Where Can I Find Internment Camp Records Online?

If I had to boil my process down into a quick, reliable checklist, here’s what I use in order and why: first, hit the big free catalogs like NARA and FamilySearch for basic indexes and any digitized files I can access instantly. Second, search specialized sites: Densho for Japanese American incarceration, Arolsen Archives for Nazi-era camps, and the ICRC tracing service for POWs or missing civilians. Third, try subscription databases such as Ancestry and Fold3 for deeper scans, rosters, and military or government paperwork. Fourth, check national repositories for the country involved — Library and Archives Canada, the UK National Archives, and the National Archives of Australia often have unique internment collections.

Along the way, I switch up name spellings, include registration or service numbers if known, and scan local newspapers or courthouse records for announcements and legal files. If nothing is online, I file a records request or contact the archive's reference desk; many institutions will pull a file and scan pages on request for a fee. It’s a bit of detective work, and when a single document finally confirms a story, I always feel a small, satisfying rush.

If you're trying to track down internment camp records online, start by thinking like a detective with a big soft spot for archives — that's how I do it. The single best place for U.S. Japanese American internment files is the National Archives (NARA). They hold War Relocation Authority collections, evacuation rosters, and case files; many of these are digitized or have detailed finding aids. Densho is another goldmine: it focuses on Japanese American incarceration and offers searchable databases, oral histories, photos, and community-contributed material. For broader military or government records, Fold3 and Ancestry have scanned documents (you'll sometimes need a subscription), while FamilySearch has free indexes and occasional images.

If your interest goes beyond the U.S., I hunt through the Arolsen Archives (formerly ITS) for Nazi-era camps and displaced persons records, and the International Committee of the Red Cross tracing service for POW and civilian internees. Library and Archives Canada hosts wartime 'enemy alien' and internment records for Canada; the UK National Archives covers internment and civilian detainee records for Britain; and the National Archives of Australia has internment files for the Pacific region. Museums like the Japanese American National Museum and the Nikkei National Museum often have digitized exhibits and databases too.

Practical tips I always use: try name variants, nicknames, and different spellings; look for registration numbers, camp numbers, and transport lists; search local and regional newspapers through chronicling sites for notices and arrests. If something isn't online, submit a records request (NARA has forms; FOIA works for some federal files) or reach out to the archive's reference staff — they can point to boxes you might not find alone. It takes patience, but finding a single photograph or roster entry feels like striking treasure, and it always hits me with a quiet sort of awe.

Pressed for time? Here’s the fastest checklist I use: NARA online catalog, FamilySearch, Fold3, and Ancestry (if you have access). For Japanese-American incarceration, add Densho and Manzanar or Tule Lake museum pages. For Holocaust and Nazi-era internment, check Arolsen Archives, Yad Vashem, and the USHMM. The ICRC handles POW and civilian tracing across wars, and national libraries or state archives can fill regional gaps.

Search tips: try spelling variants, include birth year, and look for camp names as keywords. If digitized records aren’t available, contact the archive’s reference staff or consider a tracing request. I usually start broad, then narrow to specific camp sites — it saves time and often turns up a neat photo or card that makes the whole search worth it.

I've spent a surprising amount of time late at night chasing camp records, and a tight, practical approach works best for me. First, check free, user-friendly repositories: NARA's online catalog and FamilySearch. They often give you basic index information or scans. Densho's site is invaluable for Japanese American incarceration, with oral histories and curated documents. When those come up empty, move to subscription sites like Ancestry and Fold3 — they tend to host specific collections such as War Relocation Authority files, draft cards, and naturalization papers that can confirm someone's placement in a camp.

For European or World War II-era camps, the Arolsen Archives is my go-to; it's increasingly digitized and searchable for concentration camps, forced labor, and displaced persons. The International Committee of the Red Cross tracing service is tailored for POW and civilian internees. Don't forget national archives outside the obvious ones: Library and Archives Canada for Canadian camps, the UK National Archives for British internment, and the National Archives of Australia for Pacific-region records. Local libraries and university special collections sometimes digitize community-specific materials.

Search strategy matters: try different date ranges, alternate name spellings, and include keywords like 'transport list', 'internment register', 'evacuation roster', or the camp name. If you hit dead ends, request copies from the archive or file a records request — it can be slow, but usually fruitful. I always feel oddly thrilled when a tiny digitized file fills out a family story.

Last month I found my great-uncle’s internee card while poking around a collection I hadn’t expected to hold anything relevant, and that little success reshaped how I search. First, I assemble what I already know: full name variations, approximate birth year, hometown, military service or occupation. Then I hit layered sources: NARA’s catalog, Fold3 for government-issued cards, and FamilySearch for passenger lists or census cross-references. For Holocaust-era cases I use the Arolsen Archives and Yad Vashem; both have searchable name databases and scanned documents.

Beyond the big repositories, I always check specialized digital projects and local institutions — camp museums, regional historical societies, and university collections sometimes digitize diaries, camp newspapers, or rosters that never made it to national aggregators. If a record isn’t online, filing a request with the archive or submitting a tracing request through the ICRC can yield scanned copies. It takes patience: some collections require written requests, fees, or in-person visits. Still, piecing names, dates, and a single image into a narrative is one of the most rewarding parts of genealogy for me, and every find feels like rescuing a bit of history.