Sixth Annual Genealogy Fair

April 14 & 15, 2010

National Archives Research Center,
Lobby and Pennsylvania Avenue Plaza,
Washington, DC (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)

WHAT: The National Archives hosted its sixth annual Genealogy Fair: The World of Genealogy on April 14 and 15, 2010, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This year’s two-day program showcased the diversity of Federal records located at the National Archives as resources for family history research. Speakers included National Archives staff, historians, and genealogy professionals. The fair provided information and guidance for experienced genealogy professionals and novices alike. The fair was free and open to the public, and presented in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives and with support from Ancestry.com.

Sessions included workshops on records relating to minority and ethnic groups including African Americans, Chinese, German, Irish, Japanese, Native Americans, and women, as well as a session on DNA genealogy testing, and an evening program on the new genealogy-based TV series “Who Do You Think You Are?” National Archives staff demonstrated how to use databases including the Archival Research Catalog (ARC) and Access to Archival Databases (AAD). Staff at the “Help! I’m Stuck” table were available to assist researchers.

WHEN: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, April 14, 9 a.m., Pennsylvania Avenue entrance Archivist of the United States, David S. Ferriero, cut the ribbon to open the fair.

Genealogy Fair: Wednesday and Thursday, April 14-15, 2010, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

See the complete schedule by day showing the session titles and descriptions, tracks, times, locations, and presenters:

Complete schedule for Day 1
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Complete schedule for Day 2
Thursday, April 15, 2010

See the condensed schedule for April 14 and 15, showing the session titles, times, and locations.

WHERE: National Archives Research Center Lobby and Pennsylvania Avenue Plaza. National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue.

See the map of the fair, showing the location of the guest genealogy exhibitors, NARA genealogy exhibitors, and sessions.

Fair attendees were given buttons at the Welcome Tent allowing entrance to the building. Government-issued photo ID or student ID is required to enter the building otherwise.

The closest Metro stop is the Archives/Navy Memorial stop on the Yellow and Green lines. The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) please e-mail reservations.nwe@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 at least two weeks prior to our events.

For location details see our Visitor's Map.

WHO: Speakers included historian at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Zack Wilske; professional genealogists Susannah Brooks, Elizabeth K. Kerstens, Marie V. Melchiori, and Thomas Shawker M.D.; and National Archives experts Patrick Connelly, Rebecca Crawford, Damani Davis, John Deeben, Claire P. Kluskens, Trevor Plante, Constance Potter, Mary Frances Ronan, Rebecca Sharp, Katherine Vollen, and Reginald Washington.

Session Handouts:

Only the sessions listed by National Archives staff are available.

African American Genealogy: Locating Caribbean Immigrant Ancestors, by Damani Davis
Anatomy of a Pension File, by Claire P. Kluskens
Introduction to Genealogy, by Katherine Vollen
Hispanic Volunteers in the Antebellum Army Records of Military Service, 1835–1855, by John Deeben
Mexican Border Crossing Records, 1903–1950s, by Claire P. Kluskens
Military Service in the Civil War: An Overview, by John Deeben
Naturalization Records, by Patrick Connelly
Native Americans - Carlisle Indian School, by Mary Frances Ronan
New York City Lower East Side: Changes in an Ethnic Neighborhood, by Constance Potter
Nonpopulation Census Schedules, by Katherine Vollen
Relocation Center Newspapers: A Source for Japanese American Genealogy, by Rebecca Sharp

View 1940 Federal Population Census Videos

National Archives Exhibitors:

Access to Archival Databases (AAD)
Archives Library Information Center (ALIC)
Archives.gov Redesign
Archival Research Catalog (ARC)
Foundation for the National Archives
Genealogy Tutorial
Help! I’m Stuck
National Archives Shop
National Archives Volunteer Association
Office of Regional Archives
Preservation
Reference Reports
Social Media

Guest Genealogy Exhibitors:

Background: The National Archives holds the permanently valuable records of the Federal government. These include records of interest to genealogists, such as pension files, census and Freedmen’s Bureau materials. For information about the National Archives' holdings start on our home page www.archives.gov.

For more information about the fair, e-mail KYR@nara.gov.