The National Archives & Records Admin. has regional research facilities throughout the USA. Most of the records are on microfilm (Revolutionary War Pension applications, census records, ships lists, etc. etc.) and everything's always there - eliminates the ordering and subsequent waiting for films to come in. Go to www.nara.gov, click on "Where is/How do I" and then click on "Locations/Hrs." (Alaska, California, Colorado, DC, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, PA, Texas, Washington state, and Wyoming.) Additionally, there are other NARA records facilities throughout the country. Also, don't forget to check out your own State Archives. Many state archives have records from other states and regions. Happy Holidays!