Access to Archival Databases (AAD) from NARA

Provides online access to records in a small selection of historic databases preserved permanently by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Out of the nearly 200,000 data files in its holdings, NARA has selected approximately 475 of them for public searching through AAD. These data were selected because the records identify specific persons, geographic areas, organizations, and dates. The records cover a wide variety of civilian and military functions and have many genealogical, social, political, and economic research uses. AAD provides:

• Access to over 85 million historic electronic records created by more than 30 agencies of the U.S. federal government and from collections of donated historical materials.
• Both free-text and fielded searching options.
• The ability to retrieve, print, and download records with the specific information that you seek.
• Information to help you find and understand the records.

See also the Archival Research Catalog (ARC) from the National Archives .

With one exception, AAD does not include digitally scanned images of paper records, photographs, microfilm, and other non-electronic records. The one exception is the digitally scanned version of technical information about some of the databases.

Descriptions of the AAD series and files are available on this site. Series and file descriptions include narrative summaries of the scope and content of the records, function and use of the records by the creating organizations, coverage and creation (i.e., inclusive) dates, and many other descriptive elements. You can find the series or file descriptions by clicking on the red info link following a series or file title.

Other databases for:

• Catalogs (about publications)
• Governance
• Freely accessible databases

Other databases covering:

• General interest