This article focuses on use and users of data from the NARA (National

Archives and Records Administration), U.S. Who is using archival electronic records,

and why are they using them? It describes the changes in use and consequently user

groups over the last 30 years. The changes in use are related to the evolution of reference

services for electronic records at NARA, as well as to growth in the types of

electronic records accessioned by NARA. The first user group consisted mainly of

researchers with a social science background, who usually expected to handle the data

themselves. The user community expanded when electronic records with personal value,

like casualty records, were transferred to NARA, and broadened yet again when a

selection of NARA’s electronic records became available online. Archivists trying to

develop user services for electronic records will find that the needs and expectations of

fact or information seeking data users are different from those of researchers using and

analyzing data files.