More Questions to Consider While Preparing for Archival Research
- Are the records relating to your topic located in a state, local, or private archives? Except for some donated materials, most of which are in the Presidential libraries, we do not have state, local, or private records. In almost all cases, therefore, there must be a discernable Federal or Presidential involvement in your topic for there to be documentation in the National Archives.
- What Federal agencies or Presidential administrations were involved? Records in the National Archives are kept in the original order by creating agency or creating individual. You need to know whose records you need to see.
- What functions did these agencies perform? Did the agency conduct investigations, hold
hearings, prepare reports on technical matters, or correspond with the public or other
governments? Thinking about these functions will help you identify more specifically what
records you need to see.
- When were the records you are looking for created? It usually takes 20-30 years for records from Federal agencies to reach the National Archives. Presidential materials are taken into custody by the National Archives following the administration. If the records you are seeking have not been transferred to the National Archives, you will need to contact the creating agency directly.
Return to Step 2.
