In a two-year project (2021-2022) two important family archives dating back as far as the Middle Ages will be described. The documents of the family von Mülinen will be processed first. This knightly family originally hailed from Aargau where they served the Habsburgs as ministerials. At the beginning of the 15th century the first family member obtained the citizenship of Berne. The collecting activity of the family resulted in their historic library and their manuscript collection (Mss.Mül.) which are already catalogued. The 29 linear meters of family archives (FA von Mülinen) will complement this set of collections. The fonds consists not only of documents of the “Familienkiste”, genealogical material, correspondence and papers on various family members, but also a large collection of seals and charters.

Subsequently the archives of the family von Tavel will be processed. The family first appears as Savoyard ministerials in the Pays de Vaud. During the 17^th century several members of different family branches acquired the citizenship of Berne. The collection (FA von Tavel) consists of approx. 13 linear meters and comprises the whole range of documents typical for family archives.

The artist’s bequest of Paul Boesch (1889–1969) was donated to the Burgerbibliothek Bern in 2017 by the Swiss Heraldry Society. In addition to graphic art, book illustrations and applied art it comprises a multitude of original drawings, mostly preparatory drawings for glass paintings and in the field of heraldry, which complement the personal documents, work samples and prints of the artist that were already in the holdings of the Burgerbibliothek. The detailed archival description in the finding-aid is being prepared from 2019-2020 and will provide a new and deeper insight into the work methods and the oeuvre of the graphic designer, draftsman and illustrator.