Beginning Your Genealogical Research at

Beginning Your Genealogical Research at
The National Archives and Records Administration Revised 2011 > MAIN MENU

Beginning Your Research at
The National Archives and Records Administration Family Research at the National Archives Census Records Native Americans Passenger Arrival Records (Immigration) Washington, DC, Area Research Facilities African Americans Japanese Americans Naturalization Records Regional Archives Chinese Americans Land Records To Contact Us Hispanic Americans Military Records Rules for Using Records < > MAIN MENU

Conducting Family Research
Looking for records of your family? Don’t know where to start? The National Archives may be able to help. more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
NARA is the nation’s recordkeeper, preserving and making available the permanently valuable records of the Federal Government. more > > < > MAIN MENU

National Archives more > > < > MAIN MENU

Conducting Family Research
Records of Genealogical Interest Any record that gives a: Name Place Date is useful for family research. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Before visiting the National Archives . . .
Compile as much information as possible about your family. Start with yourself, parents, and grandparents 1 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Compile as much information as possible about your family. Ask your relatives about your family history 2 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Compile as much information as possible about your family. 3 Look in family records (letters, family Bibles, scrapbooks, diaries, photographs, baptismal certificates, newspaper clippings, etc) more > > < > MAIN MENU

As you begin your family research at NARA
Remember The National Archives maintains only the permanent records of the Federal Government. NARA does not hold birth, marriage, divorce, or death records. We also do not have deeds and wills. Check with the appropriate state or county. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Remember Since these records are arranged as the agencies created them, there is no master subject or name index most are not digitized more > > < > MAIN MENU

Remember Records keeping practices vary over time. For example: The 1790 Federal census lists only the head of the household. The 1880 Federal census lists everyone in the household and their relationship to the head of the household. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Start with the relationship to the Federal Government
Think of possible ways your ancestor interacted with the Federal Government. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Principal Records of Genealogical Interest
Census Records Passenger Arrival Records (Immigration) Naturalization Records Land Records Military Records more > > < > MAIN MENU

Records of Groups Interacting with the Government
Native Americans African Americans Japanese Americans Chinese Americans Hispanic Americans < > MAIN MENU

Census Records more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records Article 1, Section 2, of the Constitution requires the government to conduct a Federal census every 10 years (beginning in 1790). The purpose of the Federal census is to count the population of the United States for apportioning representatives to the House of Representatives. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records Arrangement 1790–1870
Principal Records of Genealogical Interest Census Records Arrangement 1790–1870 The Federal Census is arranged by state, county, township, or city 1880–1930 The Federal Census is arranged by enumeration district. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records Access There is a 72-year restriction on access to population census information. Currently, the National Archives has open Federal census records on microfilm from 1790 to 1930. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Example: Paul Revere, 1810 Census in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Census Records 1790–1840 Lists head of household only Example: Paul Revere, 1810 Census in Suffolk County, Massachusetts more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records Records everyone in the household, but not the relationship to the head of the household 1850–1870 Example: Abraham Lincoln is enumerated on page 140 of the Sangamon County, Illinois, 1860 Census Schedule more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records Records everyone in the household and the relationship to the head of the household. Enumeration districts are noted. 1880–1930 Example: Laura Ingalls Wilder is enumerated on page 2A of the Wright County, Missouri, (Enumeration District 152) 1900 Census Schedule more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records 1890 Nearly all of the 1890 census was destroyed as a result of a Department of Commerce fire in 1921. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Census Records You may view Census Records at:
National Archives Building, Washington, DC NARA’s Regional Archives < > MAIN MENU

Principal Records of Genealogical Interest Passenger Arrival Records
(Immigration) more > > < > MAIN MENU

Passenger Arrival Records
(Immigration) Types U.S. Customs Service arrival lists, 1820–1890 Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) arrival lists, 1891–1957 Arrival lists are arranged by port of entry and date of arrival more > > < > MAIN MENU

