National Archives — Mid-Atlantic Region

Address		The National Archives — Mid-Atlantic Region 9th and Chestnut Streets (location) 900 Market St. (mailing) Philadelphia, PA 19107-4292 Telephone: (215) 597-3000 Fax: (215) 597-2303 E-mail: philadelphia.archives@nara.gov Web site: http://www.archives.gov/facilities/pa/philadelphia_center_city.html
Hours		Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Second and fourth Saturday of each month: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sundays, Federal holidays, and all other Saturdays

Holdings

In addition to selected national microfilm records, this branch includes original regional records from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. This branch of the National Archives holds more than 40,000 cubic feet of historical records dating from the Revolutionary War to the present. The original records include photographs, maps, and architectural drawings relating to regional history, and include subjects such as Chinese-Americans, life in the United States, the National Parks, and the Merchant Marine. Among their national records on microfilm are U.S. census records for all states from 1790-1920, excluding 1890; census records indexes for 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920; various military service records, pensions and bounty land warrant applications; naturalization records from Federal courts in the region; passenger arrival lists from Philadelphia and Baltimore; as well as documents related to pre-Federal and early Federal history; military history; and U.S. diplomacy.

Access to Records

On Site

Researchers who plan to use the original records on-site should schedule visits in advance. All researchers using original records need to get a researcher ID card. Records may be photocopied unless the condition of the document prohibits it. Researchers who plan to use the microfilm records can do so in the self-service microfilm reader room. No appointment is necessary but there is a time limit for use of the readers when other researchers are waiting. Self-service microfilm to paper copies are available.

Through the Mail

The National Archives staff will not do genealogical research for you. However, they can look up and copy a particular record if you have detailed information about that record. Costs are usually less than $10. If you are looking for a specific type of record, call or write to find out what information is required before the staff will initiate a search.

Literature Available

A number of important pamphlets are available through the Archives. You may consider ordering the following pamphlets to help you in your search:

• National Archives — Mid-Atlantic Region
• Microfilm Publications in the National Archives — Mid-Atlantic Region
• Guide to Records in the National Archives — Mid-Atlantic Region
• Select List of Publications of the National Archives and Records Administration
• Ordering Reproductions from the National Archives
• Military Service Records in the National Archives of the United States
• Using Records in the National Archives for Genealogical Research
• Using Census Records
• The National Archives Microfilm Rental Program