Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in January
Press Release · Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Washington, DC

In January, the National Archives will feature programs highlighting records from its holdings. All programs are free and open to the public, and will be held in the Research Center (Room G-24) of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Please note that four of the programs will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland, in Lecture Room B.

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, January 5, 11 a.m.
DOCUMERICA
Jerry Simmons, Archives Specialist, discusses his Spring 2009 Prologue magazine article DOCUMERICA: Snapshots of Crisis and Cure in the 1970s. Simmons will cover the environmental crises of the 1970s and DOCUMERICA - the Environmental Protection Act’s photo documentary project created to chronicle changes in the national landscape.
(This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, on Thursday, January 7, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, January 6, 11 a.m.
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. This lecture is held on the first Wednesday of the month; the next one is Wednesday, February 3.

Tuesday, January 12, 11 a.m.
National Archives Online Resources at AAD and ARC
Learn to search the online records of the National Archives using the Access to Archival Databases (AAD) and Archival Resource Catalog (ARC). Archivist Lynn Goodsell and Archives Specialist Rebecca Warlow will demonstrate how to use these online resources and discuss the types of records available, including archived databases and computerized records, as well as selected historical documents, photographs, and images.
(This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Thursday, January 14, 11 a.m)

Saturday, January 16, 10 a.m.
How to Think Like an Archivist
This new one-hour lecture will teach attendees how to “think like an archivist” by using finding aids to explore the vast quantities of records in the holdings of the National Archives. This lecture occurs the third Saturday of the month: the next one is Saturday, February 20.

Saturday, January 16, noon–4 p.m.
“Help! I’m Stuck”
Not sure where to begin? Has a genealogical problem stumped you? Would you like to explore new directions in your research? On the third Saturday of the month, an archivist will be available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the “Help! I’m Stuck” sign at the Research Center desk.

Tuesday, January 19, 11 a.m.
Records of African Americans in Footnote.com
In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Laura Prescott from Footnote.com will discuss records relating to African Americans and how to use Footnote.com for research.
(This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Thursday, January 21, 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, January 20, 11 a.m.
Beyond the Basics: Passport Applications
New one-hour lectures teaching “beyond the basic” archival research skills will be held on the third Wednesday of the month. The January topic is passport applications. The next lecture will be Wednesday, February 17, on African American genealogy.

Tuesday, January 26, 11 a.m.
Famous Patent Records
On the 130th anniversary of Thomas Edison’s patent for the light bulb, archivist Ashley Bucciferro will discuss famous patent records held at the National Archives.
(This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Thursday, January 28, 11 a.m.)

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

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