National Archives Building Research Center
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SpringSpring 20082008 National Archives Building Research Center The Archives I Research Support Branch (NWCC1) at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, has a multifaceted program, designed to inform researchers about the National Archives’ (NARA) Tholdings pertaining to family and community history and assist researchers to locate files and develop research strategies. Photo by Jermaine Scott Publications Rebecca Crawford speaks at the Genealogy Fair Periodically, NARA staff publishes articles in order Upcoming NARA Staff to expand research community awareness of NARA's Upcoming NARA Staff holdings. By targeting state and local historical and Presentations genealogical societies with articles about the John Deeben agency's holdings, we hope to reach people who y SeamaSeaman’sn’s Certificates – National Institute on Genealogical otherwise would not think of the National Archives Research (NIGR), July 18, 2008 as a resource for their research. During the past few months, the staff has published the following: Diane DiDimkoffmkoff y Welcome anandd Orientation to Archives II Research Areas – John Deeben (published): NIGR, July 17, 2008 “To Protect and To Serve: The Records of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, 1861–1930” [Prologue 40:1 Kenneth HHegereger (Spring 2008): 50–57] y NationNationalal Archives Research Center – NIGR, July 14, 2008 y Paying the Veterans… – NIGR, July 16, 2008 Rebecca Sharp (accepted for publication): y AmeAmericanrican Indian Research: an Introduction – NIGR, July 18, 2008 “An Introduction to Passport Application Research, Claire KlKluskensuskens 1906–1925” [Voyage: The Official Journal of the Titanic International Society] y Using NARA Finding Aids for Archival Research – NIGR, July 14, 2008 y Canadian Border Crossing Records – NIGR, July 19, 2008 Speakers Claire Kluskens and Kenneth Heger at the Fourth Annual Genealogy Fair ConstancConstancee Potter y NANARARA Before and After – NIGR, July 14, 2008 y Tour ooff Research Area – NIGR, July 14, 2008 Jermaine ScScottott y DiDigitalgital Camera Workshop – NIGR, July 16, 2008 Photos by Jermaine Scott ReReginaldginald Washington y Records of the Southern Claims Commission – NIGR, July 15, 2008 y African American ResResearchearch – NIGR, July 18, 2008 National Archives Building Research Center (cont.) New MicroMicrofilmfilm Publications Staff members continue to process accessioned A3462, Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Porthill, Idaho, 1923– microfilm that documents arrivals into the United 1952 (2 rolls). 16 mm. RG 85. Contains over 13,000 arrivals. States, turning this film into National Archives A3469, Nonpopulation Census Schedules for New Jersey, microfilm publications. During the last quarter, 1880: Supplemental Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Claire Prechtel-Kluskens completed the following Delinquent Classes (5 rolls). 35mm. RG 29. National Archives microfilm publications: A3470, Chinese Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Diego, California, October 1905–July 1923 (1 roll). A3461, Supplemental Manifests of Alien Passengers and 35mm. RG 85. Crew Members Who Arrived on Vessels at New York, New York, 1887–1952, Who Were Inspected for Admission, 1915– A3471, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Diego, 1952, and Related Index (21 rolls). 35 mm. RG 85. California, 1904–1952 (15 rolls). 35 mm. RG 85. AdditionalAdditional MicrofilmMicrofilm PublicationsPublications OnlineOnline footnote.com has placed the following microfilm publications on their web site: 2 National Archives Building Research Center (cont.) footnote.com has placed the following microfilm publications on their web site: 3 National Archives Building Research Center (cont.) Newly Issued Reference Reports (Availa(Availableble at Archives I Only) Staff members produce many one-page reference reports, Immigration, and CiviCivilianlian Federal Employees. Each category is directing researchers to NARA microfilm publications, textual color-coded for ease of reference. records, NARA's web site, and printed government The followifollowingng reports were completed during the last quarter: documents pertaining to numerous research topics. The reports are extremely usefull forfor firstfirst-time researchers as a Military (green paper) ● Carded Medical Records for Volunteer Soldiers and Regular method of explaining the types of records that are available Army and Naval Personnel, 1821–1912 for research, as well as for suggesting a research path that ● Textual and Microfilmed Records of Troop Movements and can be tailored to the individual's need. Reports fall into Activities of Volunteer Units in the U.S. Army, 1775–1902 several general categories, including Native