Research Our Records (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between archives and records? ›

An archives is the repository of the permanently valuable records of an organization. Such records are traditionally transferred to an archives, both physically and legally, when the organization that created them no longer needs them in the course of business.

Go to the Catalog main page at: www.archives.gov/research/catalog/. Conduct a search for the records of interest to you. You can search by keyword, National Archives Identifier (NAID), or type of archival material.

Some examples are manuscripts, letters, photographs, moving image and sound materials, artwork, books, diaries, artifacts, and the digital equivalents of all of these things.

National Archives Catalog Search among more than 126,500 digitized historical documents, photographs, and images. Access to Archival Databases (AAD) Search or browse some of NARA's electronic records. Federal Register - Federal laws, Presidential documents, administrative regulations and notices.

Located on the upper level of the National Archives museum, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights.

What are the disadvantages of archival research? ›

However, archival research also has a few drawbacks. Specifically, researchers cannot control the data collection process or what data were collected. For instance, the police records may not be able to confirm whether the speeding drivers were on their way to the game or not.

Drumroll, please. The most requested photograph from the National Archives is a black and white image of Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley shaking hands.

Free at the National Archives

Free when accessed from a link on Archives.gov while at a National Archives facility. (Libraries may also provide free access.)

Anyone can use the National Archives.

Are all records archives? No. All archives are records, but not all records become archives. Government agencies, individuals and organisations create and accumulate records; these include files and reports, maps, plans, photographs, films, videotapes, sound recordings, optical disks and computer databases.

Why is document archiving important? It improves compliance, saves time and increases security. Document archiving is securely storing information (both digital and paper format) that you no longer use regularly.

To put it simply, most records management responsibilities are concerned with how records are created and distributed today, and most archival responsibilities are concerned with how records were used in the past (or how today's records will be viewed by future historians).