Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in September
Press Release · Thursday, August 21, 2008

Washington, DC… In September, the National Archives will feature a series of programs highlighting records from its holdings. In addition to changing monthly programs, the National Archives will introduce new twice-monthly genealogy programs for experienced genealogy professionals and novices alike, entitled:  “Introduction to Genealogy” and “Help! I'm Stuck!” All programs are free and open to the public and will be held in the National Archives Building and/or at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

The National Archives Building is located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Visitors to all programs in the National Archives Building should use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The National Archives at College Park, MD is located at 8601 Adelphi Road. See directions to both locations.

Introduction to Genealogy ***New Program***
Wednesday, September 3 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, September 20 at 10 a.m.
National Archives Building, Room G-24 (enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Staff archivists will present the first of these new monthly lectures on basic genealogical research and techniques.

How to use the “new and improved” Archival Research Catalog (ARC)
Tuesday, September 9, at 11 a.m.
National Archives Building, Room G-24 (enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Members of the National Archives ARC staff will demonstrate how to use the newly-updated online Archival Research Catalog. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, September 11, at 11 a.m.).

National Archives Book Group and Lecture
Tuesday, September 16, at 11 a.m., and noon
National Archives Building, Room G-24 (enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Following an 11 a.m. lecture by National Archives Specialist Jennifer Davis Heaps on illustrated family records such as needlework samplers and frakturs, at noon the Book Group will discuss The Revolution Remembered: Eyewitness Accounts of the War for Independence, edited by John C. Dann. The book details 79 Revolutionary War eyewitness accounts, outlined in pension files held at the National Archives. Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount for book group participants. The October book selection will be Spying on the Bomb: American Nuclear Intelligence From Nazi Germany to Iran and North Korea, by Jeffrey T. Richelson.

“Help! I'm Stuck!” *** New Program***
Saturday, September 20, noon–4 p.m.
National Archives Building, Room G-24 (enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Not sure where to begin your research? Is there a genealogical or historical problem that has stumped you? Would you like to explore new directions in your research? An archivist with extensive experience in genealogy and the records of the National Archives will be available one Saturday a month, from 12-4 pm to answer questions.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act
Tuesday, September 23, at 11 a.m.
National Archives Building, Room G-24 (enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Privacy Act Officer Ramona Branch Oliver will discuss provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, and how the statutes impact public access to both archival and operational records at the National Archives. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, September 25, at 11 a.m.).

For information on other National Archives records-related programs and workshops, see the Know Your Records web page.

The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) from the Know Your Records (KYR) program staff, please e-mail KYR@nara.gov or call 202-357-5333 two weeks prior to the event.

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For press information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at (202) 357-5300.

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