Samsø Egnsarkiv
Samsø's historical archive preserving centuries of island records and family heritage.
The Island's Living Memory
Samsø Egnsarkiv functions as the historical repository and collective memory of Samsø island. Established on May 19, 2001, the archive collects, preserves, and makes accessible original documents and materials that chronicle the lives, events, and development of the island community. It operates as part of the broader Samsø Museum network, housed within the restored Onsbjerg Gamle Skole (Old Onsbjerg School), a heritage building that itself reflects the island's commitment to preserving its past.Extensive Collections for Research
The archive maintains a comprehensive collection of historical materials essential for genealogical and local history research. Holdings include original and copied newspapers spanning decades, church records and parish registers documenting births, marriages, and deaths across Samsø's five parishes, property documents such as deeds and mortgages, fire insurance protocols, tax and address books, census records, and personal archives from notable island families and institutions. Photographs, land survey maps, and organizational records provide visual and spatial documentation of island life. The collection extends to handwritten transcriptions of older documents, making historical records more accessible to modern researchers.A Welcoming Research Environment
The archive provides a dedicated reading room equipped with a personal computer workstation for research and document access. Trained archivists and dedicated volunteers staff the facility during opening hours, offering expert guidance to help visitors locate specific materials and navigate the collections. Whether searching for family connections, documenting local business history, or investigating specific events and places on Samsø, visitors receive personalized assistance tailored to their research needs. The archive actively encourages the public to contribute historical materials—old papers, protocols, photographs, and documents—ensuring that future generations will have even richer resources for understanding island heritage.Collaborative Heritage Preservation
Samsø Egnsarkiv works closely with the Slægts- og Lokalhistorisk Forening Samsø (Genealogical and Local History Society of Samsø), which publishes an annual genealogical yearbook of approximately 150 pages. Together, these institutions form a unified research hub for anyone interested in Samsø's past. The archive maintains connections with Denmark's national archives and regional archive services, allowing researchers to access additional materials when needed. This collaborative approach ensures that Samsø's historical narrative remains complete, accessible, and continuously enriched by community contributions and professional archival standards.Local tips
- Visit on Thursday afternoons between 13:00 and 17:00, the only regular opening hours. Plan ahead if you have specific research goals and contact the archive in advance to ensure materials are available.
- Bring old family documents, photographs, or local records you wish to donate. The archive actively seeks contributions to expand its collections and preserve island history.
- If researching Danish genealogy, learn basic Danish handwriting conventions from the 18th and 19th centuries. Church records and property documents often use ornate scripts that require practice to decipher.
- Contact the archive by email or phone before visiting if you need help locating specific materials, such as particular family names, property records, or historical photographs.
A brief summary to Samsø Egnsarkiv
- Tanderupvej 15, Samsø Municipality, 8305, DK
- +4586591924
- Visit website
Getting There
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Ferry from Jutland
From Jutland mainland, take the Samsø ferry service from either Hou (near Horsens) or Kalundborg. Ferry crossings take approximately 1 hour from Hou or 1.5 hours from Kalundborg. Ferries operate year-round with multiple daily departures. Once on Samsø, the archive is located in Onsbjerg village. Ferry tickets cost approximately 50–80 DKK per person depending on the route and season.
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Bus from Tranebjerg
From Tranebjerg (the main town on Samsø), local bus services connect to Onsbjerg village where the archive is situated. Journey time is approximately 10–15 minutes depending on the specific route. Bus fares are modest, typically 20–30 DKK. Check local schedules as service frequency varies seasonally.
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Car rental on Samsø
Rent a car at Tranebjerg or other island locations and drive to Onsbjerg. The archive is located at Tanderupvej 15, Onsbjerg. Driving time from Tranebjerg is approximately 10 minutes. Parking is available near the Onsbjerg Gamle Skole building. Daily car rental costs range from 300–500 DKK depending on vehicle type and rental duration.
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Bicycle from Tranebjerg
Samsø is a small, flat island ideal for cycling. From Tranebjerg, cycling to Onsbjerg takes approximately 20–30 minutes depending on your pace and exact starting point. The route is scenic and passes through rural island landscape. Bicycle rentals are available in Tranebjerg for approximately 50–100 DKK per day.