(Immigration) Philadelphia passenger lists begin in Most other lists begin in 1820. Pre-1820 records may be on file at the Port of Entry or the State Archives, in the state where the port is located. For more information, see Passenger and Immigration List Index by P. William Filby (available in the NARA Library). more > > < > MAIN MENU

(Immigration) New York arrival lists are not indexed from 1847 to 1896. Canadian border crossings, also called St. Albans lists, begin in 1895. Mexican border crossings records, 1924–1954, are arranged by port of arrival. The complete series has not yet been microfilmed. more > > < > MAIN MENU

(Immigration) INS Manifest 1907 more > > < > MAIN MENU

(Immigration) INS Manifest 1953 more > > < > MAIN MENU

(Immigration) Availability The National Archives, Washington, DC, has a complete microfilm set of available passenger lists. NARA’s Regional Archives microfilm copies of passenger arrival records that cover the ports in their area. < > MAIN MENU

Principal Records of Genealogical Interest Naturalization Records
more > > < > MAIN MENU

Naturalization was a two-step process, generally requiring a five-year minimum residency in the United States. Step 1 – Declaration of Intention (First Papers) Step 2 – Petition for Naturalization (Granted Citizenship) The only copy of the certificate of naturalization was sent to the applicant. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Naturalization Records
Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein, June 4, 1943 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Naturalization Records
Declaration of Intention for Greta Garbo, September 9, 1948 more > > < > MAIN MENU

For Federal court naturalizations, contact the appropriate NARA Regional Archives. The National Archives in Washington, DC, holds naturalization records for Federal courts in Washington, DC. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Federal Contact the NARA Regional Archives that serves the state where naturalizations occurred to request a search of Federal court records. more > > < > MAIN MENU

State Contact the State archives for the state where the naturalizations occurred to request a search of state, county, and local court records. Local Contact the appropriate State archives or the county. < > MAIN MENU

Land Records more > > < > MAIN MENU

Land Records The Federal Government documented the transfer of public lands from the U.S. Government to private ownership. Land patent certificates document only the first transfer of title of land from the United States to another party. Records of later transfers may be found in county or state records. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Land Records Land records consist of:
Tract Books (documenting land transactions) Patent Books (documenting official transfer from the Federal Government to the individual) Tract books cover two geographical areas: Eastern states Western states more > > < > MAIN MENU

For Tract Books covering these states
Land Records The Eastern States consist of: Alabama Iowa Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Ohio Florida Michigan Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota Indiana Mississippi For Tract Books covering these states Contact: Eastern States Office Bureau of Land Management 7450 Boston Boulevard Springfield, VA more > > < > MAIN MENU

The Western States consist of: For Tract Books covering these states
Land Records The Western States consist of: Alaska Montana Oregon Arizona Nebraska South Dakota California Nevada Utah Colorado New Mexico Washington Idaho North Dakota Wyoming Kansas Oklahoma For Tract Books covering these states Contact: National Archives and Records Administration 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC more > > < > MAIN MENU

Land Records Availability Contact: for the following:
National Archives and Records Administration 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC for the following: Land patent case files Mineral entry case files, 1800–1908 Railroad land case files Mineral patent case files Timber patent case files more > > < > MAIN MENU

Land Records Availability
Check the appropriate State Archives for the following areas that are not public land states: Connecticut Delaware Georgia Maryland Massachusetts New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Virginia Any state that was part of the original 13 colonies Hawaii Kentucky Tennessee Texas West Virginia < > MAIN MENU

Records about Military Service more > > < > MAIN MENU

Records about Military Service
Repositories NARA holds Federal records of military service in two repositories: National Archives Building, Washington, DC (Revolutionary War – 1912) The National Archives at St. Louis and the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO (Late 19th century – Present) more > > < > MAIN MENU

To locate military records, you need to know as much information as possible about the soldier’s service including: Dates of service Branch of service Conflict fought in Volunteer unit Regular Army (Officer or enlisted personnel) more > > < > MAIN MENU

