National Archives Holds Genealogy-related Programs in February 2012
Press Release · Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Washington, DC

In February, the National Archives presents genealogy-related programs highlighting records from its holdings ranging from Revolutionary War pension files to African American history and census records. All programs are free and open to the public, and will be held in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Please note that two of the programs will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. Two additional programs will be held first at the National Archives at College Park, and then repeated at the National Archives Building downtown.

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.

Wednesday, February 1, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records on the first Wednesday of the month. February focuses on civil records.

Tuesday, February 7, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
The Rejection of Elizabeth Mason: The Case of a “Free Colored” Revolutionary Widow
Damani Davis, archivist, discusses the rejection and appeals in a pension file and illuminates African American participation in the Revolutionary War. (This lecture will be repeated on Wednesday, February 8, at 11 a.m., in Lecture Room B of the National Archives at College Park, MD).

Saturday, February 11, at 10 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
Beyond the Basics: Census, 1790–1840
Archives staff teach “beyond the basics” archival research skills on the third Wednesday of the month. Genealogy archivist Claire Kluskens discusses censuses from 1790 to 1840.

Saturday, February 11, at noon–4 p.m., Room G-24, Research Center
“Help! I’m Stuck”
Not sure where to begin? Has a genealogical problem stumped you? An archivist is available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer your questions. Sign up for a 20-minute appointment at the Microfilm Research desk in room G-26 on Saturday.

Thursday, February 16, at 10:45 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
Fighting a “White Man’s War”: African Americans and the Civil War
Lopez Matthew, archives technician, discusses post–Civil War life for African American soldiers from Maryland. Presented in partnership with the Afro-American History Society. (This lecture will also be presented on Tuesday, February 14, at 10:45 a.m., in Lecture Room B of the National Archives at College Park, MD).

Thursday, February 23, at 10:45 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
African Americans Dedicated to Gettysburg
Yolanda Bean, procurement technician, will address how black Americans participated in the Gettysburg campaign. Presented in partnership with the Afro-American History Society. (This lecture will also be presented on Tuesday, February 21, at 10:45 a.m., in Lecture Room B of the National Archives at College Park, MD).

Tuesday, February 28, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
On the Road to Freedom: Pre–Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1862–1864
Genealogy archives specialist Rebecca Sharp examines records created by wartime superintendents of freedmen that illuminate the experiences of African Americans during the Civil War. (The lecture will be repeated Thursday, March 1, at 11 a.m. in Lecture Room B of the National Archives at College Park, MD.

The National Archives Building and the National Archives at College Park are fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for a public program, please e-mail public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 prior to the event. To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call 202-357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online.

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

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