威尼斯人娱乐场

World War I Records of American Involvement at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia

Introduction

This is a subject guide to the records of American involvement in World War I (1917-1918) held within the collection of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia. The United States entered the Great War on April 6, 1917, and President Woodrow Wilson enacted the Selective Service Act of May 18, 1917, in order to draft men into military service. Germany formally surrendered on November 11, 1918, and all nations agreed to stop fighting while the terms of peace were negotiated.

Although the United States was involved in World War I for less than two years, the event formed and shaped many governmental institutions, and paved the way for American involvement in World War II.  The 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia holdings were created by federal government agencies and courts based within the Mid-Atlantic States of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Some agencies also had jurisdiction in New Jersey.

This guide is sorted by topic to provide researchers with a better understanding of how to access records pertaining to American involvement in World War I. It is our hope that this guide helps enables students, citizen historians, and academics alike to discover records of World War I at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia. Each listed record is followed by a 威尼斯人娱乐场 Identifier (NAID), which can be used to learn more about the records in the .  The Record Group number鈥斺�淩G鈥� followed by a number鈥攄enotes which record group the record belongs to.  Following this introduction is a list of Record Group numbers, and the agencies with which they are associated.  Along with the records, each topic is followed by a series of possible discussion points and questions to help engage further thinking about World War I.

Record Groups

RG 4: Records of the United States Food Administration

RG 5: Records of the United States Grain Corporation

RG 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs

RG 17: Records of the Bureau of Animal Industry

RG 18: Records of the Army Air Forces

RG 21: Records of District Courts

RG 32: Records of the United States Shipping Board

RG 36: Records of the U.S. Customs Service

RG 58: Records of the Internal Revenue Service

RG 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service

RG 92: Records of the Quartermaster General

RG 156: Records of the Chief of Ordnance

RG 165: Records of War Department General and Special Staffs

RG 175: Records of the Chemical Warfare Service

RG 181: Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments

RG 392: Records of Army Coast Artillery Districts and Defenses

Military

Because the United States remained neutral for the majority of the war, there was significant work to be done by the military between the declaration of war and actual troop deployment.  The various military administrations worked to ensure that troops and supplies would quickly reach Europe, ready for action. The East Coast not only prepared to send men to Europe, but also for potential battles on American soil.  Bases served to train troops, distribute supplies, and defend the United States coast from enemy attacks.  There are several overlapping records within these headings; those under 鈥淎dministration鈥� are organized by type of document while those under 鈥淏ases鈥� by location.

Administration

National Security

Government agencies needed man power to provide adequate service during World War I.  People who were employed had to be clear of any suspicious behavior and follow strict protocols to ensure confidentiality and protection for the American public.

• Card Register of Names and Subjects in Correspondence
  • , 1918-1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602358
  • , 1917-1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602338
  • , 1918 鈥� 1919, (RG165)  NAID: 2602354
• Correspondence, 1917-1919,
  • , 1918-1919, (RG165)  NAID: 2602358
  • , 1917-1919, (RG165)  NAID: 2602338
  • , 1918-1919, (RG165)  NAID: 2602354

Army

The Army built up many branches in order to best serve in the war.  The Air Service, Coast and Harbor Defenses, and the Quartermaster General trained troops, protected the East Coast, and prepared provisions and shipped supplies.

• General Orders
  • , 1917-1918, 1923-1938, (RG18) NAID: 563332
  • , 1918, (RG18) NAID: 562709
  •  1917-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563522
  • , MD, 1911-1926, (RG392) NAID: 2668743
  • , 1914-1921, (RG392) NAID: 2669429
• , 1918-1919, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA, (RG18) NAID: 563336
• Special Orders
  • , 1917-1919, 1921, 1924, 1926-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563333
  • , 1917-1918, (RG18) NAID: 563326
  • , 1918-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563523
  • , MD, 1913-1927, (RG392) NAID: 2668748
  • , 1917-1919, 1921-1922, (RG392) NAID: 2669431
  • , 1913-1921, 1927, 1931-1933, 1937-1939, (RG392) NAID: 2674980
• , 1915, 1917-1918, Records of the Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2669432
• , 1918-1919, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA, (RG18) NAID: 563321
• , 1917-1919, General Records, Newport News, VA (RG92) NAID: 1011719
• General Correspondence
  • , Pittsburgh, PA, 1918-1919, (RG18) NAID: 562708
  • , Philadelphia, PA, 1917-1920, (RG92) NAID: 653092
• , 1918-1922, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA, (RG18) NAID: 562712
• , 1918, General Records, Newport News, VA, (RG92) NAID: 1011476
• , 1918-1919, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 562708
• , 1917-1919, General Records, Newport News, VA, (RG92) NAID: 1011714
• , 1917-1919, Depot Quartermaster鈥檚 Office, Philadelphia, PA, (RG92) NAID: 653933
• , 1917-1919, Depot Quartermaster鈥檚 Office, Philadelphia, PA, (RG92) NAID: 653934
• , 1918-1919, General Records, Newport News, VA, (RG92) NAID: 1011800
• , 1917-1945, Philadelphia, PA Quartermaster Depot, (RG92) NAID: 898729
• , 1918, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 563322
• , 1918-1919, Records of the Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2669443

