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The National Archives What and Where?

Archival Research Basics with the National Archives Lesson # 4. The National Archives What and Where?. The National Archives and Records Administration Pacific Alaska Region Seattle, Washington & Anchorage, Alaska 9/1/2009.

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The National Archives What and Where?

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  1. Archival Research Basics with the National Archives Lesson # 4 The National ArchivesWhat and Where? The National Archives and Records Administration Pacific Alaska Region Seattle, Washington & Anchorage, Alaska 9/1/2009

  2. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever. Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin Patent Drawing: 03/14/1794,ARC Identifier 305886 (www.archives.gov/arc)

  3. Many people know the National Archives as the keeper of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. But we also hold in trust for the public the records of ordinary citizens—for example, military records of the brave men and women who have fought for our country, naturalization records of the immigrants whose dreams have shaped our nation, records that chronicle the development of civil rights, and even the canceled check from the purchase of Alaska. Treasury Warrant in the Amount of $7.2 Million for the Purchase of Alaska, 08/01/1868 ARC Identifier 301667 ( www.archives.gov/arc/ ) A [US] soldier [of Japanese ancestry] and his mother. … 05/11/1942 ARC Identifier 536474 ( www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  4. In a democracy, the government’s records belong to the people, and for more than seven decades, NARA has preserved and provided access to the permanent records of the United States of America. Records help us claim our rights and entitlements, hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, and document our history as a nation. In short, NARA ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their Government.

  5. The National Archives administers a nationwide network of facilities, serving both the public and federal agencies.

  6. Historically Speaking By the 1930’s the condition of permanent and historically valuable Federal records, like these War Department records stored in the White House garage, illustrated the need for a National Archives. From the NARA 75th Anniversary online exhibit at http://www.archives.gov/75th/photos/1930s/03.html

  7. President Hoover laid the cornerstone of the first National Archives building on February 10, 1933, just prior to his leaving office. Virginia Purdy, “A Temple To Clio: The National Archives Building,” Guardian of Heritage (1985), p.22

  8. Signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 19, 1934, the National Archives Act established the National Archives to centralize federal record keeping, with the Archivist of the United States as its chief administrator. Act of June 19, 1934 ("National Archives Act") ARC Identifier 299840 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  9. The newly completed National Archives building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC 1935 From National Archives 75th Anniversary online exhibit at http://www.archives.gov/75th/photos/

  10. Documents, photos, maps, moving pictures, and audio recordings went from what were sometimes open boxes or crates to what was then a state of the art holding facility. 1935 1938 From National Archives 75th Anniversary online exhibit at http://www.archives.gov/75th/photos/

  11. Eventually, after several expansions, other facilities were built in order to hold the ever increasing volume of documents from the Federal government. Laying the cornerstone of the Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York, November 1939. For more photographs about the history of the National Archives seehttp://www.archives.gov/75th/photos/

  12. 2 Washington DC facilities 14 Regional Archives 12 Presidential Libraries Online at www.archives.gov

  13. Each facility holds unique, original records from U.S. Federal agencies located in a particular area of the United States. See listing of all facilities accompanying this lesson for more complete information.

  14. The National Archives at Anchorage Holds original records from about 60 federal agencies whose offices are (or have been) located in Alaska These original records may NOT exist anywhere else!

  15. The National Archives at Seattle Holds original records from about 95 federal agencies whose offices are or have been located in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho These original records may NOT exist anywhere else!

  16. Who uses the National Archives and why? Every year, hundreds of thousands of people contact us or come to our research facilities and Presidential libraries, and millions use our web site. Their purposes are many and varied. Here are a few examples:

  17. A few examples of our documents Architectural, Ship, & Patent Drawings

  18. Records of the Public Buildings Service, 1801 – 1976 (Record Group 121) Elevation drawing for the plan for the US Treasury Building on Saint Paul Island, Alaska: ca 1880 ARC Identifier 594906 (www.archives.gov/arc/)

  19. Records of Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2006 (Record Group 46) Part of the plans for the improvement of the US Capitol, 1846(Includes three galleries, a gentlemen’s gallery, a ladies gallery, and the reporter’s gallery) ARC Identifier 306182 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  20. Records of the Bureau of ships, 1940 - 1966 (Record Group 19) Drawing of the Hulls for the USS Constellation and the USS Congress, 1795 ARC Identifier 783888 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  21. Records of the Patent and Trademark Office, 1836 - 1973 (Record Group 241) Drawing for the patent for a life-preserving coffin, 1843 ARC Identifier 595517 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  22. A few examples of our documents Maps

