District of Columbia Archives and Libraries: Difference between revisions

:'''Archives I''' has nationwide censuses, pre-WWI military service and pensions, passenger lists, naturalizations, passports, federal bounty land, homesteads, bankruptcy, ethnic sources, prisons, and federal employees. 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>[http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/researcher-info.html Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC] in ''National Archives'' (accessed 31 December 2013).</ref>

:Microfilm copies of many of the records at the National Archives are available at the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library], other major archives and libraries, and at regional branches of the National Archives. You may purchase microfilms from the National Archives or request photocopies of the records by using forms obtained from the Archives.  

::*Eales, Anne Bruner and Robert M. Kvasnicka, ed. ''Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States''. Third Edition. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2000. ([http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=ti%3AGuide+to+Genealogical+Research+in+the+National+Archives+of+the+United+States Worldcat]) Explains records collections used most by genealogical researchers: Census, Passenger Arrivals and Border Crossings, Naturalizations, Military, Land, Native Americans, African Americans, and more.  

::*A National Archives (NARA) descriptive pamphlet (DP) provides helpful information about a microfilm set such as an explanation about the records on the film set, their origin, and a roll-by-roll descriptive list. Reviewing a DP prior to using a film set can increase a researcher's ability to use it successfully in a time-efficient manner.  '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.slcl.org/research-learn/genealogy/american-civil-war/descriptive-recruitment-lists-volunteers-united-states-colored-troops-state-missouri-1863-1865-m1894/nara-descriptive-pamphlets NARA Descriptive Pamphlets] St. Louis County Library.

:'''Digitized NARA Microfilm Publications'''

::[http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/30/us-national-archives-to-upload-all-holdings-to-wikimedia-commons/ "US National Archives To Upload All Holdings To Wikimedia Commons" ]  

::The National Archives has a list of [http://www.archives.gov/digitization/digitized-by-partners.html digitized records] and links to access them through online databases. It includes pay sites such as Ancestry and Fold3.com that have partnered with the National Archives to digitize many of the archives' records. Read more about the [http://www.archives.gov/digitization digitization program] at the National Archives.  

:'''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, modern military records, passport applications, and District of Columbia records.<ref name="DB2">William Dollarhide and Ronald A. Bremer. ''America's Best Genealogy Resource Centers'' (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998), 2. {{WorldCat|39493985|item|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|728550|item|disp=FS Library Ref Book 973 J54d}}.</ref>

:Older than 15-years federal criminal court, federal civil court, and federal bankruptcy court records, and the federal agency records from the '''District of Columbia''', Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.<ref name="DB29">Dollarhide and Bremer, 29.</ref>

:{|  

:The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). It is the central repository for both the military and civil services personnel-related records. It maintains military personnel records for servicemen and servicewomen discharged from 1912 to 1952* (*i.e. 62 years after discharge). Use '''[http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html Standard Form SF-180]''' to order files.  Military records prior to WWI are at [[National Archives at College Park, Maryland|National Archives II]] in College Park, Maryland.<ref>Dollarhide and Bremer, 134.</ref> <ref>[http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/ National Archives at St. Louis] in ''National Archives'' (accessed 18 March 2014).</ref>

:Original land records for all transfers of U.S. '''federal land''' to individuals in those states touching, or east of the Mississippi River. This includes land sales (cash or credit), homesteads, bounty land for military service, mineral and timberland rights transfers. See the Wiki article '''[[Land Patent Search]]''' for an explanation and link to the index. The BLM also has plat maps, tract books, and the original patents. With a patent description a researcher can access the land entry papers at the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives I]].

:Regional history and genealogy, Confederate Civil War military history, maps, photos, manuscripts, local newspapers, and city directories.<ref>[http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/vr/ Virginia Room] in ''Fairfax County, Virginia'' (accessed 13 January 2017).</ref>

:The DAR Library houses one of the largest genealogical collections in the United States. Its book collection includes more than 150,000 volumes concerning people and places throughout the nation. The collection focuses primarily on the generation of the American Revolution, but also includes substantial resources for studying people from the colonial period and the nineteenth century. "Through the efforts of local DAR members and chapters nationwide approximately 15,000 volumes of Genealogical Records Committee Reports have entered the Library and constitute a unique source for family histories, cemetery record transcriptions, and Bible records."<ref>[http://www.dar.org/library/about.cfm About the Library] in ''DAR Daughters of the American Revolution'' (accessed 8 February 2010).</ref>  

:'''''Research must be scheduled ahead of time.''''' Birth certificates 1874-1916 (after 1916 not yet open), death certificates 1874-1932, marriage certificates 1870-1965 (after 1965 not yet open), wills and probate records 1801-1999, probate administration cases 1879-1958, apprenticeship indentures 1812-1893, guardianships and administrative bonds1862-1939, Recorder of Deeds land records 1797-1930, and DC jail committals 1850-1934.<ref>[http://os.dc.gov/service/district-columbia-archives District of Columbia Archives] in ''DC.gov'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>

:Marriage records 1990-present. Obtain copies in person, or by mail. You must provide the full names, maiden names, and the date of the marriage for both parties.<ref>[https://www.dccourts.gov/services/marriage-matters Marriage Bureau] in ''District of Columbia Courts'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>

:City directories, marriages and deaths in MD DC and VA, obituaries, DC area newspapers, church and cemetery record indexes, censuses, naturalizations, emancipations, free Negros, runaways, fugitive slave cases, guardianship index, indentures and apprenticeship, and biographies.<ref>[http://www.dclibrary.org/node/3293 Genealogy Resources] in ''DC Public Library'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref> The library's [http://dclibrary.org/research/collections Special Collections] include Washingtoniana, The Peabody Room (Georgetown historical resources), and the Black Studies Center.

:Resources for locating property owners including buyers of the first DC land auction sales.'''See also: [[District_of_Columbia_Archives_and_Libraries#District_of_Columbia_Archives|District of Columbia Archives]]'''.

:Closed cases more than ten years old are sent to storage either at the WNRC Suitland Records Center, or at the D.C. Archives. To retrieve a will that is in storage, complete section 1 of the [https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/CaseInformationSearchRequestForm.pdf Case Information - Archive Case Request Form]. Mail in the completed form. The register's office will contact you when the document has been retrieved and is available for viewing for about two weeks.<ref>[https://www.dccourts.gov/services/probate-matters/request-for-probate-searches-and-copies Request Record Searches and Copies] in ''District of Columbia Courts'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>    '''See also: [[District_of_Columbia_Archives_and_Libraries#District_of_Columbia_Archives|District of Columbia Archives]]'''.

:Birth and death records 1874-present. Persons entitled to purchase a vital record include: the registrant, an immediate nuclear family member, a legal guardian, or a legal representative. Birth and death records become public after 100 years have elapsed from the date of birth and 50 years have elapsed from the date of death.<ref>[http://doh.dc.gov/service/vital-records Department of Health - Vital Records] in ''DC.gov'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>

:Library collections include 19 indexes of birth, marriage, and death records from Deaf publications, Gallaudet alumni cards, Gallaudet faculty/staff cards, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf applications, manuscripts, photographs, biographies, and other genealogical resources.<ref>[http://www.gallaudet.edu/library-deaf-collections-and-archives/genealogy-resources.html Genealogy Resources] in ''Gallaudet University Library Deaf Collections and Archives'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>[[File:E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, DC.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit is in the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, DC]]

:Covers the U.S. District Court (a federal trial court) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington DC only, but historically has had an outsized influence as a frequent forum for litigation involving federal agencies. Collection includes oral histories, biographies, and papers.<ref>[http://dcchs.org/ Welcome] in ''Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>

:Think of this as the state archives for the District of Columbia because of the 200 years of local history documents for genealogists. This includes families and notable individuals, organizations, businesses,  neighborhoods, religious institutions, local houses of worship, funeral homes, diaries and personal papers, and early 18th century land records.<ref>[http://www.dchistory.org/research/about-library-collections/ About the Library and Collections] in  ''Historical Society of Washington, D.C.'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref> Researchers are welcomed in the Kiplinger Research Library by prior appointment only Tuesday through Friday. Access to the library and collections is free of charge.<ref>[http://www.dchistory.org/research/ Research] in ''Historical Society of Washington, D.C.'' (accessed 7 January 2017).</ref>

:Use this library for its outstanding genealogical guides and indexes. They are 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. The "Local History and Genealogy Reading Room" has moved to the main reading room, but services are unchanged. <ref>[http://www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/lhgcoll.html The Collections] in ''Local History and Genealogy Reference Services'' in ''Library of Congress'' (accessed 2 February 2014).</ref>

:The Library of Congress site has a wonderful [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html American Memory] page that links to more 60 collections, searchable by keyword or time period in a variety of media.

