NARA microfilm access

By Ron Stephen on Fri, 10/02/2020 - 17:51

Forums

From a previous post I understand that the QuickCheck model on page 248 of Evidence Explained 3rd. edition means that the citation is created by actually examining the original microfilm produced by NARA. If this is correct does that mean the person is actually at the National Archives building in Washington D.C. or one of the regional facilities examining the original microfilm? I tried to find the microfilm referred to in the First (Full) Reference Note on page 248 at the archives.gov site for the NARA. I was unsuccessful in finding the image. I was often referred to their partner sites i.e. ancestry.com, familysearch.org and fold3.com. which would mean creating a different citation like the one on page 237 of EE. Does the NARA make images available on their site or do I have to visit one of their facilities?

Thank you for your assistance.

Ron Stephen

Submitted byEEon Fri, 10/02/2020 - 19:34

No, Ron. When you see a citation to a NARA microfilm, it does not mean that the researcher was physically at NARA I in D.C. or one of its regional facilities. Like published books, published microfilm is widely available. Many, many libraries across the nation have purchased NARA film for their users. Many individual researchers in past years purchased NARA film for their own use. (The floor-to-ceiling microfilm cabinet that sits behind me as I type houses a goodly number of those NARA film publications, including some that have not yet been digitized for online use.)

Regarding your effort to find specific images from a specific NARA microfilm at NARA's archives: NARA has not had the resources to digitize its hundreds of millions of film images. That is being done by outside parties such as the three you name. Two of those require a subscription; FamilySearch images from NARA are free for viewing because FamilySearch is a non-profit supported by a church.

To use NARA film, as with any publication, we search for a library that holds it—or we go to one of the online giants to see if they have imaged that film yet.

To locate the closest library to you that has a specific microfilm publication, you might start with WorldCat.org.

Submitted byRon Stephenon Sat, 10/03/2020 - 13:27

I wasn't aware you could purchase published microfilm from the NARA. I must have missed that fact when on their site archives.gov. The citation examples on the QuickCheck Models I referenced now make sense. Thank you for the clarrification. I will consult WorldCat.org. and find a library near me.

Ron

Submitted byRon Stephenon Sun, 10/04/2020 - 13:56

Sorry, one last thing just to clarify for my confussion. If I am writing a citation for a NARA microfilm publication there are only two instances when this is appropriate. It is because I have previously purchased the NARA microfilm for my personal use (or have a friend that has done so) or I am at a library that has purchased the NARA film for their users. Otherwise I am writing a citation for an online image. I hope I finally understand.

Thank you for your assistance.

Ron

Submitted byEEon Sun, 10/11/2020 - 14:10

Ron, we could simplify your question and say there is only one instance in which you cite the NARA microfilm as your source:  When you actually use it. Whether you're sitting a library cranking the handle of the film reader or whether you are cranking the film at home on your own reader does not matter.

One caveat: When we use imaged records online and the provider states that it made the images from NARA microfilm, then the source-of-our-source field will cite what the provider states.

As for whether NARA still sells microfilm, I have not checked its current policy. Covid-19 limitations may well have curtailed that—temporarily or permanently.  Perhaps someone from NARA will see this discussion and enlighten us.