  23. Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitrations, 1716 - 1979 (Record Group 76) “Franklin Sheet” from 4th Edition of the Map of the British Colonies in North America 1775 ARC Identifier 2485233 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  24. Records of the Bureau of Land Management, 1685-2006 (Record Group 49) Sketch map of a California land claim …1852 ARC Identifier 595794 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  25. Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, 1789-1988 (Record Group 77) Map of rebel lines at Raleigh NC as General Sherman approached 1865 ARC Identifier 305783 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  26. Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793 – 1989 (Record Group 75) Allotment Map of Township 2 North of Range 16 East of the Indian Meridian in Indian Territory, ca. 1896-1906 ARC Identifier 1767286 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  27. A few examples of our documents Photographs and Other Graphic Materials

  28. Records of the Commission of Fine Arts, 1893 – 1981 (Record Group 66 The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. October 1777. Copy of painting by John Trumbull, 1820-21, 1899 - 1932 ARC Identifier 512777 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  29. Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, 1860 - 1952 (Record Group 165) Virginia, Fredericksburg, Pontoon Bridge across the Rappahannock river., 05/1863 ARC Identifier 533306 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  30. Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860-1982 (Record Group 111) Doctor Mary Walker, ca. 1860 - ca. 1865 ARC Identifier 526308 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  31. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, 1882 - 1962 A Japanese fighting plane shot down during the attack on Dutch Harbor, Alaska in early June, before shipment to the United States, 08/08/1942 ARC Identifier 195314 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  32. General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1804 – 1958 (Record Group 80) Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor, June 3, 1942 ARC Identifier 520589 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  33. A few examples of our documents Letters

  34. Harry S. Truman Papers Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs, 1876 - 1959 Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 05/17/1911 ARC Identifier 200618 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  35. Harry S. Truman Papers Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs, 1876 - 1959 Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 05/17/1911 ARC Identifier 200618 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  36. Harry S. Truman Papers Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs, 1876 - 1959 Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 05/17/1911 ARC Identifier 200618 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  37. Harry S. Truman Papers Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs, 1876 - 1959 Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 05/17/1911 ARC Identifier 200618 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  38. Harry S. Truman Papers Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs, 1876 - 1959 Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 05/17/1911 ARC Identifier 200618 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  39. Harry S. Truman Papers Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs, 1876 - 1959 Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 05/17/1911 ARC Identifier 200618 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  40. Truman wrote this letter while recuperating from a broken leg suffered in a farm accident. In a semi-humorous vein, he complains about having to endure his plaster cast and crutches. Referring to the eagerness of Bess's brother, Frank Wallace, to go to Mexico while it was still in the throes of the 1910 revolution, Truman passes on his advice to stay home and out of harm's way. He discusses his own experiences in the field artillery of the Missouri National Guard, and mentions that the Trumans are presently being visited by his mother's cousin Will, who fought in the Civil War under Confederate General Sterling Price and participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Corinth, and Westport. He speculates about the violent conditions in Missouri during that period, and relates how his grandmother once frightened off a group of hostile Indians on the frontier. Truman concludes by promising that if he should "land that machine" (an automobile), he will be sure to use it properly.

  41. Records of the Adjutant General's Office, ca. 1775 - ca. 1928 (Record Group 94) Letter from Robert E. Lee to Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, in which Lee Resigned from the U.S. Army, 04/20/1861 ARC Identifier 300383 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  42. Robert F. Kennedy Papers Robert F. Kennedy Letter Birmingham, Alabama September 26, 1963 ARC Identifier 193939 (www.archives.gov/arc/ )

  43. A few examples of our documents Court cases

  44. Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 1998 (Record Group 85) Report on "Political Forces: Communist Activities, Seattle, Washington., 10/02/1934 ARC Identifier 296493 (www.archives.gov/arc/

  45. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2004 (Record Group 21) Diagram of the Bus Showing Where Rosa Parks Was Seated [December 1, 1955] ARC Identifier 296493 (www.archives.gov/arc/

  46. A few examples of our documents Immigrants

  47. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2004 (Record Group 21) Applications for U.S . Citizenship often started with “first papers,” known as the Declaration of Intention Declaration of Intention for Greta Garbo, 09/09/1948 ARC Identifier 595201 (www.archives.gov/arc/

  48. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2004 (Record Group 21) Applications for U.S . Citizenship often started with “first papers,” known as the Declaration of Intention Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein ARC Identifier 596270 (www.archives.gov/arc/

  49. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 – 2004 (Record Group 21) After a pre-determined waiting period, their “final papers” or “petition for naturalization” were usually filed and the applicant received a certificate of citizenship Petition for Naturalization for Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, 05/25/1939 ARC Identifier 595182 (www.archives.gov/arc/

  50. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 – 2004 (Record Group 21) After a pre-determined waiting period, their “final papers” or “petition for naturalization” were usually filed and the applicant received a certificate of citizenship Petition for Naturalization for Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, 05/25/1939 ARC Identifier 595182 (www.archives.gov/arc/

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