Researcher Forum at Archives 2 – November 18, 2011 AGENDA Update on Space Reconfiguration at the National Archives Building in Washington DC Digitization of Records Discussion on proposed transfer of records, mainly from Archives 2 (College Park), to the National Archives at St. Louis Questions and Comments 1

Researcher Forum at Archives 2 – November 18, 2011 Discussion on proposed transfer of materials, primarily from Archives 2 (College Park), to the National Archives in St. Louis: – Why transfer these specific records? – What isn’t proposed for transfer to the National Archives in St. Louis? – The National Archives at St. Louis – Discussion about new facility and services provided to researchers, both on-site and off-site. – Questions 2

3 1 Army General Courts Martial Case File (RG 153 Entry 15-B) accessionedCollege Park3, th Century Military “Burial Case Files” (RG 92 NM-81 Entry 1942) *Proposed for digitization. accessionedCollege Park2, th Century Military Apps. for Headstones (RG 92 A1 Entry 2110-C) *Currently being digitized. accessionedCollege Park288 3A Department of Memorial Affairs; Applications for Headstones and Markers, (RG 15 A1 Entry 52) *Proposed for digitization. accessionedCollege Park466 3B Interim Control Forms (RG 92 A1 Entry 2110-B) *Currently being digitized. accessionedCollege Park113 3C Office of the Chief of Support Services – Memorial Division; Cemetery Branch; Application for Headstones and Markers, (RG 92 A1 Entry 1942A)*Proposed for digitization. accessionedCollege Park226 4 Deceased and War Casualty Seaman’s Records, (RG 26 A1 Entry 426) accessioned Washington, DC Old USMC Enlisted OMPFs “Service Records of Enlisted Men,” (RG 127 A1 Entry 76-A) *Proposed for digitization. accessioned Washington, DC Panama Canal Railroad Company Official Personnel Files, (RG 185 A1 Entry 162) accessionedCollege Park16 7 American Citizen Official Personnel Folders, (RG 185 A1 Entry 176) accessionedCollege Park640 8 Panama Canal Official Personnel Folders, (RG 185 A1 Entry 163) accessionedCollege Park8 9 German Civilian Personnel Files, European Command (RG 531 UD Entry 999) accessionedCollege Park26 10 Officer Orders & Officer Personnel Jackets, South Pacific Force (RG 313 UD Entry 1062) accessionedCollege Park2 11 Merchant Vessel Personnel Division; Card Records of Licenses Issued to Merchant Marine Officers, accessioned Washington, DC Chaplain Files, (RG 247 NM-3 Entries 484-B; 484- C; 484-D; 484-E; 484-F; 484-G) accessionedCollege Park1106 DRAFT The series listed below are those that are currently identified for PROPOSED transfer to the National Archives in St. Louis (NPRC) from Archives 2 (College Park) and Archives 1 (Washington, DC). Total volume is 9599 cubic feet.

Researcher Forum at Archives 2 – November 18, 2011 Why transfer these particular records? – They c omplement the mission, function, and holdings of the National Archives at St. Louis and the National Personnel Records Center They document personal data and they pertain to individuals, rather than organizations These records logically belong with the records that constitute the core holdings of NPRC Their presence with similar records in St. Louis will facilitate more efficient archival research and public access to these records 4

Researcher Forum at Archives 2 – November 18, 2011 Why transfer these particular materials? – We are almost out of space to house permanent records at Archives1 (Washington, DC) and Archives 2 (College Park) This severe shortage of space will, in the next year, result in the National Archives not being able to accept any permanent records from Federal Agencies. NARA must acquire new space, ship seldom requested records to off-site archival storage (Lee’s Summit and Lenexa), and/or transfer other records in order to meet our statutory obligations 5

Researcher Forum at Archives 2 – November 18, 2011 What isn’t proposed for transfer to the National Archives in St. Louis? – The proposal does not include the Civil War pension files 6

National Archives at St. Louis Bryan McGraw, Director

Overview What is the National Archives at St. Louis Records & services available How to request records/additional information 8

National Archives at St. Louis Co-located at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Established in 2005 with opening of first group of Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) Central depository for modern (late 1800s through 20 th Century), personnel –related records – Military & Federal Civil Servants – Selective Service, Army Court Martial, Deceased Military Personnel Records, Morning Reports, Rosters & others 25 staff / $2 million annual appropriated budget 9

National Archives at St. Louis (continued) One of the busiest archives in NARA – Received 116,000 written reference requests in FY 2011 – Served 23,403 records in research room – 500,000+ cubic feet of archived records – over 2 million cubic feet by 2065 Modern, state-of-the-art research room, including – Public access PCs, microfilm reader/printers, reference library 10

Storage Bays 3 Levels of storage Bays 14 & 15 dedicated to Burned Records 50 F/35% RH Bays 9 – 13 Archival Bays 63 F/35-45% RH 11

1 Archives Drive 12

Front Lobby 13

Archival Research Room 14

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– These transfers will take place in FY 12 and be completed by 30 September 2012 – Transfers of Selective Service underway from NARA Regions – Transfer of USA General Courts Martial Case Files (1940 – 1976) is completed 16

Services Available We are experts on 20 th Century military and civilian personnel-related records – Archival staff very knowledgeable of holdings and complementary holdings within NARA to provide full service to researchers Modern research room – Open 0730 – 1545 Tuesday – Friday appointments strongly encouraged Records must be located, “archival determination” made (date of separation for military records); assessed for conservation actions; redactions made before we can serve a personnel record Ensures record is there when you arrive Through September 2012 records located in multiple facilities (we’re moving) – Records can be scanned (using approved electronic equipment), or photocopied – Extensive indexes & finding aids to guide researchers Records are available in research room and by mail – Requests for entitlements/benefits can be processed in 10 days or less (written) – Some prominent records are also available electronically (CD/DVD) – Archival staff available to assist as well as researchers-for-hire if you can’t travel to St. Louis – Wi-Fi access planned (facility is hard-wired) Modern, state-of-the-art Preservation Lab established in 2000 (after OMPF appraisal) – Performs basic conservation actions to stabilize records on both archival and pre-archival records – a first for NARA – Dry/Wet Labs for document conservation – Reformatting Lab with microfilm and digital conversion capabilities 17

How to Request Records Two separate tracks: – Military personnel records: Archives.gov (eVetrecs or Standard Form 180) Mail: National Personnel Records Center 1 Archives Drive St. Louis, MO – All other records (civilian personnel records, selective service, court martial, Merchant Marine, etc.) Mail: National Archives at St. Louis Attention: RL-SL P.O. Box St. Louis, MO

For Further Information To check on a records request: – Customer Service Line: – Fax: Archival Research Room: – – Facebook: Prominent Records Information & Public Programs: – – – Web: – 19

Researcher Forum at Archives 2 – November 18, 2011 Questions Comments 20