History
Research Guidelines
Research
Finding Your Family's CCC Story
The vast history of the Civilian Conservation Corps covers many facets. Historical data is housed in federal, state, and county archives — and in attics, basements, and agency offices across the country. One of the most commonly asked questions is: "How can I find out where my Dad served?"
Records are available through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). CCC Legacy does not have access to official personnel records and is not able to search government records on your behalf — but we can help point you in the right direction.
Record Group 35 — the official NARA guide to Civilian Conservation Corps records.
National Archives — St. Louis
The National Archives and Records Center in St. Louis holds the primary collection of CCC personnel records. Records can be requested by anyone with the correct enrollment information.
Fee Schedule
- Five or fewer pages: $25.00
- Over five pages: $70.00
Most CCC records exceed five pages — expect approximately $70.00. Do not send payment with your request; NARA will notify you after locating records.
Death certificates are no longer required to request information on deceased CCC enrollees, though including one may yield more complete information. CCC records contain personal information requiring screening under Freedom of Information Act exemptions before release.
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
ATTN: Archival Programs
P.O. Box 38757
St. Louis, MO 63138
Phone: (314) 801-9250 · Fax: (314) 801-9187
Gather This First
Before submitting a records request, assemble as much of the following as possible. Limited information will require preliminary research before you have enough detail to file a proper request.
National Archives — College Park, MD
Camp and company reports — including Camp Inspection Reports and Project Reports with photographs — are held at the College Park facility but are not yet fully indexed. Early records from 1933 and 1934 are scarce.
When requesting, provide the camp designation number (e.g., Camp SP-7 near Munford, Alabama). If unknown, the company number (e.g., Company 468) can usually be cross-referenced from state camp lists.
Gene Morris, Civilian Records, Textual Archives Services
Phone: (301) 837-1993
If information is unavailable at College Park, contact the National Forest nearest to the camp location — they may hold additional records.
Other Research Sources
Bureau of Land Management
Records of work projects conducted by the Department of Grazing and other BLM departments are filed at the Rocky Mountain Regional Archives in Denver, Colorado.
Native American Records
Information concerning American Indians who served in the CCC can be explored through the National Archives. Over 80,000 Native Americans participated in the program before its termination.
Camp Lists
CCC Legacy maintains a database of recorded CCC camps by state. Searching for your enrollee's likely state of service is often the best first step.
Explore camp lists →Share Your Research
CCC Legacy encourages researchers to share their findings so others can learn. Send your CCC story or research notes to the organization.
Contact CCC Legacy →