National Archives Genealogy Series to be Held Online in May & June 2021

A great online genealogy seminar is expected to be held on 6 different days in May and June. You can attend “in person” regardless of where you are located.

The following is an announcement from the U.S. National Archives and Records administration, published at https://www.archives.gov/calendar/genealogy-fair

In lieu of the autumn 2020 Virtual Genealogy Fair that could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to offer a new Genealogy Series! Instead of a single-day event, the program sessions will be broadcast individually during May and June. You are invited to watch and participate in real time with the presenters and family historians from around the world on YouTube

Over the two months, the sessions will offer family history research tools on federal records for all skill levels. The May sessions are broad and will appeal to the beginner and beyond. The June sessions are focused on specific topics and may be better suited for the experienced researcher. All are welcome! Session descriptions, videos, handouts, and participation instructions are below.

Open with no reservations required 

Watch the broadcasts via YouTube 

Participate and ask questions via chat during the scheduled broadcasts 

After the scheduled broadcasts, video recordings and presentation materials will be available online

2021 Genealogy Series Schedule

In lieu of the autumn 2020 Virtual Genealogy Fair that could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to offer a new Genealogy Series! Instead of a single-day event, the program sessions will be broadcast individually during May and June. You are invited to watch and participate in real time with the presenters and family historians from around the world on YouTube

Over the two months, the sessions will offer family history research tools on federal records for all skill levels. The May sessions are broad and will appeal to the beginner and beyond. The June sessions are focused on specific topics and may be better suited for the experienced researcher. All are welcome! Session descriptions, videos, handouts, and participation instructions are below.

Open with no reservations required 

Watch the broadcasts via YouTube 

Participate and ask questions via chat during the scheduled broadcasts 

After the scheduled broadcasts, video recordings and presentation materials will be available online

2021 Genealogy Series Schedule

Tuesday, May 4, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Preserving and Digitizing Personal Photo Albums and Scrapbooks 

Presenters: Sara Holmes & Noah Durham

Skill level: All

Presentation Slides and Handout 

YouTube

Preserving photo albums and scrapbooks can be especially challenging, often because they are bound and contain a variety of problematic materials. This session addresses how to work with the poor quality materials commonly found in personal scrapbooks and albums, how to maintain the integrity of the arrangement, and how to store photo albums and scrapbooks appropriately. Pro tips for home users include ways to digitize albums, organize electronic files, and preserve them as electronic records. Examples come from both National Archives and personal collections.


Wednesday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m. ET 

Finding Genealogy Resources and Tools on Archives.gov 

Presenter: Sarah Swanson

Skill level: All

Handout: coming soon!

YouTube

This presentation will provide an overview of what’s available for genealogists on the archives.gov website, and demonstrate how to navigate to its many resources and tools, including the National Archives Catalog, the Access to Archival Databases (AAD) system, the Microfilm Catalog, topic pages, articles, reports, and blogs. We’ll explore the Genealogy portal page, and also see how the website is organized, which will enable you to do even more expansive searches for information.


Wednesday, May 19, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Tips and Tools for Engaging Family with Your Research Finds 

Presenters: Missy McNatt & Dorothy Dougherty

Skill level: Beginner

Handout: coming soon!

YouTube

As the family historian, you have amassed information and records that will one day pass to the next family historian. How do you share your findings with others? How to engage young family members involved with all your hard research may be another story. Education staff members Missy McNatt and Dorothy Dougherty will demonstrate fun and engaging ways to connect research to your family, including younger family members. This lecture will highlight activities related to our most popular genealogy records, such as Immigrant Ship Arrivals, U.S. Census Records, Naturalization records, and Military and Pension files. The presenters will also demonstrate new ways to share your research finds online, using social media tools.


Tuesday, June 1, at 1:00 p.m. ET

From Here to There: Researching Office of Indian Affairs Employees 

Presenters: Cara Lebonick & Cody White

Skill level: Experienced (all are welcome!)

Handout: coming soon!

YouTube

Researching ancestors who worked for federal agencies is a popular topic at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This presentation will tie together the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Official Personnel Files (OPF) held in St. Louis with agency records located in various NARA field sites. The session will open with what can be found in the OPFs and how to request them. Cara Moore Lebonick will conduct a deep dive into several OPF’s of Native women employed by the BIA. Cody White will then explore how further information can be found in the regional records of the BIA. Together Cara and Cody will show how the holdings across the National Archives can provide a more complete genealogical story.


Tuesday, June 8, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Civil War Union Noncombatant Personnel: Teamsters, Laundresses, Nurses, Sutlers, and More 

Presenter: Claire Kluskens

Skill level: Experienced (all are welcome!)

Handout: coming soon!

YouTube

The National Archives Building in Washington, DC contains many records about noncombatant civilians connected with the Union Army during the American Civil War. However, the records are underutilized because there is no comprehensive index, no “one” place to look, and require time-consuming research into obscure records. Digitization is slowly changing that, however! This lecture will provide suggestions for research with emphasis on online materials that can help you get started.


Tuesday, June 15, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Merchant Marine Records at the National Archives at St. Louis 

Presenter: Theresa Fitzgerald

Skill level: All

Handout: coming soon!

YouTube

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently accessioned the core collection of Merchant Marine Licensing Files, which are now open to the public for the first time at the National Archives at St. Louis. Theresa Fitzgerald will discuss these holdings as well as our auxiliary collections of Merchant Marine records that are complex and closely connected.

Captioning

Live captioning will be available online with StreamText. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for the event, please email [email protected].