Specializing in research at the National Archives, Washington, D.C., where lighthouse documentation includes:

• Annual Reports of U.S. Light-House Board
• Architectural drawings and plans
• Construction contracts, solicitation of bids for proposals
• Correspondence from regional Custom Collectors/Superintendents of Lights, Stephen Pleasonton, Winslow Lewis, etc. (pre-1852)
• Correspondence from and to District Engineers and Inspectors (1852-1910)
• Field Records of the Lighthouse Districts
• Historic photographs
• Journals of the U.S. Light-House Board
• Keepers' Logbooks
• Light Lists and Notice to Mariners
• Real estate disposal files
• Registers of Keeper salaries/appointments
• Site files and property descriptions
• U.S. Bureau of Lighthouses correspondence
• U.S. Light-House Board correspondence and publications
• U.S. Coast Guard World War II histories
• U.S. Lighthouse Service Bulletins 1912 - 1939

Most of our research is focused on the records of National Archives Record Group 26 in Washington, D.C., but we can also explore, if relevant, other Record Groups including Army (RG 77), U.S. Treasury Department Accounting (RG 217), U.S. Custom Service (RG 36), etc. We also have access to the files, photograph collection, and library of the U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office. 

Comprehensive searches on a light station can take anywhere from 20 to 150 hours, depending on the age of the station and how much material has survived. Projects can be streamlined to answer a specific research question or focus on a particular period; however, a two-hour minimum is required.

Documents are generally provided in a digital format on a CD.  (The Archives now charges 25 cents per copy on the regular copier, 50 cents for copies from microfilm, and 75 cents on the book scanner.)

Sample documents

Our primary researcher, Candace Clifford, also researches lighthouse vessels and buoy tenders and is familiar with the records of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, also contained in Record Group 26.

Primary Researcher's Relevant Experience

Consultant, National Park Service Maritime Heritage Program (1988-2001): compiled and edited 1990 Inventory of Large Historic Vessels and 1994 Inventory of Historic Light Stations, produced Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook; created National Lighthouse Heritage website; edited and finalized lighthouse nominations for the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks program; created preliminary inventory of historic lifesaving stations; and documented two Fresnel lens projects.

Candace Clifford was featured in "Women of the Lights" by Jeremy D'Entremont in Lighthouse Digest in June 2005.

Current and Former Clients for National Archives Research

• American Lighthouse Foundation
• Buffalo Lighthouse Association, New York
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and Ocracoke Light Stations), North Carolina
• Delta County Historical Society (Escanaba/Sand Point Light Station), Michigan 
• Emmet County (McGulpin Point Lighthouse), Michigan
• Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, Maine 
• Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum (South Fox Island Lighthouse), Michigan
• Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, (Whitefish Point Lifeboat Station), Michigan
• Harbor Point Association (Little Traverse Lighthouse), Michigan
• Historical Research Associates (National Register nominations for U.S. Coast Lighthouses) Marquette Maritime Museum, Michigan
• Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum, Maine
• Mathews County Historical Society (New Point Comfort Lighthouse), Virginia
• Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy
• National Park Service Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) (U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Fir and 133-foot buoy tender class)
• North Light Commission (Block Island North Light Station), Rhode Island 
• Ontonagon County Historical Society (Ontonagon Lighthouse), Michigan
• Peninsula Township (Old Mission Point Lighthouse), Michigan
• Piedras Blancas Light Station (Bureau of Land Managment), California
• Point Arena Lighthouse, California
• Point Lookout Lighthouse, Maryland
• Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Historical Society, Michigan
• Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, Florida
• Port Washington Historical Soceity, Wisconsin
• Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association, Michigan
• Spring Point Ledge Light Trust, Maine
• St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society, California
• Thacher Island Association, Massachusetts
• The Lighthouse People
• Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, Washington
• Twin Lights Historical Society, New Jersey
• U.S. Lighthouse Society (Point No Point Lighthouse, Washington, and Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, Maryland)
• Washington State Parks (Admiralty Head Light Station), Washington
• Wesport Maritime Museum (Grays Harbor Light Station), Washington

Articles

Lighthouses in the National Park System, CRM Bulletin, 1997

Moving Lighthouses, CRM Bulletin, 1999