Spirit of St. Louis: Military & Civilian Records at the National Personnel Records Center

The webinar delivers an engaging and detailed tour of the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis—one of the most valuable yet least understood repositories for 20th-century U.S. military and civilian records. Presenter Tina Beaird explains the structure of the national archives system, clarifies which records are held where, and offers practical, field-tested strategies for requesting, accessing, and interpreting military and civilian personnel files. Through real examples, she demonstrates how these collections can illuminate an ancestor’s service history, movements, medical events, and family interactions, making the NPRC an indispensable resource for genealogical research.

Key Takeaways
• Know the Three-Archive System: The NPRC houses personnel files for veterans who served from 1914 onward, while unit, base, and overseas records may instead be located at Archives I in Washington, D.C., or Archives II in College Park, Maryland. Understanding which archive holds which materials prevents wasted time and broadens what researchers can uncover.

• Work Around Fire-Damaged or Reconstructed Files: The 1973 fire destroyed or damaged millions of Army and Army Air Corps records, resulting in partial “burn files” or reconstructed files. Tina outlines how to interpret what survives, how next-of-kin status affects access, and which alternate record groups—such as morning reports, muster rolls, and daily sick lists—can help fill gaps or confirm family stories.

• Explore Civilian, Burial, and Special Record Groups: Beyond personnel records, the NPRC holds selected civilian employment files (such as CCC, WPA, and federal agency employment), as well as burial case files, WWII/Korean War Individual Deceased Personnel Files, court-martial records, and certain pension files. These collections can reveal correspondence, unit activity, medical details, and personal circumstances that enrich an ancestor’s narrative far beyond basic service dates.

This webinar offers researchers a practical roadmap for navigating the NPRC and related archives, making it easier to locate meaningful records and interpret them with confidence. Watching the full session provides deeper demonstrations, additional examples, and actionable guidance that can significantly enhance military research.

To continue strengthening your research, consider viewing the complete webinar and exploring the additional resources included in the syllabus—an excellent way to build on the insights introduced here and uncover even more of your ancestors’ stories.