A. Records about Military Service Repositories
The National Archives Building in Washington, DC, holds records relating to: Volunteer enlisted men and officers whose military service was performed during a particular war or emergency, 1775–1902 Regular Army: Officers, 1789–June 30, 1917 Enlisted personnel, 1789–October 31, 1912 U.S. Navy: Officers, 1798–1902 Enlisted personnel, 1798–1885 more > > < > MAIN MENU

A. Records about Military Service Repositories
The National Archives Building in Washington, DC, holds records relating to: A. U.S. Marine Corps: (Some) Officers, 1798–1895 Enlisted personnel, 1798–1904 Those who served in predecessor agencies of the U.S. Coast Guard, i.e., the Revenue Cutter Service (Revenue Marine), the Life-Saving Service, and the Lighthouse Board 1791–1919 more > > < > MAIN MENU

B. Records about Military Service Repositories
The National Archives at St. Louis and the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO, hold military personnel files of: U.S. Army officers separated after June 30, 1917, and enlisted personnel separated after October 31, 1912 U.S. Air Force officers and enlisted personnel separated after September 1947 U.S. Navy: Officers separated after 1902 Enlisted personnel separated after 1885 more > > < > MAIN MENU

B. Records about Military Service Repositories
The National Archives at St. Louis and the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO, hold military personnel files of: U.S. Marine Corps: Officers separated after 1895 Enlisted personnel separated after 1904 U.S. Coast Guard: Officers separated after 1898 Enlisted personnel separated after 1914 Civilian employees of Coast Guard predecessor agencies such as Revenue Cutter Service, Life-Saving Service, and Lighthouse Board, 1864–1919 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Records Navy & Marine Corps Regular Army Coast Guard and Predecessor Agencies Pensions more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Compiled Military Service Records
Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Records State Militia Records Contact the appropriate State archives. Confederate Records The National Archives holds compiled military service records for soldiers who served in the Confederate Army, Confederate Navy, and Marine Corps. NARA does not hold Confederate pensions; contact the appropriate State archives. more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Records Confederate Prisoners more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Records Compiled military service records for volunteer men and officers are available for: Revolutionary War War of 1812 Early (pre-Civil War) Indian Wars Mexican War Civil War – Union and Confederate Later (post-Civil War) Indian Wars Spanish-American War Philippine Insurrection more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Records When researching volunteers, start with the compiled military service records. Begin your research by consulting the appropriate name indexes on NARA microfilm. If the compiled military service records have not been reproduced on microfilm, researchers may request to see the original records (1775–1912) at the National Archives Building, Washington, DC. more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Records Compiled military service records consist of envelopes containing card abstracts taken from muster rolls, returns, pay vouchers, and other records. A compiled military service record contains some of the following information: Name of soldier Rank Unit Date mustered in and mustered out Other military information In addition, some files may contain some biographical and medical information. more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records at NARA, Washington, DC Compiled Military Service Record more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Regular Army Records about Military Service
Records at NARA, Washington, DC Regular Army Regular Army personnel enlisted for a specific time of duty (3 months, 3 years, etc.) rather than for a specific war. They are the forces that serve during peacetime. more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records at NARA, Washington, DC Regular Army The War Department did not compile military service records for the Regular Army. Start your research with: Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798–1914 Enlisted Men – Regular Army Enlistment Papers, 1798–1894 Officers – Francis B. Heitman’s Historical Register and Dictionary of the Unites States Army, From Its Organization, September 29, 1789, to March 2, 1903 (2 volumes) more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Regular Army Enlisted Men
Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Regular Army Regular Army Enlisted Men more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records at NARA, Washington, DC Regular Army For Regular Army enlisted men, search the following records: Enlistment Papers, 1798–1912 Register of Enlistments, 1798–1914 more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Regular Army Records about Military Service Records at NARA,
Washington, DC Regular Army Regular Army Officers more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records at NARA, Washington, DC Regular Army For Regular Army officers, search the following records: Francis B. Heitman’s Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army Adjutant General’s Office (AGO) AGO letters received, 1805–1889 AGO document file, 1890–1917 Commission Branch,1863–1870 Appointment, Commission, and Personal (ACP) files, 1871–1894 more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Pensions Records about Military Service Pension Records:
Records at NARA, Washington, DC Pensions Pension Records: Payment is based on service in the armed forces of the United States between 1775 and 1916. Pension records include both applications for pensions and pensions granted. Pension files often contain supporting documents such as discharge papers, affidavits, depositions of witnesses, narratives of events during service, marriage certificates, birth records, death certificates, pages from family Bibles, and other supporting papers. more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Supporting information may include photographs
Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Pensions Supporting information may include photographs more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records at Archives 1: Navy and Marine Corps more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Navy Records about Military Service
Records at NARA, Washington, DC Navy For Navy enlisted men, search the following: Pension Files Rendezvous Reports Keys to and Register of Enlistment Returns, 1846–1902 Jackets of Enlisted Men, 1842–1885 (1885–1941 in St. Louis, MO) Muster Rolls Deck Logs Court-Martial Records more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Navy Records about Military Service
Records at NARA, Washington, DC Navy For Navy officers, search the following: Edward W. Callahan’s List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and Marine Corps Abstracts of Service (M330) Examining Board and Retirement Board Pension Files Court-Martial Records Deck Logs more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Marine Corps Records about Military Service
Records at NARA, Washington, DC Marine Corps For Marine Corps enlisted men, search the following: Case Files (prior to 1905, after 1905 – St. Louis, MO) Muster Rolls, 1789–1940 Pension Files – The National Archives has pension applications and records of pension payments for veterans, their widows, and other heirs between 1775 and 1916. more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Marine Corps Records about Military Service
Records at NARA, Washington, DC Marine Corps For Marine Corps officers, search the following: Edward W. Callahan’s List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and Marine Corps Various Registers from 1819–1904 (with gaps) Muster Rolls, August 1798–December 1940 more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Records at NARA, Washington, DC Coast Guard more > > < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Coast Guard and Predecessor Agencies
Records about Military Service Records at NARA, Washington, DC Coast Guard and Predecessor Agencies Registers of Lighthouse Keepers, 1845–1912; and correspondence concerning Keepers and Assistant Keepers, 1821–1902 Revenue Cutter Service: Records of Officers, 1791–1919; enlisted crew: muster rolls and payrolls, 1833–1932; and shipping articles, 1863–1915 Life-Saving Service: registers, 1866–1913; service records cards, 1900–1914; and articles of engagement for surfmen, 1875–1914 < > WASHINGTON, DC, RECORDS MAIN MENU