:The [[National Genealogical Society]] (NGS) aims to serve and grow the genealogical community by providing education and training, fostering increased quality and standards, and promoting access to and preservation of genealogical records. It is the ''premier'' American national society for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. In conjunction with a sponsoring local genealogical society, it stages an annual '''[https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/conferences/ NGS Conference]'''. They also provide genealogical education courses, publications and videos. Their [[National Genealogical Society Book Loan Collection|NGS Book Loan Collection]] is now housed at the [[St. Louis County Library]] in Missouri. Their online collections include ''The National Intelligencer'' (Washington, DC) newspaper index 1800-1850, indexed Bible records and family groups from NGS members.<ref>[https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/member-benefits/ Individual Member Benefits] in ''National Genealogical Society'', accessed 5 September 2024.</ref>

: 5,500 volumes, surname files, family group sheets, Bible records and microfilms. Focused primarily on Prince George's County, Maryland, and the eastern states.

:The following guide book will help in using the library. It gives suggestions on preparing to visit the library, genealogy research tips, and helps in using the library.

::*Parker, J. Carlyle. ''Going to Salt Lake City to Do Family History Research''. 3rd ed. Turlock, California: Marietta Publishing, 1996. {{WorldCat|20057575|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|767755|item|disp=FS Catalog book 979.2258 J5p 1996.}}

:Some digital images can only be viewed at a [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch Centers or at an affiliate library].

::[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/md/kensington/10000-stoneybrook-dr Washington DC FamilySearch Center]<br>10000 Stoneybrook Drive<br>Kensington, Maryland<br>Telephone: 301-587-0042

:::This FSC has digitized and microfilm records, books, genealogical websites, special interest groups, and family history classes. They answer questions and provide limited research guidance.

:Includes information about the Virginia residents who once were part of the '''District of Columbia'''. Their large genealogical collection has family Bibles, birth, marriages, deaths, divorces, histories, biographies, and newspapers. Many of their manuscripts are now online. The '''''General Library''''' contains printed materials, while the '''''Research and Information Services Division''''' consists of government records and other historical documents. Many collections are available '''''online''''', such as Confederate pensions, veterans and widows, an index to wills and administrations, Revolutionary War bounty land, and Virginia Land Office patents and grants.<ref>Dollarhide and Bremer, 97.</ref>  <ref>[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/using_collections.asp#_guides Using the Collections] in ''Library of Virginia'' (accessed 7 January 2014).</ref>

:This is the premier facility for locating Maryland and '''District of Columbia''' ancestors. The Maryland State Archives [https://msa.maryland.gov  online] has nearly all available public records from 1634 to 1789; most original state and county records through the mid-twentieth century; microfilm copies of land, probate, and vital records to the present; and over 130 major card indexes to Maryland land records and early settlers, newspapers, county records, church records, family, and business records. This is the most complete collection of any of the 13 colonies. It can take up the three days just to check the indexes.<ref name="DB55">Dollarhide and Bremer, 55.</ref> For more information about the state archives, see the following references.

:*Maryland. Hall of Records. ''A Guide to the Index Holdings at the Hall of Records''. Rev., Bulletin, [Maryland. Hall of Records] No. 17. (Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records, 1972.) {{FSC|118379|item|disp=FS Catalog book 975.2 A1 no. 56.}} This is a county-by-county list of indexes and years covered.  

:*Papenfuse, Edward C., et al. ''A Guide to Government Records at the Maryland State Archives: A Comprehensive List by Agency and Record Series''. (Annapolis, Maryland: Maryland State Archives, 1992.) {{FSC|646205|item|disp=FS Catalog book 975.2 A3g.}} This guide lists record types, years covered, and series number.  

:*Papenfuse, Edward C., et. al. ''A Guide to the Maryland Hall of Records: Local, Judicial and Administrative Records on Microfilm''. Volume 1. (Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission, 1978.) {{FSC|498131|item|disp=FS Library fiche 6049468; book 975.2 A3pa v. 1.}} Volume one is a detailed list of many records on microfilm for Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City, Maryland. These include court, probate, and land records. The archives has additional computer printout lists for all counties. You can write to them for information about records of specific localities and time periods.  

:*Radoff, Morris Leon, et al. ''The County Courthouses and Records of Maryland, Part Two: The Records''. (Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission, 1963.) {{FSC|146470|item|disp=FS Library fiche 6054101 (fiches 4 and 5), 6054105; book 975.2 B4ma no. 13}} This is a county-by-county list of record types, years covered, and series number.

:This is one of the largest research libraries in the world including excellent genealogical resources for the '''District of Columbia'''. The library has city and telephone directories, vital records indexes, local histories, genealogies, federal and state censuses, passenger lists, genealogical collections (including DAR transcripts), and church records.<ref name="DB81">Dollarhide and Bremer, 81.</ref> For maps, write to the Map Division at the same address.