http://www.archives.gov/aad/ A.P. 04/04/03 14:33 EST
On The Net: National Archives' Access to Archives Databases:
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Ley O'Connor" <casheley(a)hotmail.com>
To: <GOODWIN-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 4:38 PM
Subject: [GOODWIN] 50 Million Historical Documents Hit Web
"50 Million Historical Documents Hit Web
"Researchers,
The following may be of interest to many of you. I have tried
to get online to verify the information but as yet have not made it.
I expect activity is very high since it is new. Perhaps you will have
better luck. Kindest regards, Ley K O'Connor [Goodwin-L Admin.]
By EUN-KYUNG KIM © The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers, genealogists and the plain curious
can now use the Internet to check more than 50 million historical records
at the National Archives, from Civil War battles to family immigration files.
Before the system became available, people had to either visit the
Archives and spend hours combing through documents or request
the files by phone and pay to have them mailed.
``Now, people can pull these electronic records at their own
convenience,'' said Michael Carlson, electronic and special media records
director for the archives. ``It's totally self-service from your desktop.''
The records available on the database system represent a small fraction
of the archive's electronic holdings. They were selected because of their
analytical and statistical nature - most deal with information that easily
can be looked up based on specific names, dates, organizations, cities or
states.
For instance, someone wanting to research a great-grandfather who
immigrated to the United States in the 19th century can choose the series of
records listed under ``immigrants,'' enter the relative's name and learn on
what ship he traveled, the occupation he claimed prior to leaving, the date
he arrived in New York, and the country from which he left, among other
details.
``It can be another stop in creating your family tree and understanding
what happened and when,'' said Michael Kurtz, assistant archivist for
records services.
Carlson said he expects the service will be popular with veterans in
particular because of all the information related to military action,
casualties and POWs.
The records in the new system ``aren't a revelation in information, but
is it helpful? Absolutely,'' said American Legion spokesman John
Peterson after checking out the Web site.
``A lot of people active with the POW/MIA issue complain the government
doesn't release enough documents about people who are still missing, so
almost anything they give out is good in our eyes,'' he said.
Kristine Minami, a spokeswoman for the Japanese American Citizens
League, said getting easy access to government records will provide ``a lot
of validation'' to Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps
during World War II.
The database draws from the records of 20 federal agencies. Most of the
information was created by the agencies to suit their own program needs,
without any thought to its historical significance.
Because of that, some records have typographical errors like misspelled
names or an inaccurate date. National Archives officials did not correct
any of the information to preserve the records' integrity.
Shirley Langdon Wilcox, former president of the National Genealogical
Society, called the new system an ``extremely useful and exciting''
tool.
``This certainly gives you enough of an idea of what might be available
to you so you know what to weed out before taking a trip somewhere,'' she
said. ``Anytime you have a tool that can make yourself better prepared
before you go to the Archives or library, it's worthwhile. You don't end up
wasting an hour or two looking at whether they have something, because
you've done your homework.
On The Net:National Archives' Access to Archives Databases:
http://www.archives.gov/aad/ 04/04/03 14:33 EST "
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