National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA is the government agency responsible for overseeing the management of the records of the federal government. NARA ensures, for the Citizen and the Public Servant, for the President and the Congress and the Courts, ready access to essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of federal officials, and the national experience.

Genealogists are no doubt the most numerous users of the Washington, DC, research rooms, and 13 regional records service facilities of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This web page provides many of the finding aids, guides, and research tools that can prepare you for a visit to one of the facilities.

Every year, the Federal Government spends billions of dollars collecting and processing information (e.g., economic data, environmental data, and technical information). Unfortunately, while much of this information is very valuable, many potential users either do not know that it exists or do not know how to access it. GILS (Government Information Locator Service) is committed to using new computer and networking technology to make this information more accessible.

Source for Civilian and Military personnel records for federal workers. The Civilian Personnel Records Building stores IRS records, US Postal Money Orders, Treasury Checks, as well as the records of local federal agencies within the metropolitan area, in addition to civilian personnel and medical records. The Military Personnel Records Building houses military personnel and medical records as well as the dependent medical records of former members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps