User Experience Research and Roadmap Project Survey - Genealogists - 2018

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

User Experience Research and Roadmap Project Survey - Genealogists 2018 - Survey Questions
Base questions
1. Which of the following best describes you?
a. Veteran or Veteran's family
b. Genealogist or family historian
c. Researcher
d. Museum visitor
e. History enthusiast
f. Primary or secondary school educator
g. Student
h. Graduate student
i. Government employee (local, state, or Federal)
j. Journalist
k. Author/Writer
l. Attorney
m. University Professor
n. Documentarian
o. Developer (software, web, applications, etc.)
p. Citizen archivist
q. Other, please specify
2. How often do you use the following social media platforms? (0= not active on this social media
platform, 1 = never, 2 = several times per month, 3 = several times per week, 4 = everyday, 5 =
multiple times per day)
a. [ ] Facebook
b. [ ] Twitter
c. [ ] LinkedIn
d. [ ] Instagram
e. [ ] Pinterest
3. Do you follow any of the following NARA social media accounts? Check all that apply.
a. usnatarchives on Twitter
b. usnationalarchives on Facebook
c. usnatarchives on Instagram
d. usnatarchives on Pinterest
e. ourpresidents on Twitter
f. todaysdocument on Twitter
g. Others, please specify

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

4. Is there a National Archives facility nearby (within 2 hours driving distance) that you can visit for
in-person research?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not aware
5. Have you ever done in-person research at one of NARA’s research facilities?
a. No
b. Yes (If so, which one(s)?)[open text]
6. Please rate the quality of materials and/or resources available on Archives.gov to help you plan
your research?
a. Poor
b. Fair
c. Good
d. Very good
e. Excellent
f. Did not use any materials and/or resources available on Archives.gov
7. How would you rate the overall helpfulness of finding digital images of NARA records on
Archives.gov?
a. Not at all helpful
b. Not helpful
c. Neutral
d. Helpful
e. Very helpful
8. How important is the ability to conduct research online as opposed to in-person research?
a. Not at all important
b. Slightly important
c. Important
d. Very important
9. How important is the ability to access digitized records for your research purposes?
a. Not at all important
b. Slightly important
c. Important
d. Very important
10. What type of digitized records are you most interested in? [open text]

Genealogy questions
Branch users who selected ‘b’ in Q4
1. Using the scale below, please rate the level of experience you have as a researcher.
a. No experience - N/A
b. Very inexperienced
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

c. Inexperienced
d. Neutral
e. Experienced
f. Very experienced
2. Have you conducted genealogy research on Archives.gov?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not sure
3. If yes, what type of records have you attempted to find through the National Archives? (Check
all that apply.)
a. African-American Research
b. Caring for your Family Archives
c. Census Records (1790-1940)
d. Chinese Immigration
e. Citing records in the National Archives of the United States
f. Congressional Records: Private Claims and Private Legislation
g. Court Records
h. Electronic Records for Genealogy or Other Personal Research
i. Ethnic Heritage Research and Resources
j. Federal Employees
k. Immigration Records
l. Income Tax Records of the Civil War Years
m. Internal Migration
n. Japanese Americans
o. Land Records
p. Maritime
q. Microfilmed Records
r. Military Records
s. Native American Records
t. Naturalization Records
u. Naval Records
v. Passenger Lists
w. Passport Applications and Passport Microfilm
x. Post Office Records
y. Pre-Federal Records
z. Prisons
aa. Social Security Records
bb. State Department Records of Genealogical interest
cc. Tax Records
dd. Vital Records
ee. Women
ff. Other, please specify
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

4. Were you able to locate the records you were searching for?
a. Yes
b. No
5. Using the scale provided below, please rate your overall experience conducting research on
Archives.gov.
a. Poor
b. Fair
c. Good
d. Very good
e. Excellent
6. Have you used the following sites? If so, how would you rate your experience with them?
(1=Poor to 5=Excellent or Never used)
a. Ancestry.com
b. Fold3.com
c. familysearch.org
d. Another genealogy site (please specify)
7. Are there any special features on these sites that you find most useful in your genealogy
research? [open text]
8. What challenges have you faced when trying to conduct research on one of NARA’s websites?
[Open text.]?
9. How can NARA support your research efforts better? [Open text.]
10. What features are most important to you when conducting your research? [Open text.]
11. What other archives have you used to conduct genealogical research online? [Open text.]
12. Have you used the National Archives Catalog (catalog.archives.gov) to conduct research?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not aware
13. If yes, please rate the search and filtering options (especially in advanced search) available on
the National Archives Catalog (catalog.archives.gov).
a. N/A
b. Very poor
c. Poor
d. Average
e. Good
f. Very good
14. Are you interested in being part of a usability study to help the National Archives improve its
services?
a. No
b. Yes. If so, please provide your name and email address in the space provided.
15. Are you aware of History Hub (History.gov)?
a. Yes [if yes, branch to History Hub questions]
b. No
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

