Archival Research -
First Steps
- Step 1: Think about these questions
- Step 2: Get the basic facts about your topic of interest
- Step 3: Use our web site to find records and information about records
- Step 4: Decide if you should visit us in person
Step 3: Use our web site to find records and information about records
You can start your research on our web site by using our:
- Archival Research Catalog
- Microfilm Catalog to find
information about records available on microfilm (some microfilm is available at local
libraries, and is also available for
purchase or rent.)
- Guide to Records in the National Archives
- Archival Library Information Center (ALIC)
- Research paths for suggestions for how to conduct research about:
- the Federal Government organization that created the records
- media-type or format of the records (such as paper documents, photographs, motion picture film or video, audio recordings, maps and drawings, aerial film, databases and electronic records)
- Research topics select topics
- Visiting the National Archives location nearest to you
- Guides to records available to you in each of our Regional Archives nationwide.
- Freedom of Information Act Electronic Reading Room (FOIA Reading Room)
- Federal Register to search for official text of Federal laws, Presidential documents, Federal regulations and notices, and more.
- Presidential library web sites to learn about Presidents since Herbert Hoover and about the records and historical materials available to you.
Introduction | Go To Step: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |