Understanding U.S. Documents Masterfile: 1774-2018

U.S. Documents Masterfile is your one-stop resource for American public and political documents from 1774 to 2018. It simplifies the process, through extensive integration of more than 30 historical indices, many linked to full-text targets.

From the earliest records of the Continental Congress through contemporary federally-funded research data, U.S. Documents Masterfile brings it together.

New Interdisciplinary Discoveries

A Brief Introduction...


For a quick 2-minute overview on what U.S. Documents Masterfile has to offer your library, watch this video.


Historical and Contemporary Data


U.S. Documents Masterfile bridges the divide between historical federal information and the more systematic cataloguing of U.S. federal documents beginning in 1976.

In addition to materials published through the GPO, U.S. Documents Masterfile also contains a wealth of Non-GPO federal data, which makes up as much as 55% of federal output.

Lesser known and ‘fugitive’ documents are also included, as well as allowing for queries via Superintendent of Document (SuDoc) numbers.

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Enhanced Search


Advanced searching methods bring new layers of authority to your research.

The Enhanced Search feature in U.S. Documents Masterfile expands your search results by simultaneously searching related terms such as synonyms, word endings, and antiquated words of the same meaning.

It will include common variations on words like 'emancipation emancipate emancipator' and outdated word variations like 'burma myanmar' and 'obesity corpulence'.


Making Sense of Gov’t Documents…


Researching U.S. federal data is challenging, even for experts. Documents are disorganized and difficult to pinpoint.

U.S. Documents Masterfile is the only outlet offering a single search for indexes and records for nearly 250 years of U.S. federal government information—with GPO and Non-GPO materials.

Non-GPO materials include a vast array of federally-funded research for those studying biology, economics, engineering, the arts, political science, or anthropology. The coverage is vast and ever-growing.

Filtering options can simplify your search to narrow by Agency, SuDoc Number, date of publication, and more.

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What Our Customers Say ...

U.S. Documents Masterfile is a unique resource for government information librarians. Moreover, it is designed by people who know the idiosyncrasies of historical finding tools and how to bring them together via a seamless interface. - James Gillespie, Johns Hopkins University
U.S. Documents Masterfile saves me about 100 hours a year just in finding SuDoc numbers. - Kathy Edwards, Nevada State Library and Archives
By aggregating all the major historical and current indexes to federal documents into one product, Paratext has created an unrivaled tool for comprehensive bibliographic access to U.S. government publications. U.S. Documents Masterfile addresses this need, and greatly simplifies the process. - Diane Smith, George Mason University

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