Step Inside the Reimagined Polmanarkivet

A year in the making, we are proud to share the reimagined Polmanarkivet with a new platform, memberships, a refreshed identity, and more. Dive in and read about all the new exciting features.

Rediscovering Jürgen Polman the Elder's Obscure Portrait

For over 50 years, this 17th-century portrait of the family patriarch has remained hidden — until now. Polmanarkivet unearthed this important artwork and invites you to explore its origins and the story of how it was rediscovered.

A Look at Our First Acquisition

We are proud to announce our first-ever physical acquisition, a collection of 18th and 17th-century manuscripts related to the Pohlmann family from Hille, where the family originated. This collection is not just an addition to our archives, but a tangible link to the very roots of the family tree.

Legacy in Letters

The Legacy in Letters project contains letters written by family members to prominent figures over the past 500 years, including Catherine the Great and Gustavus Adolphus. By translating them into English, we make these historical documents more accessible to researchers worldwide.

In 2024, we expanded the collection by adding 15 new letters, dating from 1603 to 1700, further connecting the story of the family's contributions to pivotal moments in history.

The oldest letter in the collection is from 1601, written by Karl IX to his captain at Anzen, Jürgen Polman, commending him for recruiting farmers to the Swedish efforts during the Polish-Swedish War and requesting him to increase the numbers.

All Letters

Browse all letters in the collection in the database below. You can sort letters by date, sender, or recipient, filter or search letters. Click 'Open' in the title to view translations, if available.

People

Browse letters by the people who sent and received them.

All Letters

People

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