Marcia K. Holpuch wrote: > Greetings, fellow Johnson Countians.... > > As I live in the greater DC area, I have been convinced by a > knowledgable source that I need to go to the archives in search of the > > COMPLETE civil war pension files I already received. It seems that > they > may not have copied all pages in the file... Imagine!!! > > Therefore, sometime in the next 2 weeks, I hope to build up my courage > > and head to the archives. This is something (obviously) that I've > never > done before, but I've been given very good directions to get straight > to > the pension files. > A little advice from one who has been there and done that. You need a researcher card to be able to look at the records. This gives you access to the special research room to which they will be brought. You get the card from the office on the same floor as the microfilm readers. Make sure you have a picture ID for the card, and also to get into the Archives building. All electronic items (i.e. cell phones, pagers, laptop computers, cameras, etc.) will need to opened and inpected. They will write down serial numbers and receipt them (you get to keep them). You will have to present the receipt on your way out. After getting your card, sign up for a microfilm reader. There are book indexes to the civil war films on top of the microfilm cabinets. They will direct you to the appropriate filing cabinet in the room off of the microfilm room. Don't forget to pick up record request forms at the info desk in the microfilm room. You have to fill them out with the info you will find on the microfilms, which are merely films of index cards, etc. You will then have the forms checked by the person at the info desk. Put them in the appropriate basket. Please note that it will take several hours for your files to be received in the special research room. There is also a maximum number of records that can be requested daily, and it isn't very large. If you are going to be there for more than one day, be sure to make an afternoon request for records to be available for the next day. You have to put all of your possesions in a locker outside of the special research room. The lockers take quarters only. You may not take into the room anything except a few pages stapled together, or a laptop computer. Pencils and paper are available inside. The security guard at the door will check your papers. You must present your researcher's card at this time. Your records will be at the front desk in this room, and you will only be allowed one at a time. Be sure to bring change for the copier. The records can be very fragile, since they are all folded inside envelopes. The whole think is quite awesome, actually looking at the very records your ancestor added to. And you are right---they do leave out a lot of valuable information in the copies they send you. They also leave out a lot of extraneous info, too. The muster rolls are also there! Happy hunting! Deborah Green Newport News, VA