Research Sources
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with over 18 million books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in it. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. The Library has a large digital collection which may be viewed via the Internet.
10 First Street SE
Washington, DC 20540
www.loc.gov
Naval History and Heritage Command
The command’s mission is to locate, collect, and preserve documents, artifacts, photos, oral histories, and art that best represent the history of the U.S. Navy. There is on-line access to ship and oral histories, cruise books, photographs and graphics, and limited access to deck logs that are less than 30 years old.
Washington Navy Yard
Washington, DC 20003
www.history.navy.mil
The National Archives and Records Administration
Contains links to all aspects of U.S. History including veteran’s records and deck logs greater than 30 years old.
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
www.nara.gov
National Archives at St. Louis
The National Archives at St. Louis holds military personnel files and folders, selective service records, and deceased veteran’s claim files. Replacement of veteran’s medals, awards, and decorations may be made on-line.
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
www.archives.gov
US Naval Institute
The U.S. Naval Institute is a membership organization to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. Magazines, books, oral histories, and photographs are available through the Institute
118 Maryland Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21402-5035
www.usni.org
US Navy in World War II
This site links to USN WWII organization and administration, official reports, navy and coast guard ships, and submarine losses.
www.ibiblio.org.hyperwar/USN/
The Sea Bee Record, 1940-1946:
The listing contains Sea Bee unit numbers, commissioning dates, decommissioning dates and corresponding locations for Naval Construction Brigades, Regiments, Battalions, and Maintenance Units.
www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Building_Bases/bases-app.html
U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office
The site contains information on the history, heritage and traditions of the USCG.
1790 Ash Street, SE
Washington, DC 20032
www.history.uscg.mil
U.S. Maritime Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
www.maritime.dot.gov
The site contains documents and resources pertaining to merchant ship research and vessel histories
NavSource Naval History
The site contains a wealth of photos and information on US Naval ships, especially via the “Search NavSource” link.
www.navsource.org
Fold3.com
The site contains a lot of information on US ships from all wars – muster rolls, war diaries, etc.
www.fold3.com
(Note: By subscription only)
Naval Cover Museum
The world’s largest collection of US naval cover images, complete with brief histories of the ships. The site is owned by USCS, and is an amazing resource for researching naval covers.