INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORICAL REFERENCE BRANCH |
Historical Reference Branch
1 Head
4 Historians
1 Reference Assistant
INTRODUCTION
The Reference Branch provides historical research and reference services for Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Corps University, Marine Corps units, other military organizations and government agencies, active duty Marines, and the general public. The branch is also responsible for several key programs and projects including the Unit Lineage and Honors Program, ALMARS, and the Commemorative Naming Program. Additionally, the branch serves as the division focal point for the research and preparation of numerous articles, brief histories, studies, and reports for use within the History Division, MCU, HQMC, and DOD.
The Reference Branch answers many thousands of written, telephone, and in-person requests each year. Reference historians are available to answer questions or direct researchers to appropriate holdings. The branch maintains a large body of secondary historical sources collected over many decades, as well as copies of some primary sources. Visiting researchers are welcome to review materials in the branch's Researcher Room.
VISITING RESEARCHERS:
STAFF ASSISTANCE: The Reference Branch staff is available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY to explain the various holdings of the branch and assist in making the desired materials available in the Branch's Researcher Room. The staff will also direct researchers to appropriate records and other related holdings and agencies. To make an appointment, please call 703-432-4874.
COPYING: All materials for copying must be reviewed by a member of the Reference Branch.
HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
OTHER RESEARCHERS:
WRITTEN REQUESTS: Researchers may write to the Reference Branch with requests for historical information. The address is:
Reference Branch
Marine Corps History Division
3078 Upshur Avenue
Quantico, Virginia 22134
Please note that staff limitations preclude this office from conducting extensive research or doing extensive copying for individuals.
TELEPHONE REQUESTS: The Reference Branch will respond to telephone requests if information is readily available. The telephone number is: 703-432-4874.
File Groups: The materials within the Reference Branch are unclassified, secondary sources arranged in one of the following file groups:
The "Biographical Files" provide information on more than 15,000 prominent Marines, such as former Commandants, general officers, Medal of Honor recipients, and other notables who have had an impact on the history of the Corps.
The "Subject Files" include extensive materials on events, issues, wars, and specified topics of the Marine Corps from its founding to the present. A compilation of materials on recent deployments and operations is included with this group.
The "Unit Files" contain working files on Marine Corps units, past and present. Within these files on both air and ground units are histories, commanding officers lists, and unit lineage and honors information.
The "Geographical Files" is a collection of materials on locations where Marines have landed or been stationed. Historical information on Marine Corps posts and stations is also found here.
Muster Rolls/Unit Diaries/Rosters: The Reference Branch holds microfilmed copies of muster rolls, unit diaries, and rosters of Marine Corps personnel prior to 1966, that are open for use by researchers. Original muster rolls for the Revolutionary War through 1975 are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration. Rosters for the Vietnam War are also held by the Records Service Section of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (Code MMSB-10, Quantico, Virginia 22134). Please write to the above offices for information on their copying services, addresses can be found here.
Photographs: The Reference Branch also holds a small historic photograph file, primarily to support official Marine Corps requests and in-house publications and museum exhibits, that contains photos of selected Marine Corps operations and notable personnel. The photos are copies from the much larger official Marine Corps photo collection held by the National Archives and Records Administration (Still Pictures Branch, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740). The Reference Branch is not a repository and cannot provide photographic services to researchers. However, researchers may bring their own photographic equipment or scanners to copy photos. 
