Know Your Records Program
Free events to keep you in the know, held in Washington, DC, and College Park, Maryland.
Please Note: There will be no Book Group meetings, lectures, or genealogy workshops in the months of July, August, and December.
What's New
- 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.
September
Tuesday, September 9, at 11 a.m.
Tips & Strategies on the Updated Archival Research Catalog (ARC)
Members of the ARC team 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, September 11, at 11 a.m.).
Tuesday, September 23, at 11 a.m.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act
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.).
Tuesday, September 30, at 11 a.m.
Declassifying Secrets: Opening Classified Records for Public Disclosure
Archivist Neil Carmichael will discuss the declassification process at the
National Archives. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives
at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, October 2, at 11 a.m.).
For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.
October
Tuesday, October 7, at 11 a.m.
The Federal Register and the Electoral College
Amy Bunk, the Federal Register’s director of legal affairs and policy,
will discuss the function of the Electoral College in Presidential elections
as well as the Federal Register’s everyday role. (This lecture will
be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B,
on Friday, October 10, at 11 a.m.).
Tuesday, October 14, at 11 a.m.
“1783: Subject or Citizen?”—Treaty of Paris
Curator Lisa Royse will discuss “1783: Subject or Citizen?,” an
exhibit marking the 225th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris. (This lecture
will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room
B, on Wednesday, October 15, 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.)
September
Wednesday, September 3, and Saturday, September 20, at 10 a.m.
Introduction to Genealogy
Staff archivists will present the first of these monthly lectures on basic
genealogical research and techniques.
Saturday, September 20, noon–4 p.m.
“Help! I'm Stuck”
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? One Saturday a month, an archivist with extensive experience
in genealogy and the records of the National Archives 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.”
October
Wednesday, October 1, at 11 a.m., and Saturday, October 25, at 10 a.m.
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will discuss basic genealogical research in Federal
records. These lectures occur on the first Wednesday of the month and on
selected Saturdays.
Saturday, October 25, noon–4 p.m.
“Help! I'm Stuck”
Not sure where to begin your research? Is there a problem that has stumped
you? Would you like to explore new directions in your research? One Saturday
a month, an archivist will be available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions.
Tuesday, October 28, at 11 a.m.
Access to Archival Databases (AAD) for Genealogists
Archivist Lynn Goodsell will introduce genealogists to electronic records in
the National Archives and show how to use them via the “Access to Archival
Databases” (AAD) online resource. (This lecture will be repeated at the
National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday,
October 30, at 11 a.m.).
All Genealogy Workshops Nationwide
From the Records Book Group
In 2008, the From the Records Book Group will meet the third Tuesday of February, March, April, September, October, and November. We will meet at 11:00 AM, in Room G-24 of the National Archives building in Washington, DC, for a discussion or film relating to the book and then, at noon, to discuss the book. Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue. The books may be purchased anywhere; the Archives Shop offers a discount to those who are participating in the book group.
Tuesday, September 16, at 11 a.m. and noon
Revolution Remembered: Eyewitness Accounts of the War for Independence, by John C. Dann (Editor)
A fascinating selection of information based on the testimony of embattled
farmers who tell us in their own words what they saw with their own eyes. The
Revolution Remembered uses 79 first-hand accounts from veterans of the
war to provide the reader with the feel of what it must have been like to fight
and live through America's bloody battle for independence. The military
pension records at the National Archives provide an important source for this
book.
Tuesday, October 21, at 11 a.m. and noon
Spying on the Bomb: American Nuclear Intelligence From Nazi Germany to Iran and
North Korea, by Jeffrey T. Richelson.
Richelson traces the evolution of U.S. nuclear intelligence efforts--both
successes and failures--from the early days of World War II to the twenty-first
century. The author focuses on the early nuclear programs of 15 nations and
the U.S. effort to determine if they were trying to acquire nuclear weapons,
how far they had gotten, and their attempts to improve those capabilities.
Thus, the book examines the work of the CIA and other intelligence agencies
in identifying and providing the details about those nuclear programs as well
as the agencies' efforts to monitor and evaluate nuclear testing--rather than
their efforts to gather information on the nuclear arsenals. Each of the 14
chapters focuses on the nuclear activities of one or a small number of nations. Richelson
draws on recently declassified documents and interviews with scientists and
spies involved in nuclear espionage. His analysis of our nation's nuclear espionage
includes spy-satellite photographs from the National Archives.
November 18, 2008
Lost Museum: The Nazi Conspiracy to Steal the World's Greatest Works of Art, by Hector Feliciano
During the occupation of Paris, the Nazis confiscated nearly 100,000 artworks
from more than 200 collectors, transporting most of the spoils to Germany. The
most extensive and valuable collections belonged to five renowned Jewish families:
Rosenberg, Rothschild, Schloss, David-Weill and Bernheim-Jeune. After
the war, many works that were found were returned to their owners. But a large
number had disappeared, been destroyed, or spirited out of Europe into the
underground art market.
Drawing on recently declassified government archives and information provided by the heirs of the collections, Feliciano traces the fate of the artworks. Two thousand of these stolen artworks have been identified in the Louvre and other French national museums, fomenting a scandal that has received front-page coverage throughout Europe and spurred a series of new claims and suits by heirs. In this updated and enlarged American edition, he reveals the location of stolen works hanging in major U.S. museums as well.
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
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, April, September, October, and November
Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
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