Press Release: February 4, 2011

National Archives at Kansas City

National Archives to offer Genealogy Workshops in February

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information: Kimberlee Ried, 816-268-8072

Kansas City, (MO)…The National Archives at Kansas City will be offering the following free Genealogical Workshops during February.

Friday, February 18, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Introduction to Alien Files (A-Files)
Taught by Archivist Elizabeth Carrington, this workshop will serve as an introduction to Alien File (A-File) research. A-Files contain United States immigration documents generated and collected since the mid-20th century, including visas, photographs, applications, affidavits, correspondence, and more. The National Archives at Kansas City presently houses more than 350,000 A-Files for immigrants born 1909 and prior who lived throughout the entire United States.

Saturday, February 26, 10:00 a.m. - Noon - Researching African American Genealogy
Taught by researcher and author Dr. Dorothy Witherspoon, author of Researching Slave Ancestry, this workshop will cover genealogy research strategies and resources to help those interested in exploring African American family history, including overcoming roadblocks caused by slavery. Using case studies and hands-on examples, participants will learn about using primary research documents such as the Federal census. Information will be shared on tools useful in discovering the untold history of generations of African Americans seeking to trace slave ancestry. Witherspoon will be available after the workshop to sign copies of her book, available for purchase at The Kansas City Store at the National Archives.

These workshops are free, but reservations are encouraged. To ensure your seat call 816-268-8010 or register by emailing kansascity.educate@nara.gov.

Additional information about the presenters
Elizabeth Carrington is an Archivist for the National Archives at Kansas City. She serves as the lead archivist for Alien Files (A-Files) reference. Prior to joining the National Archives staff she held positions at Harry S Truman National Historic Site, Missouri History Museum, Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library, and Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. She received a Bachelor’s degree in History at Truman State University and a Master’s degree in History and Museum Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Dorothy Witherspoon, Ph.D. is a native Arkansan and began an interest in genealogy and researching family history in the 1980s inspired by Alex Haley's Roots. In 1990, she published The Homecoming, a book about her family’s history, which is now in its second printing. Her recently published book, Researching Slave Ancestry, is designed to help African American families explore and discover their roots. Dr. Witherspoon is a founding member of the Midwest African American Genealogical Interest Coalition (MAGIC). She resides in the Kansas City, Missouri area.

The National Archives at Kansas City is one of 13 facilities nationwide where the public has access to Federal archival records. It is home to more than 50,000 cubic feet of historical records dating from the 1820s to the 1990s created or received by nearly 100 Federal agencies. Serving the Central Plains Region, the archives holds records from the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The facility is located at 400 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. It is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for research, with the exhibits open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 816-268-8000 or visit: www.archives.gov/central-plains.

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