About Us – The Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives (GG Archives)
"Preserving History. Enriching Research. Inspiring Discovery."
Welcome to the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives, a leading independent online archive specializing in social and cultural history. Since our founding in 2000, we've been dedicated to preserving and sharing primary source materials that bring the past vividly to life.
Our collections are trusted by genealogists, historians, students, educators, collectors, writers, and film/TV producers who seek authentic, well-documented materials to enrich research, storytelling, and teaching.
📜 What We Offer
Explore thousands of original documents, photographs, and artifacts spanning the late 19th through mid-20th centuries. Our collections are organized thematically to make research easier and more rewarding.
🌊 Ocean Travel Collection
Our flagship collection features:
-
Passenger lists
-
Steamship and ocean liner brochures
-
Passage contracts
-
Onboard programs and menus
-
Ship histories
Whether you're tracing an ancestor's voyage or studying the golden age of ocean liners, you'll find unmatched detail here.
🗽 Immigration Records
Documenting the journey to America:
-
Immigrant inspection cards
-
Ship manifests
-
Contracts of passage
-
Rare photos of ports, customs, and Ellis Island arrivals
An essential resource for genealogical research.
🚢 RMS Titanic Collection
A dedicated digital exhibit exploring:
-
Rare ephemera
-
Passenger experiences
-
Historical context
Perfect for students, Titanic enthusiasts, and educators.
🍽️ Epicurean Collection
Menus and culinary ephemera offering a taste of:
-
Shipboard dining
-
Grand hotels
-
Historic restaurants
A treasure trove for culinary historians.
🪖 Military & Wartime History
Covering:
-
U.S. involvement in World Wars I and II
-
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918–1919
-
Troop transport and wartime shipping
Ideal for academics, educators, and descendants of veterans.
👗 Vintage Fashion Collection
Explore styles worn while traveling in style and comfort:
-
Women’s, men’s, teen’s, and children’s clothing
-
Accessories
-
Advertisements and fashion plates from the late 1800s to mid-1900s
🏛️ Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Discover the history of the New Deal's most famous program:
-
Original documents
-
Ephemera
-
Photos of WPA projects
🏢 Bangor Punta Corporation Collection
A unique corporate history archive documenting:
-
Marketing materials
-
Artifacts
-
Business history from the 1960s–1980s
⭐ Who Uses the GG Archives?
We serve:
-
Genealogists verifying family history
-
Academics and students researching social and cultural history
-
Writers and filmmakers seeking authentic visuals
-
Collectors and history buffs exploring ephemera
-
Educators developing engaging course materials
🙌 Why Choose Us?
✅ Thousands of digitized primary source documents
✅ High-resolution images for licensing and research
✅ Curated, organized collections for easier discovery
✅ Expertly maintained by archivist Paul K. Gjenvick, MAS
Our mission is to make history accessible, authentic, and useful for everyone.
👤 About Our Archivist
Led by Paul K. Gjenvick, MAS, a dedicated historian and archivist with decades of experience in preservation and research. Paul ensures the accuracy, quality, and accessibility of every collection.
📌 It's All In the Name
The GG Archives was originally founded as the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Family History Center in honor of Paul's family roots in the U.S. and Scandinavia. The name "Gjenvick" reflects the original Americanized spelling of "Gjønvik," adding a personal dimension to our mission of preserving everyone's stories.
📂 Additional Information & Policies
Explore these helpful pages:
Last Updated: June 2025
Search GG Archives:
