National Archives and Records Administration: Difference between revisions

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=== Contact Information  ===
=== Contact Information  ===


'''Email:''' Several e-mail options are available at [http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html National Archives and Records Administration]<br>  
'''E-mail:''' Several e-mail options are available at [http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html National Archives and Records Administration]<br>  


'''Mailing Address:'''<ref name="NARAcontact">"Contact the National Archives and Records Administration" in Natonal Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/contact/ (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref>  
'''Mailing Address:'''<ref name="NARAcontact">"Contact the National Archives and Records Administration" in Natonal Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/contact/ (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref>  
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:700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br><br>
:700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br><br>


'''Telephone:'''<ref name="NARAcontact" /> 1-866-272-6272 , or TDD 301-837-0482 <br>'''Fax:''' 301-837-0483<br>  
'''Telephone:'''<ref name="NARAcontact" /> &nbsp;1-866-272-6272 , or TDD 301-837-0482 <br>'''Fax:''' &nbsp;301-837-0483<br>  


'''Hours:'''<ref>"Hours" in "Washington, DC Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref> Monday, Tuesday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am to 9:00 p.m. For record pull-times, holidays, and other details, click [http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours here].  
'''Hours:'''<ref>"Hours" in "Washington, DC Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref> &nbsp;Monday, Tuesday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am to 9:00 p.m. For record pull-times, holidays, and other details, click [http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours here].  


'''Public transportation:'''<ref>"Transportation" in "Washington, DC Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref>  
'''Public transportation:'''<ref>"Transportation" in "Washington, DC Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref>  
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===Obtaining Reproductions of Records===
===Obtaining Reproductions of Records===
''Copies of the records can be accessed three ways:''<br>
''Copies of the records can be accessed three ways:''<br>
*[https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov Ordered online] from the NARA
*[https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov Ordered online] from the National Archives
*Ordered by mail using the [http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html NATF Form 86].  
*Ordered by mail using the [http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html NATF Form 86].  
*Visiting the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. in person and request to see the original
*Visiting the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. in person and request to see the original


=== Regional Archives-Facilities and Affiliated Archives by State ===
=== Regional Archives-Facilities and Affiliated Archives by State ===
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*[https://www.archives.gov/fort-worth National Archives at Fort Worth: Arkansas,Louisiana,Oklahoma,Texas]
*[https://www.archives.gov/fort-worth National Archives at Fort Worth: Arkansas,Louisiana,Oklahoma,Texas]
*[https://www.archives.gov/kansas-city National Archives at Kansas:Iowa,Kansas,Minnesota,Missouri,Nebraska,North Dakota,South Dakota]
*[https://www.archives.gov/kansas-city National Archives at Kansas:Iowa,Kansas,Minnesota,Missouri,Nebraska,North Dakota,South Dakota]
*[https://www.archives.gov/nyc National Archives at New York City: New Jersey,New York,Puerto Rico,United States Virgin Islands]
*[https://www.archives.gov/nyc National Archives at New York City: New Jersey,New York,Puerto Rico,U.S. Virgin Islands]
*[https://www.archives.gov/philadelphia National Archives at Philadelphia:Delaware,Maryland,Pennsylvania,Virginia,West Virginia]
*[https://www.archives.gov/philadelphia National Archives at Philadelphia:Delaware,Maryland,Pennsylvania,Virginia,West Virginia]
*[https://www.archives.gov/st-louis National Archives at St. Louis]
*[https://www.archives.gov/st-louis National Archives at St. Louis]
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*[http://www.archives.gov/digitization/digitized-by-partners.html Microfilm Publications and Original Records Digitized by Our Digitization Partners] NARA blog<br>  
*[http://www.archives.gov/digitization/digitized-by-partners.html Microfilm Publications and Original Records Digitized by Our Digitization Partners] NARA blog<br>  
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/genealogy-fair/2014/handouts/session-9-handout-petranek.pdf NARA Records Online at FamilySearch as of August 30, 2014]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/genealogy-fair/2014/handouts/session-9-handout-petranek.pdf NARA Records Online at FamilySearch as of August 30, 2014]
*[https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog National Archives Catalog] of NARA's nationwide holdings in the D.C. area, Regional Branches, and Presidential Libraries<ref>"About ARC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/about-arc.html (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref><br>  
*[http://archives.gov/research/arc/ National Archives Catalog] of NARA's nationwide holdings in the D.C. area, Regional Branches, and Presidential Libraries<ref>"About ARC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/about-arc.html (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref><br>  
*[http://aad.archives.gov/aad/ Access to Archival Databases (AAD)] of over 85 million digitized records created by 30 government agencies (but limited to only 475 out of NARA's 200,000 data files)<ref>"What will I find in AAD?" in "Getting Started Guide" in "Access to Archival Databases (AAD)" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://aad.archives.gov/aad/help/getting-started-guide.html#find (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref><br>  
*[http://aad.archives.gov/aad/ Access to Archival Databases (AAD)] of over 85 million digitized records created by 30 government agencies (but limited to only 475 out of NARA's 200,000 data files)<ref>"What will I find in AAD?" in "Getting Started Guide" in "Access to Archival Databases (AAD)" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://aad.archives.gov/aad/help/getting-started-guide.html#find (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref><br>  
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/topics/ Browse list of research topics] selected from frequently requested records at the National Archives <br>  
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/topics/ Browse list of research topics] selected from frequently requested records at the National Archives <br>  
*[[Land Patent Search|BLM-GLO Land Patent Index]] to federal land sales, homesteads, military-bounty, mining, or timberland transfers.  
*[[Land Patent Search|BLM-GLO Land Patent Index]] to federal land sales, homesteads, military-bounty, mining, or timberland transfers.  
*[[NARA and FS Library film numbers]] explains how to find the FS Library microfilm number starting from a National Archives number. For a conversion tabe, [[Media:NARA2FHL.pdf|click here]].
*[[NARA and FHL film numbers]] explains how to find the Family History Library microfilm number starting from a National Archives number. For a conversion tabe, [[Media:NARA2FHL.pdf|click here]].


