Prologue | Fall 2005

Fall 2005: Vol. 37, No. 3

The "Fast Mail:" A History of the U.S. Railway Mail Service As the railroads speeded America's westward movement, post office cars made the nation's mail move faster, too.

The "Z Plan" Story Japan's secret plan to defeat the U.S. fleet is lost at sea, but soon drifts into "enemy" hands-those of American generals and admirals.

Finding Ordinary Americans with Extraordinary Stories The search for the real people whose stories live within the records of the National Archives brings surprises, joy, and sadness.

Table of Contents

Prologue in Perspective: Where Have You Gone, James Madison?
Allen Weinstein

Finding Ordinary Americans with Extraordinary Stories
Miriam Kleiman

The "Fast Mail": A History of the U.S. Railway Mail Service
Fred J. Romanski

The "Z Plan" Story: Japan's 1944 Naval Battle Strategy Drifts into U.S. Hands
Greg Bradsher

NARA Honors Three Former Archivists

Wild Rose: Rose O'Neale Greenhow, Civil War Spy
Ann Blackman

Spotlight on NARA: There's a NARA Near You! Exploring the Regional Archives
Lori Cox-Paul

Genealogy Notes: "You have the body": Habeas Corpus Case Records of the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia
Chris Naylor

Authors on the Record: Forgotten First Lady Returns to the Spotlight

Foundation for the National Archives

Pieces of History: Laura Ingalls Wilder Papers at the Hoover Library

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