National Archives Records

Posted:
By: Bill Erzar
On: 05/12/2005

Does anyone know how to access or do a records search at the National Archives? I would appreciate any info. Thanks!

Re: National Archives Records

Posted:
By: Win Bryson
On: 05/13/2005

Bill:
1. The National Archives' Website 'www.nara.gov', has a wealth of information, but I find it difficult to 'navigate' my way around in it - but 'that's me'.
2. There's a (very long) list of records they hold in categories called 'Records Groups'.
3. There are also many National Archives locations around the country, and they list them, what records they hold and rules and restrictions when visit them.
4. Their Website also has a 'Contact us' [E-mail tool] where you input your question and you get two replies: the 1st is an automatic acknowlesgement E-mail; and the 2nd, a NARA staff member's reply.
5. If you're looking for 401BG Records, I know they have the originals of the 401BG's Mission Reports and they also have lots of 401BG related still photos [the 401BG recently purchased digital images of], among other 401BG related records in their 'holdings'.
6. Written requests to the NARA have a NARA 'form', also, but letters to them work, too. As with any research, the more specific your request is, the better the chance of 'successful mining' their resources. In some cases, if what you're looking for is not in their holdings, their reply may even include suggestions of alternate resources. suggestion

Good hunting.

If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 05/14/2005

I have a reference book that gives National Archive negative numbers for photos,if known, of B-17s by serial number and known nicknames. If anyone is looking, let me know.

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Bill Erzar
On: 05/17/2005

Scott,
Do you have any photos of "Cedric the Blip Boy" on loan from 351st to the 401st near the end of the war and used by Lt Bill Tobin crew of the 614th? Also a Fort by the name of "Forever Yours" possibly used by the same crew?
Thanks,
Bill

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 05/18/2005

My reference also has the 351st, but there is no record of those two nicknames. If you have serial numbers of either, that would help. The booklet has the B-17s in order of serial number and if there was a nickname connected to them, but there are serial numbers with unknown nicknames and vica versa......

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Ken Badgley
On: 05/19/2005

Hi Scott,
I am interested in any pics of the "Carolina Queen" #42-37809. Lost 11 January 1944 over Germany.

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: A. Greer
On: 05/22/2005

I have not been able to find any photos of the B-17 #42-97811. "Sick Chick". Let me know if that is in your reference book.

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Billy Mencow
On: 05/30/2005

Hi Scott,
I am looking for photos of 615th Squadron, nickname "Wolf Pack" serial # 43-38159, lost on Nov.2, 1944.

Thanks very much,
Billy Mencow, nephew of Lt William Mencow who was lost on that mission

Re: National Archives Records

Posted:
By: Bill Erzar
On: 05/30/2005

Win,
You sure are right about difficulty navigating in the NARA site. I didn't have any luck at all.
Bill

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Kyle Berzina
On: 07/16/2005

Scott -
Have spent six years looking for any photos of my grandfather's B-17, "Omar the Dentmaker". Any chance that plane is listed?

Thanks in advance for your help !

Kyle
Arvada, Colorado

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Mary Lou Million Viglione
On: 07/29/2005

Have been looking for a photo of plane with tail no. of 339125M based out of Deenethorpe. My Dad was a tailgunner on this plane.

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Donna Sharp-Noble
On: 07/31/2005

Looking for any photos of my father's squadron-the 613th and their plane, the D-Day Dottie. My dad was the ball turret gunner on 22 missions. His name was Jack T. Sharp, and he recently passed away on July 15 of this year. I am searching for any info anyone can give me. Thank you all for this site!

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: Donna Sharp-Noble
On: 08/01/2005

I am looking for the name of the B17 with the serial #44-6129, call letters IN-A. Any information would be helpful to fill in the gaps in my Dad's history. Thank you.

Re: If looking for plane photos...........

Posted:
By: GENE BUSH
On: 08/16/2005

DONNA, MY FATHER FLEW ON THE D-DAY DOTTIE. WAS PART OF L. BERNEBURG CREW. HE FLEW 26 MISSIONS. HE IS 85 NOW AND STILL IN GREAT HEALTH. I WILL ASK HIM IF JACK WAS PART OF HIS CREW.
GENE BUSH