Native Americans more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans The National Archives holds information about Native Americans who maintained their ties to Federally recognized tribes (1830–1970). Most records are arranged by tribe. It is very difficult to determine a person’s tribal affiliation if you do not already know the tribe’s name. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans Consider Name of the Federally recognized tribe Name of person When they were alive State where they lived more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans Records Availability The original administrative records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters are in the National Archives, Washington, DC. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans Records of Groups Interacting with the Government
Will Rogers’s Enrollment Records more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans Records Availability NARA’s Regional Archives hold records created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) field offices and Indian schools at the regional level Student Record, Indian School, Carlisle, PA more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans Records Availability The National Archives at Fort Worth holds many records relating to the Five Civilized Tribes: Choctaw Creek Chickasaw Seminole Cherokee more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans Dawes Commission Record Seminole Nation Roll, 1905 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Native Americans For more information on the records of the Dawes Commission, contact The National Archives at Fort Worth < > MAIN MENU

African Americans more > > < > MAIN MENU

Pre-Civil War Records (1790–1860)
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government African Americans Pre-Civil War Pre-Civil War Records (1790–1860) Slave records are difficult to locate and are found rarely at NARA. The 1850 and 1860 slave schedules list the slave owner’s name and the number of slaves by sex, age, and black or mulatto. The names of free African Americans may be included in the 1790–1860 Federal censuses. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Military Service Records
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government African Americans Civil War  Pensions  Military Service Records United States Colored Troops (USCT) Regular Army (9th and 10th Cavalry, 24th and 25th Infantry) more > > < > MAIN MENU

