Post Office Records Archives Explained

The Post Office Records Archives is a vast collection of historical documents and records that date back to the 18th century.

These archives are stored in a climate-controlled facility to preserve their condition.

The archives contain records of mail delivery, postal rates, and employee information, among other things.

Some of the records are fragile and require special handling to prevent damage.

Post office records are a valuable resource for genealogists and historians. They can provide information about the physical location of post offices, which can be useful for learning more about an ancestor's community.

Information about post office locations can be found in National Archives Microfilm Publication M1126, Post Office Department Records of Site Locations, 1837-1950. This publication contains 683 rolls of microfilm.

Early site reports are relatively infrequent and often contain little information, but they can still be useful for researchers. For example, an undated report for Frostville, Cuyahoga County, OH, simply states that neighboring post offices are Rockport, which is 7 miles northeast, and Copopa, which is 6 miles south.

Site reports become more common and more informative after 1870, and they often include information about the post office's proximity to nearby rivers, creeks, postal routes, railroad stations, and to other post offices.

The Department Records section of the Post Office Records is a treasure trove of information.

The Post Office Department was established in 1845, and it's been keeping records ever since.

These records include mail routes, postmaster appointments, and other administrative details that are crucial for understanding the history of the post office.

The Department Records also contain information on postal rates, which have changed over the years.

For example, in 1863, the rate for a 1/2 ounce letter was 3 cents, and it increased to 6 cents in 1873.

Early site reports for post offices are relatively infrequent and often contain little information, such as the location of neighboring post offices and nearby geographical features.

These reports become more common and informative after 1870, including information about the post office's proximity to rivers, creeks, postal routes, railroad stations, and other post offices.

Many postmasters submitted maps with their site reports, which vary in content and format. Some maps are hand-drawn, while others are annotated copies of published street maps, especially after 1900.

Postmasters often requested permission to move the post office to a more convenient location, and their site reports frequently included maps to support their requests.

Record Time Periods are an essential part of the post office's history. The Post Office Department's archives hold records of the fastest delivery times, which are a testament to the postal service's efficiency.

The first recorded instance of airmail delivery was in 1918, when a plane flew a mailbag from Washington, D.C. to New York City in just 1 hour and 45 minutes. This marked a significant milestone in the development of air mail services.

The longest recorded delivery time was in 1885, when a letter took 21 days to travel from New York to San Francisco. This was during a time when mail was transported by horseback and stagecoach.

The average delivery time for first-class mail in the 1950s was just 2 days. This was achieved through the use of advanced mail sorting machines and a vast network of postal routes.

The fastest recorded delivery time was achieved in 1963, when a letter was delivered from New York to Los Angeles in just 1 hour and 45 minutes. This was made possible by the introduction of jet airliners and the expansion of air mail services.