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.

October

Tuesday, October 2, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Searching Online Public Access (OPA)
Learn how to search and refine results, tag records, share searches, and even zoom and pan in Online Public Access. This new online catalog will replace the current Archival Research Catalog (ARC). (Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, October 4, at 11 a.m.)

Tuesday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
The Real Widows of the Pension Office
Pamela Loos-Noji shares the usual contents of widows’ pension files and discusses the amazing stories she has found while volunteering at the National Archives. (Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, October 18, at 11 a.m.)

For DC location details see our Visitor's Map.

Top of Page

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.)

October

Wednesday, October 3, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Introduction to Genealogy
On the first Wednesday of each month, we offer a lecture on using Federal records for genealogy research. Katherine Vollen, archives specialist, will discuss Federal records of interest to beginning genealogists.

Wednesday, October 17, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Beyond the Basics Genealogy:War of 1812
On the third Wednesday of each month, we offer a lecture on using Federal records for genealogy research. John Deeben, genealogy specialist, reviews Federal records relating to Army service in the War of 1812.

Saturday, October 20, at 10 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Beyond the Basics Genealogy: Census Search Strategies
On the third Saturday of each month, we offer a lecture on using Federal records for genealogy research. Claire Kluskens discusses census search strategies for our “beyond the basics” archival research skills lecture.

Saturday, October 27, noon to 4 p.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
“Help! I’m Stuck” Genealogy Clinic
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.

November

Wednesday, November 7, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Introduction to Genealogy
Constance Potter, archivist, will discuss Federal records of interest to beginning genealogists for our first-Wednesday-of-the-month presentation.

Immigrants Outside a Building on Ellis Island
(90–G–125–9)
More information in
Online Public Access (OPA)

Saturday, November 17, at 10 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Beyond the Basics Genealogy: Immigration Records
Claire Kluskens discusses immigration (passenger arrival) records for our ongoing “beyond the basics” archival research skills lecture on the third Saturday of the month.

Saturday, November 17, noon to 4 p.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
“Help! I'm Stuck” Genealogy Clinic
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.

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


Top of Page

PDF files require the free Adobe Reader.
More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.

Know Your Records Program >

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272