African Americans Post-Civil War Census Records Beginning in 1870, the Federal census listed the names of African Americans including former slaves. For additional information, see the African Americans in the Federal Census, 1790–1930 tutorial. It is available online at more > > < > MAIN MENU

The Southern Claims Commission
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government African Americans Post-Civil War The Southern Claims Commission Established in 1871, the Southern Claims Commission dealt with Civil War related claims of southerners loyal to the Union. African Americans submitted claims and gave testimony before the Commission. The files may contain: Names, ages, and residences of former slaves Names of slave owners Slave manumissions (emancipations) more > > < > MAIN MENU

Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government African Americans Post-Civil War Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (Freedman's Bank) In 1865, Congress formed the Freedman’s Bank to benefit former slaves. NARA has microfilmed copies of: Registers of Signatures of Depositors, 1865–1874 Deposit Ledgers Indexes in Bank Branches, 1865–1874 more > > < > MAIN MENU

African Americans Post-Civil War
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government African Americans Post-Civil War Ann Blue opened this account in Lexington, Kentucky, in August After the bank's demise in 1874, she sent in this passbook and received $37.94 in dividend payments. ( Records of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, RG 101) Freedman’s Savings And Trust File more > > < > MAIN MENU

African Americans Post-Civil War Freedmen’s Bureau The Freedmen’s Bureau was established on March 3, 1865. Although there are no indexes to these records, they are an excellent source of information about freed slaves. For more information see: Black Family Research: Records of Post-Civil War Federal Agencies at the National Archives (Reference Information Paper 108, rev. 2010) < > MAIN MENU

Japanese Americans more > > < > MAIN MENU

Japanese Americans Japanese Internments During World War II, about 110,000 Japanese Americans were evacuated from designated military areas in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. The War Relocation Authority (WRA) was set up to carry out the removal, relocation, maintenance, and supervision of those excluded from the military areas. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Japanese Americans In 1942, The Wartime Civil Control Administration (WCAA) established ten assembly centers in: Central Utah, Topaz, UT Colorado River, Poston, AZ Gila River, Rivers, AZ Granada, Amachie, CO Heart Mountain, Heart Mountain, WY Jerome, Denson, AR Manzanar, Manzanar, CA Minikoda, Hunt, ID Rohwer, McGehhe, AR Tule Lake, Newell, CA more > > < > MAIN MENU

Japanese Americans Records of Groups Interacting with the Government
Manzanar Relocation Center February 1943 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Japanese American Internee Files, 1942–1946
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government Japanese Americans Japanese American Internee Files, 1942–1946 This automated data file is available at Among the data elements are: Name Age Race of internee and spouse Year and place of birth Occupation of father more > > < > MAIN MENU

Evacuee and Excluded Files, 1942–1946
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government Japanese Americans Evacuee and Excluded Files, 1942–1946 The case files include personal history records that give: Name of the evacuee Individual and family numbers Birthplace Birth date Religion Marital status Linguistic ability Educational accomplishments Employment history Military service records There are access restrictions. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Final Accountability Rosters of Evacuees at
Records of Groups Interacting with the Government Japanese Americans Final Accountability Rosters of Evacuees at Relocation Centers, 1944–1946 Arrangement By relocation center, followed by an alphabetical list of evacuees at the center Among the information provided are: Name Assigned family number Sex Date of birth Citizenship status Pre-evacuation address Date of entry into center Date of departure from center Final destination after leaving center < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Chinese Exclusion, 1882–1943 From 1882 to 1943, the U.S. Government severely curtailed immigration from China to the U.S. The majority of these records are open to the public, although access may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans < > MAIN MENU Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882
more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Records of the District Courts of the United States Included among the District Court records are thousands of case files relating to habeas corpus actions brought in both circuit and district courts during the late 1800s and early 1900s. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Immigration Arrival Investigation File for Cho Ming Tsai, September 8, 1913 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Case File Lee Wong Hing’s efforts for readmission to the U.S. under the exemption for merchants in the Chinese Exclusion Act February 11, 1904 more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1882–1943 A Chinese immigration case file may contain information such as: Subject’s name Date and place of birth Physical appearance Occupation Names and relationships of other family members Family history more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1882–1943 To locate a case file: A researcher must know the name the immigrant or traveler used on his or her papers, as well as the first port at which the person entered or left the country. There is no master index. Individual INS districts and some NARA regional facilities may have created indexes to their records. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Chinese Americans Availability of the Records Many of the records created to implement the Chinese exclusion laws are now in the custody of NARA’s Regional Archives. To locate the records, contact the Regional Archives closest to where the person first entered or left the country. < > MAIN MENU

