Elvis’ Draft Card Lives Here
Published Nov 03, 2008
The National Archives Southeast Region and Georgia State Archives are the only co-located facilities of their type in the nation.
The English poet and novelist Stephen Spender once said: “History is the ship carrying living memories to the future.” And if this is true, land-locked Morrow in Clayton County could well be the nation’s most unique “port” city.
As the only city in the nation to house both a state and national archive, Morrow is a treasure trove of historic records, photos and genealogical research.
The National Archives Southeast Region boasts 125,000 cubic feet of archival holdings dating to 1716 and including everything from historic records and photos to maps and architectural drawings, says James McSweeney, regional administrator.
“We service an eight-state area and hold only records created by the federal government. The U.S. district courts, IRS records, military records – our holdings really chronicle the social and political development of the southeastern United States. Plus, you can see Elvis Presley’s draft card,” McSweeney says with a laugh.
McSweeney estimates roughly 32,000 people now visit the facility annually, most of whom come to search genealogical records.
“We have microfilm copy of the U.S. Census dating back to 1790,” he says. “We also have slave manifest records from 1808 through the Civil War – it’s a boon for family historians.”
Along with these resources, however, the National Archives holds a variety of special events and workshops throughout the year.
“This is a beautiful space for public programs and exhibits,” McSweeney says. “Online tools are great, but there is just no substitute for looking at the actual documents. We also work with teachers, showing them how to use these documents in creating lesson plans. There’s really something for everyone.”
Next-door neighbor the Georgia Archives houses approximately 260 million documents, including state and local government records, maps, photos, and private manuscripts such as family Bibles, letters and papers.
“We have about 15,000 visitors each year, touring our building, doing research and attending workshops,” says Secretary of State Karen C. Handel. “Most questions revolve around family history and research, but we offer a number of special programs and events as well.”
For example, the annual Georgia Archives Institute provides up-to-date training for beginning archivists, manuscript curators and librarians. Taught by nationally recognized experts, the two-week program covers everything from legal and administrative issues to preservation methods. Handel also points to the monthly Lunch & Learn Lecture Series as a popular public offering.
“Visitors are invited to bring their lunch and learn about a variety of topics, such as how to digitize your family documents and the German POWs in Georgia,” she says.
But Handel is particularly proud of Virtual Georgia – “a collection of historical images documenting everyday life in Georgia.”
“I think it’s sometimes easier to take in pictures as opposed to documents,” she says. “And what makes Virtual Georgia so special is that the images were donated to the Archives by everyday Georgians. They’re helping us build our collection, providing a pictorial history of our state.”
More Insight: How to Reach the Archives
The National Archives Southeast Region
5780 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
Phone: (770) 968-2100
www.archives.gov/southeast/
Georgia State Archives
5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
Phone: (678) 364-3700
www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/
Story by Amy Stumpfl
Photo by Ian Curcio
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