ARCHIVAL RESEARCH PROCESS

Updated November 18, 2023

If you are interested in having us do your research or have questions, please contact us by email at footstepsresearchers@gmail.com.

The National Archives research rooms have instituted an appointment system at both NARA St. Louis and NARA College Park. Research rooms are open, and Footsteps Researchers team members have standing appointments at the archives and are able to process project requests. We are able to access documents in person that have been archived from the year 1961 and older. All newer personnel records (1961 to present) must go through the FOIA request process and will take time.

NARA St. Louis Research Rooms:

OMPF (Official Military Personnel Files) – we order files and image the contents in person at the research room in St. Louis.
- Once we submit an order, we must wait for them to bring the file to the research room so that we can image, typically two weeks or less (sometimes longer if it is burned file or has to be redacted.)
- We don’t know the contents or extent of file until we see it in person.
- Sometimes the original documents are poor quality, but our researchers do the best we possibly can to get you the most quality image possible.
- Many people are under the assumption that all records were burned in the ARCHIVE’S FIRE of 1973. Navy and Marine files were not in the building during the fire, therefore exist as complete records (often times there are enlistment photos in these.) Approximately 70% of Army and Air Force files were damaged or lost. Since the fire, NARA has been reconstructing files and many times we are able to find some information through medical records and payroll vouchers. Many clients are surprised when we return with a burned file that was partially damaged but readable. When in doubt, order a file as you never know!
IDPF (Individual Deceased Persons File) – we order the files and image the contents in person at the research room in St. Louis.
- These are burial files that have tons of information about the process from when the soldier was killed in action or died of wounds or passed away while in service.
- These files were not in St. Louis during the 1973 fire and therefore exist.
- We have found dog tags and other relics in these folders.
- Handwritten letters from family members to the military searching for information about their lost loved one are often found in these files.
VA Index Cards – when we can’t locate the unit or specific information about a veteran, we order a VA Index Card to help us.
Morning Reports – the most important documents to find the footsteps of a veteran!
- These reports are on microfilm and contain a daily record at the company level of anyone going in or out, KIA/SWA/LWA/MIA, being promoted, and showing exact location/date. Highly recommended for footsteps searches.
- They are organized by year and month under the lowest level of unit.
- While most of morning reports are very readable, sometimes we encounter original film that is of very poor quality. We do our best to image these at the highest level possible but cannot do anything about original quality.
- All levels of service companies/units in Army/Air Force are on microfilm including WAC.
Rosters, Flight Records, and Muster Roles are available on microfilm.

NOTE: Footsteps Researchers do our best to provide top quality images of all reports. However, 70+ year original documents are not always in the top shape. We do high resolution scanning to produce the best possible documents which are then emailed in PDF files.

If you are interested in having us do your research or have questions, please contact footstepsresearchers@gmail.com.

National Archives at St. Louis | National Archives