Know Your Records Program
Free events to keep you in the know, held in Washington, DC, and College Park, Maryland.
Researcher Information
See Photos from the Fifth Annual Genealogy Fair
National Archives Creates Awards for Excellence in Genealogy
- View our updated Tutorial
, "Beginning Your Genealogical Research at the National Archives and Records Administration",
a Powerpoint presentation - See our recent issue of Researcher News for Washington DC area researchers
Join the Researcher News Mailing List at kyr@nara.gov
See our new brochure (PDF), Finding Information on Personal Participation in World War II
Contact Know Your Records program
Are you looking for a way to present research work done at the National Archives?
The Know Your Records program staff would like to hear from you. Through this program, lecturers present programs designed to educate researchers, staff, and volunteers about the various holdings found within the National Archives. You can submit your ideas for a presentation at KYR@nara.gov.
Lectures and Films
Lectures are held at the National Archives Building, Washington, DC, in Room G-24 (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building). Events are free unless otherwise noted.
January
Tuesday, January 26, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Famous Patent Records
Ashley Bucciferro, archivist at the National Archives, discusses famous patent records held at the National Archives on the 130th anniversary of the 1880 patent of Thomas Edison’s light bulb. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, January 28, at 11 a.m.)
February
Tuesday, February 2, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Declassified Records
Neil Carmichael, National Archives supervisory archivist for the Initial Processing and Declassification Division, discusses the lifecycle of classified national security information within the executive branch of the Federal Government. The talk will cover creation through declassification and use the Berlin Crisis (1961) to show the many issues and complexities facing this process. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, February 4, at 11 a.m.)
Tuesday, February 16, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
“Face to Face with History”: African American Civil War Surgeons
Jill L. Newmark, exhibition specialist and registrar in the History of Medicine Division at the National Library of Medicine, discusses her article “Face to Face with History” in the Fall 2009 issue of Prologue magazine. She shares her discovery of William P. Powell, Jr.’s story as an African American surgeon during the Civil War and how National Archives records provide a glimpse into a rarely studied part of history. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, February 18, at 11 a.m.)
Saturday, February 20, at 10 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Beyond the Basics: Finding Aids
Archives staff teach “beyond the basic” archival research skills on the third Wednesday and third Saturday of the month. Saturday’s topic will be finding aids for genealogy. The next lecture is Wednesday, March 17, on nonpopulation census schedules.
For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.
Genealogy Programs
Introducing NEW genealogy programs one Wednesday and one Saturday a month held at the National Archives Building; Room G-24, Research Center unless otherwise noted (enter on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building.)
February
Wednesday, February 3, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. This lecture occurs the first Wednesday of the month: the next one is Wednesday, March 3.
Tuesday, February 9, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
African American Genealogy in Ancestry.com
Sabrina Petersen of Ancestry.com discusses African American genealogy resources in National Archives records available through Ancestry.com. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, February 11, at 11 a.m.)
Wednesday, February 17, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Beyond the Basics: African American Genealogy
Archives staff teach “beyond the basic” archival research skills on the third Wednesday and third Saturday of the month. Wednesday’s topic will be African American genealogy.
Saturday, February 20, noon–4 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
“Help! I’m Stuck”
Not sure where to begin? Has a genealogical problem stumped you? Would you like to explore new directions in your research? On the third Saturday of the month, an archivist is available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the “Help! I’m Stuck” sign at the Research Center desk.
All Genealogy Workshops Nationwide
From the Records Book Group
Washington, DC…The National Archives will hold six book group discussions in 2010. All programs are free and open to the public, and most will be held at noon in the National Archives Building Research Center, Room G-24. Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount for book group participants.
Tuesday, February 23, at 11 a.m.
Adams Room (Enter Special Events Entrance on Constitution Avenue)
From the Records Book Group Pre-Program: George Washington in the Records
In celebration of George Washington’s birthday, Timothy Duskin, National Archives archives technician, explores the many records held at the National Archives on the first President of the United States. Please stay for a noontime discussion on the book The Valley Forge Winter: Civilians and Soldiers in War by Wayne K. Bodle.
Tuesday, February 23, at noon
Adams Room (Enter Special Events Entrance on Constitution Avenue)
From the Records Book Group Discussion: The Valley Forge Winter
The From the Records Book Group discusses The Valley Forge Winter: Civilians and Soldiers in War by Wayne K. Bodle. Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount for book group participants. The March 16 book selection will be Our Mother’s War by Emily Yellin.
Thursday, February 25, at 11 a.m.
National Archives at College Park, MD, Lecture Room B
George Washington in the Records
In celebration of George Washington’s birthday, Timothy Duskin, National Archives archives technician, explores the many records held at the National Archives on the first President of the United States.
For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.
Lectures
Tuesdays: Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Washington, DC
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
Thursdays: Lecture Room B (NOTE: January and February 2009 programs in auditorium)
National Archives at College Park, Maryland
Genealogy Programs
Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Washington, DC
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
Book Group
Third Tuesday of February, March, May, September, October
(College Park, MD), and November
Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
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