Https://au.archives.gov.ua/index.php/au/article/view/303

The purpose of the article is to present the personal archives of the famous Ukrainian Chykalenko family, which were formed in the 1920–1960s, in the context of the emigration life of its representatives in Europe and the United States. In particular, we will discuss the archives of Yevhen Chykalenko (1861–1929), a ukrainian public figure, publisher, and publicist, and his children: Hanna Chykalenko-Keller (1884–1964) and Levko Chykalenko (1888–1965). The research methodology included general scientific methods: historicism, systematicity, comparison and contrast of historical facts, and representative analysis. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the first presentation of unique archival collections that are still preserved in the United States. The article reflects for the first time the history of the formation of the archives, the reasons for their concentration in the United States, and notes the insufficient research of the archives of Hanna and Lev Chikalenko, which are collections of important documents for multi-vector research. Conclusions. The presentation of these archives gives grounds for concluding that they offer extensive source material for researching important historical processes, events, and figures, as well as for reconstructing the biographies of the archive owners. Part of the well-known Chikalenko family was forced to live in exile, but continued to work for the Ukrainian cause there: collecting historical sources, participating in public life, writing memoirs, and engaging in scientific and publishing activities. The archives provide a record of the history of their formation, relocation and concentration. All of the Chikalenko archives contain valuable historical sources of various types and subjects: collections of unique correspondence, memoirs and printed materials. To date, only a small circle of scholars has been able to work with the Chikalenko archives, so the question of their return to Ukraine remains relevant, as this was the will of all their owners and heirs.