Please Note: The purpose for this web page and index chart is assist others seeking microfiche title information from NARA.

         The reason: When initially starting my search of the NARA titles, I found it difficult to locate those films I needed for my research due to the overwhelming number

Background Information:

         The National Archives and Records Administration {NARA} has a website found at; http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/comprehensive/compcat.html.

Where the titles are indexed:

         NARA is located in Washington, DC. and maintains, "The Comprehensive Catalog" for Microfilm Resources for Research. As of the last update the,"Table of Contents," lists more than 2,000 microfilm publications in this catalog.

         Although they can be, these records do not have to be purchased. They can be seen at any LDS family history center throughout the world for a minimal cost per film. This index is basically for the use of those that need to obtain a reference title that can be copied and then used at the local LDS center.
         The catalog index is broken down into three parts;

Part 1: Record Groups 7-58,

Part 2: Record Group 59,

Part 3: Record Groups 60-407.

         The National Archives reproduces records in two forms: microfilm rolls and microfiche. Rolls of film are wound on plastic reels, and each frame reproduces one or two single pages or items. A microfiche is a sheet of film containing multiple microimages in a grid pattern, and each microimage is a copy of one or two pages or items.

         National Archives microfilm publications are divided into three types: M, A, and T publications. Most M publications reproduce an entire series of records. Usually, at the beginning of the first roll (sometimes on every roll) and on the first fiche, an introduction is reproduced that contains explanatory material to help researchers use the records. Each introduction consists of a general and brief history of the originating agency, a description of the records' content, and an explanation of the arrangement of the records. Some introductions also include special aids, such as indexes and appendixes. A table of contents of the microfilm publication follows the introduction. Many introductions and tables of contents are printed as accompanying descriptive pamphlets (DPs). DPs that are available (as shown in this catalog) may be requested by contacting the:

National Archives and Records Administration,
Product Sales Section (NWPS),
Room G9,
Seventh and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20408
(telephone 1-800-234-8861 or 202-501-7190; fax 202-501-7170).

To Addresses of Regional Records Services Facilities

         A and T publications are numbered in the same sequence and, unlike M publications, do not always reproduce a complete series of records. They may contain only segments, by date or subject, of a larger series. In addition, A and T publications may be copies of microfilm produced by other federal agencies and accessioned by the National Archives. A and T publications are reproduced and sold exactly as they were filmed; they contain no introductions and have no accompanying descriptive pamphlets.

         Simple layout - not quite! You are dealing with over 2000 records making viewing extremely hard to say the least. I have used the following guide to assist me in my own research;

#1 - you must have an idea of the record area/topic for your specific research.

#2 - go to one of the three Parts within the catalogue and scroll down your selected part to find your record group number.

#3 - after you have located the record group you desire continue scrolling down the page to your actual record.

#4 - copy the title and all references to that title. The titles are important for reference to purchase or in locating the roll for viewing at a later date at an LDS Center.

#5 - if you can't locate your record in the part that you have just searched, go to the next part and repeat the same process.

Please Note: The following index represents some of the record groups and their subsequent records that I needed to locate for the last few years. In order to save space, a number of the index RG titles contain other recorded groups. The researcher would be wise to refer to the NARA site {see address above} and investigate the full extent of NARA's records for yourself.

Good luck in your searches.

Rhonda