Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Imgur “Summer of Archives” Collaboration Gets By With a Little Help From NARA

Today’s post comes from Larry Shockley, student intern in the National Archives' Digital Public Access Branch On June 2, 2014, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) announced a partnership with Imgur called the “Summer of Archives.” This joint project is designed to combine historical images with modern technology in order to give new life … Continue reading Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Imgur “Summer of Archives” Collaboration Gets By With a Little Help From NARA

Weird Records from the Depths of the Archives

Halloween is right around the corner, and at the National Archives we are well versed in the creepiest, weirdest records of the Federal government. Here's our list of favorites that are sure to make you shudder with fear!   What's more dangerous- a poison bottle equipped with spikes or the poison itself?:     In … Continue reading Weird Records from the Depths of the Archives

The National Archives is now on Instagram

This post was written by Addie Nguyen, a student intern in the Office of Innovation. Who could ever pass up on using the mega-addictive Instagram? It makes a photographer out of anyone – just snap an ordinary, hum-drum pic of, say, a building as you’re walking down a street, then apply an ultra-hip, vintage-looking filter … Continue reading The National Archives is now on Instagram

Federal Government 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.

Personnel Records to Move to National Archives at St. Louis

This post comes from James Rush, the Administrative Staff Director for Archival Operations in Washington, DC. Staff at the National Archives at College Park are moving approximately 398 cubic feet of personnel related records to the National Archives at St. Louis.  The series being transferred complement the mission, function, and holdings of the National Archives at … Continue reading Personnel Records to Move to National Archives at St. Louis

Today's 3:30pm Record Pull is CANCELLED

The following post come from Bill Mayer, the Executive for Research Services at the National Archives. Attention All Researchers: The 3:30 pull for today has been cancelled.  An issue relating to federal payroll activities at 22 federal agencies nationwide has causes significant staffing issues.  In order to address these issues, we have had to take … Continue reading Today's 3:30pm Record Pull is CANCELLED

Have Your Say! We need your input on Digital Strategy

On May 23, 2012, the White House released the Digital Government Strategy, which outlines how all federal agencies will work to make information and services easily accessible on the internet, anytime, anywhere, and on any device. President Barack Obama said, "Ultimately, this Strategy will ensure that agencies use emerging technologies to serve the public as … Continue reading Have Your Say! We need your input on Digital Strategy

NARA’s Open Government Plan for 2012-2014

On Friday, the National Archives released the updated Open Government Plan that will guide our efforts in transparency, participation, and collaboration for 2012-2014. Over the past two years, we’ve implemented most of the 70 tasks we set out to accomplish in our 2010 Open Government Plan, including major initiatives in records management, declassification, and FOIA, … Continue reading NARA’s Open Government Plan for 2012-2014

Which presidential inaugural address was the best?

This question just came in from a fan of the National Archives: Is there a consensus as to which presidential inaugural address was the best? I recognize that in this case "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and it may be more accurate to think of the top five rather than single one … Continue reading Which presidential inaugural address was the best?

Help Create a Name Index for the 1940 Census!

  Calling all Citizen Archivists!  The 1940 census has been online for two weeks now.  We have heard many great stories about people you have found in the census.  We also know there are some of you who don't know where people were living in 1940 and therefore cannot search the census without an name … Continue reading Help Create a Name Index for the 1940 Census!