Using the National Archives for Fun and Learning -Beverly Thornburg , April 2013-

Using the National Archives for Fun and Learning

-Beverly Thornburg, April 2013-

NARA is our nation’s record keeper. It is like a gigantic file cabinet that holds, preserves, and protects precious original documentation of our nation’s heritage and history for future generations. Dig for treasure!

In a democracy, a government’s records belong to the people-- illuminating our collective past on a national, cultural, and often personal level—and forming a foundation for the future

Since its founding in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, NARA has collected millions of records in over 50 NARA locations and affiliated sites, including Presidential Libraries. Here is the “mother” Archives building in Washington D.C.

What is the National Archives and Records

Administration (NARA)?

What is held in the Archives?NARA records date from 1775

and broadly include such records as:

Our founding documentsWar, Foreign Policy, Military

RecordsSignificant historical people—but

also, our own ancestorsOur places and their historyFederal gov’t recordsArt, Culture, Technology Records are text, materials, digital,

photos, visual arts, videos, etc.

Not a library! Rather, depository collections of Primary sources! They are the “real deal:”

Original material created during the time referenced, and not derivative. Authentic. Not “secondary.” Scholars and sleuths look for primary sources.

Only 1%-3% of archival material is important enough to keep forever.

It is ingeniously organized to direct your search, whether you are a scholar, family sleuth, educator, or regular citizen

National Archives Website

Explore the Archives online!

For online research, nothing beats Online Public Access (OPA) and its antecedent, the Archival Research Catalogue (ARC).

BUT—how is NARA organized?

How the National Archives are OrganizedNot a library—a

depository!All artifacts are physically

someplace—but online research can show you where, often with a digital image!

They are organized from BIG (lumped) to LITTLE (smaller, specific groups)

Creator, Record Group Numbered: the gov’t agency that created/collected it (like, military service records).

Subdivision, like region or local agency jurisdiction

Series, group of closely related documents (or photos, recording, pictures, etc.)

File units, like file foldersItem, the thing you are

looking for

Look at the actual thing that was created at the actual time. What is the artifact telling you?

Analyze using skills; e.g. prior knowledge, induction and deduction, compare/contrast, observation.

What is this artifact from the Civil War, on the next slide, telling you? Try using this Written Document Analysis Worksheet from the NARA Education website:

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/written_document_analysis_worksheet.pdf

Primary Sources: think for yourself

--What are its unique characteristics? Is it handwritten, typed, or what? --How can you tell from looking at it that it is “old?” --Who wrote this letter? What was his pivotal place in history? --For whom did he write this letter? --What evidence tells you the reason for writing this letter? What was

the reason? Note the date!! --List two things that this document tells you about life in the United

States at the time. --How is General Lee’s handwriting different from yours? Why? What did

he write with? Why? Looking at this letter, what can you conclude about General Lee?

--Why is this primary source important to you, personally?

It’s Robert E. Lee’s Resignation Letter!

Here is a citation for Robert E. Lee’s resignation letter from the U.S. Army on the cusp of the Civil War (he had been offered a leadership commission in the U.S. Army, but chose to remain loyal to his state of Virginia.)

Creator: War Department, the Adjutant General’s Office (03/04/1907-09/18/1947); Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General’s Office 1762-1984. Series: Letter received, compiled 1805-1889.

Details for this cite tell us that this letter, with its poignat historical context, has been in Archives exhibits for the public, including American History: “American Originals,” Dec. 1995-June 1996 at the beautiful Archives Rotunda in Washington, D.C.

Citations for Archival Material

Art and culture at the NARA. What is this?Sampler of Chester Goodale,

ca. 1809; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land-Warrant Application File of Chester Goodale of Connecticut; Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 – 2007; National Archives (D.C.). Archival Research Catalog (ARC) ID: 1656127pt.

The Archive’s DocsTeach website, Prologue Magazine and many exhibits showcase such historical treasures as “widows’ pension” samplers and “frackturs” below, for family history. Citation, again, includes creator and also the item’s history as an artifact.

Creators: Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, (1849-1930) (most recent). ( War Dept. Office of the Secretary (1789-09/17/87) (predecessor). War Dept. Military Bounty Lands and Pension Branch (ca. 1810-1815).

File unit: Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application File R3695, for William Foster, New York, ca. 1800-ca. 1900.

Record Group # 15: Dept. of Veteran Affairs, 1773-2007.

Citizen Transcriptionists Needed:http://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/transcribe/

Transcribing Robert E. Lee’s resignation letter is easy, thanks to:

--the legible handwriting--contextual cues and

historical background-- stylistic attributes that

are redundant.--But, some documents

are not so easy.

Lee’s letter to his old friend and commander, General Winfield Scott, next slide, is a more raw and heart-rending piece—an explanation of his decision to resign his commission in the U.S. Army. Lee wrote this on the night of April 19, 1861.

This is from the National Park Service’s Museum Management Program. Note the cite on the transcription following the letter.

Arlington, Washington City, P.O20 Apr 1861

Lt. Genl Winfield ScottCommd U.S. Army

Genl,Since my interview with you on the 18th Inst: I have felt that I ought not longer to retain any Commission in the Army. I therefore tender my resignation which I request you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once but for the struggle it has Cost me to separate myself from a Service to which I have divoted all the best years of my life, & all the ability I possessed. During the whole of that time, more than a quarter of a century, I have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors & the most Cordial friendships from any Comrades. To no one Genl have I been as much indebted as to yourself for kindness & Consideration & it has always been my ardent desire to merit your approbation. I shall carry with me, to the grave the most grateful recollectionsof your kind Consideration, & your name & fame will always be dear to me. Save in the defense of my native state shall I ever again draw my sword. Be pleased to accept any more [illegible] wishes for “the Continuance of your happiness & prosperity & believe me

Most truly yoursR E Lee

Paper. L 32.7, W 29.3 cmArlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 5623

Online research is a treasure huntNARA’s OPA and older ARC allow Boolean search

The affiliated DocsTeach is one-stop. Also: exhibits!

Off-site, endless online treasures. The following portrait of Phyllis Wheatley, a noted woman poet and pre-Revolutionary War slave, is from Princeton University’s Firestone Library’s primary documents collection.