My main reference in this instance is the National Archives on 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.. I do not profess to be an expert in research, nor do I profess to be an expert genealogist. I have made several trips to the Archives and can find my way around the building and the microfilm rooms. There are some "do's and don'ts" associated with a visit to the Archives that I hope to answer in the following paragraphs.
#1 DO decide what you want to look for. The easy stuff will be Census Records as well as Rev War and Civil War Records. My suggestion is that you get your Rev and Civil War Records out of the way first. Reason being, IF you want to look at original documents, once you have filled out a Form 14027, it takes about 2 hrs to have the record(s) pulled and waiting for you in the Viewing Room, the "Holy of Holys", on the 2nd Floor. Get all the people you want to look for organized in order of when you want to look for them and where. War Pension Records first, Census Records next.
#2 Take some $1 bills and some quarters. The bills will be for the debit card you use to make photocopies. The cards are reusable and you keep putting them in the machine and regenerating amounts on them. The cards are good for the 2nd and the 4th floor copiers. The quarters are for lockers and for the vending machines in the basement.
#3 If at all possible, DON'T drive into DC. Take the Metro. It is well worth your time and money to ride the Metro in, even if it means you have to change "lines" to get to the Navy Memorial/Archives stop, which is on the Green/Yellow lines. Off rush hour, the cost is about $2.10 one way.. Rush hour will run an extra $1.15 each way. A person can park their car at one of the stops outside DC and ride the Metro in and save wear and tear on your nerves. Traffic is horrendous and trying to find a parking spot in DC is just as bad.
#4 Once at the Archives, DON'T take anything in except a PHOTO ID, notepad, pencils/pens and/or a laptop. Cameras are a no-no. Tape recorders, maybe. Make sure everything has a serial number and you know where it is. There is no eating allowed in the research rooms, but if you just happen to have some bite-sized Twizzlers in a bag in your coat pocket, who's going to know? There is a snack bar in the basement, but who wants to leave all that microfilm?
#5 After you have entered the building, your first stop will be on the 4th floor where you will sign in and receive a paper that assigns you a microfilm reader. Find your reader and then GET TO WORK!
For Civil War Pension records, you will want both the application and certificate numbers on your Form 14027. Also, include any/all miscellaneous numbers on the Form 14027 down at the bottom of the form where indicated. This could be very important for pension certificate numbers over 6 digits. Have one of the Staff members look at your form before you punch the time and place it in the basket to have the records pulled. Rev War Records are a little more complicated, but Staff will help. Military service records from those eras are easy. You just need the soldier's name, military unit, years (or war) served and what state he served from. Click here for a view of a Form 14027.
#6 Remember - There isn't a Soundex for Census records in the early years. I believe the 1880 Census was the first year for Soundex. Also, the census for 1890 is VERY limited. Majority of it was destroyed by fire/water around 1921.
#7 Once you have all the Census info you can stand and you have watched the clock for the last 2 hours, slide over to Room 403 and get your Researcher's Card so you can view the documents you requested. You'll need your photo ID again. Just a formality. The card is good for two years and instead of having to go through all the address stuff to get your viewer, the next time you put down your name and Researcher's Card number. Take the elevator down to the 2nd Floor, the viewing room is straight in front of you, BUT turn right and go down the hall. Put any purses, bags, notebooks, pens, laptops, coats, hats - ANYTHING - in a locker. You CAN NOT take anything into the viewing room with you. Paper and pencils are provided for you once inside. Sign in a the desk inside the door, then go to the other desk and tell them what you requested and who you are. There are copy machines in here, too. One of my most memorable events happened in this room. I saw my gggrandfather's own original handwriting on his pension records. Almost as moving as when I saw his headstone for the first time.
Usually by the time I have done the above, it's time for me to go get a late lunch or get out of town. Perhaps, some people would like to go sight-seeing. Ford's Theater is just about 2 blocks away, the FBI buildings are right next door. On up the street one direction is the White House, the Capital in the other direction. Walk around to the other side of the Archives building and go in to view the Constitution and the Declaration, as well as other important documents. Law Enforcement Officers - please send me an email for any special inquiries and/or instructions. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is about 3-4 blocks away, at the Judiciary Square Metro stop.
There are several good places to eat close by. I remember reading where one gentleman likes the restaurant and the Manhattan Deli across the street. I prefer TGI Fridays down the opposite side of the street just past the Hoover Building (new FBI building). There is also a nice French restaurant/cafe in the same building as TGI Fridays. Great food. Do a little walk around and you'll also find the Burger King, McDonald's and a Popeye's.
I hope this has given a little insight on a trip to the Archives. Don't be intimidated by the fact there is so much information in one building or that it is a big city. I've found the easiest way around DC is by Metro, no matter what part of downtown you want to go to. Click here for the Metro map.
If anyone has any
suggestions on what to add to this page, any corrections, or any experiences
you would like for me to include, just give me a shout.