CSAGSI September, 1996 Meeting

On September 21st, Kathryn Barrett, of the National Archives, presented the topic, "Using the National Archives...What Have They Got?" at the Lombard Public Library.

Mrs. Barrett has been doing genealogical research for 35 years and has been an active volunteer at the National District Archives in Chicago for four years. She concentrated particularly on the Census Records, Naturalization holdings, and military records and led an active question and answer session.

Over 80 members and guests enjoyed the program and the informal networking and social hour afterwards. Hospitality chairperson, Louise Rokos, assisted by Catherine Hartzel and member vollunteers prepared some delicious pastries for the refreshment table.

Jan Gerleve also helped with the set up of the hospitality table and Chris Clark worked at the Registration Table.

Information on the Great Lakes Region National Archives in Chicago

DIRECTOR: Peter W. Bunce

The National Archives-Great Lakes Region in Chicago has more than 64,000 cubic feet of historical records dating from 1800 to the 1980s, including textual records and nontextual records such as maps and photographs. These records were created or received by Federal courts and agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and were transferred to the archives in accordance with Federal law. The National Archives-Great Lakes Region also is a depository for selected National Archives microfilm publications. Both original records and microfilm are available to researchers in the archives' research rooms.

In addition to being a center for research, the National Archives-Great Lakes Region sponsors programs that educate the public about archives, history, genealogy, and related subjects. Such outreach programs often are coordinated with colleges and universities, museums, historical societies, genealogical organizations, and other archives. Through its holdings, research and archival services, public programs, and affiliation with the 12 other regional archives and the National Archives in Washington, DC, the National Archives-Great Lakes Region is a national resource in a local setting.

Records
The Federal records at the National Archives-Great Lakes Region are unique, documenting the impact of Federal Government policies and programs in the six State region. The records are preserved because of their permanent historical, fiscal, or legal value, and their importance to the continuing work of the U.S. Government. They are available to both private individuals and public officials. Citizens settling legal claims; genealogists researching family history; scholars writing local, State, or national history; and Federal employees engaged in Government projects will find rich resources at the National Archives-Great Lakes Region.

The records constitute a resource of encyclopedic diversity. Among subjects covered by the records are the Great Lakes and inland waterways; Native Americans; the environment; immigration and naturalization; inventions and technology; railroads; the automotive industry; the labor movement; organized crime; domestic conditions during World Wars I and II; sedition and treason; and nuclear energy research. Historic names in the records range from Aaron Burr and Abraham Lincoln to Marcus Garvey and Al Capone. Historical themes documented range from the early nineteenth century opening of Midwestern public lands to the development of space exploration technology.

Access to Records
Records in the National Archives-Great Lakes Region are arranged by record group (RG), a body of records from an agency, bureau, or the Federal courts, identified by an RG number. A descriptive "Guide to Records in the National Archives-Great Lakes Region" is available upon request. Research can be initiated in person, or by telephone, mail, fax, or electronic mail. Individuals who wish to use original records should schedule their visits in advance.

The staff will arrange copying of records for a fee. Copies also can be certified for legal purposes.

Before using original records, every researcher must obtain a researcher identification card. An applicant must show identification that includes a photograph, such as a driver's license, passport, or school or business ID card, and complete a short form giving name, address, telephone number, and a brief description of the proposed research topic. A researcher ID card, valid for two years and renewable, then is issued. It must be presented during each research visit.

Microfilm Publications
Many National Archives records have been published on microfilm to facilitate their preservation and distribution. The National Archives-Great Lakes Region has extensive holdings of National Archives microfilm publications. They contain basic documentation for the study of history, economics, public administration, political science, law, ethnology, genealogy, and other subjects. Included are records on U.S. diplomatic missions, Native American affairs, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and German documents captured at the end of World War II.

Microfilm publications of genealogical interest include Federal population censuses for all States, 1790-1920; some military service and pension records, and bounty land warrant applications; selected passenger arrival records and indexes for vessels arriving at New York and other U.S. ports; a naturalization index covering parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin; and Indian census rolls for Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Access to Microfilm Publications
A catalog of "Microfilm Publications in the National Archives-Great Lakes Region" is available upon request. The self-service microfilm reading room operates on a reservation system. Researchers should call in advance to reserve a microfilm reader. A coin-operated reader-printer is available for making paper copies from microfilm.

Other Facility Information
The building is handicapped-accessible. Public telephones, free parking, and lockers for the secure storage of personal belongings are available. Researchers may use the facility lunchroom, but full food service is not available.

Location
The National Archives-Great Lakes Region is about 15 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, 30 miles southeast of O'Hare International Airport, and 2 miles southeast of Midway Airport. The facility entrance is on 75th Street, one-eighth of a mile west of the intersection of South Pulaski Road and West 75th Street.

Directions
By Car or Taxi: The archives is about 5 miles south of the Pulaski Road exit on the Stevenson Expressway (I-55), 5 miles west of the 79th Street exit on the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94), and 7 miles north of the Cicero Avenue exit on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

By Public Transportation: Chicago Transit Authority bus 53A (the South Pulaski Road route) stops at South Pulaski Road and West 75th Street. Passengers can transfer from it to other buses, subways, and commuter trains serving the Chicago area.

Samples of Record Groups in the National Archives - Great Lakes Region:
Army Air Forces (RG 18)
Army Commands, U.S. (RG 338)
Army Staff (RG 319)
Civil Service Commission, U.S. (RG 146)
Courts of Appeals, U.S. (RG 276)
District Courts of the United States (RG 21)
Immigration and Naturalization Service (RG 85)
Land Management, Bureau of (RG 49)
National War Labor Board (World War II) (RG 202)
Selective Service System, 1940- (RG 147)
Selective Service System (World War I) (RG 163)
Veterans Administration (RG 15)
War Department General and Special Staffs (RG 165)

All material presented here is Copyright 1996 CSAGSI, Inc.
Webmaster: Chris Miksanek
Last updated: Octovber 14, 1996