Today's guest blog post comes from Rebecca Crawford of Research Services. We know how important microfilm readers and printers are to the research you do each day at the National Archives. That is why we do our best to ensure the machines in our research rooms are kept in good working order and available when … Continue reading Keeping NARA’s Microfilm Readers and Printers in Good Repair
Category: Research
Q & A Regarding New Copiers at Archives I and Archives II
The following post comes from Diane Dimkoff, Director, Customer Services, Research Services (RD-DC). What is the status of the current OCE copiers? The maintenance contract with OCE has expired. The current copiers must be replaced quickly. Since copiers are used by fewer researchers, we believe there are sufficient working copiers to see us through until … Continue reading Q & A Regarding New Copiers at Archives I and Archives II
The Temporary Move of the Finding Aids Room at the National Archives Building
by guest blogger: Trevor Plante, Chief of Archives I Reference, National Archives in Washington, DC In late September 2011, the first phase of construction will begin in the ground floor research area of the National Archives Building. This will result in the temporary relocation of the Finding Aids Room and Consultation staff to the Pension … Continue reading The Temporary Move of the Finding Aids Room at the National Archives Building
Archives 360°: “Keeping Humans in the Loop” in Chicago
Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists (SAA) celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. During the week of August 22, almost 1,800 archives professionals from all over the globe gathered in Chicago, Illinois for SAA’s annual meeting and anniversary celebration. Today's blog features my introductory remarks for SAA session #701 that I chaired, "New Perspectives for the 1940 Census" providing a quick history of innovative technologies used for processing and accessing census data.
How Can We Improve the Researcher Application Form?
Have you conducted research at the National Archives? If so, you probably remember filling out this researcher application form. We use this form as both a security measure to protect the records, as well as to better understand your research interests and goals. We’ve made some updates to the form, and we’re looking for your feedback to … Continue reading How Can We Improve the Researcher Application Form?
Changing Our Perspective: Looking at Our Quality Efforts from the Outside In
The following is a guest post by Kate Murray, Digitization Process Development Specialist at the National Archives. Recently I had what I can only describe as a Eureka moment. I was attending an informal presentation by Hans Westerhoff describing the Images for the Future project in the Netherlands. He said one of the most … Continue reading Changing Our Perspective: Looking at Our Quality Efforts from the Outside In
Family Tree Friday: Online RIPs for Military and Civilian records
The more we interact with the public, whether at national conferences or NARA-sponsored events such at the annual Genealogy Fair, the more we hear how much researchers would like to see our finding aids available online. Well, this seems like a good opportunity to point out that two of our most popular genealogy Reference Information … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Online RIPs for Military and Civilian records
Family Tree Friday: Bounty land vs. pensions–what's the difference, anyway?
Since the beginning of the Family Tree Friday blog, we've talked a lot about pension records and indexes, but I'm not too sure we've ever mentioned or even defined that other essential and related benefit of military service, the bounty land warrant! Pensions, of course, have been granted to veterans since the end of the … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Bounty land vs. pensions–what's the difference, anyway?
Family Tree Friday: Using the Official Register to find Federal employees
Most people who research information about relatives or ancestors who were Federal employees probably don't make enough use of government publications. So, it might interest you to know that the Federal Government actually produced its own employee directory, the Official Register of the United States, which spans the early 19th to the mid-20th centuries (1817-1959). … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Using the Official Register to find Federal employees
Are You Preparing for the 1940 Census? We are!
Do you have the opening of the 1940 Census on April 2, 2012 marked on your calendar? We do here at the National Archives. For past Census releases we provided access to the Census on microfilm. For the 1940 Census we will be providing free online access. You’ll be able to search on the internet using … Continue reading Are You Preparing for the 1940 Census? We are!