Welcome to Polmanarkivet and to its very first post!
Polmanarkivet is a research project related to the Polman, Påhlman, and von Pohlmann family who originated in Germany, Sweden, and Estonia. We started this digital archive and museum to further the research into this Swedish noble family and uncover their origins as far back as historical and genealogical records will allow. It is a work-in-progress and relies on the generous contributions of genealogists, scholars, and descendants who are researching this family line.
Our hope is to catalogue and disseminate the rich history of the Polman, Påhlman, and von Pohlmann family, and you can read more about the mission here.
Polmanarkivet
Polmanarkivet (The Polman Archive) is the leading digital repository for the Polman family (ennobled Påhlman), with an extensive archive of digital collections, interactive exhibits, and research material. Here you will find letters, manuscripts, artefacts, maps, photographs & more. It is responsible for the collection and dissemination of items that might be of genealogical or historical value, particularly during the height of the Swedish Empire. It also houses the One-Name Study, which is registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies as a Category 1 study for the nominated surname, Polman and its variants.
Why the Polmans?
Why focus on the Polmans? What makes them so important? The simple answer: we're interested in expanding cultural heritage rather than replicating past research. While the Polmans may not have the same level of notoriety as their titled noble counterparts like the De la Gardie, Oxenstierna, or Wrangel families, this actually makes their story even more fascinating. Much of their history remains inaccessible — buried in archives and written in Swedish or German and largely unknown. Our goal is to bring this information to light and show that their achievements were significant in their time, even if they've been overlooked or forgotten.
Help contribute!
We have relied on the many generous contributions from researchers and organisations worldwide.
We cannot do this work alone. There are many ways you can contribute — by sending photographs or other artefacts, research materials, contributing to the One-Name Study, DNA Project, or even helping keep the lights on with web hosting costs.
If you have something to contribute, head this way.
