WWII Japanese American Internment and Relocation Records in the National Archives: Introduction
Research Paths
- Introduction
- Check Records Online:
Database of Japanese American Evacuees
(War Relocation Authority, RG 210)
Index to the WWII Alien Enemy Detention and Internment Case Files
(Department of Justice, RG 60)
Compensation and Reparations: Index to the Redress Case Files
(Department of Justice, RG 60)
Public Hearings and Testimonies
(Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, RG 220)
Military Records
(Office of the Provost Marshal General, RG 389, and US Army Defense Commands, RG 499) - Order Copies of Records
- What You Can Do Next
Why Search Records Relating to Japanese Americans Internment during World War II (WWII)?
The records on Japanese-American internees can provide a wealth of information for researchers and family historians. The records of particular interest, and highlighted here, are the:
- War Relocation Authority (WRA) Records in Record Group (RG) 210.
These records can contain personal descriptive information on Japanese and Japanese Americans from the West Coast whom the government forcibly removed from their homes and relocated to one of 10 WRA relocation centers during World War II. An online database of internees is available, and case files may also be available. We recommend WRA records as the best place to start.
Proceed to the WRA page
- WWII Alien Enemy Detention and Internment Case Files, Department of Justice (DOJ) in RG 60.
These case files generally document administrative proceedings by which alien enemies considered dangerous to the internal security of the U.S. were released, paroled, or interned. There is an alphabetical index searchable online.
Proceed to the WWII Alien Enemy page
- Compensation and Redress Case Files, Department of Justice (DOJ) in RG 60
A. The files from the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of July 2, 1948, contain approximately 26,550 claims for compensation from Japanese American citizens who were removed from the West Coast during World War II for losses of real and personal property. Partial searches can be done online.
B. The files from the Office of the Redress Administration for restitution payments include claims from more than 82,219 people of Japanese ancestry.
Proceed to the Compensation and Redress page
- Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) Records in RG 220.
These records reflect the Commission's 20 days of hearings and testimonies from more than 750 witnesses between July and December, 1981, nationwide, from people who had lived through the events of WWII. Descriptions of the records are online, as well as the entire Commission report, Personal Justice Denied.
Proceed to the Public Hearings and Testimonies page
- Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) Records in RG 389.
Among these records are cases of individuals' release from relocation centers, information about Japanese-American men eligible for military service, personal data cards, and more.
Proceed to the Military Records page
- Western Defense Command (WDC) Records in RG 499.
These records include assembly center records, with folders on individual families.
Proceed to the Military Records page
By reviewing each of these sections, you can learn what NARA has in its holdings and steps you can do online. While images of case files and documents are not online, the searches you can perform in these record groups will prepare you for further research. You can then continue your research with records at the National Archives by visiting us in person, contacting us by phone or e-mail, or by hiring an independent researcher.
Next Step
We recommend that you start your search with the War Relocation Authority records. An online database of Japanese American internees is available, and as a source, contains information on the largest number of people. Case files related to internees may also be available.