Americans, CitizCitizenshipenship (pink paper) African Americans, Asian Americans, residents of the District ● Passport Applications, 1795–1925 (Revised) of Columbia, Military Service, Citizenship, Hispanics, ● How to Order Copies of Passport Applications New Database The ResResearchearch Support Branch (NWCC1)(NWCC1) annoannouncesunces the arrival of a newnew database, for use in ththee Microfilm Research Room. The BuBuildingilding Permits database consconsistsists of records of permits issued in WashingtWashington,on, DC. Data was collected for this database from the rereelsels of microfilmed permits locatlocateded at the National ArchivesArchives and Records AdministratAdministrationion and the Washingtoniana Division of the DC Public Library.Library. The earliest recordrecord of a permit datedatess from February 17, 1877, althalthoughough permitspermits were issued by ththee City beginnbeginninging in earlearlyy 1872. All permits issued through September 1949 were micromicrofilmed.filmed. Do yoyouu have a topic you woulwouldd like us to cover in the newsletter?newsletter? Please send your ideas to [email protected]@nara.gov. o/newsletter/index.html Photo by Jermaine Scott At the Genealogy Fair, volunteer Jim Collins offers assistance on how to begin researching one’s family www.archives.gov/dc-metr 4 National Archives Building Research Center (cont.) Have yyouou ever submitted a request for a Civil War or later pension application file with a “C” or “XC” number and had the slip returned telling you the file was in the custody of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)? That is because the pension application files in our custody were considered “closed” in about 1929. Because someone drawing a pension based on your soldier’s service was still alive, the file remained in the custody of the Department of Veterans Affairs. We recognize that we shshouldould have these 6.6 The VA requrequiresires that a FOIA request be files in the National Archives, and we are in writing and signed by the requester. working with the Department of Veterans The request must reasonably describe Affairs to have them transferred to us. the records so that it may be located Currently, to obtain the file, with a reasonable amount of effort. you need to: you need to: 7.7 State your wiwillingnessllingness to pay applicable fees or provide a justification to 11. Write a lelettertter to the VA Freedom of support a fee waiver. Information Officer. 8.8 Please include a daytime telephone 22. StStateate that you are requesting access to number in case someone needs to the pension file under the Freedom of contact you. Information Act. 9.9 WritWritee Freedom of Information Act 33. Give ththemem the soldier identification Request on the envelope. information that you have. 10.10 Mail your request to the FOIA/Privacy 44. ReRequestquest a BIRLS (Beneficiary Act Officer, Veterans Benefits Information and Records Locator Administration. The address is: System) search for the file and ask that they retrieve it for your use. FOIA/PFOIA/Privacyrivacy Act Officer 55. Go to their web site for additional Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33) instructions at www.va.gov/foia/. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 o/newsletter/index.html www.archives.gov/dc-metr 5 Archival Research Catalog (ARC) NewNew OnOnlineline CatalogCatalog FeaturesFeatures ComingComing SoonSoon A new version of the National Archives' Archival Research Catalog (ARC) will be released on the NARA web site this spring. AThe ARC database will undergo a technical upgrade to the coding and hardware. It also will get a new look and enhanced search and display features. Streamlined Search Screen ARC’s redesigned Basic Search screen The new advanced search features are reduce scrolling. A new search feature, emulates familiar search engines like more user-friendly. Expanded keyword "Search Within…," allows researchers to Google and Ask. Basic search offers a search options and a title only filter will conduct a search within a particular Record keyword search box with options to help researchers reduce the number of Group, Collection, Series, or File Unit. search all archival descriptions, those irrelevant search results. Collapsible with digital copies, or those related to filter options will provide a more particular people or organizations. streamlined view of search options and Intuitive BBrowserowse Options Browsing through search results will be The improved hierarchy view features The full details view of archival descriptions easier with new features such as intuitive graphical icons to illustrate a will be better organized with separate tabs highlighting search terms and an Record Group or Collection as a file for archived copy information, shot lists, enhanced hierarchy view. A checkbox cabinet, a Series as a drawer