Posts about searching and using the records at NARA.
By Monique Politowski In 1971, the National Archives established the Center for the Documentary Study of the American Revolution through its American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (Records of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration: RG 452), at Archives I in Washington, DC. As one of the major Bicentennial projects, the center was a sort of “one stop” … Continue reading Are you down with the PCC? (every name, every place, every subject)
Today's post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher. During the first days of August 2012, at the National Archive in College Park, MD (Archives II), I looked at three archival boxes that were labeled as Captured Korean Documents. They were Japanese documents, bound together in small groups of pages by the Allied Translator and Interrogator … Continue reading From Rabaul to Stack 190: The Travels of a Famous Japanese Army Publication
Today's post is written by Archives II volunteer Jan Hodges. Do you know what a shellback ceremony is? Chances are that unless you’re a Navy man or a relative, you probably don’t. It’s a ritual conducted aboard ship after it crosses the equator. And not just any old ceremony--one that becomes part of the sailor’s permanent record. The Reference Unit … Continue reading Searching for a Shellback Ceremony in the Navy Deck Logs
Today's post is written by Adam Minakowski, an archives technician who works with researchers in College Park. Opening a box of records in the Textual Research Room at the National Archives at College Park, you expect to find folders stuffed with typed or handwritten documents. Sure, you’ll sometimes encounter log books, photos, and maps, but … Continue reading A Shameless Plug
By Alfie Paul So, what is in the RG 286 Records (Record Group 286: Records of the Agency for International Development, 1948 - 2003), and how should researchers approach diving in to the world of USAID? Most important is for researchers to have as much specific information as possible depending on how specific your research … Continue reading Know Your Records: USAID, RG 286, Part II
By Alfie Paul The National Archives has a program of presentations called Know Your Records through which archivists, volunteers, and others share their knowledge of our records with you, the public. It is a great way for interested individuals to learn what we have and how to use what we have to their advantage. The … Continue reading Know Your Records: USAID, RG 286, Part I
Today's post is written by Kimberly Kronwall. My grandfather was an avid pilot and builder of airplanes. As a child, I remember walking into his garage to check on the progress of his latest Taylorcraft aircraft. Other than this limited exposure to airplanes (and the commercial flights I frequent) I am not by any means … Continue reading Donated Records: A Worthwhile Adventure
The "National Archives Researcher News" recently carried an FAQ that provides guidance on ways to improve your research experience at the National Archives. It is reissued here to bring it to the attention of readers of The Text Message. HOW CAN I MAKE MY VISIT MORE SUCCESSFUL? The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) reference … Continue reading Make Your Research Visit to NARA More Successful
By M. Marie Maxwell Several months ago, as part of a processing project relating to Record Group 516: Records of the Federal Judicial Center, 1967 - 1994, I did a little research on a woman named Alice L. O’Donnell. In the Archives Research Catalog, also known as ARC, a researcher can, according to the Archives.Gov … Continue reading Finding Alice
Today's post is written by Amber Thiele, a processing archivst with civilian textual records in College Park. Sometimes while processing textual records you find something that makes you think, "hmmm…this would get more use if it was in another part of the National Archives and Records Administration." Usually in the Textual Archives Services Division, this … Continue reading Transferring records