=== National Archives Programs ===
=== National Archives Programs ===
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*[https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue Prologue: the journal of the National Archives]
*[https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue Prologue: the journal of the National Archives]
*[https://www.archives.gov/dc/researcher-info Information for Researchers at the National Archives at Washington, DC]
*[https://www.archives.gov/dc/researcher-info Information for Researchers at the National Archives at Washington, DC]
*{{FSC|51715|item|disp=Examples of records in the National Archives frequently used in genealogical research}}


The National Archives Building in Washington, DC (Archives I), houses textual and microfilm records relating to genealogy, American Indians, pre-World War II military and naval-maritime matters, the New Deal, the District of Columbia, the Federal courts, and Congress.<ref>"Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/researcher-info.html (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref>  
The National Archives Building in Washington, DC (Archives I), houses textual and microfilm records relating to genealogy, American Indians, pre-World War II military and naval-maritime matters, the New Deal, the District of Columbia, the Federal courts, and Congress.<ref>"Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/researcher-info.html (accessed 5 April 2009).</ref>  
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*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/94  Records of the Adjutant General's Office RG 94]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/94  Records of the Adjutant General's Office RG 94]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/109 War Department Collection of Confederate Records RG 109]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/109 War Department Collection of Confederate Records RG 109]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/105 Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, RG 105]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/110 Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War) RG 110]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/110 Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War) RG 110]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/112 Records of the Surgeon General RG 112]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/112 Records of the Surgeon General RG 112]
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*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/407 Records of the Adjutant General's Office RG 407]
*[https://www.archives.gov/findingaid/stat/discovery/407 Records of the Adjutant General's Office RG 407]


''' FamilySearch Wiki - NARA Finding Aids '''
''' FamilySearch Wiki - Collection Coverage Tables '''
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/National_Archives_Catalog_Digitized_Collections_-_Coverage_Tables National Archives Catalog Digitized Collections - Coverage Tables] FamilySearch WIKI
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/National_Archives_Catalog_Digitized_Collections_-_Coverage_Tables National Archives Catalog Digitized Collections - Coverage Tables] FamilySearch WIKI
*[[United States, National Archives Catalog - Selected Digitized Collections]]
*[[United States, National Archives Catalog - Selected Digitized Collections]]
*[[NARA Series to FamilySearch Library film Conversion]]


=== Tips  ===
=== Tips  ===
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=== Guides  ===
=== Guides  ===


*[http://archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/ Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/ (accessed 5 April 2009).] Provides a general overview of NARA's holdings at the record group level, and is intended to assist researchers in identifying which record groups may have material relevant to their research topics. This Internet edition is an expanded version of Robert B. Matchette, and Jan Shelton Danis, ''Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States, 3rd ed.'', 3 vols. (Washington, D.C.: NARA, 1998). ({{FSC|1013988|item}} 973 A3gui). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34190322 WorldCat entry].<br>
*[http://archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/ Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/ (accessed 5 April 2009).] Provides a general overview of NARA's holdings at the record group level, and is intended to assist researchers in identifying which record groups may have material relevant to their research topics. This Internet edition is an expanded version of Robert B. Matchette, and Jan Shelton Danis, ''Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States, 3rd ed.'', 3 vols. (Washington, D.C.: NARA, 1998). ({{FHL|1013988|item}} 973 A3gui). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34190322 WorldCat entry].<br>
*{{FSC|649397|item|disp=Robert B. Matchette ... et al.comp., ''Guide to Federal records in the National Archives of the United States.'' 3 volumes. Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Administration, 1995. FS Library 973 A3gui  v. 1. Record groups 1-170 -- v. 2. Record groups 171-515 -- v. 3. Index.}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/649397 Robert B. Matchette ... et al.comp., ''Guide to Federal records in the National Archives of the United States.'' 3 volumes. Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Administration, 1995. FHL 973 A3gui  v. 1. Record groups 1-170 -- v. 2. Record groups 171-515 -- v. 3. Index.]
*Anne Bruner Eales, and Robert M. Kvasnicka, eds. ''Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States. 3rd ed''. (Washington, DC: NARA, 2000) ({{FSC|1011178|item}} 973 J53e). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44420788 WorldCat entry]. Explains records collections used most by genealogical researchers: Census, Passenger Arrivals and Border Crossings, Naturalizations, Military, Land, Native Americans, African Americans, and more.  
*Anne Bruner Eales, and Robert M. Kvasnicka, eds. ''Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States. 3rd ed''. (Washington, DC: NARA, 2000) ({{FHL|1011178|item}} 973 J53e). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44420788 WorldCat entry]. Explains records collections used most by genealogical researchers: Census, Passenger Arrivals and Border Crossings, Naturalizations, Military, Land, Native Americans, African Americans, and more.  
*Loretto Dennis Szucs, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, ''The Archives: a Guide to the National Archives Field Branches'' (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1988) ({{FSC|630522|item}} 973 A3sz). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17738169 WorldCat entry]. Several page descriptions for each Regional Branch, but mostly a list of record groups by number. Relatively little of the book is about the main branch.  
*Loretto Dennis Szucs, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, ''The Archives: a Guide to the National Archives Field Branches'' (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1988) ({{FHL|630522|item}} 973 A3sz). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17738169 WorldCat entry]. Several page descriptions for each Regional Branch, but mostly a list of record groups by number. Relatively little of the book is about the main branch.  
*Christina K. Schaefer, ''The Center: A Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Capitol Area'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1996) ({{FSC|770597|item}} 975.3 A3sc). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/35091086 WorldCat entry]. Explains using research rooms, census, military, immigration, naturalization, passport, American Indian, African American, Confederate, tax, W.P.A., and federal land records.<br>  
*Christina K. Schaefer, ''The Center: A Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Capitol Area'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1996) ({{FHL|770597|item}} 975.3 A3sc). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/35091086 WorldCat entry]. Explains using research rooms, census, military, immigration, naturalization, passport, American Indian, African American, Confederate, tax, W.P.A., and federal land records.<br>  
*[http://www.youtube.com/user/usnationalarchives US National Archives YouTube Channel] - hundreds of videos about the archives and their collections &amp; services
*[http://www.youtube.com/user/usnationalarchives US National Archives YouTube Channel] - hundreds of videos about the archives and their collections &amp; services


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*[http://www.fold3.com/institution-index.php Fold3.com] ($) subscription site with indexes and images to hundreds of National Archives record types including Revolutionary War and Civil War service records and pensions, draft registrations, census, etc.  
*[http://www.fold3.com/institution-index.php Fold3.com] ($) subscription site with indexes and images to hundreds of National Archives record types including Revolutionary War and Civil War service records and pensions, draft registrations, census, etc.  
*[http://www.heritagequestonline.com/ HeritageQuestOnline.com] ($) by subscription &amp; at many libraries--Revolutionary War pension &amp; bounty land files.  
*[http://www.heritagequestonline.com/ HeritageQuestOnline.com] ($) by subscription &amp; at many libraries--Revolutionary War pension &amp; bounty land files.  
*[http://stevemorse.org/ellis/cg.html Castle Garden 1830-1892] and [http://www.ellisisland.org/ Ellis Island 1892-1924] indexes &amp; images to New York City passenger arrivals.<br>
*[http://stevemorse.org/ellis/cg.html Castle Garden 1830-1892] and [http://www.ellisisland.org/ Ellis Island 1892-1924] indexes&nbsp;&amp; images to New York City passenger arrivals.<br>


''' FamilySearch Library '''
''' Family History Library '''
*[https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library], Salt Lake City, has many National Archives census, immigration, land, military, and naturalization records on microfilm.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/welcome-to-the-family-history-library Family History Library], Salt Lake City, has many National Archives census, immigration, land, military, and naturalization records on microfilm.
*{{FSC|51715|item|disp=Examples of records in the National Archives frequently used in genealogical research}}
*For a list of microfilms at both NARA and the Family History Library, [[NARA and FHL film numbers|click here]].
 
''' NARA Series to FHL film Conversion'''
*For a list of microfilms at both NARA and the FamilySearch Library, [[NARA and FS Library film numbers|click here]].
''' NARA Series to FS Library film Conversion'''
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Category:NARA_Microfilm_Number_Conversion Category: NARA Microfilm Number Conversion]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Category:NARA_Microfilm_Number_Conversion Category: NARA Microfilm Number Conversion]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_A1154-M317 A1154-M317]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_A1154-M317 A1154-M317]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_M318-M541 M318-M541]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_M318-M541 M318-M541]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_M542-M694 M542-M694]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_M542-M694 M542-M694]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_M698-M1002 M698-M1002]  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_M698-M1002 M698-M1002]  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_M1003-M1523 M1003-M1523]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_M1003-M1523 M1003-M1523]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_M1524-M1674 M1524-M1674]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_M1524-M1674 M1524-M1674]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_M1675-T715 M1675-T715]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_M1675-T715 M1675-T715]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_T716-T1067 T716-T1067]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_T716-T1067 T716-T1067]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FS_Library_film_Conversion,_T1068-T1279 T1068-T1279]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/NARA_Series_to_FHL_film_Conversion,_T1068-T1279 T1068-T1279]
 
''' Selected Collections '''
*{{FSC|292672|item|disp=Index to names of United States marshals, 1789-1960, NARA pub T0577}}
*{{FSC|478738|item|disp=Dispatches from special agents, 1794-1906,NARA pub M037}}


'''''Neighboring Collections'''''<br>  
'''''Neighboring Collections'''''<br>  
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*[[Library of Congress]], Washington, DC, Local History and Genealogy Reading Room is part of the world's largest library including 50,000 genealogies, 100,000 local histories, and collections of manuscripts, microfilms, maps, newspapers, photographs, and published material, strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources.  
*[[Library of Congress]], Washington, DC, Local History and Genealogy Reading Room is part of the world's largest library including 50,000 genealogies, 100,000 local histories, and collections of manuscripts, microfilms, maps, newspapers, photographs, and published material, strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources.  
*[[Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library|Daughters of the American Revolution Library]], Washington DC, Revolutionary War and colonial period, including family and local histories, cemetery transcriptions, Bible records, 15,000 genealogical membership applications.<br>  
*[[Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library|Daughters of the American Revolution Library]], Washington DC, Revolutionary War and colonial period, including family and local histories, cemetery transcriptions, Bible records, 15,000 genealogical membership applications.<br>  
*[http://doh.dc.gov/services/vital_records/index.shtm87,dohnav,%7C33120%7C.asp DC Vital Records Division] for birth and death records. [http://doh.dc.gov/services/vital_records/index.shtm802,dohNav,%7C33200%7C33240%7C.asp#9 DC Superior Court] for marriage and divorce records.  
*[http://doh.dc.gov/services/vital_records/index.shtm87,dohnav,%7C33120%7C.asp DC Vital Records Division] for birth and death records. [http://doh.dc.gov/services/vital_records/index.shtm802,dohNav,%7C33200%7C33240%7C.asp#9 DC Superior&nbsp;Court] for marriage and divorce records.  
*[[Washington DC FamilySearch Center]] has [[FamilySearch Center Portal|premium online services]] for free, and can offer research suggestions.
*[[Washington DC Family History Center]] has [[Family History Center Portal|premium online services]] for free, and can offer research suggestions.
*[[Maryland State Archives]], Annapolis, census, court, church, vital, military, probate, land, tax, immigration, naturalizations.  
*[[Maryland State Archives]], Annapolis, census, court, church, vital, military, probate, land, tax, immigration, naturalizations.  
*[[Library of Virginia]], Richmond, digital sources, databases, vital, military, newspapers, periodicals, tax, history, land records.  
*[[Library of Virginia]], Richmond, digital sources, databases, vital, military, newspapers, periodicals, tax, history, land records.  

Revision as of 15:48, 17 August 2021

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Research entrance at the National Archives Building as seen from 7th Steet & Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Contact Information[edit | edit source]

E-mail: Several e-mail options are available at National Archives and Records Administration

Mailing Address:[1]

The National Archives at College Park, Maryland (Archives II) (Headquarters)

8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001

National Archives in Washington, D.C. (Archives I)[2]

National Archives Building—Research Entrance
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Telephone:[1]  1-866-272-6272 , or TDD 301-837-0482
Fax:  301-837-0483

Hours:[3]  Monday, Tuesday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am to 9:00 p.m. For record pull-times, holidays, and other details, click here.

Public transportation:[4]

  • Subway. In Washington, DC, take Metrorail's Yellow or Green lines to the Archives/Navy Memorial station. The Archives/Navy Memorial stop is across Pennsylvania Avenue from the Archives building.
  • Bus. In Washington, DC, Metrobuses 30, 32, 34, 36, 53, A42, A46, A48, P1, P2, P4, P17, P19, and W13 stop at the National Archives on Pennsylvania Avenue.
  • Parking. No parking at the building is available for researchers. Several commercial parking lots are located nearby and metered curb parking may be available on nearby streets.

Obtaining Reproductions of Records[edit | edit source]

Copies of the records can be accessed three ways:

  • Ordered online from the National Archives
  • Ordered by mail using the NATF Form 86.
  • Visiting the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. in person and request to see the original

Regional Archives-Facilities and Affiliated Archives by State[edit | edit source]

A full list of facilities can be found on the National Archives' Visit Us page.

Federal Records Centers[edit | edit source]

A full list can be found on the National Archives' Federal Records Center Locations page.

Internet Sites and Databases[edit | edit source]

National Archives Programs[edit | edit source]

Collection Description[edit | edit source]

The National Archives has a vast collection of documents created by the United States federal government. The records most often used by genealogists are census, military, land, immigration, and naturalization records.

The National Archives Building in Washington, DC (Archives I), houses textual and microfilm records relating to genealogy, American Indians, pre-World War II military and naval-maritime matters, the New Deal, the District of Columbia, the Federal courts, and Congress.[7]

National Archives Catalog[edit | edit source]

The National Archives Catalog contains descriptions for NARA's nationwide holdings in the Washington, DC area; regional facilities; and Presidential Libraries. The Catalog is a work in progress and currently contains descriptions for 95% of our records, described at the series level. For detailed information on how to use the catalog see National Archives and Records Administration Catalog.

Record Groups with Digitized Records[edit | edit source]

The Record Group Explorer and Record Group Explorer Data webpages will identify record groups with digital records in the National Archives Catalog.

Selected Record Groups with Digitized Records The following links identify by Record Group with some digitized content. Under "Browse our Records" click on the "Explorer" link to see "Textual records," "Maps and Charts" and "Video and Audio"

FamilySearch Wiki - Collection Coverage Tables

Tips[edit | edit source]

  • Researchers first visiting Archives I, the National Archives and Records Administration building in Washington, DC, proceed to the Research Center on the first floor. Depending upon the types of records requested, researchers may need to first obtain a researcher identification card. You can get your research card in the Research Center. During the registration process, new researchers will view a short PowerPoint orientation emphasizing the safe handling of records and explaining the most basic research procedures, responsibilities, and rules. New researchers should plan for a total of 15-20 minutes to complete the registration process.[8]
  • Most of the National Archives records are arranged by record group. Record groups are based on the agency creating the record. For help identifying record groups to use for research see the following guides.
  • Start Your Genealogy Research
  • Claire Prechtel-Kluskens. In Their Owns Words: Family Stories in the National Archives. NGS Magazine 41 #4 (October-December 2015): 34-37.

Guides[edit | edit source]

Alternate Repositories[edit | edit source]

If you cannot visit or find a record at the National Archives Building (Archives I), a similar record may be available at one of the following.

Overlapping Collections

  • National Archives at College Park, Maryland (Archives II) houses documents created after 1900 at the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, and Treasury, and modern military records.
  • National Archives—Regional Branches. Each Regional Branch has copies of key records in Washington, as well as regional records, e.g. Atlanta for the Southern region, and Fort Worth has a strong American Indian collection.
  • National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), St. Louis, government and military personnel records starting 1917.
  • Allen County Public Library (Indiana) has a premier genealogical periodical collection, genealogies, local histories, databases, military, censuses, directories, passenger lists, American Indians, African Americans, Canadians.
  • Mid-Continent Public Library Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence, MO, national censuses/indexes, 80,000 family histories, 100,000 local histories, 565,000 microfilms, 7,000 maps, and extensive newspaper clippings.
  • Ancestry.com ($) subscription site with wide-ranging images and indexes of National Archives census, military, naturalization, passenger arrivals, border crossings, and published passenger lists.
  • Fold3.com ($) subscription site with indexes and images to hundreds of National Archives record types including Revolutionary War and Civil War service records and pensions, draft registrations, census, etc.
  • HeritageQuestOnline.com ($) by subscription & at many libraries--Revolutionary War pension & bounty land files.
  • Castle Garden 1830-1892 and Ellis Island 1892-1924 indexes & images to New York City passenger arrivals.

Family History Library

  • Family History Library, Salt Lake City, has many National Archives census, immigration, land, military, and naturalization records on microfilm.
  • For a list of microfilms at both NARA and the Family History Library, click here.

NARA Series to FHL film Conversion

Neighboring Collections

  • Library of Congress, Washington, DC, Local History and Genealogy Reading Room is part of the world's largest library including 50,000 genealogies, 100,000 local histories, and collections of manuscripts, microfilms, maps, newspapers, photographs, and published material, strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources.
  • Daughters of the American Revolution Library, Washington DC, Revolutionary War and colonial period, including family and local histories, cemetery transcriptions, Bible records, 15,000 genealogical membership applications.
  • DC Vital Records Division for birth and death records. DC Superior Court for marriage and divorce records.
  • Washington DC Family History Center has premium online services for free, and can offer research suggestions.
  • Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, census, court, church, vital, military, probate, land, tax, immigration, naturalizations.
  • Library of Virginia, Richmond, digital sources, databases, vital, military, newspapers, periodicals, tax, history, land records.
  • State archives for each state have archival records for people dealing with the state governments. See the Library and Archives Wiki pages for each state of the United States for further details.
  • Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, vital, census, immigration, naturalization, military, land, and employment.
  • Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), Mexico City, church, civil, census, court, history, military, migration, land.

Sources[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Contact the National Archives and Records Administration" in Natonal Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/contact/ (accessed 5 April 2009).
  2. ↑ "Washington, D.C. Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/ (accessed 5 April 2009).
  3. ↑ "Hours" in "Washington, DC Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours (accessed 5 April 2009).
  4. ↑ "Transportation" in "Washington, DC Area" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours (accessed 5 April 2009).
  5. ↑ "About ARC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/about-arc.html (accessed 5 April 2009).
  6. ↑ "What will I find in AAD?" in "Getting Started Guide" in "Access to Archival Databases (AAD)" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://aad.archives.gov/aad/help/getting-started-guide.html#find (accessed 5 April 2009).
  7. ↑ "Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/researcher-info.html (accessed 5 April 2009).
  8. ↑ "Orientation and Research Room Procedures" in "Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC" in National Archives Archives.gov at http://archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/researcher-info.html#research (access 5 April 2009).
v • d• e
Links to Maryland-related articles
Topics
Counties
Extinct Co.
Major
Repositories
Allegheny County Library System Washington Street Library · Baltimore City Archives · Bristol Public Library VA · Division of Vital Records · Dorchester County Central Public Library · Enoch Pratt Free Library · Frederick County Artz Public Library · Frostburg State University Ort Library · Handley Regional Library VA · Historical Society of Pennsylvania · Historical Society of Washington, D.C. · Jewish Genealogical Society of Maryland · Johns Hopkins University George Peabody Library · Library of Congress DC · Maryland Genealogical Society · Maryland Historical Society · Maryland Historical Trust Library · Maryland State Archives · Maryland State Law Library · Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society · National Archives and Records Administration (Archives I) DC · National Archives at College Park, Maryland (Archives II) · National Archives at Philadelphia PA · National Genealogical Society VA · Pennsylvania State Archives · Prince George's County Genealogical Society · Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore · Salisbury University Nabb Research Center · Talbot County Free Library · United Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore-Washington Conference · University of Maryland McKeldin Library · Washington County Free Library · Washington National Records Center
Migration
Routes
v • d• e
Links to North Carolina-related articles
Topics
Counties
Alamance · Alexander · Alleghany · Anson · Ashe · Avery · Beaufort · Bertie · Bladen · Brunswick · Buncombe · Burke · Cabarrus · Caldwell · Camden · Carteret · Caswell · Catawba · Chatham · Cherokee · Chowan · Clay · Cleveland · Columbus · Craven · Cumberland · Currituck · Dare · Davidson · Davie · Duplin · Durham · Edgecombe · Forsyth · Franklin · Gaston · Gates · Graham · Granville · Greene · Guilford · Halifax · Harnett · Haywood · Henderson · Hertford · Hoke · Hyde · Iredell · Jackson · Johnston · Jones · Lee · Lenoir · Lincoln · Macon · Madison · Martin · McDowell · Mecklenburg · Mitchell · Montgomery · Moore · Nash · New Hanover · Northampton · Onslow · Orange · Pamlico · Pasquotank · Pender · Perquimans · Person · Pitt · Polk · Randolph · Richmond · Robeson · Rockingham · Rowan · Rutherford · Sampson · Scotland · Stanly · Stokes · Surry · Swain · Transylvania · Tyrrell · Union · Vance · Wake · Warren · Washington · Watauga · Wayne · Wilkes · Wilson · Yadkin · Yancey
Counties gone
to TN or VA
Extinct or
Renamed
Counties
Major
 Repositories
Library of Congress · National Archives at Atlanta · North Carolina State Archives · State Library of North Carolina · Duke University Perkins Library · Genealogical Society of Old Tyron County · McEachern Library of Local History · Olivia Raney Local History Library · Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County · Rowan Public Library · University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Libraries · Bristol Public Library · Chattanooga Public Library Downtown · Knox County Public Library · Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown
Migration
Routes
v • d• e
Links to Virginia-related articles (see also West Virginia-related articles)
Topics
Counties
Accomack • Albemarle • Alleghany • Amelia • Amherst • Appomattox • Arlington • Augusta • Bath • Bedford • Bland • Botetourt • Brunswick • Buchanan • Buckingham • Campbell • Caroline • Carroll • Charles City • Charlotte • Chesterfield • Clarke • Craig • Culpeper • Cumberland • Dickenson • Dinwiddie • Essex • Fairfax • Fauquier • Floyd • Fluvanna • Franklin • Frederick • Giles • Gloucester • Goochland • Grayson • Greene • Greensville • Halifax • Hanover • Henrico • Henry • Highland • Isle of Wight • James City • King and Queen • King George • King William • Lancaster • Lee • Loudoun • Louisa • Lunenburg • Madison • Mathews • Mecklenburg • Middlesex • Montgomery • Nelson • New Kent • Northampton • Northumberland • Nottoway • Orange • Page • Patrick • Pittsylvania • Powhatan • Prince Edward • Prince George • Prince William • Pulaski • Rappahannock (New) • Richmond • Roanoke • Rockbridge • Rockingham • Russell • Scott • Shenandoah • Smyth • Southampton • Spotsylvania • Stafford • Surry • Sussex • Tazewell • Warren • Washington • Westmoreland • Wise • Wythe • York
Independent
Cities
Extinct Counties/Cities
Counties
gone to KY
Counties
gone to WV
Barbour • Berkeley • Boone • Braxton • Brooke • Cabell • Calhoun • Clay • Doddridge • Fayette • Gilmer • Greenbrier • Hampshire • Hancock • Hardy • Harrison • Jackson • Jefferson • Kanawha • Lewis • Logan • Marion • Marshall • Mason • McDowell • Mercer • Monongalia • Monroe • Morgan • Nicholas • Ohio • Pendleton • Pleasants • Pocahontas • Preston • Putnam • Raleigh • Randolph • Ritchie • Roane • Taylor • Tucker • Tyler • Upshur • Wayne • Webster • Wetzel • Wirt • Wood • Wyoming
Colonial
Parishes