Hispanic Americans more > > < > MAIN MENU

Hispanic Americans Mexican Border Crossings These lists, which are available from 1924–1954, are arranged by the port of entry into the United States. In many cases, the information is compiled on a manifest card rather than the traditional manifest sheet. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Hispanic Americans Among the ports are: Naco and Sasabe/San Fernando, AZ San Ysidro, CA Columbus and Nogales, NM El Paso, Rio Grande, Loredo, Eagle Pass, Brownsville, and Houston, TX < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records In order to conduct research at NARA, researchers must: Show a photo ID Be at least 14 years of age Obtain a researcher’s card more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Handle With Care No Pens No Food or Drink
Only one box or folder on your desk at a time more > > < > MAIN MENU

Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA
Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Notes and Related Materials ALLOWED in Research Rooms: ALLOWED NARA approved research notes on loose paper, NARA issued paper, note cards, handouts, and NARA publications One approved book at a time Pencils and mechanical pencils more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Special Equipment* ALLOWED in Research Rooms: Video and audio recording decks Cameras, camcorders, and tripods Photographic copy stands (with approval) Video tapes, audio tapes, and film Scanners (only flatbed without auto feed) Personal computers One CD at a time ALLOWED * All equipment must be removed from cases and the cases stored in lockers more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Clothing and Personal Effects ALLOWED in Research Rooms: Cell phones must be on vibrate mode or turned off. Please leave the research room before talking on your cell phone. Sweaters and sweatshirts, with or without hoods, short (waist-length), indoor business attire (such as suit jackets, waist-length indoor jean jackets) Religious headwear and garments Small silk or similar indoor-type kerchiefs Coin purses or small pocket-sized wallets Small eye glass cases Clear plastic “sandwich/food storage-type” bags for holding small items (no larger than 10 by 10 inches) ALLOWED more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Items ALLOWED ONLY in the Microfilm Reading Room (National Archives Building, Washington, DC): ALLOWED Pens, paper, and notebooks Personal belongings (although we encourage you to secure them in a locker) more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Notes and Related Materials* NOT ALLOWED in Research Rooms: NOT ALLOWED Envelopes, notebooks, pads, binders, folders, pens, markers, “Post-it” notes (unless stapled to pre-existing notes) * Food, drink (including candy, gum, and water) more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Special Equipment* NOT ALLOWED in Research Rooms: NOT ALLOWED Flash bulbs Personal photo copiers More than one CD-ROM at a time * All equipment must be removed from cases and the cases stored in lockers more > > < > MAIN MENU

Taking Care of Records Rules for Using Historical Records at NARA Clothing and Personal Effects NOT ALLOWED in Research Rooms: Outerwear: Garments worn over indoor clothing primarily as protection against the elements, such as overcoats, coat-type sweaters, windbreakers and jackets (other than indoor business attire)** Hats, caps, or scarves Purses, fanny packs, briefcases, suitcases, handbags, backpacks, boxes, bags, equipment bags, or containers of any kind Clear plastic bags, if larger than 10 by 10 inches NOT ALLOWED ** You may also be asked to remove any outer clothing that is wet or contains outdoor debris. NARA reserves the right to determine whether a garment is considered to be outerwear. more > > < > MAIN MENU

