How do I find out if records related to my topic are available?
Manuscript
Where manuscripts or microfilm consist of personal papers, they are listed under the name of the individual, otherwise, they are found under the name of the entity that created the papers. The alphabetical list of manuscripts also provides inclusive dates; volume; and a brief identification of the individual and his relationship to Dwight D. Eisenhower, if applicable. Volume is expressed in linear feet; about two thousand pages comprises one foot. Microfilm contains the same information found under manuscripts, except that size is indicated in number of rolls, and the name of the depository that holds the original materials is given. Each 100-foot roll of microfilm contains approximately one thousand images or pages.
Currently the finding aids are available for a portion of the processed collections online as pdf documents only. Most web browsers, such as Netscape or Microsoft Internet, have search capabilities found in the browser's Edit option which will allow you to conduct topic searches of web documents.
Finding aids vary considerably in size and detail. Some consist of unannotated container (folder title) lists; but the container lists for most have extensive annotations following each folder title, indicating the subjects documented by the folder. Some finding aids also have scope and content notes which give an overview of the collection. In the future, as more staff time becomes available for descriptive projects, finding aids will be refined, and in time a comprehensive listing for the entire collection will be prepared.
Because of the complexity of archival research, scholars should be cautious about attempting to conduct research off-site by relying on keyword searches. Researchers devising a preliminary search strategy will need to consider the functions of offices and individuals, the types of documents most likely to meet their needs, and the time frame of the event or issue they are researching.
Keyword subject searches can be useful for identifying some of the files critical to a researcher's subject, particularly if the files were originally created as subject files or in such instances when the Eisenhower Library staff has provided subject annotations following folder titles (such annotations are enclosed in brackets []).
However, many folders have broad subject titles (e.g. "Asia"), that relate to categories of documents or official functions (e.g. "Press Conference Transcripts"), that have chronological headings ( e.g. "Correspondence, March 1955") or bear the name of individuals (e.g. "Douglas Dillon") are more difficult to approach via straight forward keyword searching.
Link to Finding Aids Online
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