This article examines how informal connections of A. A. Geraklitov (1867–1933), established during his work in the Saratov Scientific Archival Commission (SSAC, Russian: Саратовская ученая архивная комиссия, СУАК) in 1908–1917, influenced his path in historical science. Based on the materials of personal correspondence, the circle of his closest comrades in the commission is outlined, through which a certain idea is given about the social and intellectual aspects of the SSAC. The influence of the socio-psychological aspects of belonging to a provincial historical community is considered. А. А. Geraklitov’s participation inthe congresses organized bymetropolitan scientific societies andthe resulting contacts with the representatives of other scientific archival commissions, are characterized, as well as the interaction with the university community, which has most likely contributed to his entry into the teaching staff of the newly established historical and philological faculty of the Saratov University.