"What Are You Working On, Tina Ligon?"

Ever wonder what exciting new projects the many employees at NARA are working on? The “What are You Working On?” blog feature aims to introduce a variety of NARA employees and highlight some of the exciting projects we are working on around the agency. Check for this blog series on Wednesdays!

This week, we introduce Tina Ligon, an Archivist at the National Archives in College Park, MD (Archives II).

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What is your name and title?

Tina L. Ligon, Archivist (NWCT-2P)

Where is your job located?

National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, Maryland

What is your job in a nutshell?

I am currently the project lead on the Navy Deck Log Project (RG 24). I oversee all activities related to the processing and procuring of supplies for the project, as well as supervising nine student workers.

What are you working on right now?

My current project is overseeing the processing and consolidating of the Navy Deck Logs from 1941 to 1978. The primary task is removing the deck logs from either oversized screw-post binders or non-archival cardboard boxes and inserting them into custom acid-free folders and boxes. With the completion of this project, most of the deck logs will be located in Stack 470, with the exception of a few remaining in the classified stack. The processing and consolidation of this deck project has saved nearly one mile of shelving.

Deck logs consist of chronological entries documenting the daily activities of commissioned Navy ships, units, stations, or other commands. The typical remarks sheet contains a chronological account of events or other data that was considered important, including when changes in course and speed occurred; important landmarks were sighted; boilers were engaged or shut down; exercises were conducted; provisions or fuel were received; and personnel were transferred, received, or returned from leave. The logs also usually contain an entry when a report of an injury to a crewman was received, with a brief description of the injury, the initial treatment, and whether or not the crewman was immediately returned to duty.

Deck logs are mostly used by Navy Veterans as personnel and operations records. They are helpful in obtaining benefits and settling lawsuits. Additionally, Judge Advocate General (JAG) and attorneys in handling cases related to asbestos, Agent Orange, PTSD, use deck logs.

How long have you been at NARA?  Have you worked at any other NARA location?

I started in February 2008.

Do you have a favorite day at NARA, or a favorite discovery or accomplishment?

My favorite day will be the day when the deck log project is completely finished.

What are your passions or interests outside of work?

I am working on my Ph.D. in African American History at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, I am a Past President of the National Black Graduate Student Association (NBGSA). I also created and coordinate the e-mentoring program for NBGSA.

What is the last book you read, or the last book you loved?

As a history major, I have read many books recently. The last book I read for pleasure was Foxy: My Life in Three Acts by Pam Grier.

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Are you interested in learning more about the Navy Deck logs?

Navy Deck logs that are more than 30 years old are held at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland.  For more information, or to make a request for these records, please contact the College Park, Maryland (Archives II) Reference Section:

Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov

The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978? (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118).  In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.