SECRETARY OF STATE ARCHIVES

General Information about Secretary of State Archives

The Secretary of State Archives—also known as the State Archives or State Historical Records Division—serves as the official repository for preserving, protecting, and providing public access to government records of enduring historical and legal value. These archives document the actions of state government and offer a vital resource for legal research, public policy, genealogy, and historical scholarship.

Purpose and Function

The primary role of the Secretary of State Archives is to:

• Preserve historical state government records

• Ensure transparency and public access to official documents

• Support research and education

• Maintain records according to statutory retention and archival standards

Types of Records Maintained

The records housed in the State Archives may include:

• Legislative records: Bills, statutes, session laws, committee reports, and journals

• Executive records: Gubernatorial correspondence, proclamations, executive orders

• Judicial records: Selected appellate court decisions and administrative files

• Constitutional and legal documents: State constitutions, charters, and amendments

• Elections and voter records: Historic election returns, ballot measures, voter registration records (where retained)

• Land and property records: State land grants, survey maps, and plat books

• Military service records: State militia and National Guard records (in some cases)

• Government records: Files from counties, cities, and other municipal entities transferred to the archives

• Photographs, maps, manuscripts, and special collections related to the history and governance of the state

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ARCHIVE SEARCH