| Title: |
Flexoline Index Database, created, ca. 2000 - ca. 2003,
documenting the period 1940 - 1955 |
| Creator: |
Department of Justice. Immigration and Naturalization Service. 6/14/1940-3/1/2003 (Most Recent)
|
| Type of Archival Materials: |
Data Files
Textual Records |
| Level of Description: |
Series from Record Group 566: Records of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
| Other Titles: |
Flex-o-line |
| Location: |
National Archives at College Park - Electronic Records, National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001. PHONE: 301-837-0470; FAX: 301-837-3574; EMAIL: cer@nara.gov |
| Inclusive Dates: |
ca. 2000 - ca. 2003 |
| Coverage Dates: |
1940 - 1955 |
| Date Note: |
Between about 2000 and 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) digitized the Flexoline Index microfilm containing records dated between 1940 and 1955, and had the data keyed into an electronic database. |
| Part of: |
Record Group 566: Records of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
| Function and Use: |
The Alien Registration Division of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) created the original Flexoline Index in 1940 to index Alien Registration records created under the Alien Registration Act of 1940. It served as an index to Alien Registration Forms (AR-2, AR-102, or the consular form). When the Alien Registration Division disbanded near the end of World War II, responsibility for the Flexoline Index transferred to the INS Records program. Thereafter Flexoline Index entries were created from A-Files (or trigger documents) related to new arrivals, adjustments, or other applications by registered noncitizens. These entries follow formats identified by INS in automated form as "Format B" and "Format C." The latter format entries date to December 31, 1954, (a few as late as December 1955 may be errors) and A-numbers as high as 8.6 million. Format B and C entries may also include lower, pre-April 1, 1944, A-numbers when that case reopened after 1944. After conversion to an electronic format, the Flexoline Index digital images and database were managed as a component of the Microfilm Digitization Application System (MiDAS). |
| Scope & Content Note: |
This series consists of data extracted from the microfilmed images of the Flexoline Index. It serves as an index to the microfilmed (and later digitized) Alien Registration Forms (AR-2, AR-102, or the consular form) and includes records related to noncitizen immigration and naturalization in the United States prior to 1955. The Flexoline entries follow three different formats identified by the agency as "Format A," "Format B," and "Format C." The fields available for each format may include the following. For Format A: Alien Number (A-Number), Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial, Date of Birth, Country of Birth Code, Place of Registration Codes (State, County, City), Gender, and Soundex. For Format B: A-Number, Last Name, First Name, Middle Name or Initial, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Date of Entry, Port of Entry, Visa number, and Soundex. For Format C: A-Number, Last Name, First Name, Middle Name or Initial, Date of Birth, Country of Birth Code, Date of Entry, Port of Entry Code, and Soundex. |
| Access Restrictions: |
Restricted - Partly. FOIA (b)(6) Personal Information. These records include information for individuals born less than 100 years ago and potentially still living. Index entries for individuals born less than 100 years ago require review before release. NARA has created a public use version of the database with records of individuals born over 100 years ago. The digital images are fully restricted since it is not possible to segregate the images by year of birth. |
| Finding Aid Type: |
Technical Information
|
| Finding Aid Source: |
NARA and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
| Extent: |
179,953 Joint Photographic Experts Group (jpg) images, 1 data file in comma-delimited text, and 10 electronic documentation files |
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