National Archives Hosts 6th Genealogy Fair, April 14-15, 2010
Press Release · Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Washington, DC

Free two-day genealogy fair to focus on "The World of Genealogy"

WHAT: The National Archives will host its sixth annual Genealogy Fair: The World of Genealogy on April 14 and 15, 2010, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This year’s two-day program will showcase the diversity of Federal records located at the National Archives as resources for family history research. Speakers include National Archives staff, historians, and genealogy professionals. The fair will provide information and guidance for experienced genealogy professionals and novices alike. The fair is free and open to the public, and presented in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives.

Sessions include workshops on records relating to minority and ethnic groups including African Americans, Chinese, German, Irish, Japanese, Native Americans, and women, as well as a session on DNA genealogy testing, and an evening program on the new genealogy-based TV series “Who Do You Think You Are?” National Archives staff will demonstrate how to use databases including the Archival Research Catalog (ARC) and Access to Archival Databases (AAD). Staff at the “Help! I’m Stuck” table will be available to assist researchers. See a full schedule of lectures and demonstrations.

WHEN: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, April 14, 9 a.m., Pennsylvania Avenue entrance Archivist of the United States, David S. Ferriero, will cut the ribbon to open the fair.

Genealogy Fair: Wednesday and Thursday, April 14-15, 2010, 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: National Archives Research Center Lobby and Pennsylvania Avenue Plaza. National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Fair attendees will be given buttons at the Welcome Tent allowing entrance to the building. Government-issued photo ID or student ID is required to enter the building otherwise.

The closest Metro stop is the Archives/Navy Memorial stop on the Yellow and Green lines. The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) please e-mail reservations.nwe@nara.gov or call 202 357-5000 at least two weeks prior to the event.

WHO: Speakers include historian at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Zack Wilske; professional genealogists Susannah Brooks, Elizabeth K. Kerstens, Marie V. Melchiori, and Thomas Shawker M.D.; and National Archives experts Patrick Connelly, Rebecca Crawford, Damani Davis, John Deeben, Claire P. Kluskens, Trevor Plante, Constance Potter, Mary Frances Ronan, Rebecca Sharp, Katherine Vollen, and Reginald Washington. Guest exhibitors include the Library of Congress, Washington DC Family History Center, FamilySearch, Federation of Genealogical Societies, and local county genealogical societies.

Background

The National Archives holds the permanently valuable records of the Federal government. These include records of interest to genealogists, such as pension files, census and Freedmen’s Bureau materials. For information on National Archives holdings see www.archives.gov.

For more information, e-mail KYR@nara.gov.

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

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