Navy

The United States Navy countered enemy ships and U-Boat attacks while they transported soldiers and supplies to the front lines. The majority of the records listed below are not yet in NARA鈥檚 online Catalog.  If you would like to know more about these records, please contact staff at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia at Philadelphia.Archives@NARA.gov or at (215) 305-2044.

• Beneficiaries Files, U.S. Naval Home, Philadelphia, PA, Other Establishments, 1887-1960, (RG181) PH-6374
• Correspondence, 1 container, Naval Aircraft Factory, Warminster, PA, Naval Air Installations, 1916-1930, (RG181) PH-6372
• Exhibit Photos, 4 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1774-1994, (RG181) PH-6354
• History, 11 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1801-1994, (RG181) PH-6345
• Information Files, 9 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1801-1995, (RG181) PH-6344
• Change of Command Files, 5 containers, Philadelphia, PA  Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1828-1996, (RG181) PH-6337
• Ship Photographs, 52 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1776-1991, (RG181) PH-6335
• Events, 65 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1861-1994, (RG181) PH-6334
• Daily Logs of Work Done, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1918-1921, (RG181) PH-6299
• , 76 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1819-1944, PH-6287, (RG181) NAID: 4707519
• General Correspondence, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1910-1957, (RG181) PH-6273
• Index to Ships Files, 29 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1910-1926, (RG181) PH-6272
• Ships Files, 82 containers, Philadelphia, PA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1918-1926, (RG181) PH-6271
• , Norfolk, VA Navy Yard, Navy Yards, 1893-1939, PH-6244, (RG181) NAID: 4707059
• General Correspondence, Norfolk, VA Navy Yard, 1901-1925, (RG181) PH-6211
• Historical background files, Norfolk, VA Navy Yard, 1917-1950, (RG181) PH-6210
• Central Subject Files Naval Powder Factory, 5th Naval District (Indian Head, MD), Naval Districts, 1907-1925, (RG181) PH-6192
• General Correspondence, 5th Naval District (Norfolk, VA), 1901-1925, (RG181) PH-6170

Emergency Fleet Corporation

• , Philadelphia, PA, 1918-1919, (RG32) NAID: 615209
• , August 1917-December 1922, Records Maintained by the Authorized Representative for the Merchant Shipping Corporation (Bristol, PA), (RG32) NAID: 617355
• , August 1917-December 1922, Records Maintained by the Authorized Representative for the Merchant Shipping Corporation (Bristol, PA), (RG32) NAID: 617355

Shipping

, Baltimore, Maryland, 1917-1918, (RG 36) NAID: 669112

, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1789-1931, (RG 36) NAID: 565068

Bases

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

• , 1916-1918, (RG156) NAID: 635837
• , 1918, (RG156) NAID: 636129
• , 1917-1919, Constructing and Inspecting Officer, (RG156) NAID: 636174
• , 1918-1920, (RG156) NAID: 636132
• , October 1917-1918, Constructing and Inspecting Officer, (RG156) NAID: 636193
• , 1918, Constructing and Inspecting Officer, (RG156) NAID: 636197
• , 1918, Constructing and Inspecting Officer, (RG156) NAID: 1138070
• , 1917-1918, Constructing and Inspecting Officer, (RG156) NAID: 636186
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 636135
• , 1901-1941, (RG156) NAID: 635834
• , 1917-1919, Constructing and Inspecting Officer, (RG156) NAID: 1138060

• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 636131

• General Correspondence

  • , 1918-1920, (RG156) NAID: 635836
  • , 1917-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1138060
  • , 1919-1920, (RG156) NAID: 636211
• , 1917-1919, (RG156) NAID: 636120

Baltimore Ordnance Depot, MD

• Correspondence, 1918-1919,
  • , (RG156) NAID: 1353851
  • , (RG156) NAID: 1506140

Camp Eustis, VA

• , Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2678796

Curtis Bay Ordnance Depot, MD

• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1229750
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1229751
• , 1917-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1229752

Fort Du Pont, DE

• , 1901-1943, (RG392) NAID: 2675026
• , 1918, (RG392) NAID: 2675015
• , 1910-1937, (RG392) NAID: 2674825
• E, 1913-1921, 1927, 1931-1933, 1937-1939, (RG392) NAID: 2674980

Fort Armistead, MD

• , 1901-1943, (RG392) NAID: 2669152

Fort Carroll, MD

• , 1901-1943, (RG392) NAID: 2669170
• , 1902-1942, (RG392) NAID: 2669159

Fort Howard, MD 鈥� Harbor Defenses of Baltimore

• , 1901-1943, (RG392) NAID: 2669209
• , 1902-1942, (RG392) NAID: 2669194
• , 1911-1912, 1915-1918, (RG392) NAID: 2668641
• , 1916-1917, (RG392) NAID: 2668718
• , 1916-1917, 1919, (RG392) NAID: 2669125
• , 1911-1926, (RG392) NAID: 2668743
• , 1913-1927, (RG392) NAID: 2668748

Fort Smallwood, MD

• , 1901-1943, (RG392) NAID: 2669406
• , 1902-1942, (RG392) NAID: 2669405

Fort Mott, NJ

• , 1901-1943, (RG392) NAID: 2678545
• , 1902-1942, (RG392) NAID: 2678515

Fort Monroe, VA 鈥� Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay

• , 1910-1920, (RG392) NAID: 2678781
• , 1914-1921, (RG392) NAID: 2669429
• , 1917-1919, 1921-1922, (RG392) NAID: 2669431
• , 1915, 1917-1918, Records of the Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2669432
• , 1918-1919, Records of the Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2669443

Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, PA

• , 1908-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1067626
• , 1912-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1067628
• , 1910-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1067683

Langley Field, VA

• , Field Installations, 1917-1918, 1923-1938, (RG18) NAID: 563332
• , 1918-1919, Field Installations, (RG18) NAID: 563336
• , Field Installations, 1917-1919, 1921, 1924, 1926-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563333
• , 1918-1919, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA, (RG18) NAID: 563321
• , 1918-1922, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA, (RG18) NAID: 562712

Middletown Ordnance & Air Depot, PA

• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1233837
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1233833
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1233827
• 1917-1919, (RG 156) NAID: 1233830
• , 1917-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563522
• , 1918-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563523

Newport News, VA

• , 1917-1919, General Records, (RG92) NAID: 1011719

• , 1918, General Records, (RG92) NAID: 1011476
• , 1917-1919, General Records,  (RG92) NAID: 1011714
• , 1918-1919, General Records,  (RG92) NAID: 1011800

Penniman Ordnance Depot, VA

• , 1910-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1236999
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1525777
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1525804
• , 1917-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1525860

Philadelphia Ordnance Depot, PA

• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1361621
• , 1918-1919, Records of the General Ordnance Depot of Philadelphia, PA, (RG156) NAID: 1237001
• , 1910-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1237000
• Minutes of Meetings
  • , 1918-1921, (RG156) NAID: 1356158
  • , 1919-1920, (RG156) NAID: 1356160
  • , 1919-1920, (RG156) NAID: 1356162
  • , 1921-1924, (RG156) NAID: 1361619

Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, PA

• , 1917-1920, (RG92) NAID: 653092
• , 1917-1919, (RG92) NAID: 653933
• , 1917-1919, (RG92) NAID: 653934
• , 1917-1945, (RG92) NAID: 898729

Pig Point Ordnance Depot, VA

• , 1910-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1237003

Pittsburgh Ordnance Depot, PA

• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1366926
• , 1919, (RG156) NAID: 1366928
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1366860
• , 1918, (RG156) NAID: 1366925
• , 1910-1937, U.S. Steel Corp at Neville Island Gun Plant, (RG156) NAID: 1366923

Sandy Hook Proving Ground, NJ

• , 1917-1918, (RG156) NAID: 1174229
• , 1917-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1174225

Tobyhanna Ordnance Depot, PA

• , 1910-1937, (RG156) NAID: 1244165
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1244170
• , 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1244166
• , 1917-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1244166

Mobilization

Nearly 5 million men served the U.S. military during World War I, over half of whom were drafted.  These men contracted illnesses and injuries on the front lines as well as on the home front.

Recruits

The Selective Service Act of 1917 enlisted millions of men nationwide into military service. The personnel records from World War I, including the records of the Selective Service Administration, are held at the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR). The U.S. Draft Registration Cards and Classification Books can be accessed for free on , or through at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Atlanta.   Although not held at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia, recruit records provide a personal view of what life was like during the war.

