Regional archive moves raise access concerns

In a September 30, 2026 letter, the American Society for Legal History questioned plans to disperse the Chicago and San Bruno archives. It warned that separating regional collections could require longer research trips and disrupt staff knowledge. Those were the society’s concerns, rather than measured outcomes of completed moves. ^[1]

The policy background predates those plans. A December 27, 2022 National Archives post described extending the electronic-records transition deadline to June 30, 2024 after pandemic delays. Agencies unable to meet the goals could request exceptions. That post described goals and exceptions, rather than completed conversions. ^[2]

NARA’s updates, revised September 30, 2026, attribute the planned closures to reduced paper-storage demand and ageing facilities. They promise research access after relocation, with different record groups going to different cities. For Chicago’s Railroad Retirement Board records, the agency estimated an October 13 closure and January 15, 2027 availability in Boston. These were estimates, not confirmation that the transfer had finished. ^[3]

Online access has its own limits. NARA’s electronic-records FAQ says not every file in a series is available through the catalogue; online files must be unrestricted or public-use versions. A description can identify holdings without supplying every file. Location, transfer status and online availability therefore remain separate questions for researchers. ^[4]

About this item: Retrospective report. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.