Research at the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) was
officially established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934. Its major
holdings date back to 1775. Most records for the genealogy researcher may be found on site and not online.
Mission Statement:
The National Archives and Records Administration serves American
democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government,
ensuring that the people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary
heritage. We ensure continuing access to the essential documentation of the
rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. We support
democracy, promote civic education, and facilitate historical understanding
of our national experience.
http://www.archives.gov/about/info/mission.html
Websites:
National Archives and Records Administration: http://www.archives.gov/
This is the official website for the National Archives and Records Administration.
Databases:
You can search the Online Public Access Catalog and database for records.
http://www.archives.gov/research/search/index.html
Youtube Video:
Online Public Access , National Archives Channel. This short video describes the Online Public Access System in detail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrC9ODVhcnE&feature=relmfu
Subject Headings:
National Archives (U.S.); National Archives (U.S.))--Bibliography; National Archives (U.S.)--Photograph collections; National Archives and Records Service (U.S.); National Archives microfilm publications; National Archives general information leaflet
Serials and/or Periodicals:
Prologue has been published quarterly by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for over 40 years. It contains stories based on the holdings at the National Archives.
See the following: http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/
The Library of Congress has one of the world's premier collections of U.S. and
foreign genealogical and local historical publications. The Library's genealogy
collection began as early as 1815 with the purchase of Thomas Jefferson's
library. Most records for the genealogy researcher may be found on site and not
online.
Websites:
This website accesses the genealogy department of the Library of Congress--the Local History and Genealogy Reading Room. Includes the collections and guides, search tips and information about researching onsite.
http://www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/
Databases:
Search the library catalog for family histories at:
http://catalog.loc.gov/
Search the American Memory Collection for digitized historical records at:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
Library of Congress Video:
African American Genealogical Research at
the Library of Congress
http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/FHD/Community/en/LibraryOfCongress/African_American_Genealogical_Research_at_LoC/Player.html
Subject Headings:
Library of Congress; Library of Congress. Government and General Research Division;
Library of Congress--History--Sources; Library of Congress--People; Genealogy--Library resources--Congresses
Serials and/or Periodicals:
Library of Congress Magazine is published bimonthly to tell the Library’s stories, to showcase its many
talented staff, and to share and promote the use of the resources of the
world’s largest library.
See the following:
http://www.loc.gov/lcm/
A Personal Genealogy Research Visit to the National Archives and the Library of Congress:
http://wnylrcwatch.org/newsletter/?p=697