Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that lets AI assistants query the Dutch World War II ‘Oorlogsbronnen’ archive through the search_ww2_nl_archives tool.
https://github.com/r-huijts/oorlogsbronnen-mcpSkip the tedious archive browsing. This MCP server connects Claude (and other AI assistants) directly to the Netherlands' comprehensive World War II database, letting you ask natural language questions about one of history's most documented periods.
You're working on a project involving Dutch WWII history. Instead of intuitive questions, you're stuck with:
Meanwhile, the Oorlogsbronnen database contains thousands of photographs, personal accounts, documents, and records just waiting to be explored—if only you could ask it questions like you would a human archivist.
This MCP server transforms your AI assistant into a knowledgeable research partner. Instead of wrestling with search forms, you can ask:
Your AI assistant handles the technical search mechanics while you focus on the historical insights.
Family History Research: "Search for records of the Rosenberg family in Amsterdam between 1940-1945" returns structured data about people, places, and events—perfect for genealogy work.
Academic Projects: "Find firsthand accounts of the February Strike of 1941" pulls primary sources with metadata, URLs, and descriptions your AI can analyze and contextualize.
Educational Content: "Show me daily life photographs from Amsterdam during the occupation" delivers curated visual materials with historical context built right in.
Travel Research: "What Operation Market Garden sites should I visit in Arnhem?" combines location data with historical significance for informed trip planning.
Quick Start with Claude Desktop:
{
"mcpServers": {
"oorlogsbronnen-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "oorlogsbronnen-mcp"]
}
}
}
Add this to your Claude config, restart, and you're querying WWII archives immediately.
From Source:
git clone https://github.com/r-huijts/oorlogsbronnen-mcp.git
cd oorlogsbronnen-mcp
npm install && npm run build
Point Claude to the built server and you're ready to explore 80+ years of archived history.
The server understands content types, so you can focus your research:
Each result includes direct links to the original archive, descriptions, and metadata—giving your AI assistant (and you) everything needed for deep historical analysis.
You're building historical applications, educational tools, or research platforms. Instead of implementing complex archive APIs and search logic, you get natural language access to a professionally curated historical database.
The MCP protocol means this works with any compatible AI assistant, not just Claude. Your applications can leverage the same conversational interface that makes historical research intuitive for end users.
This isn't just another API wrapper—it's turning specialized archival knowledge into a conversational interface that understands both technical search requirements and human research needs.