Discover what it's like to research at the National Archives in Chicago. This post details my recent on-site work on a client's Native American "brick wall" case, highlighting the strict rules, the delicate, transparent papers, and the captivating, yet distracting, historical narratives.

On a recent trip to the National Archives in Chicago, I delved into a client's challenging Native American "brick wall" ancestry. Navigating fragile records and even disintegrating books, I encountered a truly surprising find: an exceptionally long list of names that cascaded off the table! Get a glimpse into this meticulous research process and see sample files from the visit.