To better understand our survey respondents, we ask the following questions. Note that the following
questions are optional to answer.
16. How do you describe yourself? [optional]
a. Male
b. Female
c. Transgender
d. Do not identify as female, male, or transgender
e. Prefer not to answer
17. What is your age? Please select from a range below. [optional]
a. Under 18 years old
b. 18 to 24
c. 25 to 34
d. 35 to 44
e. 45 to 54
f. 55 to 64
g. 65 to 74
h. 75 to 84
i. 85+
j. Prefer not to answer
18. What is the highest degree or level of education you have completed? If currently enrolled,
select the highest degree received. [optional]
a. High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
b. Some college credit, no degree
c. Trade/technical/vocational/associate training
d. Bachelor’s degree
e. Graduate degree
f. Prefer not to answer

Researcher questions
Branch users who selected ‘c’ or ‘e’ or ‘g’ or ‘i’ or ‘k’ or ‘l’ in Q1

1. What research topics are you most interested in? [open text]
2. What type of records have you used in your research? (Check all that apply.)
a. Federal Civilian Personnel Records (from 1900-1952)
b. OSS Records (including personnel records)
c. Records of Congress
d. Presidential Materials
e. Federal Civilian Agency Records (no personnel records after 1900)
f. Federal Civilian Personnel Records (from 1952 to Present)
g. John F. Kennedy assassination records collection
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
8.

h. Census Records
i. State Department Records
j. Native American Records
k. Court Records
l. Special media (audio, video, film, photos, aerial photos, maps, plans)
m. United States Military Personnel Records (from 1954 to present)
n. United States Military Personnel Records (from 1905-1954)
o. Genealogy - Related Records (immigration, naturalization, passports, visas, etc.)
p. National Archives Catalog
q. Other (Please specify)
What materials are you most interested in? (Check all that apply.) [checkbox]
a. Architectural and Engineering Drawings
b. Artifacts
c. Data Files
d. Maps and Charts
e. Moving Images
f. Photographs and Other Graphic Materials
g. Sound Recordings
h. Textual Records
i. Web Pages
j. Electronic Records
k. Email Records
l. Other, please specify
Rate your level of experience as a researcher
a. No experience - N/A
b. Very inexperienced
c. Inexperienced
d. Neutral
e. Experienced
f. Very experienced
Have you used information on archives.gov for your research?
a. Yes
b. No
If yes, how helpful was the information provided in conducting your research?
a. Not at all helpful
b. Not helpful
c. Neutral
d. Helpful
e. Very helpful
What challenges have you faced when trying to conduct research on one of NARA’s websites?
[open text]
How can NARA support your research efforts better? [open text]

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

9. What other online archives have you used to conduct research? [open text]
10. Have you used the National Archives Catalog (catalog.archives.gov) to conduct research?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not aware
11. If yes, please rate the search and filtering options (especially in advanced search) available on
the National Archives Catalog (catalog.archives.gov).
a. N/A
b. Very poor
c. Poor
d. Average
e. Good
f. Very good
12. How familiar are you with archival finding aids?
a. Not familiar at all
b. Slightly familiar
c. Somewhat familiar
d. Moderately familiar
e. Extremely familiar
13. Are you interested in primarily conducting your research, or have you conducted research, in
person at one of NARA’s facilities?
a. Yes
b. No
14. If yes, did you find information on Archives.gov?
a. Yes
b. No
15. If yes, how satisfied were you with the materials provided on the website to help you plan your
visit?
a. Very unsatisfied
b. Unsatisfied
c. Neutral
d. Satisfied
e. Very satisfied
16. Using the scale below, please rate the overall helpfulness of finding aids you use to complete
your research.
a. Not at all helpful
b. Not helpful
c. Neutral
d. Helpful
e. Very helpful
f. Never used - NA
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

