National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

On October 26 & 27, 2016 (Wednesday & Thursday), the National Archives is hosting a two-day, virtual Genealogy Fair via webcast. Viewers have the opportunity to participate with the presenters and other family historians during the live event on YouTube. All of the session videos and handouts will be available from the National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair web page free of charge. You can watch the sessions and download the materials at your convenience. Registration is not required. Visit their web page at http://www.archives.gov/calendar/genealogy-fair/ for the class schedule and links to watch the free conference. You can also get materials from past conferences from their web page.

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

WHAT:  National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

• For the first time ever, the National Archives will host a virtual Genealogy Fair via webcast using the Internet.
• This two-day program will showcase tips and techniques for using Federal records at the National Archives for genealogy research. Lectures are designed for experienced genealogy professionals and novices alike.
• Lecture topics include Native American and African American history, immigration, Civil War pensions, U.S. Colored Troops, and Navy Deck logs.
• “Help! I’m Stuck” Call-In Consultation: National Archives staff will be available to answer research questions during the Fair.

WHEN:  Tuesday and Wednesday, September 3–4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. EST

WHO:  Speakers include genealogy experts from the National Archives and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.

HOW:  The National Archives will make this event available via webcast. The webcast will include options for the hearing-impaired. Recorded sessions will be available online after the event.

Thank you Sandy Chan for sharing this tidbit!

National Archives Posts Genealogy Lectures on YouTube

National Archives Press Release January 4, 2012

For the first time, the National Archives has launched online videos of its most popular genealogy “how to” workshops. These videos cover “hot topics” in genealogical research such as census, immigration and military records. Now, these popular workshops led by National Archives experts are available on the National Archives YouTube channel [www.youtube.com/user/usnationalarchives].

The National Archives-produced Know Your Records video shorts cover the creation, scope, content, and use of National Archives records for genealogical research. "The National Archives is proud to make our most popular genealogy lectures available online and ready for viewing by anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Diane Dimkoff, Director of Customer Services.

Genealogy Introduction: Military Research at the National Archives: Volunteer Service (8:22) [www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zgKBrsVpxY]
Archives specialist John Deeben discusses compiled military service records at the National Archives.

Genealogy Introduction—Military Research at the National Archives: Regular Service (6:11) [www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OMO-PbmMEw]
Archives Specialist John Deeben explains how to use Army and Navy registers of enlistment and rendezvous reports for research.

Genealogy Introduction—Military Research at the National Archives: Pension Records (9:04)
[www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT-AgYFhX1k]
Archives Specialist John Deeben discusses how to research military service using pension records dating from 1775 to 1916. Deeben shows samples of both Revolutionary War and Civil War pensions.

Genealogy Introduction—Immigration Records at the National Archives (11:57)
[www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCZTSrSvxyc]
Archives Specialists Katherine Vollen and Rebecca Crawford provide an overview of immigration records from 1800 to 1957, including Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization records, as well as records of ports and border crossings.

Genealogy Introduction: Census Records at the National Archives (11:57)
[www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl54NX_H1ko]
Genealogy expert Constance Potter shares tips and strategies for researching U.S. Federal Census Records 1790 to 1930, and explains how they can be used for genealogical research.

Background on “Know Your Records” programs

The National Archives holds the permanently valuable records of the Federal government. These include records of interest to genealogists, such as pension files, ship passenger lists, census and Freedmen’s Bureau materials. The Know Your Records Program offers opportunities for staff, volunteers, and researchers to learn about these records through lectures, ongoing genealogy programs, workshops, symposia, the Annual Genealogy Fair, an online genealogy tutorial, reference reports for genealogical research, and editions of Researcher News for Washington DC area researchers.