NARA: March genealogy programs and April Fair

NOTE from DearMYRTLE: The following was just received from our friends at the NARA. Please address all inquiries to public.program@nara.gov.

National Archives Holds Genealogy-related Programs in March 2012

Get ready for the opening of the 1940 Census!

Washington, DC. . . In March, the National Archives presents genealogy-related programs highlighting records from its holdings ranging African American Union Army records to the upcoming release of the 1940 Census.  All programs are free and open to the public, 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.  

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. 

Tuesday, March 6, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center

Agricultural Extension Service Annual Reports, 1909–68

Archivist Claire Prechtel-Kluskens reveals how county agents’ reports give information about specific individuals and insight into agricultural life in the early 20th century. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, March 8, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, March 7, 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.  The March program focus is military records.

Tuesday, March 13, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center

Access to Archival Databases (AAD) for Genealogists

Archives specialist Daniel Law will demonstrate how to search for genealogy-related electronic records in the National Archives Access to Archival Databases (AAD) online resource.  (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, March 15, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, March 14, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center
The Aging of African-American Union Army Veterans

Professor Dora L. Costa (UCLA) will discuss the Early Indicators of Later Work Levels, Disease, and Death project. This project is currently digitizing the life histories of 27,000 African-American Union Army veterans from records in the National Archives.  These records are a source of information on the aging of black Americans in late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Saturday, March 17, at 10 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center

Beyond the Basics: 1940 Census

Archives staff teach “beyond the basics” archival research skills on the third Saturday of the month.  The 1940 Census will become available on April 2, 2012.  Archivist Claire Prechtel-Kluskens discusses this soon-to-be-available genealogical treasure.

Saturday, March 17, 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.

Wednesday, March 21, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center

Beyond the Basics: 1940 Census

Archives staff teach “beyond the basics” archival research skills on the third Wednesday of the month. This month will focus on the 1940 Census, which will be released on April 2, 2012.

Tuesday, March 27, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center

1940 Census

Archivist Constance Potter and archives specialist Diane Petro discuss the 1940 Census, which will be released on April 2, 2012. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room D, Thursday, March 29, at 11 a.m.)

Save the dateS! – 8^th Annual Genealogy Fair April 18-19, 2012

Branching Out, Exploring Your Family Tree

Pennsylvania Avenue Plaza of the National Archives Building

This two-day program showcases how to use Federal records in family history research for experienced professionals and novices alike. Speakers and exhibitors include National Archives staff, historians, and genealogy professionals. Reservations are not required. The fair is free and open to the public, and presented in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives and with support from Ancestry.com.  Visit www.archives.gov/dc-metro/know-your-records/genealogy-fair for more information

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 email 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 on the web at: http://www.archives.gov/calendar.