• DISCOVERY
  • STRUCTURE
  • DATA
  • REVIEW

How to map archival record hierarchies with your AI

Connect to the National Archives Catalog to let your agent navigate deep folder structures. It finds the specific documents you need without you clicking through endless sub-folders.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I use AI to find specific files within large archival collections?

Your agent uses the National Archives Catalog to identify parent records and then drills down into their specific child files. This allows you to pull granular data from complex, nested hierarchies instantly. You'll see how the agent traverses these layers below.

The results of your search

Where your research lands

Once your agent starts navigating the catalog, you get these specific outcomes.

DISCOVERY

Found nested records

The agent identifies specific child items hidden within a larger collection. You get a direct path to the exact document you're looking for.

STRUCTURE

Mapped file trees

The agent reconstructs the relationship between top-level series and individual files. This gives you a clear view of how the records are organized.

DATA

Extracted metadata

Your agent pulls specific details from the identified records. You can then use this info to build your own research indexes.

REVIEW

Human verification

The agent flags complex or ambiguous hierarchies that require a researcher's eyes. You decide if the identified path matches your research needs.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The agent handles the heavy lifting of digging through the catalog's layers.

  1. Locate the parent

    The agent starts by finding the broad collection or series you're interested in.

    search_records

  2. Drill into sub-folders

    Once it finds the right series, the agent looks inside to see what's actually there.

    get_record_children

  3. Identify target files

    The agent compares the contents of the sub-folders against your specific search criteria.

    get_record_children

  4. Verify the path

    The agent confirms the relationship between the parent and the specific child record found.

    search_records

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to begin your research.

Starting points

These are just ways to kick things off. Swap out the specific collection names for the ones you're researching.

National Archives Catalog Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CAN62kfCWXF7RUif0QgtxGGIjnr0OJgIUTdW3cA4/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — National Archives Catalog capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "national-archives-catalog-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CAN62kfCWXF7RUif0QgtxGGIjnr0OJgIUTdW3cA4/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Search the National Archives Catalog for records related to the 1940s naval logistics series.

  • Find all the child records located within the 'Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel' collection.

  • Look through the hierarchy of the 'Civil War troop movements' series to find specific unit files.

  • Map out the sub-folders within the 'Department of State' records to find correspondence from 1912.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect National Archives Catalog once, then ask.

Just link your account once. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can immediately start asking your agent to dig through the archives.

Connect National Archives Catalog to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI download the actual scanned images of the records?

    No. The agent can only find, identify, and retrieve the metadata and hierarchy information for the records.

  • 02

    Can my AI change or delete records in the National Archives?

    No. The tools only allow for searching and reading existing catalog data. The agent cannot modify the archives.

  • 03

    Does the agent see the entire National Archives at once?

    No. The agent searches through the catalog as needed based on your specific requests.

  • 04

    Can the AI handle very deep hierarchies?

    Yes. The agent can use the tools to step through multiple levels of parent and child records to find what you need.

  • 05

    Will the AI tell me if a record is missing?

    Yes. If the agent searches for a specific record or child and finds nothing, it will report that the item wasn't found.

  • More questions about National Archives Catalog? The Connector page answers them. See everything the National Archives Catalog Connector can do

Connect National Archives Catalog to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more