Dépôt des papiers publics des colonies, was the first important act to ensure the conservation of documents necessary for the proof of civil rights. In 1827, following the organic ordinances on the government of Martinique and Guadeloupe, the conservation of administrative archives began to be organised with the creation of the secretary archivist. In December 2015, following the establishment of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (merger of the General Council and the Regional Council), the Departmental Archives of Martinique became the Territorial Archives of Martinique. 

Reception of users who need to collect photocopies (following requests for administrative, genealogical or historical research), by appointment only (tel. 05 96 55 43 43): Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7.45 am to 1 pm