Online Services Available for Free in our Research Rooms
Research at the National Archives at Fort Worth
Children under the age of 14 will be admitted to National Archives facilities only if they are accompanied by an adult who will supervise them at all times while on National Archives property.
Genealogy Research
Our Montgomery Plaza facility has extensive microfilm and online holdings of value for genealogy research, among them:
- Federal population censuses for all States, 1790-1930 (including indexes for 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920);
- military service records, pension and bounty land warrant applications;
- passenger arrival records;
- Dawes census cards and enrollment jackets for the Five Tribes of Oklahoma.
Self-service microfilm readers are available without appointment. Researchers using microfilm do not need a researcher's ID card.
Additional help:
NARA's Online Microfilm Catalog, which allows researchers
to determine the microfilm publications held by the Fort Worth facility.
The Genealogy section, for additional general information about NARA's genealogical resources.
Genealogy Links from the Archives Library and Information Center, with links for how to do genealogical research, genealogy resources around the world, and databases of family trees.
Genealogical Resources on the World Wide Web, for links to non NARA genealogical web sites.
- E-mail your inquiry to ftworth.archives@nara.gov *
- Call the Fort Worth facility at 817-831-5620.
Historical Research
Original records
The National Archives at Fort Worth has more than 111,000 cubic feet of archival holdings dating from 1806 to the 1980's, including textual documents, photographs, and maps. These archival holdings were created or received by the Federal courts and 100 Federal agencies in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. Federal law requires that agencies transfer permanently valuable, noncurrent records to NARA.
Among the subjects covered are regional and national history from the early 1800's with emphasis on westward expansion to the Southwest and the settlement of Native Americans (particularly Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks, and Seminoles) in Indian Territory; the Civil War, slavery, Chinese exclusion, repatriation, segregation, World Wars I and II, economic development, oil, and the space program. Historic names and topics include Jackson Burnett, Bonnie and Clyde, the Blue Angels, the Dalton Gang, Wyatt Earp, Billie Sol Estes, Henry O. Flipper, the Green Corn Rebellion, O. Henry, Andrew Jackson, Machine Gun Kelly, Jean Lafitte, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, Isaac Parker, Belle Starr, and the Texas City disaster.
Archival holdings are arranged by record group (abbreviated RG), a body of records from an agency or bureau, identified by an RG number. Selected finding aids, including a comprehensive guide to the archival holdings, are available by mail and online. Research can be initiated in person, by telephone, mail, fax, or electronic mail at ftworth.archives@nara.gov. Individuals who wish to use archival holdings on-site will facilitate their research by calling before visiting.
Before using archival holdings, every researcher must obtain a researcher identification card. An applicant must show identification that includes a photograph, such as a driver's license, passport, or school or business identification card, and complete a short form giving name, address, telephone number, and a brief description of the proposed research topic. A researcher ID card, valid for 3 years and renewable, is then issued. It must be presented during each research visit. The card cannot be issued in advance of your visit.
Microfilmed records
The Montgomery Plaza facility has extensive holdings of National Archives microfilm publications. These publications reproduce basic documentation for the study of history, economics, public administration, law, ethnology, genealogy, and other subjects. Included are records relating to the Civil War and Reconstruction, Native American-Government relations, westward expansion, and World War II.
Self-service microfilm readers are available without appointment. Researchers using microfilm do not need a researcher's ID card.
Photocopying
Self-service, our copying of archival documents is available for 20 cents a page (up to 11 x 17 inches).
The staff will make or arrange for copies of oversized documents, certified copies for legal use, photographs, or other specialized reproductions. Fees vary depending on the size and type of reproduction. The availability of photocopies depends on the physical condition of the documents.
Public Programs
Public programs include workshops on genealogy, research in archives, and teaching history using archival documents.
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