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OFFICIAL GERMAN HISTORICAL RECORDS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

A PROFESSIONAL GUIDE FOR HISTORIANS DOING RESEARCH ON NAZI GERMANY
IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA

U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES
U.S. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

In order to facilitate scholarly research on Nazism and the SS, the WFF has prepared this guide to selected documentary materials available at three Washington, D.C. area facilities: the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Archives II facility, located in College Park, Maryland; the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; and the Library of Congress.  The types of materials listed in this guide include microfilm, film, and printed sources.  Users of this guide please note that this is a guide to certain selected sources, it is not a comprehensive overview to the entire documentary materials available in these institutions.

NOTE: A BRIEF STATEMENT OF PUBLICATIONS PRINCIPLES

NARA ARCHIVAL GUIDES • BERLIN DOCUMENT CENTER PERSONNEL RECORDS • BERLIN DOCUMENT CENTER LIBRARY

 RESEARCHING CAPTURED GERMAN FILMS AT NARA • ORDERING MICROFILM FROM NARA • US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS • ORDERING MICROFILM FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (NARA)

ARCHIVAL GUIDES (MICROFILM FINDING AIDS)

At the end of World War II, American forces captured tons of Nazi Party and SS records.  These records are held at the NARA, Archives II facility, in College Park, MD.  They have been catalogued under Record Group 242 (Foreign Records Seized).  In order to access the records, researchers will need to consult the archival guides (sometimes called "finding aids") that NARA has prepared.  A complete listing of the archival guides that are available can be seen by clicking here: Captured German and Related Records on Microform Available in the National Archives. We have prepared a specific listing of SS records here.

Research Note - Microfilm finding aids for RG 242 are not currently available online.  Researchers may want to try accessing NARA's Archival Research Catalog (ARC) to conduct preliminary research before visiting NARA.  However, be warned that the ARC is not user-friendly.  The amount of information available online is also limited.  The best way to access NARA materials is by visiting the College Park facility itself

The finding aids for the materials in RG 242 are available in two forms, hard, printed copy, and on microfilm.  Researchers should note that some of the finding aids listed here will provide detailed descriptions of the kinds of materials that are contained on each microfilm roll (e.g., see microfilm publications for T-175).  In some cases, however, detailed entries are not provided, thus considerably complicating the researcher's job.  An example can be found in the guide to microfilm publications for T-580.  The entry for each roll in the collection varies in detail, with some providing considerable information, while others provide no more than a single sentence describing a given folder's contents.

The best place to begin locating the finding aids for the microfilm holdings at NARA is in the Microfilm Reading Room.  This room is located on the fourth floor of the Archives II building at College Park.  A majority of the finding aids listed below are available in printed, hard-copy form.  Individuals pages can be copied by researchers as needed.  In addition, however, some of the finding aids for some of the collections here are available only on microfilm.  See roll 999 of T-580, for example.  In this case, researchers can use the reader/printers to print out pages from the finding aid as these are needed.

Lastly, copies of the NARA finding aids for series T-175, as well as for many, but not all, of the other microfilmed series, can be found in the library of the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The guides that pertain specifically to SS records are as follows:

• Records of the Reich Leader of the SS and Chief of the German Police [RFSS].  Microfilm Publication T-175. 678 rolls.  See German Guides 32, 33, 39, 81 and T-176, Microfilm Rolls 5 and 24.
   
• Miscellaneous SS Records: Einwandererzentralstelle, Waffen-SS, SS-Oberabschnitte.  Microfilm Publication T-354. 799 rolls.  See German Guides 27, 75, 79, 95 and T-176, Microfilm Rolls 19 and 24.
   
• Records of the Deutsche Wirtschaftsbetriebe of the SS Wirtschafts-u.Verwaltungshauptamt, 1936-1945.  Microfilm Publication T-976. 37 rolls.  See German Guides 83 and T-176, Roll 33.
   
