Project 1947: Historical UFO Documentation
Organization History and Founding
Project 1947 was founded in the 1990s by Jan Aldrich, a retired U.S. Army counterintelligence officer, with the mission of systematically collecting, preserving, and analyzing historical documents related to UFO phenomena from the formative years of the modern UFO era. The organization takes its name from the pivotal year 1947, when several foundational UFO incidents occurred, including Kenneth Arnold’s sighting and the Roswell incident.
Aldrich’s military background provided unique qualifications for understanding government document classification systems, intelligence procedures, and bureaucratic processes that enabled more effective research into official UFO-related records. His professional experience in counterintelligence operations gave him insights into how government agencies handle sensitive information and maintain records.
The organization emerged from recognition that early UFO history was poorly documented and that crucial historical information was being lost as witnesses died and documents were destroyed. Project 1947 aimed to preserve this vanishing historical record through systematic collection and digitization efforts.
The founding philosophy emphasized the importance of primary source documentation over speculation or theory, focusing on preserving actual historical records rather than promoting particular interpretations of UFO phenomena. This approach distinguished Project 1947 from organizations focused on contemporary investigation or advocacy activities.
Early activities concentrated on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to government agencies, systematic searches of newspaper archives, and collection of witness testimonies from the 1940s and 1950s when many participants in early UFO incidents were still alive and willing to provide information.
The organization’s development benefited from the internet revolution, which enabled efficient distribution of historical documents and facilitated collaboration between researchers worldwide who shared interest in preserving early UFO history and government records.
Mission Statement and Objectives
Project 1947’s mission centers on “preserving the history of the UFO phenomenon through systematic collection and analysis of primary source documents from government agencies, newspapers, and witness testimonies” while making this information freely available to researchers and the public.
The primary objective involves comprehensive collection of government documents related to UFO phenomena, using FOIA requests, archival research, and other methods to obtain official records that provide insights into early government awareness and investigation of anomalous aerial phenomena.
Historical preservation represents a core objective, with Project 1947 working to digitize and maintain documents that might otherwise be lost due to deterioration, destruction, or institutional neglect of historical records related to UFO phenomena.
Research facilitation constitutes a fundamental mission element, with the organization providing researchers worldwide with access to comprehensive collections of primary source materials that enable evidence-based analysis of UFO history and government involvement.
Public education forms an important objective, with Project 1947 making historical documents and information available to the general public while correcting misconceptions and inaccuracies that have accumulated around early UFO incidents and government responses.
Collaborative research coordination represents a crucial goal, with Project 1947 working with other researchers and organizations to share information, avoid duplication of effort, and maximize the historical preservation value of limited research resources and volunteer time.
Key Personnel and Leadership
Jan Aldrich serves as Project 1947’s founder and primary researcher, bringing exceptional qualifications including military intelligence experience, deep knowledge of government document systems, and passionate commitment to historical accuracy and preservation that define the organization’s character and effectiveness.
Aldrich’s counterintelligence background provides unique insights into government classification procedures, document handling protocols, and institutional behavior that enhance his effectiveness in obtaining and interpreting official UFO-related records from various agencies and time periods.
The organization operates primarily through Aldrich’s individual efforts supplemented by a network of volunteer researchers and contributors who share information, documents, and analysis that collectively advance Project 1947’s historical preservation and research objectives.
Collaborative relationships with other researchers, archivists, and historians provide Project 1947 with access to additional resources and expertise while contributing to broader scholarly efforts to document and understand early UFO history and government responses.
International connections enable information sharing with foreign researchers investigating UFO history in their respective countries, facilitating global perspective on early UFO phenomena and comparative analysis of different national responses to anomalous aerial observations.
Academic relationships with historians and archivists provide Project 1947 with access to research methodologies and preservation techniques that enhance the organization’s effectiveness while contributing to scholarly recognition of UFO history as a legitimate research subject.
Research Methodology and Standards
Project 1947 employs rigorous historical research methodologies that emphasize primary source documentation, careful verification of information accuracy, and systematic preservation of materials using archival standards that ensure long-term accessibility and reliability.
Document authentication procedures include verification of source authenticity, cross-referencing with other records when possible, and careful analysis of document characteristics to identify potential forgeries or altered materials that might compromise historical accuracy.
FOIA request strategies developed by Project 1947 maximize effectiveness in obtaining government records while minimizing costs and delays associated with bureaucratic procedures and agency resistance to information disclosure.
Archival organization systems enable efficient storage, retrieval, and distribution of historical documents while maintaining proper attribution and preserving original context necessary for accurate historical analysis and interpretation.
Research coordination procedures facilitate collaboration with other researchers while maintaining quality control over contributed materials and ensuring that shared information meets Project 1947’s standards for accuracy and documentation.
Digital preservation techniques ensure that collected documents remain accessible despite technological changes while providing multiple backup systems that protect against loss of irreplaceable historical materials.
Major Historical Discoveries
Project 1947 has uncovered numerous significant historical documents and information that have enhanced understanding of early UFO phenomena and government responses, including previously unknown cases and official activities that provide new insights into the development of modern UFO history.
Early government correspondence and memoranda obtained through FOIA requests have revealed the extent of official awareness and concern about UFO phenomena in the late 1940s and early 1950s, demonstrating that government interest preceded and exceeded publicly acknowledged investigation programs.
Military intelligence reports and analyses from the formative years of UFO phenomena have provided insights into official assessment procedures and conclusions while revealing the scope and sophistication of early government investigation efforts that were not publicly disclosed.
Newspaper research has uncovered hundreds of early UFO sightings and incidents that were not included in official records or existing databases, significantly expanding knowledge of UFO activity patterns and characteristics during the phenomenon’s early decades.
Witness testimony collection has preserved firsthand accounts from participants in significant early UFO incidents who provided details and perspectives not available through official records or secondary sources, enriching understanding of historical events and their significance.
International document research has revealed the global nature of early UFO phenomena and government responses, providing comparative perspective on how different nations approached anomalous aerial observations and official investigation procedures.
Document Collections and Archives
Project 1947 maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of historical UFO documents, including thousands of government records, newspaper articles, and witness testimonies that span the formative decades of modern UFO phenomena.
Government document collections include materials from multiple agencies including the Air Force, Army, Navy, CIA, and FBI that provide comprehensive perspective on official awareness and investigation of UFO phenomena from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Newspaper archives contain extensive collections of contemporary reporting on UFO incidents from hundreds of publications nationwide, preserving detailed contemporary accounts that often contain information not available through other sources.
Photograph and visual evidence collections include historical images related to early UFO incidents, with careful documentation of provenance and analysis of authenticity that contributes to understanding of visual evidence from the early UFO era.
Correspondence files contain letters and communications between researchers, witnesses, and officials that provide insights into the development of UFO research communities and the evolution of official and civilian responses to anomalous phenomena.
Technical reports and analyses from government agencies and civilian researchers provide understanding of early investigation methodologies and analytical approaches while documenting the evolution of scientific and technical perspectives on UFO phenomena.
Research Publications and Resources
Project 1947’s extensive online archives provide free public access to thousands of historical documents, making primary source materials available to researchers worldwide while preserving historical information that might otherwise remain inaccessible.
Research reports and analyses produced by Project 1947 contribute to scholarly understanding of early UFO history while correcting inaccuracies and misconceptions that have accumulated around significant historical incidents and government activities.
Document indices and finding aids facilitate efficient research by providing searchable catalogs of available materials organized by date, location, agency, and subject matter that enable targeted investigation of specific topics or time periods.
Historical timelines and chronologies provide comprehensive overviews of UFO phenomena development while integrating information from multiple sources to present coherent narratives of early UFO history and government responses.
Educational materials and articles explain the significance of historical documents and provide context for understanding early UFO phenomena within the broader historical circumstances of post-war America and emerging Cold War concerns.
Collaborative research projects with other historians and researchers have produced comprehensive studies of specific incidents, time periods, or aspects of early UFO history that contribute to scholarly literature and public understanding.
Impact on UFO Research
Project 1947 has fundamentally changed understanding of early UFO history by providing access to primary source documentation that enables evidence-based analysis rather than speculation or myth-based interpretations of historical events and government activities.
The organization’s systematic approach to historical research has established methodological standards that influence other researchers and demonstrate the value of careful documentation and verification in UFO historical studies.
Document discoveries have corrected numerous historical inaccuracies and myths while revealing previously unknown aspects of early UFO phenomena and government responses that significantly enhance understanding of the subject’s development.
Research resources provided by Project 1947 have enabled academic studies and scholarly publications that treat UFO history as a legitimate research subject worthy of serious historical analysis and documentation.
Educational impact includes improved public understanding of early UFO history through access to primary source materials that enable individuals to evaluate historical claims and develop informed perspectives based on documentary evidence.
International influence has encouraged similar historical research efforts in other countries while facilitating global collaboration and information sharing that advances comprehensive understanding of early UFO phenomena as an international phenomenon.
Funding and Operations
Project 1947 operates primarily through Jan Aldrich’s personal resources and volunteer contributions, with minimal funding that reflects the organization’s focus on preservation and research rather than commercial or promotional activities.
Document acquisition costs including FOIA request fees, archive access charges, and reproduction expenses represent significant ongoing expenses that limit the scope of research activities while requiring careful prioritization of investigation targets.
Digital preservation and website maintenance costs are supported through donations and personal contributions that enable continued public access to historical materials while ensuring long-term preservation of irreplaceable documents.
Volunteer contributions from researchers and contributors worldwide provide additional resources and expertise while reducing costs associated with document collection, analysis, and preservation activities.
The organization’s minimal overhead and operational costs enable maximum allocation of resources to actual research and preservation activities while maintaining independence from commercial or institutional influences that might affect research priorities.
Collaborative arrangements with other researchers and organizations provide access to additional resources and capabilities while sharing costs associated with major research projects and document preservation initiatives.
Current Status and Activities
Project 1947 continues to operate as the premier historical UFO research organization, maintaining its extensive archives while pursuing ongoing document collection and research activities that expand understanding of early UFO phenomena and government responses.
Current research priorities include completion of comprehensive document collections from various government agencies while pursuing remaining FOIA requests and archival research opportunities that might yield additional historical materials.
Digital preservation activities focus on ensuring long-term accessibility of collected documents while improving search capabilities and user interfaces that facilitate research by historians and other scholars studying early UFO phenomena.
Collaborative projects with other researchers continue to produce new insights into early UFO history while demonstrating the value of systematic historical research and documentation for understanding controversial subjects.
Educational outreach activities include conference presentations, publication of research findings, and development of educational materials that improve public understanding of early UFO history and the importance of primary source documentation.
International cooperation efforts facilitate information sharing with foreign researchers while contributing to global understanding of early UFO phenomena as an international rather than purely American phenomenon.
Future Prospects and Goals
Project 1947’s future depends partly on continued volunteer support and resource availability for document preservation and research activities while addressing challenges associated with aging leadership and the need for succession planning.
Digital preservation and technological upgrades represent ongoing priorities that require resources and expertise to ensure continued accessibility of historical materials while adapting to changing technological environments and user expectations.
Academic partnerships offer possibilities for enhanced recognition and support of historical UFO research while potentially providing resources and institutional backing for major preservation and research initiatives.
International expansion could include coordination with foreign researchers and institutions to develop comprehensive global collections of early UFO historical materials while facilitating comparative studies of different national responses.
Educational applications include potential development of curriculum materials and academic resources that could introduce UFO history as a legitimate subject for historical education while demonstrating research methodologies and analytical techniques.
Long-term preservation planning must address questions of institutional continuity and succession to ensure that collected materials remain accessible to future researchers while maintaining the quality standards and research focus that define Project 1947’s contributions.
Project 1947’s dedication to historical documentation and preservation has created invaluable resources for understanding early UFO phenomena and government responses. Jan Aldrich’s systematic approach to primary source research has established new standards for UFO historical investigation while providing researchers worldwide with access to comprehensive collections of authentic historical materials. The organization’s contributions demonstrate that careful historical research can illuminate controversial subjects while separating fact from fiction and myth from documented reality in the complex history of modern UFO phenomena.