Interested in genealogy? Writing a paper on Frederick Douglass’ role as the first African American Recorder of Deeds in Washington, DC? Want to learn more about DC Emancipation Day? All this and much, much more is available at the District of Columbia Archives.
The District of Columbia Archives holds historical and permanently valuable records of the DC Government such as birth and death records, Mayors’ papers and testaments and wills, including the original wills of both George Washington and Frederick Douglass. We are adding pages to our website that will feature many of these documents, as well as books and studies by local and international authors that used documents from our Archives, so check this site often.
Location: 1300 Naylor Court, NW – Naylor Court is a U-shaped alley in the block bounded by 9th, 10th, N, and O Streets NW, just two blocks north of the Walter A. Washington Convention Center. Metro: Mt. Vernon Sq./Convention Center on the Green Line
Office Hours: M-F 8:15 am - 4:45 pm
Research Hours: M-F 9 am - 4 pm
Phone: (202) 671-1105 Fax: (202) 671-6076
The genealogy records collection in the DC Archives includes:
- Birth certificates (1874-1928)
- Death certificates (1874-1932)
- Marriage certificates (1870-1991)
- Wills and probate records (1801-1999)
- Administration cases (1879-1958)
- Indentures of Apprenticeship records (1812-1893)
- Guardianships and Administrative Bonds records (1862-1939)
Links to additional historical repositories in the District of Columbia:
