Where Are the Finding Tools?

Surveying the files of Project Blue Book et al, I am struck by the absence of the finding tools being included in the records file. This would be the indexes, the 'see also' lists, and other cross reference type aids to locating obscure data within the massive 10,000 plus files this project held.

In the early days of clerical file systems, library and archives systems, these were crucial because there was no desk-top computer.  If someone wanted to see what files contained a specific type of sighting, a location, a researcher, a project, and a specific explanation, there would have been a master list to enable the file clerk or librarian to quickly access requested material.  If a group conducted a study related to the holdings this would be crucial or vast wasted hours of staff time would be wasted repeatedly. 

If a researcher wanted to see what sightings had been turned over to Project Twinkle - Dr. LaPaz' study of the odd green fireballs that were being seen in the late 1940s and 1950's in the southwest - how much time would it have taken for staff to access and retrieve that data?  This question might have been very crucial as rocket and early satellite developments occurred; what might the risk be to that expensive equipment by this large, powerful and not truly understood bolides be to that project?

These are the questions a library professional has after studying the files.  After computers arrived, the cataloging, indexing, access and retrieval would have been much easier. Hyperlink search systems would have made every word retrieval possible depending on how detailed the indexing program was. Early computers in the library often saw (into the 1990's) vast binders of lists showing titles, subjects and authors (usually printed out on daisy wheel printers!).  Were these tossed as obsolete despite the potential historic value and the more than possible technical problems when computer access might be limited?

Did they keep the indexes to show to changes of status in the files? When the July 1947 Oak Ridge, Tennessee sighting of a gold round object based on a series of photos. There were 19 pages in the report but no witness form. There was just photographs.Did the index explain why the event showed up on another list as being explained as an "Other" and a notation of it having to do with some research and development project? The cover sheet is a later version form and thus indicates the file was relabeled to indicate the photos were the result of development error and that "subject never seen visually" that begs the question why did the witness take the photos in the first place?

This index,  however, might be extremely sensitive and reveal secrets that were important enough to keep the Air Force project working despite three attempts to close it down and multiple statements that the Air Force had proven the U.F.O.'s presented no threat.

That might have been enough to see them tossed on the fire, put through a shredder, or hidden away.