• Records of the Ahnenerbe des Reichsführer SS.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 120-211 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Diary of Ahnenerbe Amtschef Wolfram Sievers, 1941-1945.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 462-463 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Records of the Hauptamt SS-Gericht.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 212-215 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Personal Papers of R.Walter Darré.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 230-254 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Personal Papers of Kurt Daluege.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 215-230 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Personal Papers of Karl Wolff.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 311-313 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Miscellaneous SS Records.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 335-339 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Records of the SS-Personal-Hauptamt.  Microfilm Publication T-580, Roll 119 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Records of the SS-Rasse-und-Siedlungs-Hauptamt (RuSHA).  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 324-335 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• Records of the SS-Wirtschafts-und-Verwaltungs-Hauptamt (WVHA).  Microfilm Publication T-580, Rolls 313-324 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-580, roll 999 for the finding aid)
   
• SS-Dienstalterslisten (1 Oct. 1942-1 July 1944).  Microfilm Publication T-611, Rolls 1-2 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-611, roll 1 for the finding aid)
   
• Miscellaneous SS Files (Ordner 426, 429-435, 441-447, 458-461a, 474-489).  Microfilm Publication T-611, Rolls 2-18 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-611, roll 1 for the finding aid)
   
• Folders (Ordner) of the Rasse-und-Siedlungs-Hauptamt (RuSHA).  Microfilm Publication T-611, Rolls 18-27 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-611, roll 1 for the finding aid)
   
• Miscellaneous SS Material.  Microfilm Publication T-611, Rolls 27-29, 43-47 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-611, roll 1 for the finding aid)
   
• Records of the Reichskommissariat für die Festigung deutschen Volkstums (RKFDV).  Microfilm Publication T-611, Rolls 29-43 (Finding aid is only available on microfilm. See Microfilm Publication T-611, roll 1 for the finding aid)
   
• Records of the Office of the Reich Commissioner for the Strengthening of Germandom (Reichskommissar für die Festigung deutschen Volkstums [RKFDV]).  Microfilm Publication T-74. 20 rolls.  See German Guide 2 and T-176, Roll 1.

BERLIN DOCUMENT CENTER PERSONNEL RECORDS AT NARA

The collection from the Berlin Document Center is the most comprehensive listing of SS and Nazi Party personnel records that is currently available.  We have included personnel files here because the files of individual SS officers and enlisted men occasionally contain documents (reports, letters, etc.) that concern issues which go well beyond the individual in question.  The specific series that pertain to SS personnel can be found below.

• SS Officer Personnel Files.  Microfilm Publication A3343, Series SSO. 909 rolls.
• SS Enlisted Men Personnel Files.  Microfilm Publication A3343, Series SM. 1,738 rolls.
• SS Women Personnel Files.  Microfilm Publication A3343, Series SF. 99 rolls.
• SS Lists.  Microfilm Publication A3343, Series SS. 26 rolls.
• Rasse-und-Siedlungs-Hauptamt (RuSHA).  Microfilm Publication A3343, Series RS. 7,811 rolls.

BERLIN DOCUMENT CENTER LIBRARY

In addition, the BDC files at NARA include the microfilmed holdings of the BDC Library.  The finding aid for this library is organized according to general subject and name heading.  Detailed entries do not exist in the finding aid, meaning that researchers are required to dig through the microfilm rolls in order to locate the documents they may need.  The files of the library incorporate large amounts of important primary material, including speeches by NSDAP officials and leaders, official correspondence, and propaganda materials.

• Miscellaneous Collections. Microfilm Publication A3345, Series B, DS, F, W. 1,393 rolls. (includes BDC Library collection)

RESEARCHING CAPTURED GERMAN FILMS AT NARA

Those interested in locating original German footage of Nazi rallies and/or the speeches of Nazi leaders, like Hitler and Goebbels, will be disappointed in the holdings at the National Archives.  A limited amount of this kind of footage is available at NARA, but researchers will be required to dig through the card index (described below) in order to locate it.  A rough estimate would conclude that roughly 90% of the footage in the collection is newsreel footage that depicts German military operations.  Scattered within these newsreels are snippets of political rallies and speeches.  References to these short scenes can be found in the card index, but detailed information on the speeches depicted is often not available.

