Know Your Records Program
Free events to keep you in the know, held in Washington, DC, and College Park, Maryland.
Please Note: There will be no Book Group meetings, lectures, or genealogy workshops in the months of July, August, and December.
What's New
- View our updated Tutorial
, "Beginning Your Genealogical Research at the National Archives and Records Administration",
a Powerpoint presentation - See our recent issue of Researcher News for Washington DC area researchers
Join the Researcher News Mailing List at kyr@nara.gov
See our new brochure (PDF), Finding Information on Personal Participation in World War II
Contact Know Your Records program
Are you looking for a way to present research work done at the National Archives?
The Know Your Records program staff would like to hear from you. Through this program, lecturers present programs designed to educate researchers, staff, and volunteers about the various holdings found within the National Archives. You can submit your ideas for a presentation at KYR@nara.gov.
Lectures and Films
Lectures are held at the National Archives Building, Washington, DC, in Room G-24 (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building). Events are free unless otherwise noted.
November
Tuesday, November 4, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
U.S. Army Indian Scouts
Trevor Plante will discuss unique records at the National Archives
relating to Native Americans who served in the U.S. Army as Indian Scouts
from 1866 to 1914. The presentation includes a discussion of records relating
to military service as well as pension application files. (This lecture
will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture
Room B, on Thursday, November 6 at 11 a.m.).
Wednesday, November 12, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
“In the King's Service": Hugh Finlay and the Colonial American Postal System
Using pre-Federal records in the custody of the National Archives, Alison
Gavin will construct the argument that American colonists’ refusal
to adapt to the British postal system was an indication of rebellion on
the eve of the Revolutionary War.
December
Tuesday, December 9, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
People to People: Trip to China
National Archives Customer Services Division Director Diane Dimkoff will
discuss and show slides from her People to People International (PTPI)
trip taken in October. Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, PTPI
is dedicated to enhancing cross-cultural communication within each community
and across communities and nations. (This lecture will be repeated at
the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday,
December 11, at 11 a.m.).
For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.
Genealogy Programs
Introducing NEW genealogy programs one Wednesday and one Saturday a month held at the National Archives Building; Room G-24, Research Center unless otherwise noted (enter on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building.)
November
Wednesday, November 5, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in
Federal records. This lecture occurs on the first Wednesday of the month. The
next weekday lecture will take place on December 3.
Saturday, November 15, at 10 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in
Federal records on selected Saturdays.
Saturday, November 15, noon–4 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
“Help! I'm Stuck”
Not sure where to begin your research? Is there a genealogical or historical
problem that has stumped you? Would you like to explore new directions
in your research? On selected Saturdays, an archivist will be available
from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the sign at the Research
Center desk reading, “Help! I'm Stuck.” The next weekend offer
will be on Saturday, January 24.
December
Wednesday, December 3, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research
in Federal records. This lecture occurs on the first Wednesday of the
month. The next weekday lecture will take place on Wednesday, January
7.
All Genealogy Workshops Nationwide
From the Records Book Group
In 2008, the From the Records Book Group will meet the third Tuesday of February, March, April, September, October, and November. We will meet at 11:00 AM, in Room G-24 of the National Archives building in Washington, DC, for a discussion or film relating to the book and then, at noon, to discuss the book. Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue. The books may be purchased anywhere; the Archives Shop offers a discount to those who are participating in the book group.
Tuesday, November 18, at 11 a.m. and noon
Lost Museum: The Nazi Conspiracy to Steal the World's Greatest Works of Art, by Hector Feliciano
During the occupation of Paris, the Nazis confiscated nearly 100,000 artworks
from more than 200 collectors, transporting most of the spoils to Germany. The
most extensive and valuable collections belonged to five renowned Jewish families:
Rosenberg, Rothschild, Schloss, David-Weill and Bernheim-Jeune. After
the war, many works that were found were returned to their owners. But a large
number had disappeared, been destroyed, or spirited out of Europe into the
underground art market.
Drawing on recently declassified government archives and information provided by the heirs of the collections, Feliciano traces the fate of the artworks. Two thousand of these stolen artworks have been identified in the Louvre and other French national museums, fomenting a scandal that has received front-page coverage throughout Europe and spurred a series of new claims and suits by heirs. In this updated and enlarged American edition, he reveals the location of stolen works hanging in major U.S. museums as well.
Following a related presentation on this topic, Assistant Archivist Michael Kurtz will moderate the book group discussion. Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount for book group participants. The February 2009 book selection will be The Pentagon: A History—The Untold Story of the Wartime Race to Build the Pentagon—and to Restore It Sixty years Later, by Steve Vogel.
For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.
Lectures
Tuesdays: Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Washington, DC
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
Thursdays: Lecture Room B
National Archives at College Park, Maryland
Genealogy Programs
Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Washington, DC
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
Book Group
Third Tuesday of February, March, April, September, October, and November
Room G-24, Research Center
National Archives Building
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue
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