Know Your Records Program

"Know Your Records" videos
now available on NARA's YouTube channel

Researcher Information

See our Reference Reports for Genealogical Research

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.

Know Your Records Program Know Your Records Program

Free events to keep you in the know, held in Washington, DC, and College Park, Maryland.

Lectures

Lectures are held weekly on Tuesdays at the National Archives Building, Washington, DC, in Room G-25 (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building) and repeated on Thursdays in Lecture Room B, National Archives at College Park, MD. Events are free unless otherwise noted.

September

Tuesday, September 4, at 11 a.m.
Gallantry Undistinguished: A 30-Year Struggle Documented
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Jonathan Webb Deiss describes records found in the National Archives while he was researching 150 soldiers promised Medals of Honor for an 1899 mission in the Philippines. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Friday, September 7, at 11 a.m.)

Tuesday, September 11, at 11 a.m.
Finding Place of Birth in Federal Records
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Susannah E. Brooks explains where one might find place of birth in National Archives records, which is essential for additional research at the local and state level in the U.S. and abroad. (Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, September 13, at 11 a.m.)

Tuesday, September 25, at 11 a.m.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Fold3
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Learn tips on how to use Fold3 (formerly Footnote.com), which features searchable original documents mainly from the National Archives. (Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, September 27, at 11 a.m.)

For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.

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Genealogy Programs

Genealogy programs are held on the first and third Wednesday and third Saturday each month at the National Archives Building; Room G-25, Research Center unless otherwise noted (enter on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building.)

September

Wednesday, September 5, at 11 a.m.
Introduction to Genealogy
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Rebecca Sharp, genealogy specialist, will discuss Federal records of interest to beginning genealogists for our first Wednesday of the month lecture.

Saturday, September 15, noon–4 p.m.,
“Help! I’m Stuck” Genealogy Clinic
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
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 on Saturday.

Wednesday, September 19, at 11 a.m.
Beyond the Basics Genealogy: African Americans
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Damani Davis, archivist, will discuss Federal records of interest for African American genealogy for our third Wednesday of the month lecture.

Lectures

Tuesdays: Room G-25, 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-25, Research Center
National Archives Building
Washington, DC
Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue

More DC Area Events


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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
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