Orders and Training

• General Orders
  • , MD, 1911-1926, (RG392) NAID: 2668743
  • , 1918, (RG18) NAID: 562709
  • , PA, 1917-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563522
  • , MD, 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1229751
• Special Orders
  • , 1917-1919, 1921, 1924, 1926-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563333
  • , 1918-1939, (RG18) NAID: 563523
  • , PA, 1919, (RG156) NAID: 1233830
  • , MD, 1913-1927, (RG392) NAID: 2668748
  • , VA, 1917-1919, 1921-1922, (RG392) NAID: 2669431
  • , 1913-1921, 1927, 1931-1933, 1937-1939, (RG392) NAID: 2674980
• , 1915, 1917-1918, Records of the Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2669432
• , 1918-1919, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA (RG18) NAID: 563321
• , 1918-1919, Records of Philadelphia Ordnance District, PA (RG156) NAID: 1361623
• , Seventh Group, 1920-1921, Records of Field Installations, Langley Field, Hampton, VA (RG18) NAID: 562711
• , 1918, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA (RG18) NAID: 563322
• , 1917-1920, Records of the Coast Defense of Chesapeake Bay, (RG392) NAID: 2669436
• , 1918, General Records of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (RG156) NAID: 636105
• , 1918, General Records, Newport News, VA (RG92) NAID: 1012519
• , 1918-1919, Records of the General Ordnance Depot of Curtis Bay, MD (RG156) NAID: 1229747
• , 1918-1919, Records of the General Ordnance Depot of Curtis Bay, MD (RG156) NAID: 1229750
• , 1918-1919, Records of the U.S. Chemical Plant Number Four Saltville, VA (RG175) NAID: 2770029

Deployment

• Correspondence Relating to鈥�,  General Records, Newport News, VA
  • , 1918-1920, (RG92) NAID: 1011460
  • , 1918, (RG92) NAID: 1011465
• , 1918-1919, General Records, Newport News, (RG92) NAID: 1011709
• Special Orders
  • , MD, 1913-1927, (RG392) NAID: 2668748
  • , MD, 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1229752
  • , PA, 1919, (RG156) NAID: 1233830
  • , PA, 1919, (RG156) NAID: 1244166
• , 1919, Records of the General Ordnance Depot of Tobyhanna, PA, (RG156) NAID: 1244166

Health Management

Soldiers鈥� health was of utmost importance.  It was crucial to prevent the spread of disease and to properly treat 鈥渟hell shock,鈥� a newly-emerged condition that afflicted soldiers during and after the war.  These records detail the ways in which hospitals treated physically or mentally sick soldiers, as well as how the government handled those who were faking illness to get out of service.

• Correspondence, 1918-1920, General Records, Newport News, VA
  • ,1918-1920, (RG92) NAID: 1011460
  • , 1918-1919, (RG92) NAID: 1011572

Standing Down

Soldiers returning to the United States after the Great War needed help to readjust to life outside of war.  Soldiers and the government faced old and new mental and physical health problems, resulting from trench warfare, and chemical and mechanized weapons.  Some medical historians believe that returning soldiers brought with them the Spanish Influenza, which killed more people in total than the war itself during the Influenza Epidemic of 1918.  To aid the adjustment process, the government created special programs for veterans and active duty soldiers.  In some cases, United States immigrants who fought for the U.S. during the war were able to petition for naturalization afterward.

Immigration

• Military Petitions for Naturalization
  • , 1802-1991, (RG21) NAID: 567323
  • , 1918-1923, (RG21) NAID: 3083600
  • , 1851-1991, (RG21) NAID: 1168978
  • , 1918-1919, (RG21) NAID: 874103

Health Management

• Correspondence, 1918-1920, General Records, Newport News, VA
  • ,1918-1920, (RG92) NAID: 1011460
  • , 1918-1919, (RG92) NAID: 1011572

National Home, Southern Branch, Hampton, Va

• , 1871-1933, (RG15) NAID: 562694

Schuylkill Arsenal, PA

• , 1917-1920, (RG 92) NAID: 653092
• , 1917-1919, (RG 92) NAID: 653933

• , 1917-1919, (RG 92) NAID: 653934

Philadelphia Naval Home, PA

• , 1910-1940, (RG 24) NAID: 2600757
• , 1842-1942, (RG 24) NAID: 2600788

U.S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

• Reports of Autopsies (Post Mortem Books), 1909-1918, (RG 52) PH-2984

Veterans Affairs

Following the end of World War I, over two million soldiers returned home without employment and many without any job training.  Since the beginning of U.S. involvement in the War, Congress had been working to have benefit programs available for the returning servicemen.  The result was the passage of the Vocational Rehabilitation Ace of 1918, the Veterans Bureau Act of 1921, and the World War Veterans鈥� Act of 1924.  These acts set up the Federal apparatus to provide training and financial support to veterans.

