Roughly half of the documents in the Stasi archives are administrative files. They were not created specifically about individuals, but arose as part of the work and management of various departments. They provide unique insight into the structure and activities of a secret police agency. These files are not freely accessible because they contain information collected on individuals.
As part of the sample file project, administrative files from several different departments are being prepared to show the vast scope of the Stasi’s activities.
Only a small number of the documents were actually archived by Department XII of the State Security Service. Most of the files were secured in the Stasi offices by citizens in 1989/90 and later transferred to the Stasi Records Archive in bundles. These bundled documents were catalogued and the files were archived according to the service units.
Bundles of documents in the Stasi Records Archive in Berlin. The discovered Stasi files were bundled together and stored in the archives. Only books and Stasi working materials are still stored in this form.
Quelle: Bundesarchiv
Main operational files of the former Stasi district administration in Karl-Marx-Stadt
Quelle: Bundesarchiv