From Buchanan’s Blunder to Seward’s Folly, Sort Of

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher. In 1935 the State Department asked the United States Embassy in Moscow for copies of documents from the Russian archives relating to the American purchase of Alaska in 1867. The Embassy responded in 1936 by sending along copies, and in some cases translations, of 45 documents which … Continue reading From Buchanan’s Blunder to Seward’s Folly, Sort Of

black and white photo showing Lt. General DeWitt with a stenographer in the background

A Slap’s a Slap: General John L. DeWitt and Four Little Words

Today's post is written by Alan Walker, a processing archivist at Archives II in College Park. Lt. General John L. DeWitt was in charge of the U.S. Army’s Western Defense Command in 1942 and was instrumental in the development of Executive Order 9066, which directed the internment of all Japanese Americans living on the West … Continue reading A Slap’s a Slap: General John L. DeWitt and Four Little Words

The Origins and Operations of the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point

Today's post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher.   During the past several weeks there has been great international interest in the art works that had been in the possession of Hildebrand Gurlitt before and during World War II, some of which were ultimately recovered at war’s end, stored at the United States Army’s Wiesbaden Central … Continue reading The Origins and Operations of the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point

Know Your Records: WWII Army Unit Records

Today's post is written by Kylene Woods, a processing archivist at the National Archives in College Park. You are interested in knowing more about the army unit your grandfather served with during World War II.  Grandpa Jim served with the 1884th Engineer Aviation Battalion, and you want to know more about the type of work … Continue reading Know Your Records: WWII Army Unit Records

Know Your Records: U.S. Navy Deck Logs

By Onaona Guay Know Your Records: U.S. Navy Deck Logs U.S. Navy deck logs and muster rolls are among the most popular U.S. Navy records in our holdings. Archivists here at Archives II frequently consult these records to answer researcher requests. Considering their popularity, we thought it might be helpful to dive a little deeper … Continue reading Know Your Records: U.S. Navy Deck Logs