Getting started
If this is your first visit, we strongly recommend you consult the AAD
Pathfinder, which is a graphical representation of the overall AAD research
process, to see how to use the system. You can learn where you are in the
process at any time by clicking the "where am I?" link. We have also provided
a narrative overview and a sample
search
to help you understand how to use AAD.
We welcome your feedback and comments
about the AAD system.
The AAD Pathfinder A narrative
explanation describes the image, below.
The AAD Research Process
This three-step process is designed to help you quickly locate the information
you want. You will first need to determine the series
and file unit that may contain
the information you want. Note: AAD will permit you to search only one
data file at a time. For detailed guidance on the research process, get
AAD Help.
Step 1: Select a Series and File Unit
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To begin, you have to determine which series you want to search. AAD provides
several avenues to assist you. NARA's archivists have categorized all of
the series in AAD into the following areas.
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All Series
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People
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Indexes to Other Records
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Subject
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Geographic Areas
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Organization
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Time Spans
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Creator
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Select an area, and it will display either further subtopics or a list
of series.
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Click on any series title and you will receive information about the series,
such as why it was created and how it was used. This should help you decide
if the records in the series are relevant to your research. Each series
has one or more file units associated with it.
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Clicking on the file unit will provide further information about it. The
file units will have one or more data files associated with them.
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Select a data file that you want to search. The sample
search might help you better understand the process.
Step 2: Search a Data File
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AAD will allow you to search only one data file at a time. Once you
have selected a data file, you will need to determine the columns
(or data fields) and the values you want to use to build your search. The
sample search might help you better understand
the process.
Step 3: Display Results
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After you submit your search, AAD will display all of the records that
match your request. You can:
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select the ones for which you want to see the full record
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print out the results of your search or download them
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On the Record Detail Page, AAD provides the meaning for many of the columns
where only coded values exist in the original data file. The sample
search might help you better visualize the process.
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We have also provided a narrative overview of the research process and
a sample search to help you understand
how to use AAD.
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