Abingdon • Accomac • Accomack • Albemarle • Amherst • Antrim • Appomattox • Argall's Gift • Augusta • Bath • Beckford • Berkeley • Blisland • Blount Point • Botetourt • Boutracy • Bristol • Bromfield • Brunswick • Bruton • Camden • Cameron • Charles City • Charles • Charles River • Chickacoan • Chickahominy • Chippokes • Chiskiack • Chotank • Christ Church (Lancaster Co.) • Christ Church (Middlesex Co.) • Chuckatuck • Cople • Cornwall • Cumberland • Dale • Denbigh • Dettingen • Drysdale • East • Elizabeth City • Elizabeth River • Fairfax • Fairfield • Farnham • Flowerdew Hundred • Fluvanna • Frederick • Fredericksville • Hamilton • Hampton • Hanover • Harrop • Henrico • Hog Island • Hungars • James City • Jordan's Journey • Kecoughtan • Kingston • King William • Lancaster • Lawnes Creek • Lee • Leeds • Lexington • Littleton • Lower (Elizabeth City Co.) • Lower (Isle of Wight Co.) • Lower (Lancaster Co.) • Lower (Nansemond Co.) • Lower (Northampton Co.) • Lower (Stafford Co.) • Lower (Upper Norfolk Co.) • Lower Suffolk • Lunenburg • Lynnhaven • Machodick • Manchester • Marston • Martin's Brandon • Martin's Hundred • Meherrin • Middle Plantation • Middletowne • Montgomery • Mulberry Island • New Poquoson • Newport • Nomini • Norborne • Northampton • North Farnham • Nottoway (Prince Edward Co.) • Nottoway (Southampton Co.) • Nutmeg Quarter • Occohannock • Overwharton • Patrick • Petsworth • Piankatank • Piscataway • Poropotank • Portsmouth • Potomac • Raleigh • Richmond • Rockbridge • Rockingham • Russell • St. Andrew's • St. Anne's (Albemarle Co.) • St. Anne's (Essex and Caroline Cos.) • St. Asaph's • St. Brides • St. David's • St. George's (Accomack Co.) • St. George's (Spotsylvania Co.) • St. James Northam • St. James Southam • St. James's (Goochland Co.) • St. James's (Mecklenburg Co.) • St. John's • St. Luke's • St. Margaret's • St. Mark's • St. Martin's • St. Mary's • St. Mary's Whitechapel • St. Patrick's • St. Paul's (Hanover Co.) • St. Paul's (King George Co.) • St. Peter's • St. Stephen's (King and Queen Co.) • St. Stephen's (Northumberland Co.) • St. Thomas • Shelburne • Sittenburne • Smith's Hundred • South • Southampton • South Farnham • Southwark • Stafford • Stanley Hundred • Stratton Major • Suffolk • Tillotson • Trinity (Lancaster Co.) • Trinity (Louisa Co.) • Truro • Upper (Elizabeth City Co.) • Upper (Isle of Wight Co.) • Upper (Lancaster Co.) • Upper (Nansemond Co.) • Upper (Northampton Co.) • Upper (Stafford Co.) • Upper Suffolk • Varina • Wallingford • Ware • Warrosquyoake • Warwick • Washington (Westmoreland Co.) • Washington (Washington Co.) • Waters Creek • West • West and Shirley • Westbury • Westover • Weyanoke • Wicomico • Wilmington • York • Yorkhampton
Major
Repositories
Bristol Public Library · Germanna Foundation Library · Handley Regional Library · Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) · Historical Society of Washington, D.C. · John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library at Colonial Williamsburg · Jones Memorial Library · Library of Congress (Washington, DC) · Library of Virginia · Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library · Maryland State Archives (Annapolis, MD) · National Archives I (Washington, DC) · National Archives II (College Park, MD) · National Archives at Philadelphia (PA) · National Genealogical Society · New York Public Library (New York City, NY) · Pennsylvania State Archives (Harrisburg, PA) · Portsmouth Public Library · Roanoke County Public Library · Salisbury University Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture (Salisbury, MD) · Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown (Santa Cruz, CA) · University of Virginia Library · Virginia Department of Health · Virginia Historical Society · Virginia Theological Seminary · Washington National Records Center (Suitland, MD) · William and Mary College Swem Library
Migration
Routes
Routes: Chesapeake Bay • James River • Potomac River • Rappahannock River • York River • Chesapeake and Ohio Canal • Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad • Fall Line Road (or Southern Road) • Great Indian Warpath • Great Trading Path • Great Valley Road • Kanawha Trail • King's Highway • National Road (Cumberland Road) • New River and Southern Trail • Occaneechi Path • Old Cherokee Path • Old Northwestern Turnpike • Pamunkey-New River Trail • Pioneer Road • Richmond Road • Richmond-Williamsburg Road • Saura-Saponi Trail • Secondary Coast Road • Upper Road • Wilderness Road • Wilmington, Highpoint, and Northern Trail • Ports: Atlantic Coast Ports • Accomack • Alexandria • Belvoir Plantation • Bermuda Hundred • Dumfries • Falmouth • Fredericksburg • Hampton • Jamestown • Leedstown • Norfolk • Port Royal • Portsmouth • South Quay • Suffolk • Tappahannock (aka Hobb's Hole) • Urbanna • Williamsburg • Yorktown
v • d• e
Links to West Virginia-related articles (see also Virginia-related articles)
Topics
Counties
Major
Repositories
Boyd County Public Library (Ashland, KY) · Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library · Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, PA) · Library of Congress (Washington, DC) · Library of Virginia (Richmond, VA) · Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library · Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library (Lancaster, VA) · Maryland State Archives (Annapolis, MD) · National Archives I (Washington, DC) · National Archives II (College Park, MD) · National Archives at Philadelphia (PA) · New York Public Library (New York City, NY) · Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library · Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston · Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown (Santa Cruz, CA) · University of Chicago Library (Chicago, IL) · Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, VA) · Washington National Records Center (Suitland, MD) · West Virginia Archives and History · West Virginia University Wise Library · West Virginia Vital Registration Office
Migration
Routes

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Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)

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