Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in March
Press Release · Thursday, February 5, 2009

Washington, DC

In March, the National Archives will feature a series of programs highlighting records from its holdings. All programs are free and open to the public and will be held in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Please note that some of these programs will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

Visitors to all programs in the National Archives Building Research Center (Room G-24) 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.

Tuesday, March 3, at 11 a.m.
Declassifying Secrets: Opening Classified Records for Public Disclosure
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Archives Specialist 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 the auditorium, on Thursday, March 5, at 11 a.m.).

Wednesday, March 4, at 11 a.m.
Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m.
Introduction to Genealogy
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
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.  (April’s “Introduction to Genealogy” lectures will be held on Wednesday, April 1, and during the Annual Genealogy Fair on April 22 & 23.)

Tuesday, March 10, at 11 a.m.
Civil War Pension Files at Footnote.com
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
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.).

Tuesday, March 17, at 11 a.m. and noon
From the Records Book Group and Lecture
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
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 April book selection will be Railroads in the Civil War: The Impact of Management on Victory and Defeat by John Elwood Clark.

Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m.
Exodus to Kansas: The 1880 Senate Investigation of the Beginnings of the African American Migration from the South
Lecture Room B, National Archives at College Park, MD
Archivist 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.).

Saturday, March 21, noon–4 p.m.
“Help! I'm Stuck”
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
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.)

Wednesday, March 25, 10:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Effective Internet Searching
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens (cg, cgl) 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.

Thursday, March 26, 10:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
U.S. Sources for Beginning Irish Research
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens (cg, cgl) 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.

Tuesday, March 31, at 11 a.m.
Privacy Act
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Ramona Branch Oliver, FOIA/Privacy Act Officer for the National Archives, 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.).

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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