Know Your Records Program
Free events to keep you in the know, held in Washington, DC, and College Park, Maryland.
What's New
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.
February
Tuesday, February 3, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Declassifying Secrets: Opening Classified Records for Public Disclosure
Neil Carmichael will discuss the declassification process at the National
Archives, past executive orders, present initiatives, and the future of declassification
in the executive branch. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium, on Thursday, February 5, at 11 a.m.).
Tuesday, February 10, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Discovering Lincoln in the Records
Trevor Plante will discuss Lincoln records held at the National Archives
in the Washington, DC, area. His talk will include an overview of documents
in Federal custody written to and from Abraham Lincoln as well as several
that bear his signature. Digitized copies of documents that show the President
saving soldiers from the death penalty and Lincoln assassination records
will also be on view. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium, on Thursday, February 12, at
11 a.m.).
Tuesday, February 24, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
New Deal
John Deeben will examine the central files of the Federal Emergency Relief
Administration (1933–1936) and demonstrate how the records provide personal
and family information about individuals within the context of their experiences
during the Great Depression. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium, on Thursday, February 26, at 11 a.m.).
March
Tuesday, March 3, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Tips & Strategies on the Updated Archival Research Catalog (ARC)
Jill James will show researchers how to find records in the National Archives’ updated
online Archival Research Catalog (ARC). (This lecture will be repeated at
the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday,
March 5, at 11 a.m.).
Tuesday, March 10, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Civil War Pension Files at Footnote.com
Laura Prescott from Footnote.com will discuss the Civil War pension files
recently scanned and published online through the partnership between the
National Archives, Family Search, and Footnote.com. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B
on Thursday, March 12, at 11 a.m.)
Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m.
National Archives at College Park, MD, Lecture Room B
Exodus to Kansas: The 1880 Senate Investigation of the Beginnings of the
African American Migration from the South
Damani Davis examines Federal records relating to the “Kansas Exodus” (the
Exoduster movement), which was the first instance of voluntary, mass migration
among African Americans and resulted in a major Senate investigation. (This
lecture will be repeated at the National Archives Building, Washington, DC,
in Room G-24, Research Center, on Tuesday, March 24, at 11 a.m.).
Wednesday, March 25, 10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Effective Internet Searching
Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens will lead a workshop on how to use the Internet
and genealogy software to increase research capabilities. Reservations are
required, and a fee of $20 is payable by cash or check (payable to NATF)
at the door. E-mail KYR@nara.gov or call 202-357-5333.
Tuesday, March 31, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Privacy Act
Ramona Branch Oliver will discuss provisions of the Privacy Act and how the
statutes affect 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, April 2, at 11 a.m.).
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 4, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in
Federal records. This lecture occurs on select Saturdays and the first Wednesday
of the month. (The next lecture will take place on Wednesday, March 4.)
Wednesday, February 18, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Passport Applications, 1795–1925
Rebecca Sharp and Katherine Vollen will discuss how to locate passport applications
and how these records can enhance your genealogical research. (This
lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in
the auditorium, on Thursday, February 19, at 11 a.m.).
Saturday, February 21, at 10 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in
Federal records. This lecture occurs on select Saturdays and the first Wednesday
of the month. (The next weekend lecture will take place on Saturday,
March 21.)
Saturday, February 21, noon–4 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
“Help! I'm Stuck”
On select Saturday afternoons, an archivist with extensive experience in
genealogy and the records of the National Archives will be available to assist
with your research questions. Please sign up for a 20-minute appointment
at the Research Center. (The next opportunity will be on Saturday, March
21.)
March
Wednesday, March 4, at 11 a.m.
Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal
records. This lecture occurs on select Saturdays and the first Wednesday
of the month. (Next month’s lectures will take place on Wednesday,
April 1, and during the Annual Genealogy Fair on April 22 & 23.)
Saturday, March 21, noon–4 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
“Help! I'm Stuck”
Not sure where to begin your research? Is there a genealogical or historical
problem that has stumped you? On select Saturdays, an archivist will be available
from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the sign at the Research
Center desk reading, “Help! I'm Stuck.” The next opportunity
will be at the Annual Genealogy Fair on April 22 & 23.)
Thursday, March 26, 10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
U.S. Sources for Beginning Irish Research
Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens will teach research strategies using original sources
to track the origin of Irish immigrants. Sources include passenger lists,
immigration records, military records, census records, city directories,
and more. Reservations are required, and a fee of $20 is payable by cash
or check (payable to NATF) at the door. E-mail KYR@nara.gov or call
202-357-5333.
All Genealogy Workshops Nationwide
From the Records Book Group
Washington, DC…The National Archives will hold six book group discussions in 2009. 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 17 at noon
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
The Pentagon: A History - The Untold Story of the Wartime Race to Build the Pentagon - and to Restore it Sixty Years Later
Following a related presentation at 11 a.m., the From the Records Book
Group will discuss The Pentagon: A History—The Untold Story
of the Wartime Race to Build the Pentagon—and to Restore It Sixty
Years Later by Steve Vogel. Please
check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special
discount for book group participants.
Tuesday, March 17, at 11 a.m. and noon
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
From the Records Book Group and Lecture
Following a related presentation at 11 a.m., the From the Records Book
Group will discuss The Harp and the Eagle: Irish-American Volunteers
and the Union Army, 1861–1865, by Susannah Bruce. Please check
the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount
for book group participants. The May book selection will be Railroads
in the Civil War: The Impact of Management on Victory and Defeat by
John Elwood Clark.
May 19, 2009
Railroads in the Civil War: The Impact of Management on Victory
and Defeat by John E. Clark, Jr.
September 15, 2009
The General & the Jaguar: Pershing's Hunt for Pancho Villa
- A True Story of Revolution and Revenge by Ellen Welsome
October 20, 2009 (College Park, MD location)
Secret Empire: Eisenhower, the CIA, and the Hidden Story of the
American's Space Espionage by Philip Taubman
November 17, 2009
The Whiskey Merchant's Diary: An Urban Life in the Emerging Midwest by
Joseph J. Mersman, Edited by Linda A. Fisher
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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