How to Access Research Collections of Former U. S. Senators

Many former U. S. Senators donate their research documents to document repositories in their state. These documents include memos, reports, correspondence, appointment logs, calendars, databases, photographs, recorder interviews, and work-related documents (senate.gov/reference/common/faq/how_to_senators_papers.htm).

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. The U.S. Senate Historical Office provides a guide that lists available documents through 1995: Guide to Research Collections of Former United States Senators, 1789-1995. One can obtain this guide by writing to the Senate Historical Office, Washington DC 20510-7108. Researchers can also access research resources through a web-based search form.

2. A web-based version, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-present, covering content from 1774 through present is available using the following link: bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp. For example, a search for 'Robert Kennedy' brought up links to 'Kennedy, Robert Francis' (bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000114) and 'Kennedy, Robert Patterson' (bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000115).
   Biographical information is presented when a link is selected.

3. Researchers should then select the 'Research Collections' link provided in the left menu (bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/guidedisplay.pl?index=K000114). The collections are listed by location.
   .

Tips & Warnings

• Refer to the 'Resources' area for screen views. Unable to upload images for each step.

Resources

• Search Screen (Steps 1 & 2)
• Bio Screen (Step 2)
• Collections Results (Step 3)