Tyuremnoe Delo

Current reading: top-secret 1939 book titled “Тюремное дело”, the manual on all aspects of running a prison, substantial part of the Soviet GULAG system. The book describes just about everything — from the types of locks on doors on solitary confinement, to the toys to be given to children born in prisons…

Did your ancestors were imprisoned in the former USSR (Soviet Union)? There are some ways to request their criminal file, which is likely still kept in the KGB archive somewhere. This file usually has a very detailed biography, along with some grim details of sentencing and imprisonment.

In many cases we can find those files for you. Just ask us!