how do I find documents in the central decimal files of the state department?

Dear Ms. Nivard,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

For information about the Department of State Central files, please check NARA’s webiste at https://www.archives.gov/research/foreign-policy/state-dept/rg-59-central-files. Additional descriptions of RG 59 and the Central Files are available in the Guide to Federal Records at https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/059.html#59.2. Lastly, there are 21 series in the National Archives Catalog of various Department of State Central Files. Many of these files have been microfilmed and digitized.

After looking at these resources, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov for more information.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!