National Home, Southern Branch, Hampton, VA

• , 1871-1933, (RG15) NAID: 562694

Rehabilitation Division, Baltimore, MD

• , 1920-1926, District and Regional Files, (RG15) NAID: 562695
• , 1920-1926, District and Regional Files, (RG15) NAID: 562704
• , 1918-1925, District And Regional Files, District 3: Pennsylvania and Delaware, (RG15) NAID:5888579
• , 1918-1925, District And Regional Files, District 4: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, (RG15) NAID: 5888981

Home Front

Military success in wartime depends on the work of the home front.  During World War I, the American home front played a crucial part in providing necessities to allied soldiers.  Various agencies were created or tasked with new programs to get civilians involved with the war effort.

Food Conservation & Production

The United States remained physically untouched by the war, making it possible to feed the American soldiers along with the starving European allies.  However, farmers and civilians needed to learn how to minimize waste and how to maximize conservation and production.  The government developed several programs and agencies to aid in this effort.

Conservation

Office of the Federal Food Administrator

• General Correspondence
  • , 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 613644
  • , 1917-1918, (RG4) NAID: 614522
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614237
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614243
  • , 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614574
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614548
• General Correspondence of...
  • , 1917-1918, (RG4) NAID: 614575
  • , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 567990
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614552
• Correspondence
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614214
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614218
  • , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614220
• Correspondence with...
  • , 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614240
  • , 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614576
  • , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614562
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614247
• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614237
• , WV, 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614577
• , WV, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614578
• , WV, 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614579
• , MD, 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 613646

Office of Director of Food Administration, WV

• , 1917-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614580
• , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614587
• , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614586
• , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614585
• , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614584

Division of County Administration, PA

• Correspondence with:
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614314
  • , 1917-1918, (RG4) NAID: 614327

Division of Conservation

• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614519
• , PA, 1917-1918, (RG4) NAID: 614520

The Enforcement Division

• Correspondence File of...
  • , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614174
  • , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614180

  • , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614569

• , MD, 1917-1918, (RG4) NAID: 614189
• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614350
• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614362
• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614350
• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614350

Office of the State Merchant Representative, MD

• , 1918, (RG4) NAID: 614211

Office of the State Library Director, MD

• , 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614209

Division of Dairy Interests

• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614517

Division of Press News

• , PA, 1918-1919, (RG4) NAID: 614521

Production

• , 1917-1918, Office of the Second Vice President, Baltimore Agency, MD, (RG5) NAID: 570964
• , 1918-1919, Office of the Second Vice President, Baltimore Agency, MD, (RG5) NAID: 570964
• , 1887-1918, Records of the Baltimore, MD Station, (RG17) NAID: 616310

Education

War provided opportunities for education programs that had not previously existed or been necessary, including education about food conservation as well as military training for the Air Services.

About Food Conservation & Production

• , 1917-1918, Records of the Division of Conservation, PA, (RG4) NAID: 614520

For Military

• , 1918-1919, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 562708
• , 1918-1919, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 562708
• , 1918, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 562709
• , 1917-1918, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 563326
• , 1918, Records of Radio Schools, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA, (RG18) NAID: 563322

Women

Since the country鈥檚 founding, women have led programs and worked in industries reserved for men during wartime.  The female workers of World War I contributed in numerous ways to the war effort, and some even sought to leave the U.S. to serve on the battlefield as military nurses.

• , 1917-1918, Records of the Division of Conservation, PA, (RG4) NAID: 614520
• , 1917-1945, Philadelphia, PA Quartermaster Depot, (RG92) NAID: 898729
• , 1918-1919, District 4, Philadelphia, PA, (RG85) NAID: 567234

Immigration

During World War I, the government sought to prove the loyalty of immigrants, especially those from enemy countries.  This included interrogating those who sought to return to their home countries in the last moments of the war and right after it was over.  Immigrants who fought for the U.S. military and were honorably discharged were also eligible to apply for naturalization.

• , 1918-1919, District 4, Philadelphia, PA, (RG85) NAID: 567234
• , 1918, General Records, Newport News, VA, (RG92) NAID: 1011476

• Military Petitions for Naturalization

  • , 1802-1991, (RG21) NAID: 567323
  • , 1918-1923, (RG21) NAID: 3083600
  • , 1851-1991, (RG21) NAID: 1168978
  • , 1918-1919, (RG21) NAID: 874103

Civilian Employees

• , 1918, General Records of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, (RG156) NAID: 636108
• , 1917-1919, Constructing and Inspecting Officer of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, (RG156) NAID: 1138060

Defense

Though the United States had not been attacked on its own land, the government worked to uphold national security.  As a precaution to keep civilians safe from enemy attack, the U.S. built up defenses throughout major port cities.

