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NARA Catalog

MCP server · by ianderso

Search Python v1.0.2

Genealogical research in the US National Archives Catalog: records, transcriptions, page images.

View source ↗ More servers

Install

Run one of the commands below, then add the client config underneath.

Pythonuvx nara-catalog-mcp

Client configuration

Paste into Claude Desktop, Cursor (mcp.json), VS Code or any MCP client, then restart the client.

mcpServers{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nara-catalog-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "nara-catalog-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

About this server

NARA Catalog is listed in the Search category of the MCPNav directory. It is distributed as Python and can be loaded by any client that speaks the Model Context Protocol.

Typical uses include giving your assistant scoped access to the corresponding service so it can answer questions and take actions with real data instead of guessing. Always review what a server can access before you enable it — see our MCP security guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the NARA Catalog MCP server?

NARA Catalog is an MCP server by ianderso. Genealogical research in the US National Archives Catalog: records, transcriptions, page images.

How do I install NARA Catalog?

Install it with: uvx nara-catalog-mcp. Then add the JSON config to your client's MCP settings and restart the client.

Is NARA Catalog free to use?

The MCP server itself is free to install. The source is public on https://github.com/ianderso/nara-catalog-mcp. Any third-party API it calls (such as a search or maps API) may require its own key and billing.

Which clients support NARA Catalog?

Any MCP-compatible client can use it, including Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf and custom agents.