By Onaona Guay The Know Your Records series aims to inform our readers of the types of records in our holdings, the information found in those record types, and the process by which researchers can request/get access to these records. Know Your Records: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls/Personnel Diaries U.S. Navy muster rolls and personnel diaries … Continue reading Know Your Records: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls and Personnel Diaries
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
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
The Tale of Tartar the War Horse (Part II)
Today's post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher and is the continuation of last week's post. On April 9, 1863, President Lincoln met Tartar. On that day the President reviewed I Corps (commanded by Maj. Gen. John Reynolds) of the Army of the Potomac and freed slaves serving in the army on a plain two … Continue reading The Tale of Tartar the War Horse (Part II)
The Tale of Tartar the War Horse
Today's post is the first part of a two-part story told to us by Dr. Greg Bradsher. Look for part two next week! In early July 1857, Captain John W. Phelps, commanding officer of Battery B, 4th Regiment of Artillery, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, was acquiring horses for his battery for its planned expedition to … Continue reading The Tale of Tartar the War Horse
Keeping the Public Informed
Today's post is written by David Langbart. Public comment about what is now called the lack of transparency about U.S. foreign policy is not a new phenomenon. The issue goes back to at least World War II, if not before. Recognizing that it needed to better inform the public about its activities, in 1948, the Department … Continue reading Keeping the Public Informed
Shutdown
Due to the Federal Government shutdown, the National Archives (www.archives.gov) is closed. We are unable to post or participate in any of our social media channels during this closure. All National Archives facilities are closed, with the exception of the Federal Records Centers and the Federal Register until the Federal government reopens.