The Motion Pictures library at NARA is on the fourth floor of the Archives II facility, across the hall from the Microfilm Reading Room.  Two finding aids are available for the captured motion picture holdings of the archive.  The first is a binder in which the individual films are listed by provenance (i.e., name of the organization that created them).  This binder is only a general listing.  It does not provide a detailed description of what is available on each reel of film.  A typical entry in this binder will list the item number of the film, the provenance, the date, and maybe the length of the clip (e.g., GN 14, German Newsreel, 1942, 9 min.)  Please note that this example is not real, but a facsimile of the entries one will find in the binder.

A far more detailed guide to captured German footage is available in the form of a card index.  Ask the archivist on duty for the card index to RG 242, Seized Enemy Records.  Each index card lists in detail the images that are on the individual film reels.  The card index has been divided into film series by provenance.  So, for example, the "GN" series lists films that are in the "German News" series.  Similarly, the "GPN" series stands for "German Portuguese News" series.

Research Note - Researchers are advised to look through the card index in depth.  German, Italian, and Japanese materials are often mixed together in the index, as items were cataloged in the order in which they were discovered.  It is only by looking through the index by hand that one can see what footage is available.  The card index is not available online.  Research using the card catalog can only be done at the archive itself.

ORDERING MICROFILM FROM NARA

For those who cannot visit the National Archives, it is possible to order reels of microfilm for use in local library and university microfilm readers.  Microfilm rolls can be purchased for $34.  For instructions on ordering click here: How to Order Microfilm from NARA

IMPORTANT OFFICIAL NAZI PARTY AND SS PUBLICATIONS

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The archive and library of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum represents the second largest collection in the U.S. of records that pertain to the Nazi Party and SS.  The library of the USHMM holds copies of two important official Nazi Party and SS publications, the Völkischer Beobachter and Das Schwarze Korps.

• The Völkischer Beobachter was the official newspaper of the Nazi Party.  As such the VB was one of the most important organs of government propaganda.  University and community libraries may also have collections of the VB for use by their patrons.  A word of warning, however, the VB is available only on microfilm.  This makes it a difficult source to use.  In addition, the articles are printed in Fraktur, which is a complicated German script to read. The USHMM library holds a complete set of the VB on microfilm.  Click here to access the USHMM Library Catalog.
   
• Das Schwarze Korps was the official newspaper of the SS, meaning it contains statements of the SS ideology that were officially sanctioned by Heinrich Himmler.  DSK also contains copies of speeches from leading SS and Nazi Party officials.  Copies of Das Schwarze Korps can be found on microfilm via the USHMM Library Catalog.

Organizations and individuals wishing to order microfilm of the VB or Das Schwarze Korps can do so via Mikropress.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

In addition to also holding complete series of the Völkischer Beobachter and Das Schwarze Korps, the Library of Congress also holds copies of several important official Nazi publications, including Der Hoheitsträger, Germanien: Monatshefte für Germanenkunde, and Dokumente der Deutschen Politik.

• The Völkischer Beobachter may be found in the Library of Congress, Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room, Madison Building, LM133.  Copies of the VB are available either on microfilm or in bound hard copy volumes.  Click here to access the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
   
• Das Schwarze Korps may be found in the Library of Congress, Microform Reading Room, Jefferson Building, LJ139B.  The Library of Congress holds DSK volumes 1-11, running from 1935 to 1945.  The Microfilm Reading Room is on the same floor as the General Reading Room in the Jefferson Building.  The call number is DD233 .S35.  Request the film rolls by year.  Click here to access the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
   
• Der Hoheitsträger may be found at the Library of Congress in the Jefferson Reading Room.  The call number  is DD253.A22 R43.  Der Hoheitsträger was a publication put out monthly by the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF - German Labor Office) of Dr. Robert Ley.  This publication was intended only for official use as political indoctrination material.  As such, it was directed at the leadership of various Nazi Party and police organizations for use in training.  Der Hoheitsträger was not to be distributed to the lower ranks of the party or to the general public.  The contents typical of an issue of Der Hoheitsträger include photo essays, inspirational quotations by Nazi Leaders and German historical figures, articles of political-ideological interest, antisemitic tracts, and pieces on race history and science.
  
