1. Introduction to the Resources and Services of the National Archives and Records Administration Lori Cox-Paul Education Specialist

2. The National Archives Has a Truly National Presence

3. Brief History The National Archives was created in 1934. From one building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, the National Archives has grown to 37 facilities nationwide, from Atlanta to Anchorage.37 facilities nationwide Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever. Laid side to side, pages in our holdings would circle the Earth over 57 times! Because of the cost to digitize such a volume of materials, only a small percentage is available for research online.

4. Before the National Archives

5. The Regional Archives In 1969 the Archivist of the United States established a regional archives system to make regionally created, historically valuable federal records accessible to the public locally. Regional archives holdings document national, regional, state, and local activities and interests and offer national resources in a local setting.

6. About the Regional Archives At 14 regional archives throughout the country, you can encounter some of the most famous (and infamous) names in American history. Their records are found among 650,000 cubic feet of material—nearly one- quarter of the total holdings of the National Archives—available for use by the public outside the Washington, D.C., area.

7. Sh-h-h Nevertheless, the regional archives may be the best kept secret of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

8. The National Archives at Kansas City Serves the Central Plains Region Records from Iowa Kansas Missouri Minnesota Nebraska North Dakota South Dakota

9. State and Local History in Federal Records The records at the regional archives are full of state and local history. Overlooked resource for research projects, exhibits, public programs.

10. Most Commonly Requested Records in Kansas City Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Inmate Case Files Naturalization Records U.S. Circuit and U.S. District Court Records Bureau of Indian Affairs Records Enemy Alien Registration Affidavits from World War I (Kansas only)

11. One of Our Favorite Photos is from Iowa

12. Famous Iowa Court Cases—Tinker v. Des Moines, Daggs v. Frazier

13. New Facility The Central Plains Region will be dedicating our brand new archival facility on May 22, 2009.

14. If You Are Unable to Visit in Person—Visit Our Web Site

15. The Bottom Half

16. Back to Homepage—Locations All locations nationwide, including the Regional Archives and Presidential Libraries

17. Central Plains Region Site

18. Links to Various Resources

19. Research Guides and Aids

20. Scroll through List to See Various Topics of Interest

21. As You Scroll—Right Hand Side—Guide to Records in the Central Plains Region

22. Guide to Archival Holdings

23. Example of Entry for Record Group 4

24. Back to Main NARA Web Page

25. If You Want to Know What Records Are Available at All NARA Locations—Search the Guide to Federal Records

26. Search by Record Group Number, Subject, Topic, Agency Name

27. Sample Search—Iowa Land

28. Results—Top Choice—Bureau of Land Management

29. Search on Page to Find the “Hit” You Are Interested In

30. Brief Description of Records and Where They are Located

31. Back to Main NARA Web Page

32. Use General Search Box If You are Unsure Where to Look

33. Results of Search

34. National Resources Available through Our Web Site

35. Military Service Records

36. Genealogy Resources

37. Also Links for Specific People

38. For Example, For Educators

39. Online Research Tools

40. eVetRecs

41. Easy 4 Step Online Process

42. Order Online Online “shopping” for records. This is for the most commonly requested genealogy related records that are held (mostly) in Washington, DC and College Park. They include census records, immigration records, military service records (pre World War I) pension records, and land records.

43. Order Online

44. Three Functions—Find & Request, Order Reproductions of Records, the Microfilm Catalog

45. Find & Request

46. Order Reproductions

47. Military Service Records—Pre World War I

48. Microfilm Catalog

49. Search Using Keyword (Iowa)

50. Results

51. Click on a “hit”

52. PDF Contains a Roll List

53. Help to Determine What Rolls You Need

54. If You Find the Web Features Difficult to Use Email the specific location of the National Archives you are interested in; for example, kansascity.archives@nara.govkansascity.archives@nara.gov General reference emails for NARA in Washington, DC and College Park: Archives1reference@nara.gov Archives2reference@nara.gov

55. Fun Things on Our Website— Document of the Day

56. Online Exhibits

57. Online Exhibits—Dozens of Interesting Topics

58. The National Archives Experience

59. The National Archives Experience— Featuring the Digital Vaults

60. Publications

61. Dozens of Publications, Past Issues of Prologue, Brochures

62. Partnership Activities Partnership activities abound for historical societies, museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions.

63. History Conferences & Genealogy Workshops

64. Traveling Exhibits

65. Co-Sponsoring Educational Programs—Constitution Day

66. The National Archives is Here for You! Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. We are here to help you and your library patrons. Lori Cox-Paul Education Specialist National Archives at Kansas City Serving the Central Plains Region 400 West Pershing Road Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 268-8017 lori.cox-paul@nara.gov