(12-19-2015 10:37 PM)jabalong Wrote: So about that thing I'm looking for advice on...
It flows nicely from this quote in Rob's article above:
Quote:Doherty worked hard to get that share.
He must have been pulling out all the stops, because I was quite surprised to find that my great-great-grandfather had even written a letter from Quebec to the US government as I suppose a character reference for Doherty and his claim.
The letter is dated 16 June 1865 to the Secretary of War from Charles Marcil, the husband of Edward's sister Maria (who I mentioned previously). I came across a transcription of the letter in this book online:
William C. Edwards, The Lincoln Assassination: The Rewards Files, 2012, p.202
While I was very excited to find this, the problem is that the transcription is quite garbled so as not really be decipherable. I assume a best guess was made at transcribing the letters of the handwriting, but without an understanding of French to extrapolate the words. But better than nothing, as it led me to it!
So my first question is by any chance is William C. Edwards active on these boards? Or if not, does anyone have his contact details?
I would like to ask him if he has a scan/photograph of the original document. If he's not known here, I did just find his LinkedIn page, so I can take a stab at trying him there.
Alternatively, I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to get a copy from the US National Archives and how one would best go about that?
I tracked down the letter in the Archives listings, found the series it belonged to. As per the instructions on the page below, one can request a copy, which did via the email provide (Archives1reference@nara.gov), but did not receive a reply.
Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 > Letters Received, 1805 - 1889
Specifically, the letter should be part of the following series:
Quote:The library call number is CD 3027. M5 N3 (plus the pamphlet number)
Title: Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General Main Series 1861-1870
Record Group: 94
Microfilm/Pamphlet No.: M 619
Date: 1970
Pages: 27
Would appreciate any advice on how best to proceed, particularly with the US National Archives. Do they even make scans/copies of documents for researchers on request?
The National Archives does make copies of records for researchers, provided that the request is specific enough. Try using this contact form and providing the information you've provided here. There is a copying fee in most cases. It's generally taken staff a couple of weeks to respond to my requests.
https://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire...tml#part-b
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