The National Archives and Records Administration-Great Lakes Region preserves more than 76,000 cubic feet of historically valuable records that were created or received by U. S. Government agencies, bureaus, military and navel organizations, and federal courts in six Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The earliest records date from 1800. All federal court records are open for public research without restriction, with the exception of depositions sealed by order of a federal judge. Some records about potentially living individuals may be restricted under the exemption provision of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or under the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). Archival records that are open for research may be examined in person by visiting the textual research room. Researchers are highly encouraged to consult with an archivist in advance of their intended visit, in order to discuss their interests and ensure that the records and staff will be available on the date of an intended visit. SERVICES: Photocopying of selected documents can be performed by the staff for a fee.

The Archives has 76,000 cubic feet of archival records, including textual, cartographic, photographic, and a few audio and video materials. All records are organized by record group according to the National Archives and Records Administration's system. There are nearly 100 separate record groups among the archival holdings of the Great Lakes Region, as well as several collections of donated materials that relate closely to some archival record groups. Photographs and maps exist among the records but usually are not kept separately from textual records.

Specific record groups that contain medical history materials include: RG 15, Records of the Veterans Administration; RG 21, Records of the District and Circuit Courts of the United States; RG 75, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; RG 85, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; RG 90, Records of the Public Health Service; RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office (1780s-1917); RG 100, Records of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; RG 112, Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army); RG 118, Records of United States Attorneys; RG 147, Records of the Selective Service System (1940-); RG 163, Records of the Selective Service System (World War I); RG 181, Records of Navel Districts and Shore Establishments; RG 269, General Records of the General Services Administration; RG 326, Records of the Atomic Energy Commission; RG 338, Records of U. S. Army Commands (1942-); RG 412, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency; RG 434, General Records of the Department of Energy; RG 463, Records of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.