Depending on which device you use ARCHION with, the website will be presented in a slightly different way.
You can use all functions offered by ARCHION with both versions, but the arrangement of the individual elements may vary from device to device. In case you don’t find a function or button immediately, scroll a little up or down.
The menu bar is displayed in a reduced size in the mobile version. "Discover Archion" and the forum can be found on the right below the three dashes. "Sign in" can be found on the right above the person icon.
General information about our archive, and the ability to search our database to see if we have a digital copy of a given church book, are free for all visitors to the site. Please note that only books marked in green are available as digital copies. The forum is also free to use, but requires registration in order to post comments to the platform.
Access to digital book material requires paid access. There are different passes available based on your needs. Each pass expires at the end of its period of validity and is not automatically renewed.
Access to the digital material takes place using an internet browser, and access is limited to one device per user account. Each different pass type allows you a certain number of downloads through the church book viewer application. Downloaded images are in PDF format, and a PDF-reader must be installed on your device to read downloaded material – click here to download a PDF-reader application.
Click on “Buy Access” in the top right corner under www.archion.de. You will be transferred to our shop. Here you can choose between our three time passes. Select a pass and click on “Book Pass now”. If you are not yet signed in or signed up, you will get to the page where you can either log in or register. After you have successfully signed in and entered your address data, you will be asked about the payment type. Select Paypal, credit card or invoice (within Germany). On the right, you see once more which pass you have selected. Click on “To overview” there.
Check your data and the selected pass again. If everything is ok, please accept the Terms & Conditions, the Privacy Policy, and the Right of Revocation. Then click on “Buy with payment obligation”.
You can start your research now no matter which payment method you have selected. You will receive the invoice via e-mail a few minutes after booking.
As we don’t like subscriptions, we do not offer them. All access passes end automatically upon the period of time selected by you. They are not automatically renewed. If you want to continue your research, just book a new access pass. It is possible to book a follow-up pass four weeks before the current pass expires. The new pass will then continue to run seamlessly after the old pass expires. You will not lose any researcher days.
We are happy to offer you a wide variety of payment methods. You can decide for yourself which method is best for you:
PayPal
After selecting your desired pass and the PayPal payment method, you will be forwarded to the PayPal website in a new window. Follow the instructions on that page to complete your order.
Credit Card
After selecting your desire pass, you will be forwarded to our payment provider in a new window. Master Card and Visa Card are accepted. Your credit card account will be charged directly upon checkout.
What do we mean by a download?
During your subscription, you can view as many church book pages as you would like. A download occurs when saving or printing an image from the viewer. The image that you see in the viewer is converted to a pdf file and downloaded to your computer.
Downloads are always deducted from the pass that ends first. So if you buy 25-Extra-Downloads even though there are still downloads left on your active pass, the downloads on the pass will be used first.
How can I print out a church book page (download)?
First of all click on the download icon in the viewer’s upper tool bar.
Than use the zoom function in the viewer to select the image area that you wish to print (+…- in the lower tool bar in the viewer or using your mouse wheel). Than choose if you want the PDF in landscape or in portrait format. The image can be downloaded as a PDF file and then printed.
In order to help you get optimal results, repeated downloads of the same page (during seven days) will not count against your download volume limit.
Where can I see how many downloads I have left?
When you are signed in, click on "Profile" at the top an d go to the account overview. On the page that opens, you will directly see your booked pass and the remaining downloads.
What if I have downloads left?
The downloads of a time pass, which are not used, expire after the pass expires.
However, the 25-Extra-Downloads remain valid. You can take them with you and continue to use them when you book a new pass.
Downloads are always deducted from the pass that ends first. So if you buy 25-Extra-Downloads even though there are still downloads left on your active pass, the downloads on the pass will be used first.
What to do when my downloads are used up?
If you still have an active pass, you can add another 25-Extra-Downloads. To do so, click on "Buy access" in the upper right corner. Below the access passes you will find the 25-Extra-Downloads.
Another possibility you can find in your personal account. To do this, go to the account overview via the "Profile" button. Here you will see below the bar for the downloads the link "Add more downloads". You will then be redirected to the shop.
Please note: Downloads can only be booked and used with an active pass. Without a pass, you will not have authorized access to the digitized church records.
You can get any pass as a voucher you can print at home and give away immediately after the purchase. The voucher includes a code that can be redeemed right here in the shop. The pass is activated as soon as the voucher is redeemed.
What gift vouchers are available?
The 1-Month-Pass, the 3-Month-Pass and the 1-Year-Pass are available as gift vouchers. A pass entitles to access the digitized church records for the selected period.
How do I receive the gift voucher?
After booking, you will receive your gift voucher to print out by e-mail. If you do not order as a guest but create a free user account, you can also access and download the voucher at any time via your account overview.
When will i receive the gift voucher?
With the payment methods PayPal, SOFORT Überweisung and credit card, the voucher will be sent a few minutes after booking. When paying by invoice (only possible within Germany), you will receive the voucher only after receipt of payment.
How do I order a gift voucher?
Click here to find out how you can order a gift voucher.
How do I redeem a voucher?
Click here to find out how to redeem a gift voucher.
What restrictions and general conditions apply?
1. Restrictions
Vouchers expire three years after their issue date. Except in legally specified cases, vouchers cannot be recharged, re-sold, transferred, or paid out in cash value.
2. General Conditions
The General Terms an Conditions for the www.archion.de website at the time of purchase applay to all vouchers.
Vouchers are issued by Kirchenbuchportal GmbH, Balinger Str. 33/1, 70567 Stuttgart, Germany.
USt-IdNr. DE290883461
You agree to these conditions upon purchasing, receiving or using a voucher.
To book a voucher, go to "Buy access" at the top right. Here you will see all access passes. Choose a pass and click on "Buy as a gift voucher" further down. You will be redirected to a page where you can sign in or sign up. If you only want to buy as a guest, that works too.
Please note: As a guest you can only buy vouchers. No personal account will be created.
In the next window select the payment method and click on "Continue to overview".
In the next window you will see an overview of your selected voucher, the payment method and your personal inforamtion. If everything is correct, please accept the terms and conditions, the privacy policy and the right of withdrawal. Then click on "Buy with obligation to pay".
The voucher will arrive by e-mail as a PDF to print out and give away. If you have not ordered as a guest, you can also find the voucher for download in your personal account overview in the "Vouchers" tab.
If you are already signed up with ARCHION, sign in via "Login" above. Go to your personal account overview via "Profile". Here click on "Vouchers" on the left. Click there on the button "Redeem Voucher". Enter the voucher code in the window that opens and click on "Redeem voucher code". The corresponding product will then be automatically provided to you in the account.
Feel free to write us about your concern in person, either via mail to info@archion.de or via our contact form.
