U.S., American Protective League Members Record Cards and Registers of Members, 1917-1919

In this collection you’ll find registers and applications for enrollment of members of the American Protective League. The American Protective League was established in 1917 as a nationwide volunteer citizens’ organization that served during World War I as a reserve force for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Its principal functions were to secure information about disloyal or enemy activities and to present it to the proper authorities. It also conducted certain investigations for other government agencies and assisted the provost marshal general in locating delinquents under the Selective Service Act. The League, a self-supporting organization, had its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The League terminated its operations on February 1, 1919, at the request of the attorney general, and the records of the headquarters were transferred to the Bureau of Investigation.

Each register entry contains the badge number, name of the member, and location of duty station. Each application card contains the member’s name, address, occupation, place of employment, age, clubs and organizations, foreign languages spoken, marital status, and military experience. On the reverse of each card is the member’s signed oath.