Help Shape the Future of the National Archives Catalog

The National Archives Catalog is going through some exciting changes! We need your help to make sure these changes are on the right track. We are looking for feedback from interested Catalog users of all levels to help us create the Next Generation Catalog. Also we are seeking users and developers for input on the … Continue reading Help Shape the Future of the National Archives Catalog

Introducing the Presidential Library Explorer

Today's post comes from Jason Clingerman, Acting Director of the Digital Engagement Division at the National Archives. Last fall, NARA launched the Record Group Explorer (previous blog post here), NARA’s first next-generation finding aid. I am pleased to announce today that we’ve launched the Presidential Library Explorer - NARA’s second next-generation finding aid, defined as … Continue reading Introducing the Presidential Library Explorer

Transcriptions Reveal Life in the Trenches

If you are familiar with our Citizen Archivist program, you know that we encourage online volunteers to transcribe digitized historical records held in the National Archives Catalog. We often say that these transcriptions help unlock history by improving search results, readability, and access to historical records. So how exactly are your contributions unlocking history? A … Continue reading Transcriptions Reveal Life in the Trenches

Innovation Hub Celebrates 300,000th Page Uploaded to Catalog

Today's post comes from Catherine Brandsen, National Archives Innovation Hub Coordinator Earlier this month, the Innovation Hub uploaded its 300,000th page for inclusion in the National Archives Catalog. Amazingly, this milestone took less than three years to achieve. Digitization opens up access to our records. Of the 13 billion paper records in the National Archives, … Continue reading Innovation Hub Celebrates 300,000th Page Uploaded to Catalog

Two Steps Every Researcher Should Take

Every time I hear a story about a researcher spending money to travel to a National Archives facility only to find out the records they seek aren’t at that location, are unavailable for research, or that the reference staff are unable to assist the research in the short travel window they have available, I cringe. … Continue reading Two Steps Every Researcher Should Take

The Catalog is Cooking!

You might already know that jelly beans were a staple in Cabinet meetings with President Reagan, or that President George H. W. Bush was not a particular fan of broccoli, but did you know the National Archives Catalog contains many food related records, including recipes from the White House chefs and First Families? The holdings … Continue reading The Catalog is Cooking!