The National Archives and Records Administration - Great Lakes Region (NARA-GLR) in Chicago is one of twelve regional archives in NARA's national system. NARA-GLR is responsible for preserving and making available for research the permanently valuable U.S. Government records created or received by Federal courts and agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
These records consist of over 75,000 cubic feet of original manuscripts, photographs, maps, architectural and engineering drawings, and other materials previously in the custody of the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Coast Guard, Argonne National Laboratory, and numerous other Federal entities in the Great Lakes area. Supplementing these regional Federal records is a collection of approximately 65,000 rolls of microfilm reproducing Federal records relating to the entire U.S. If one's research relates to some aspect of NARA-GLR's six states and has a substantial U.S. Government connection, it is possible that relevant research materials may be available. Researchers using these resources include professional historians and other scholars, teachers, students, genealogists, journalists, lawyers, and the general public. Research is conducted in person by researchers themselves, with staff providing reference services. Limited reference service is available to persons contacting NARA-GLR by letter, telephone, fax, or e-mail.
In addition to research opportunities, NARA-GLR has public programs and outreach offerings. Included are volunteer and internship programs, genealogical and other workshops, and participation in offsite archival, historical, and genealogical events. A special annual highlight is a Civil War Symposium cosponsored by the Chicago Historical Society.
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