Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in January 2009

If you are going to be in (or live in!) the Washington, DC area in January, you might be interested in today's Press Release from the National Archives:

In January, 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 and 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. For directions to both locations, see: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro.

Civil War Pension Files at Footnote.com
Tuesday, January 6, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Beau Sharbrough 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 the auditorium on Thursday, January 8, at 11 a.m.)

Introduction to Genealogy
Wednesday, January 7, at 11 a.m.
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 the first Wednesday of the month and selected Saturdays. The next weekday lecture will take place on Wednesday, February 4.

The National Archives Experience "Digital Vaults" online interactive exhibition
Tuesday, January 13, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Suzanne Isaacs, digital projects coordinator for the National Archives Experience, will present features in the National Archives "Digital Vaults" exhibit. With a database of some 1,200 documents, photographs, drawings, maps, and other materials and a keywording system that visually links records, the Digital Vaults enables visitors to customize their exhibit experience and to create posters, movies, and games that can be shared by e-mail. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium on Thursday, January 15, at 11 a.m.)

Introduction to Genealogy
Saturday, January 24, at 10 a.m.
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. The next weekend lecture will take place on Saturday, February 21.

"Help! I'm Stuck"
Saturday, January 24, noon-4 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
An archivist with extensive experience in genealogy and the records of the National Archives will be available to assist with research questions. Please sign up for a 20-minute appointment at the Research Center. The next opportunity will be on Saturday, February 21.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Tuesday, January 27, at 11 a.m.
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 Freedom of Information 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 the auditorium on Thursday, January 29, at 11 a.m.).