a home for expatriate life stories

The Expatriate Archive Centre collects and preserves the life stories of expatriates worldwide
for future research. We are located in The Netherlands but our outreach is global.

We are here to serve researchers around the world!

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Our collection includes letters, diaries, blogs, photos, videos, and other documents which together give a complete picture of everyday life abroad, from the late 19th century to the present day. These original source materials are invaluable for academic researchers looking to study expatriate experiences from a wide range of perspectives. We always welcome new contributions from expats and their families, in any language and from any country. Read our Collecting Policy.

Our collection has more than 130 family archives in 18 languages and from 14 nationalities. You can help us grow even more.

Donate Your Story

Learn more about research possibilities, available materials, how we process collections, and other resources available.

Research With Us

Our volunteers work in a range of different roles and on various projects depending on their background and skills.

Volunteer With Us

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