Rodney Krajca speaks on

"The National Archives--Southwest Region:

A Resource Center for the Public"

Text Box: Mr. Krajca received his BA from UTA and his JD in Law from Baylor. He has been an archivist for the Southwest Region since 1998. He will discuss the holdings of the National Archives that could assist genealogists with their research. While he will review the census and military records, he will also emphasize the over-looked and under-used records. Are you interested in the original, the interesting, the funny, or the unique shades of history? You might consider visiting the National Archives & Records Administration--Southwest Region located at 501 West Felix, Building 1, in Fort Worth (hours are Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 4 PM and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 8:00 AM - 4:00PM).

The records (more than 95,000 cubic feet) at the Southwest Region are evidence of the impact of Federal government policies and programs on Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. The records are preserved because of their permanent historical, fiscal, or legal value, and their importance to the continuing work of the U.S. Government. They are available to both private individuals and public officials. Citizens settling legal claims, genealogists researching family history, scholars writing local, state, or national history, and Federal employees engaged in Government programs will find unique resources at the Southwest Region.

The holdings document regional and national history from the early 1800's with emphasis on the impact of westward expansion on the Southwest. Records generated by the settlement of Native Americans in Indian Territory comprise one of this regional archive’s largest record groups. Other subjects covered include the Civil War, slavery, Chinese exclusion, repatriation, segregation, World Wars I and II, treason business, economic development, oil, and the space program. Popular figures and topics include: Jackson Barnett, Bonnie and Clyde, the Blue Angels, the Dalton Gang, Billie Sol Estes, Henry O. Flipper, O. Henry, Madalynn Murray O’Hair, Isaac Parker, and the Texas City Disaster.

Historians, genealogists, writers, students, and many others have frequented the Southwest region. The Southwest Region has the Federal population censuses for all states, 1790-1930; military service records, pension and bounty land warrant applications; passenger lists; Dawes census cards and enrollment jackets for the Five Tribes of Oklahoma.

All it takes is a little bit of time and a little bit of curiosity. Who knows--you might be able to add some interesting facet to your family history or research topic? Try out the National Archives website: www.archives.gov.