17. Using the scale below, please rate the frequency to which you use finding aids to complete your
research.
a. Never
b. Almost never
c. Occasionally/Sometimes
d. Almost every time
e. Every time
18. Are you aware of History Hub (History.gov)?
a. Yes
i.
[if yes, branch to History Hub questions]
b. No
If ‘d’ was selected in Researcher Q2
19. Were you able to find presidential materials through the National Archives Catalog?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not aware
20. If yes, please rate your experience using the National Archives Catalog (Rate 1 to 5)
21. What challenges have you faced when using the National Archives Catalog? (open text)
22. What suggestions do you have to make the National Archives Catalog better? (open text)
23. Have you conducted research through a Presidential Library? [radio button]
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not aware
24. If yes, which one? (Check all that apply.)
a. Herbert Hoover Library
b. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
c. Harry S. Truman Library
d. Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
e. John F. Kennedy Library
f. Lyndon B. Johnson Library
g. Richard Nixon Library
h. Gerald R. Ford Library
i. Gerald R. Ford Museum
j. Jimmy Carter Library
k. Ronald Reagan Library
l. George Bush Library
m. William J. Clinton Library
n. George W. Bush Library
o. Barack Obama Library
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

25. What type of presidential records are you most interested in? [open text]
26. How did you locate Presidential Library material?
a. Internet search
b. Presidential Library website
c. Archives.catalog.gov
d. Other, please specify

History Hub user questions
Branch users who selected ‘yes’ in Genealogy Q15 or in Researcher Q18
1. At what frequency do you visit History Hub (History.gov)?
a. I’ve only visited once
b. Daily
c. Weekly
d. Monthly
e. Every few months
f. Every 6 months or less
2. How did you find out about History Hub?
a. Google search
b. Link from Archives.gov
c. Referral from a colleague/friend
d. Email newsletter
e. Facebook
f. Twitter
g. Other, please specify
3. What were you hoping to find on History Hub? [Open text.]
4. How did the website meet your expectations?
a. Much less than expected
b. Less than expected
c. Matched expectations
d. Exceeded expectations
e. Greatly exceeded expectations
5. What challenges have you faced when using History Hub? [open text]
6. What suggestions do you have to make History Hub better? [open text]
7. What tasks were you trying to accomplish on History Hub? [open text]
8. How successful were you at completing your task? [Please rate using the scale below.]
a. Very unsuccessful
b. Unsuccessful
c. Neutral
d. Successful
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

e. Very successful
Have you posted a question to History Hub?
a. Yes
b. No
If yes, please rate how satisfied you were with the help you received.
a. Very dissatisfied
b. Dissatisfied
c. Neutral
d. Satisfied
e. Very satisfied
Have you commented on a question in History Hub?
a. Yes
b. No
What History Hub community group are you most interested in?
a. Military Records
b. Legislative Records
c. Genealogists
d. Researchers Help
e. African American Records
f. Presidential Records
g. American Indian Records
h. Transcribers/Citizen Archivists
i. Educators and Librarians
j. Remembering World War 1
k. Other, please specify
How useful do you find the overall History Hub community? Please rate using the scale below.
a. Not at all useful
b. Not useful
c. Neutral
d. Useful
e. Very useful
Please use the scale below to rate your satisfaction with using History Hub.
a. 1 = Very dissatisfied
b. 2 = Dissatisfied
c. 3 = Neutral
d. 4 = Satisfied
e. 5 = Very satisfied
Would you recommend History Hub?
a. Yes
b. No
What topics are you most interested in? Please rate using the scale provided.
Scale: Very interested, Interested, Neutral, Uninterested, Very uninterested.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

a. Research or request veterans service records
b. Find founding documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights)
c. Research other records (not veterans service records or founding documents)
d. Find records management information
e. Open government
f. Military Records
g. Legislative Records
h. Genealogy/Family History
i. Researchers Help
j. African American Records
k. Presidential Records
l. American Indian Records
m. American History
n. World War I
o. Intelligence Community Records
p. Other, please specify:
17. Is there anything additional you would like to share with us to help you do your research? [open
text]
18. Are you interested in being part of a usability study to help the National Archives improve its
services?
a. No.
b. Yes. If so, please provide your name and email address in the space provided.

Closing questions
To better understand our survey respondents, we ask the following questions. Note that the following
questions are optional to answer.
1. How do you describe yourself? [optional]
a. Male
b. Female
c. Transgender
d. Do not identify as female, male, or transgender
e. Prefer not to answer
2. What is your age? [optional]
a. Under 18 years old
b. 18 to 24
c. 25 to 34
d. 35 to 44
e. 45 to 54
f. 55 to 64
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.

OMB Control No. 3095-0070

g. 65 to 74
h. 75 to 84
i. 85+
j. Prefer not to answer
3. What is the highest degree or level of education you have completed? If currently enrolled,
select the highest degree received. [optional]
a. High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
b. Some college credit, no degree
c. Trade/technical/vocational/associate training
d. Bachelor’s degree
e. Graduate degree
f. Prefer not to answer

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be less than 5 minutes
per response. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Rd, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.