The U.S. National Archives: The Nation’s Attic

Sooner or later our research leads us to the treasures held in governmental archives. For federal government records in the United States that leads to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Researchers often use federal census, military and pension records, and passenger arrival records but these are only a fraction of the genealogically useful records in the custody of NARA. The records of the nation’s civil, military and diplomatic activities are held by NARA. These records total more than 13.5 billion pieces of paper; 40 million photographs; 40 million aerial images; and 10 million maps, charts, and architectural/engineering drawings. Electronically? 835 terabytes! This hour and syllabus material focuses on the Washington, DC, area facilities, commonly called Archives I and II, finding aids, website, catalogs, access options and research tips. Some discussion covers the Regional branches of NARA, including the finding aids.

Paula Stuart-Warren

The meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our host Randy Seaver. If you register for this event, you will receive an email reminder containing a link to the meeting three days before the event. If you are not receiving the invitations, please contact Randy Seaver at:

randy.seaver@gmail.com

Admission is free for up to 100 participants so register early.

A handout will be available and sent to all society members. For non-CVGS members who attended the meeting, please email Randy to receive the handout.