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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

© Christine Sievers

As each New Year rolls around, I am always determined to get myself organized, and get serious about my research methods. With this in mind, I have explored the NARA (National Archives and Records Administration). This is the place to go for some serious research.

To be a serious researcher, you have to obtain the records that provide the proof, and be willing to hit the books. The NARA provides a direction for both of these endeavors.

Now, this is where my resolve to become organized comes in. As all genealogists have experienced, it is easy to become scattered in our methods. Wherever you are on your family research, it is a good idea to step back occasionally and re-evaluate your methods. The article Beginning Your Genealogical Research provides some key information.. Here you will also find a list of books to read that you can borrow from many libraries. This reading will help you stay on track with your research.

They suggest that beginning with census records can provide the clues you need. What you will find in these records is explained in their article Clues in Census Records.

Now for these records. They have many census on microfilm. To help you find what you need, read How to Use NARA's Census Microfilm Catalogs.

If you are lucky you may live near the information you need. Go to NARA's Genealogy Page. Scroll down the page to the "Regional Records Services Facilities." Each location will tell you what they have available on microfilm, and the information you need to visit. Join your local Genealogical Society. Many of them plan bus trips to these facilities.

Also, check with your library to see if they have, or are able to obtain the microfilms you need. If not, you can order them from the NARA. The Microfilm Rental Program is explained at http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfi.... When searching the census records, start with the 1920 microfilms and work backwards.

Census records are only the start of the resources you will find at the NARA. Immigration, land and military records are some of the other types of information the NARA has on microfilm. The key to using the NARA is to know what you are looking for. That is why working backwards is of upmost importance. Their list of books under the various topics is comprehensive, and can be helpful in your research.

The NARA is not for easy, surface research. It is a place you can get your teeth into and get serious. The NARA records require more effort than just surfing the Internet; but what you will come away with is the documentation you need to validate your research.