JFK Assassination Forum

JFK Assassination Discussion & Debate => JFK Assassination Discussion & Debate => Topic started by: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:27:20 PM

Title: What is an RIF?
Post by: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:27:20 PM

I've seen JFK researchers use these. For example this one:

RIF 194-10003-10417

Where can i get this document? Is it from this website: https://catalog.archives.gov/ 

Where do i type in the RIF on the website?

Title: Re: What is an RIF?
Post by: Mitch Todd on March 07, 2021, 08:39:00 PM

Quote from: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:27:20 PM

I've seen JFK researchers use these. For example this one:

RIF 194-10003-10417

Where can i get this document? Is it from this website: https://catalog.archives.gov/ 

Where do i type in the RIF on the website?

Try at the Mary Ferrell archives

Title: Re: What is an RIF?
Post by: Steve M. Galbraith on March 07, 2021, 08:41:09 PM

Quote from: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:27:20 PM

I've seen JFK researchers use these. For example this one:

RIF 194-10003-10417

Where can i get this document? Is it from this website: https://catalog.archives.gov/ 

Where do i type in the RIF on the website?

It's an acronym for "Records Indication Forms".

Mary Ferrell site explains it: https://maryferrell.org/search.html?index=mffnara

And you can do a RIF Search there. Although it's limited and you'll have to pay for deeper/more extensive searches.

Title: Re: What is an RIF?
Post by: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:57:33 PM

Thanks. Are RIFs used at the National Archives? Or is it just the Mary Ferrel wesbite?

Title: Re: What is an RIF?
Post by: Mitch Todd on March 07, 2021, 09:24:46 PM

Quote from: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:57:33 PM

Thanks. Are RIFs used at the National Archives? Or is it just the Mary Ferrel wesbite?

RIF is a national archive thing. It's how they organized and indexed the stuff declassified by the JFK act

Title: Re: What is an RIF?
Post by: Steve M. Galbraith on March 07, 2021, 09:30:34 PM

Quote from: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 08:57:33 PM

Thanks. Are RIFs used at the National Archives? Or is it just the Mary Ferrel wesbite?

From the Ferrell site: "The National Archives attached a form page to most documents declassified in the 1990s, with fields for titles, subjects, originating agency, from and to, declassification status, and more. When viewing such a document, this is usually the first page. You can also use the "RIF Form" tab to view the data as a form. "

So it's a NARA format. If I recall, you can do three (five?) searches for free at the Ferrell site. You are limited unless you are a member. It's now $35.00 for regular membership.

Title: Re: What is an RIF?
Post by: Gerry Down on March 07, 2021, 09:37:23 PM

Thanks. That clears things up. All these reference numbers can be confusing for someone not used to them.