Special collections

Our collection boasts unique heritage pieces and exceptional sources. Discover some hidden treasures and the fascinating stories behind them – all available digitally in our catalog.

Amsab-ISG has built up considerable expertise in digitizing newspapers and archives over the past few years. This section also provides insights into a selection of these sources, which are full-text searchable wherever possible.

Photo Meeting BWP against the Theunis cabinet (fo003460)

1892-1940

The founding of the Belgian Workers' Party in 1885 was one of the first milestones in the Belgian workers' struggle for a better life. The reports of their meetings (1892-1940) provide a vivid insight into that struggle. Amsab-ISG has digitized this important historical source.

General Belgian Trade Union Confederation (ABVV). Moral and Administrative Report for the Years 1986-1988

1945-1997

The activity reports submitted to the Statutory Congress of the General Belgian Trade Union Confederation (FGTB) constitute an interesting series for studying the history of the trade union. They essentially present the internally approved vision of its own operations.

1949-1988

The activity reports of the General Federation of Public Services (ACOD) are an interesting source for studying this trade union federation of the General Belgian Trade Union Confederation (ABVV). They provide a very detailed picture of its operations and structure.

1944-1984

The minutes (1944-1979) and notes to members (1946-1984) of the national office of the General Belgian Trade Union Confederation (ABVV) have been digitized and are available online.

Report book BWP department (1913-1933) Turnhout

Until World War II, the Belgian Workers' Party (BWP) maintained that anyone who joined a union, health insurance fund, or cooperative (and all cultural, sports, and youth associations within these organizations) automatically became a party member. Political action was shaped by the propaganda committee, while party leadership rested with the central committee, which included a representative from each affiliated organization. The minutes of party meetings therefore provide insight into the political and social life of a medium-sized city like Turnhout.

Go to the BWP Turnhout Report Book collection

Image from the Minutes of the Central Committee 07/12/1904 – 14/02/1906 (456/00006)

1883-1922

The minutes of the Central Committee are one of the most important sources in the archives of the Belgian Workers' Party (BWP) - Ghent branch. They offer a good overview of the BWP's activities and various organizations affiliated with the party.

1910-1934

The logbooks form the core of the (very fragmentary) archives of the Belgian Textile Workers' Central (TACB). They are particularly interesting for studying the complex centralization process within the centrality.