Know Your Records Program - Handouts and Presentations

Handouts and Presentations

On-site and YouTube events showing you how to use U.S. Federal government records held at the National Archives for historical and genealogical research. Events are free and open to all. Registration is not required.

2015 Programs

July

Wednesday, July 1, at 2 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater &
How to Use the New National Archives Catalog
Jason Clingerman, archives specialist, demonstrates and answers questions about the new National Archives Catalog [http://catalog.archives.gov/]. Video | Captioning | Presentation slides | Handout.

June

Wednesday, June 3, at 2 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater & YouTube
Civil War Medicine & Surgery
Archives specialist Rebecca Sharp will discuss The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. This published source contains information about Civil War medical and surgical procedures as well as case studies. Video | Captioning | Presentation slides | Handout 1 | Handout 2.

May

Thursday, May 14, at 2 p.m. ET
William G. McGowan Theater &
Genealogy: Using Records of Artificial Limbs for Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1927
Claire Kluskens, archivist, will discuss records in the National Archives that may give information about a veteran's medical condition and whether he received money or an artificial limb from the U.S. Government. Video | Captioning | Presentation slides | Handout 1 | Handout 2.

Thursday, May 21, at 2 p.m. ET
William G. McGowan Theater &
Restoring the Brotherhood of Union: Confederate Pardon and Amnesty Records, 1865–1877 Archives specialist John Deeben provides a brief legislative history of amnesty activity during and after the Civil War by examining the application process and resulting records of presidential pardons and congressional amnesty offered to former Confederates. Video | Captioning | Presentation slides | Handout.

April

Wednesday, April 1, at 2 p.m. ET
William G. McGowan Theater &
Using Pre-1850 Census to Find Family Relationships
Broadcast from the National Archives at Boston, archivist Jean Nudd outlines a methodology for linking parents and children when birth records are not available. Video | Captioning | Presentation slides | Handout

Wednesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. ET
William G. McGowan Theater &
Early Naturalization Records from New England States, 1790–1906
Joseph Keefe, archivist, discusses how to use naturalization proceedings—from federal, state, county, and local courts—from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont between 1790 and September 26, 1906. Broadcast from the National Archives at Boston. Video | Captioning | Presentation slides | Handout

March

Thursday, March 12, at 2 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater &
Freedmen’s Bureau Records for Family & Historical Research
Damani Davis, archivist, provides examples of various types of records from the “Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands” and explains their historical and genealogical value. Presentation and Captioning

February

Thursday, February 12, at 2 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater &
50th Anniversaries of Voting Rights
In recognition of the 50th anniversaries of the Selma to Montgomery March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, archivist Tina Ligon presents records documenting these pivotal events in American history.
Handout, Presentation, and Captioning

Tuesday, February 24, at 2 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater &
Protecting America’s Treasures: Black History in the Vault
Archives specialist Netisha Currie describes records relating to African-American history held in our vault as well as unrestricted records available from our stacks.
Handout, Presentation, and Captioning