By Christina Fitzpatrick, Archivist

We are pleased to announce the release of 29 additional series in the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files. This collection contains records that are principally connected with Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy’s career in government service, specifically material that was generated by his official duties as Senator from Massachusetts (1962-2009).

Currently 1,974 textual boxes in the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files are available for research use. In order to expedite processing of the enormous collection, some series are “review on demand” due to privacy concerns. Researchers can submit requests for specific folders to be reviewed and opened by an archivist. Folders that are subject to review are marked with [closed pending review] after the title. Please contact the Research Room staff if you would like access to a folder that is marked closed pending review. We ask that you allow at least two weeks in advance of your visit or deadline for reviews to be completed.

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As Senator Kennedy’s office moved into the 1970s and his staff expanded, the centralized filing system used in the 1960s gave way to a more unstructured method where each staff member maintained their own files. Although certain types of material (such as press releases and administrative records) continued to be filed in one location for the entire office, for the most part each individual began to manage their own records. As a result, the organization and labeling of these staff files can vary widely. In addition, researchers may find it helpful to use secondary sources to identify staff members who worked on certain topics, then search the collection guide for their names. Archivists have compiled several lists of staff names that may be helpful:

Recently Released Series

The newly released series are listed below. Additional series from the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files will be released as they are processed. Existing series will also be expanded as more materials are located and added.

Series 017. News Clipping Files, 1962-1976 (73 boxes)

Series 018. Alphabetical Case Correspondence Files, 1972-1975 (118 boxes)

Series 019. Staff Files of Lawrence Laughlin, 1962-1966 (3 boxes)

Series 020. Staff Files of James King, 1965-1968 (3 boxes)

Series 021. Staff Files of Joseph McIntyre and Andrew Vitali, 1961-1971 (39 boxes)

Series 022. Staff Files of Susan Riley and Jack Leslie, 1969-1976 (51 boxes)

Series 023. Staff Files of Frances McElroy, 1974-1975 (22 boxes)

Series 024. Staff Files of Mark Schneider, 1960-1976 (49 boxes)

Series 025. Staff Files of Robert Bates, 1963-1975 (51 boxes)

Series 026. Staff Files of Mary Murtagh, 1961-1975 (46 boxes)

Series 027. Staff Files of Ellis Mottur, 1966-1976 (13 boxes)

Series 028. Press Releases and Statements, 1963-1976 (44 boxes)

Series 029. Newsletters, 1966-1976 (1 box)

Series 030. Administrative Records, 1962-1971 (21 boxes)

Series 031. Staff Files of Anne Strauss, 1967-1975 (21 boxes)

Series 032. Issue Files, 1966-1972 (7 boxes)

Series 033. Staff Files of Richard Drayne, 1963-1975 (17 boxes)

Series 034. Staff Files of Edward Martin, 1971-1975 (19 boxes)

Series 035. Articles and Periodicals, 1961-1976 (9 boxes)

Series 036. Staff Files of Carey Parker, 1961-1974 (4 boxes)

Series 037. Staff Files of Stephen Collins, 1963-1976 (5 boxes)

Series 038. Staff Files of Janice Verrey, 1969-1975 (2 boxes)

Series 039. Staff Files of Judith Epstein Mintz, 1972 (1 box)

Series 040. Community Conference Files, 1967-1976 (5 boxes)

Series 041. Voting Record Files, 1967-1971 (1 box)

Series 042. Form Letters (Robos), 1964-1974 (3 boxes)

Series 043. Congressional Record Files, 1967-1974 (3 boxes)

Series 044. Briefing Books, 1969-1974 (3 boxes)

Series 045. Press Office Photographs, 1951-1966 (4 boxes)

Navigating the New Collection Guide

Because the collection guide was becoming too large to display effectively on the website, we have also rolled out a slightly different format for the guide (also known as an archival finding aid). Each series now has its own dedicated guide and webpage. Researchers can still perform a keyword search across the entire collection by using the advanced search features. Keep reading for more information about how to navigate the new Edward M. Kennedy collection guide.

As before, the collection overview and administrative information can be found on the main landing page. We have added new links to download the finding aid data in HTML or XML.

Scroll down the page to reach the list of series, each with their own hyperlink. Click on any of them to view the container list for that series.

On the series pages, you’ll see further information about the materials. Clicking on “Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files” at the top will return you to the collection overview and series list. Below are links to download the series data in HTML or XML.

Scroll down the series page to view the list of boxes and folders. To request boxes in the Research Room, use the box number (such as Box 01683). To request review or digitization of specific folders, cite the folder’s digital identifier. Click the arrow next to the folder title to display the digital identifier (such as EMKSEN-01683-006).

To perform a keyword search across the entire collection, use the search function in the digital archives. From the search homepage or the search area at the top of the JFK Library website, enter your keywords into the search box. Use the boxes to the left of the search results to further refine your query. For Object Type, choose Finding aid. For Digitized Collection, choose Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files. This will limit your search results to only the series that contain your keyword. Click on each series to view the folder list; for large series, use Ctrl+F to search for your keyword within the list of folder titles.

If you have any questions about navigating the new collection guide, please email us at kennedy.library@nara.gov and we will be happy to assist you!