  The Library of Congress does not hold a complete set of Der Hoheitsträger.  They do, however, hold four bound volumes of the publication.  Each of these volumes contains roughly one year's worth of issues.  These are organized as follows:
  
  Volume 1 - October 1937 to November 1938
  Volume 2 - January 1939 to January 1940
  Volume 3 - January/February 1941 to January 1942
  Volume 4 - January 1943 to December 1944
  
  Clearly, large gaps exist in these volumes.  Issues from February to December 1940 are missing, as are February to December 1942.  When requesting Der Hoheitsträger be sure to include the date range you want on the request slip (e.g., Der Hoheitsträger, DD253 .A22 R43, 1937-1938).  This date range is not indicated on the Library of Congress' online catalog.  Click here to access the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
   
• Germanien: Monatshefte für Germanenkunde may be found in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Building Reading Room, call number DD1 .G385.  Germanien was a monthly publication of the SS Ancestral Heritage Office (SS Ahnenerbe).  This journal dealt with Germanic art and culture throughout history.  A typical issue would contain detailed studies of historical anthropology, race science, runic studies, mythology, and the so-called "Indo-Germanic" history of Aryanism, going back as far as ancient India.
  
  The Library of Congress does not hold a complete set of Germanien.  It does, however, hold six bound volumes of the publication.  These are organized as follows:
  
  Volume 1 - January to December 1937
  Volume 2 - January to December 1938
  Volume 3 - January to December 1939
  Volume 4 - January to December 1940
  Volume 5 - January to December 1941
  Volume 6 - January to December 1942
  
  Gaps exist in this collection as well.  For example, the years 1936 and 1943-1945 are missing.  When requesting Germanien be sure to include the date of the volume you want on the request slip (e.g., Germanien, DD1 .G385, 1937).  This date range is not indicated on the Library of Congress' online catalog.  Click here to access the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
   
• Dokumente der Deutschen Politik may be found in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Building Reading Room.  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik was an annual publication released by the Nazi Party press that recounted the past year's most important political events.  As such, it represents the most extensive of official NSDAP documentary material in one place.  The documents in each volume are arranged by subject area, including developments in the economy, industry, foreign policy, Party matters, and so on.  The most important speeches given that year by Nazi Party leaders are also included in full.  These volumes represent the most extensive single printed collection of Hitler's speeches that are available anywhere.  A chronology of the year is included at the end of each volume, as is a listing of which speeches Hitler gave, when he gave them, and where he gave them.
  
  The Library of Congress does not hold a complete set of Dokumente der Deutschen Politik.  The volumes it does hold are listed below.  Unfortunately, the years 1938, 1939, Part 2 of 1941, and 1942-1945 are missing.  The volume for 1938 is available at the German Historical Institute (see Research Note below)  Volumes for the latter years of the regime may not have ever been printed.  Researchers should also be aware that as of this writing, Teil (Part) 1 for 1940 was missing from the Library of Congress' shelves, as was Teil (Part) 1 for 1941.  Click here to access the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Die nationalsozialistische Revolution, 1933 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.1 1942)
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Aufbau des deutschen Führerstaates, 1934 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.2 1942)
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Deutschlands Weg zur Freiheit, 1935 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.3 1941)
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Deutschlands Aufstieg zur Grossmacht, 1936 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.4 1942)
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Von der Grossmacht zur Weltmacht, 1937 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.5 1942)
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Der Kampf gegen den Westen, 1940 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.8, t. 1-2)
  
  Dokumente der Deutschen Politik: Der Kampf gegen den Osten, 1941 (DD253 .A1 D6 bd.9, t. 1)
  
  Research Note - Several volumes of Dokumente der Deutschen Politik are available at the Library of the German Historical Institute (1607 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Tel: (202) 387-3355, E-mail: info@ghi-dc.org), including