Public Lockers Public lockers are available on the ground floor of the Washington, DC, building and the basement level of the National Archives at College Park, MD. Please place items not permitted in the research rooms in a locker before proceeding to do research. < > MAIN MENU

Visiting the National Archives Building (Washington, DC)
Visiting the National Archives at College Park, MD < > MAIN MENU

Visiting the National Archives
(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD Address National Archives Building National Archives and Records Administration 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD LOCATION The National Archives Building is located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th Streets. Please note that there are two entrances: Pennsylvania Avenue – The Research entrance Constitution Avenue – The Rotunda entrance (which includes the Exhibit Hall) Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD RESEARCH HOURS Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday Sundays and Federal Holidays Closed Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings more > > < > MAIN MENU

(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD RECORDS RETRIEVAL SCHEDULE 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Note: On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there will be an additional retrieval time at 3:30 p.m. Records are not retrieved evenings or Saturdays. Address Location Schedule for Requesting Textual Records Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

( Visiting the National Archives (Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Metrorail (Washington's subway) The Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter stop on the Green or Yellow Line, is across Pennsylvania Avenue from the Archives Building. Metro Bus Service Numbers 13A, 13B, 13F, 13G, 30, 32, 34, 36, 54, 70, A42, A46, A48, P1, P2, P6, P17, P19, W13, and Circulator Buses (Convention Center-SW Waterfront and Smithsonian/National Gallery of Art Routes) Note: Metrorail and Metro Bus schedules are subject to change. Please check for current information. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD PARKING There is no parking at the National Archives Building. Commercial parking facilities are located nearby. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

(Washington, DC ) National Archives at College Park, MD SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE The shuttle bus runs Monday through Friday only between the Washington, DC, and College Park, MD, NARA buildings. Leaves Washington, DC, building: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on the hour Leaves College Park, MD, building: Note: Researchers may use the shuttle bus on a space available basis. This schedule is subject to change. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

Visiting the National Archives at College Park, MD
National Archives Building (Washington, DC) Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) Address Location The National Archives at College Park 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) Address LOCATION The National Archives at College Park is located on Adelphi Road near the University of Maryland's College Park campus. Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) RESEARCH HOURS Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday Sundays and Federal Holidays Closed Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings more > > < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) RECORDS RETRIEVAL SCHEDULE 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Note: On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there will be an additional retrieval time at 3:30 p.m. Records are not retrieved evenings or Saturdays. Address Location Schedule for Requesting Textual and Special Media Records Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) TRANSPORTATION DRIVING DIRECTIONS From I-495 (Capital Beltway) take exit 28B for New Hampshire Avenue (Route 650) south. On New Hampshire, take a left at the second light onto Adelphi Road. Follow Adelphi Road until you see the large green sign for Archives II. Turn left into the entrance. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings more > > < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION The (R3) Metrobus* (the Greenbelt/Fort Totten line) serves Green Line Metro stations at Greenbelt, Prince George's Plaza, and Fort Totten. The (C8) Metrobus* (the College Park/White Flint line) serves Red Line Metro stations at White Flint and Glemont and the Green Line Metro station at College Park. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings Note: *These Metrobuses do not run on Saturdays. Metrorail and Metro Bus schedules are subject to change. Please check for current information. < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) PARKING Limited visitor parking is available. Parking spaces in the garage may fill quickly. If you intend to drive and park, note: Parking at NARA is on a first come, first serve basis The parking garage opens to the public at 8 a.m. Overnight parking is NOT permitted A security officer will check you for proper photo identification (such as a Government ID, state ID, driver’s license, etc.) which is required to access NARA property and direct you to your proper destination. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings more > > < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE The shuttle bus runs Monday through Friday only between the Washington, DC, and College Park, MD, NARA buildings. Leaves Washington, DC, building: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on the hour Leaves College Park, MD, building: Researchers may use the shuttle bus on a space available basis. This schedule is subject to change. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings more > > < > MAIN MENU

