February 2010 National Archives events -- Washington, DC area

The snow will have melted (won't it?) and people can venture to the National Archives locations in the Washington for these events.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               
February 4, 2010

Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in February and March

Washington, DC.   All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted, and will be held in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.   Please note that three 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.  Visitors to programs in the Adams and Jefferson Rooms of the National Archives Building should use the Special Events Entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th St.  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. 

Tuesday, February 9, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center   
African American Genealogy in Ancestry.com
Sabrina Petersen of Ancestry.com discusses African American genealogy resources in National Archives records available through Ancestry.com. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park on Thursday, February 11, at 11 a.m.)

Tuesday, February 16, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
"Face to Face with History": African American Civil War Surgeons
Jill L. Newmark, exhibition specialist and registrar in the History of Medicine Division at the National Library of Medicine, discusses her article "Face to Face with History" from the Fall 2009 issue of Prologue magazine. She shares her discovery of William P. Powell, Jr.'s story as an African American surgeon during the Civil War and how National Archives records provide a glimpse into a rarely studied part of history. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Thursday, February 18, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, February 17, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
Beyond the Basics: African American Genealogy
Archives staff teach "beyond the basic" archival research skills on the third Wednesday and third Saturday of the month.

Saturday, February 20, at 10 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
Beyond the Basics: Finding Aids
Archives staff teach "beyond the basic" archival research skills on the third Wednesday and third Saturday of the month.  The next lecture is Wednesday, March 17, on non-population census schedules.

Saturday, February 20, noon-4 p.m., Room G-24, Research Center
"Help! I'm Stuck"
Not sure where to begin? Has a genealogical problem stumped you? Hoping to explore new directions in your research? On the third Saturday of each month, an archivist is available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the "Help! I'm Stuck" sign at the Research Center desk.

Tuesday, February 23, at 11 a.m., Adams Room
George Washington in the Records
Prior to the noontime Book Group discussion, and in celebration of George Washington's birthday, Archives Technician Timothy Duskin, explores the many records held at the National Archives on the first President of the United States.  (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, on Thursday, February 25, at 11 a.m.)

Tuesday, February 23, at noon, Adams Room
From the Records Book Group Discussion: The Valley Forge Winter:
Civilians and Soldiers in War The Book Group discusses The Valley Forge Winter: Civilians and Soldiers in War by Wayne K. Bodle.  Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount.  The March 16th book selection will be Our Mother's War: American Women at Home and at the Front during World War II by Emily Yellin.