During the Great Depression, the federal government offered low-coast loans to farms and others engaged in agricultural work. The money could be used to buy livestock or supplies, make improvements to their property or livestock facilities, to expand a business, or even purchase a vehicle. Files were created for each applicant to the program, however, only a sampling of these files were transferred to the care of the National Archives. Surviving files typically include the application, character statements from friends and neighbors, loan repayment schedules, monthly and annual reports, mortgage liens, correspondence, and more.
The program operated from 1934-1944. The National Archives of Riverside holds the files for Cochise, Mohave, and Pima County offices, Arizona, and Orange County office, California. Only about 3% of the original loan applications were transferred to NARA’s care. If your family’s file survived, I can visit the archives to obtain a copy of the complete file for you.
- You will receive full color images of the records, delivered electronically.
- Please allow for 2-3 weeks for delivery, but in many cases it will be shorter than that.
- Not sure if your family has a surviving file? Contact me first!
