Who We Are

The Archival Researchers Association (A.R.A.) is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to improving essential access to historical records for individuals, private organizations and small businesses.

Help us to advocate for positive, lasting change to records access and research services that will benefit the general public, researchers and archives staff.

Advocating for Increased Funding for The National Archives in 2023

Our board of officers at the Archival Researchers Association recently had the pleasure of working again with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) on a new “Dear Colleague” letter that calls for additional, directed funding for NARA in 2023. We want to thank Senator Warren and Senator Sullivan for leading on this important issue! We encourage our members and all citizens to continue reaching out to their elected officials to ask them to support the White House budget that provides robust funding for the National Archives in 2023!

How We Benefit Our Communities

Veteran benefits claims research 

Preserving and honoring the memory of U.S. veterans

MIA/KIA veteran legacy research

Reconstruction of  veterans service histories lost in the 1973 fire

Locating crucial documents for criminal and civil litigation

Family history & genealogy research

Fact-finding and documentation for news & media outlets

Digital preservation of historical records

Promoting learning through collaboration, research and discovery

Fostering education through teaching and sharing of knowledge

Become a Member

Are you an individual, private organization, or small business that depends on historical, archived records to carry out your mission?

Get involved and make sure the issues you care about are brought before Congress and archives management. 

As a community we can make our voices heard.

Find a Professional Researcher

Do you need expert assistance with a research project? Search our member directory of professional researchers for hire. 

Find an expert today.

Free Educational Material

Understanding FOIA Requests

Finding the Right Researcher

Honoring the Legacy of Fallen US Veterans

Corporate Sponsors and Major Donors

Donate

We understand that maintaining open access to our nation’s historical documents is essential to your mission as well. 

Help us advocate for continued, open access to the records you need. 

 Every donation makes a difference.