NARA and FHL Film Numbers

You may have numbers from the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Numbers often start with a letter. These numbers refer to sets of records in their collection. Here is one method to use to convert a NARA number to a Family History Library number.

1. Go to www.genealogy-links.org.

2. Click the tab 3-US Records.

3. Click Archives –National Archives in the left column.

4. Click NARA films vs FHL films.

The first column in the chart is labeled NARA Series. The letters and numbers refer to a specific series of films housed in the National Archives. The second column is labeled FHL First Film. This is the first film number in a specific set of records in the collection of the Family History Library. The third column is labeled Film Extent. The number in this column is the total number of Family History Library films for the set of records.

Follow the instructions below to find the Family History Library film number.

1. Copy the first film number you found in column 2.

2. Go to www.familysearch.org.

3. Click the Library tab.

4. Click Family History Library Catalog.

5. Click Film/Fiche Search.

6. Paste the film number that you copied from column 2 and click Search.

7. Click View Film Notes to see the content of each film.