• , 1911-1912, 1915-1918, Records of the Harbor Defenses of Baltimore, (RG392) NAID: 2668641
• , 1916-1917, Records of the Harbor Defenses of Baltimore, (RG392) NAID: 2668718
• , 1913-1921, 1927, 1931-1933, 1937-1939, Records of the Harbor Defense of Fort Du Pont, DE, (RG392) NAID: 2674980
• Fort Record Books
  • , 1901-1918, (RG392) NAID: 2669170
  • , 1901-1918, (RG392) NAID: 2669152
• Battery Emplacement Books
  • , 1903-1921, (RG392) NAID: 2669159
  • , 1902-1927, (RG392) NAID: 2669194

Other Government Operations

The U.S. government strived to end the war quickly.  Through developing new technologies, working with non-government businesses, creating new taxes, and transporting supplies, the United States helped the Allied powers end the war and begin reconstruction.

Weapons Development & Testing

World War I marked a drastic change in warfare as weapons became mechanized.  The United States worked hard to develop new and efficient weapons to use in the war.

• Card Register of Names and Subjects in Correspondence
  • , 1918-1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602358
  • , 1917-1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602338
  • , 1918 鈥� 1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602354
• Correspondence
  • , 1918-1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602358
  • , 1917-1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602338
  • , 1918 鈥� 1919, (RG165) NAID: 2602354
• , 1915-1918, General Records of the Sandy Hook, NJ Proving Ground, (RG156) NAID: 1174196
• , 1916, General Records of the Sandy Hook, NJ Proving Ground, (RG156) NAID: 1174220
• , 1918-1935, General Records of the Frankford Arsenal, PA, (RG156) NAID: 1068213
• , 1918-1940, General Records of the Aberdeen, MD Proving Ground, (RG156) NAID: 1138053

Contracts

The U.S. government worked with private companies, contracting their services for industrial goods to be used in the war effort.

• General Correspondence
  • , 1917-1919, (RG5) NAID: 570964
  • , VA, 1918-1919, (RG156) NAID: 1237003
• Correspondence, 1918-1919,
  • , Baltimore and Hagerstown, MD, (RG156) NAID: 1506140
  • , (RG156) NAID: 1353851
• , 1919-1922 Records Maintained by the Authorized Representative for the Merchant Shipping Corporation (Bristol, PA), (RG32) NAID: 635817
• , 1918-1919, Office of the Second Vice President, Baltimore, MD Agency, (RG5) NAID: 570964
• , September 1917-November 1922, Records Maintained by the Authorized Representative for the Merchant Shipping Corporation (Bristol, PA), (RG32) NAID: 635809
• , 1919, Records of Philadelphia, PA Ordnance District, (RG156) NAID: 1361616
• , 1919-1920, Records of Philadelphia, PA Ordnance District, (RG156) NAID: 1361617

Finances

The U.S. government helped to fund the war by imposing or increasing taxes on non-essential goods and services. In the World War I period the tax on beer and wines was increased, additional occupational taxes were imposed, and admissions to theaters, circuses, bowling alleys, and billiard parlors were taxed.  A tax was imposed on telegrams and telephone calls and on steamship tickets for destinations abroad.  The income tax was increased and an estate tax, a capital stock tax, and a tax on munitions makers were levied.  In 1921 rates were lowered on some taxes, and other taxes were abolished.  Grains for making beer were taxed, and the responsibility for the enforcement of prohibition was assigned to the Bureau of Prohibition until 1927.

• , December 1917-February 1918, Records of the Baltimore, MD District Office, (RG58) NAID: 4717591
• , 1884-1922, Records of the Baltimore, MD District Office, (RG58) NAID: 4717592
• , 1915-1921, Records of the Baltimore, MD District Office, (RG58) NAID: 4734298
• Tax Assessment Lists
  • , 1893-1919, (RG58) NAID: 4713143
  • , 1867-1917, (RG58) NAID: 4779024
  • , 1862-1953, (RG58) NAID: 4713149

Legal

Case law gives insights into both routine life and war-related issues.  Criminal cases include actions brought under Espionage Act of 1917, the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917; alien registrations; and investigations of Socialist Party activities

• Military Petitions for Naturalization (RG 21)
  Act of May 9, 1918 allowed aliens serving in the U.S. Army to petition for citizenship.
  • , 1802-1991,  NAID: 567323
  • , 1918-1923, NAID: 3083600
  • , 1918-1919, NAID: 1168978
  • , 1918-1919, NAID: 874103
• Admiralty law
  Apart from statutory provisions as to registry, licensing, inspection, navigation, and seizure and forfeiture of vessels and cargo, American admiralty law deals with such matters as prizes, ransom, military salvage, and a great variety of maritime contracts and torts.  Suits and proceedings could be brought against things as well as individuals.
  • Case Files and related records (RG 21)
    • : 1790-1966, NAID: 278848; : NAID: 654301
    • Baltimore, MD:  , 1872-1959, NAID: 3720077
    • Charleston, WV: 1911-1948, PH-1755; , 1901-1948, NAID: 4706947
    • : 1909-1948, NAID 571571; : 1811-1952, NAID: 609227
    • : 1789-1966, NAID: 559889; : 1802-1966, NAID: 566738
    • 1846-1966, NAID: 571591; : 1856-1966, NAID: 650863
    • : 1867-1930, NAID: 1168951
    • : 1853-1966, NAID: 609027
    • : 1834-1966, NAID: 571585; ; 1809-1966, NAID 650026
  • Dockets and indices
    • : 1867-1939, NAID: 2838922
  • Writs of survey (RG 21):
    • Philadelphia, PA: 1840-1939, NAID: , and 1789-1940, NAID: ; index: 1843-1926, NAID:
• Civil Law (RG 21)
  • : Clarksburg, WV: 1832-1986, (RG 21) NAID: 2321389
  • Common Law case records:
    Common Law actions include non-criminal cases that did not fall under admiralty (maritime), bankruptcy, contract or property (equity) matters
    • Case files:
      • , VA, NAID 636734, dockets: NAID 2279465
      • , MD, NAID 636727, dockets: NAID 654102
      • , VA: NAID  636742, dockets: NAID 4526881
      • , VA, NAID: 636741, dockets: NAID 4502699
      • , WV, NAID 637513, dockets: NAID 651437
      • , MD: NAID  655525, dockets: NAID 655522
      • , VA, NAID 636737, dockets: NAID 4509710
      • , WV, NAID 637544, dockets: NAID 4688331
      • , WV, NAID 637545
      • , WV, NAID 636738, dockets: NAID 4529436
      • , VA, NAID 636739, dockets: NAID 4490387
      • , WV: NAID 637541, dockets: NAID 4685882
      • , WV, NAID 637542, dockets: NAID 4700586
      • , PA: NAID 783962, dockets: NAID 783946
      • , WV, NAID 637543, dockets: NAID 4687898
      • , VA, NAID 636740, dockets: NAID 4522165
      • , PA, NAID 636731, dockets: NAID 655595
      • , WV, NAID 637514, dockets: NAID 4683833
      • , DE, NAID 561850, dockets: NAID 650720; index: NAID 3768789
  • Criminal Law
    • U.S. Attorney precedent case files (RG 118):
      • (based in Philadelphia), NAID 32199689 (1908-1987)
      • (based in Harrisburg), NAID 29007799 (1919 鈥� 1980)
    • U. S. District Court case files (RG 21):
      • , VA, NAID 593067; NAID 2279471. and NAID
      • , VA, NAID 571616; NAID 2771583
      • , MD: NAID 278859; NAID 654306
      • , VA, NAID 593073; NAID 2774961
      • , WV, NAID 593075
      • , WV: NAID 593076; NAID 4706837; NAID 2771751
      • , VA, NAID 593068; NAID 2774959
      • , WV: NAID 593077; NAID 2788676
      • , MD, NAID 570403;
      • , VA, NAID 593069; NAID 719857<
      • , WV: NAID  593079; NAID 2788744
      • , VA, NAID 593070; NAID 2771964
      • , WV, NAID 593081; NAID 2771754
      • , VA, NAID 593071; NAID 2771967
      • , WV, NAID 593084; dockets NAID 2788689
      • , VA: NAID 570404; NAID 1112228
      • : NAID 593085; NAID 561851
      • , PA: NAID 279067; 2770229
      • , WV, NAID 593086; NAID 2788695
      • , PA, NAID 572204; , NAID 2837560; NAID 2771434
      • , VA: NAID  570402; NAID 1168975
      • , VA, NAID 593072; NAID 2774958
      • : NAID 572150
      • , WV, NAID 593088; NAID 2788736
      • , DE: NAID  570387; NAID 3794070; NAID 2771443
  • District court related records:
    • Habeas corpus case files, , PA, NAID 2837530
• Circuit Courts of Appeals:
  • Third Circuit (based in Philadelphia; includes cases referred from federal district courts in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands)
    • NAID 279186
    • NAID 2133092
    • NAID 572256
    • NAID 572220

  • Fourth Circuit (based in Richmond, VA; includes cases referred from federal district courts in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia)

    • NAID 572646

    • NAID 572651

    • NAID 572352
    • NAID 572348
    • NAID 572344
    • NAID 572343
    • NAID 572316; NAID 572310
    • NAID 572285

Supplies

Several military bases were involved with the transportation of supplies to Europe, including air depots, proving grounds, the Quartermaster General and the Emergency Fleet Corporation.

• , 1917-1939, Records of the Middletown Air Depot, Middletown, PA, (RG18) NAID: 563522
• , 1918-1939, Records of the Middletown Air Depot, Middletown, PA, (RG18) NAID: 563523
• General Correspondence
  • , 1918-1920, (RG156) NAID: 636235
  • , PA, 1917-1920, (RG92) NAID: 653092
  • , VA, 1917-1920, (RG92) NAID: 1011456
  • , 1918-1920, (RG156) NAID: 636207

• . 1918, General Records, Newport News, VA, (RG92) NAID: 1011465

• , Ordnance School of Application of the Aberdeen, MD, Proving Ground, (RG156) NAID: 636235

• , 1918-1919, (RG32) NAID: 615209

• , 1917-1919, Depot Quartermaster鈥檚 Office, Philadelphia, PA, (RG92) NAID: 653933

• , 1918, General Records, Newport News, VA, (RG92) NAID: 1012520

Contact & Usage Information

Would you like to make an appointment to view records listed in this guide? Please call 215-305-2044, or \ us at Philadelphia.archives@nara.gov, to schedule a Research Room appointment.

威尼斯人娱乐场 at Philadelphia
14700 Townsend Road

Philadelphia, PA, 19154-1096

(215) 305-2044
Philadelphia.Archives@NARA.gov

Other NARA Resources

• 威尼斯人娱乐场 Catalog. RG 165.  NAID: .   
  This is a search in the 威尼斯人娱乐场 catalog for World War I records.  These items are interesting photographs from various special groups that acted in WWI, including the American Red Cross Nurses and the African American Harlem Hellfighters.
   
• DocsTeach: these are two of many activities developed by the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Education Team regarding WWI 鈥�
  • 
     
• Blog from the Archivist of the United States might be helpful:
  • ?
     
• 威尼斯人娱乐场. Military Records Work War I Research Guide.  Retrieved from
   
• 威尼斯人娱乐场, Washington D.C. & Kamps, A.D. [curator].  What鈥檚 Cooking, Uncle Sam? [Google Cultural Institute].  
  Retrieved from
   
• 威尼斯人娱乐场, Philadelphia & DiAgostino, G. [curator].  .  
   
• 威尼斯人娱乐场 and Records Administration. The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918.  
   
• 
   

Non-NARA resources

• Library of Congress.  (2015). Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room.  .
  A list of American newspapers with headlines concerning World War I.
   
• Home Before the Leaves Fall.  (2014).
  鈥淐ollaborative by design, Home Before the Leaves Fall is a multi-institutional project highlighting materials and resources on the Great War, with articles curated by individual scholars and experts guiding readers through the many threads that weave materials into a narrative tapestry, while social media spotlighting newly digitized content, creative and educational use of materials, and news of other Great War commemorations.鈥� (from site About page)
   
• .  (2016).
  鈥淭he National World War I Museum and Memorial is America's leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum fulfills its mission by:
  • Maintaining the Liberty Memorial as a beacon of freedom and a symbol of the courage, patriotism, sacrifice, and honor of all who served in World War I
  • Interpreting the history of World War I to encourage public involvement and informed decision-making
  • Providing exhibitions and educational programs that engage diverse audiences
  • Collecting and preserving historical materials with the highest professional standards鈥� (from 威尼斯人娱乐场 page)
     

• .  (2016).  
  The link leads directly to the results of searching for the term 鈥渨orld war one鈥�.

• 
  The link leads directly to results of searching for the term 鈥淲WI鈥�.

• Wencour, S. & Reisch, M.  (1989). From
  This chapter contains information about Mary Richmond, a prominent scholar in social work during the time of WWI.  It offers an interesting perspective on society鈥檚 view of the downtrodden after a devastating war.

• National Philanthropic Trust.  (2016). .  
  A visual exhibit of philanthropic acts 1500 to present.  The section containing information from 1890 to 1930 contains a few interesting mentions of philanthropy during World War I.

• Carlin, D. (Producer).  (2013). Hardcore History [Audio podcast]. .   
  A six part podcast that thoroughly explains World War I, from beginning to end.  It explores deeper political and social reasons for the war and why it truly was the first Great War.

• Green, J. & CrashCourse (Producer).  (2012). [YouTube video].  World War I video playlist. 
  A series of 4 videos created by CrashCourse and performed by John Green.  They are a brief explanation of the causes and effects of WWI on the modern world.

• Hicks, W.E.  (1949). . 

• Office of the Historian.  .   

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  (2016). .