National Archives Building (Washington, DC) SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE (cont.) On Saturdays, the shuttle bus runs between the College Park, MD, NARA building and the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station. Leaves Prince George’s Plaza Metro station: 8:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., :15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 5 p.m. Leaves College Park, Maryland, NARA building: 8:45 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m. Researchers may use the shuttle bus on a space available basis. This schedule is subject to change. Address Location Hours Transportation Parking Transportation between NARA buildings < > MAIN MENU

NARA's Regional Archives
SEATTLE, WA BOSTON, MA NEW YORK CITY, NY ANCHORAGE, AK PHILADELPHIA, PA DENVER, CO SAN FRANCISCO, CA RIVERSIDE, CA < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Boston 380 Trapelo Road Waltham, Massachusetts Homepage: Area served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont The National Archives at New York City 201 Varick Street New York, New York Homepage: Area served: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Philadelphia 900 Market Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Homepage: Area served: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Atlanta 5780 Jonesboro Road Morrow, Georgia 30260 Homepage: Area served: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Chicago 7358 South Pulaski Road Chicago, Illinois Homepage: Area served: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Kansas City 400 West Pershing Road Kansas City, Missouri 64108 Homepage: Area served: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska The National Archives at St. Louis (National Personnel Records Center) 1 Archives Drive St. Louis, Missouri Homepage: For onsite military and civilian personnel records research (late 19th century through ca. 1950), please call to make an appointment. The records are subject to privacy restrictions. NPRC web pages are currently undergoing major revisions. We anticipate publishing more definitive information about the archival program in St. Louis in the coming months. more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Denver Denver Federal Center, Building 48 West 6th Ave. and Kipling St. Denver, Colorado 80225 P. O. Box 25307 Denver, Colorado Homepage: Area served: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Fort Worth 501 West Felix Street, Building 1 Fort Worth, Texas P. O. Box 6216 Fort Worth, Texas Homepage: Area served: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at San Francisco 1000 Commodore Drive San Bruno, California Homepage: Area served: northern and central California, Hawaii, Nevada (except Clark County), American Samoa, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands The National Archives at Riverside 23123 Cajalco Road Perris, CA Homepage: Area served: Arizona, southern California, and Clark County, Nevada more > > < > MAIN MENU

The National Archives at Seattle 6125 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, Washington Homepage: Area served: Idaho, Oregon, Washington (State) The National Archives at Anchorage 654 West Third Avenue Anchorage, Alaska Homepage: Area served: Alaska more > > < > MAIN MENU

Facilities open to the public for archival research To obtain information about NARA’s Regional Archives, see our web site at: < > MAIN MENU

To Contact Us Mail Telephone Fax Electronic Request Visit our web site
< > MAIN MENU

To Contact Us Mail National Archives and Records Administration
Telephone Fax Electronic Request Visit our web site To Contact Us Mail National Archives and Records Administration Room G-13 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC Attn: Customer Services Division (NWCC1) more > > < > MAIN MENU

To Contact Us Telephone Telephone 1-866-272-6272 or 1-86-NARA-NARA
Mail Telephone Fax Electronic Request Visit our web site To Contact Us Telephone Telephone or 1-86-NARA-NARA TDD line: (301) more > > < > MAIN MENU

To Contact Us Fax Fax Washington, DC, Location:
Mail Telephone Fax Electronic Request Visit our web site To Contact Us Fax Fax Washington, DC, Location: (202) or (202) College Park, MD, Location: (301) more > > < > MAIN MENU

To Contact Us Electronic Request www.archives.gov/contact/ E-mail
Telephone Fax Electronic Request Visit our web site To Contact Us Electronic Request Please submit your research question by visiting: Then click on the “Ask about research and records” link (under the “Contact Us Online” section). Please complete and submit the form. more > > < > MAIN MENU

To Contact Us Visit our web site at www.archives.gov
Mail Telephone Fax Electronic Request Visit our web site To Contact Us Visit our web site at Visit our web site at more > > < > MAIN MENU

Additional Assistance
If you are viewing this at our Washington, DC, location and have additional questions, please ask our staff. We hope you enjoy your visit at the National Archives! Thank you < MAIN MENU

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