Archivist of the United States resigns

Paula Stuart-Warren  National Archives  Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2008

National Archivist Allen Weinstein Resigns

Washington, D.C. . . On December 7, historian Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, submitted his resignation to the President, effective December 19, 2008. Professor Weinstein, who has Parkinson’s disease, cited health reasons for his decision.

Deputy Archivist of the United States, Adrienne Thomas, will serve as Acting Archivist until a new Archivist is appointed, in accordance with the National Archives governing statute, 44 USC 2103(c).

In his letter to the President, Weinstein said “During my tenure as Archivist, my team of colleagues and I have made substantial progress in achieving virtually all of our goals. Moreover, we at the National Archives have worked diligently and successfully on our primary mission of maximizing public access to the records of all three branches of government while protecting at all costs this agency’s rock-solid nonpartisan integrity.” The Archivist says that the time has come for him to address fresh challenges.

Weinstein was nominated by President Bush on April 8, 2004, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 10, 2005. Under the National Archives statute there is no specific term of office and the position is not intended to change hands automatically with the election of a new President.

Have you attended a FGS Conference?

Paula Stuart-Warren  Arkansas, Conferences, Federation of Genealogical Societies  Leave a comment

I am looking for some human interest stories to use in publicizing the September 2-5, 2009 Federation of Genealogical Societies and Arkansas Genealogical Conference. I need names and contact info for stories related to attending a FGS conferences. The areas I am hoping for are these and others that you might have to share:

a. a great research find because of what was learned at a conference
b. someone convinced to venture out to libraries and not do just online research
c. a person finding a possible relative at the conference
d. great friendships evolving due to conference attendance
e. breaking through a brick wall because of conference attendance
f. chance meeting at a booth in the vendor hall
g. learning a lot about a research facility just by talking with someone at a luncheon

The name of the person submitting the story would be used in the PR as will their city and state.

Thanks,

Paula

NGS Conference Program Online

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences, National Genealogical Society  Leave a comment

I just noticed that the National Genealogical Society’s Program and Registration for the May 13-16, 2009 Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina has gone live. The website has a nice listing of items in the left hand column to click for just about all the knowledge you need for attending the conference.

I checked airfares earlier today and they have come down a lot for that time period from when I first checked two months ago.

NARA Award for Excellence in Genealogy

Paula Stuart-Warren  Awards, National Archives  Leave a comment

I received this press release from the U.S. National Archives. It sounds interesting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2008

NATIONAL ARCHIVES CREATES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GENEALOGY
Two awards to be granted for articles based on National Archives records

Washington, DC* In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the National Archives announces two awards to recognize significant achievements in genealogy research, based on records from the National Archives.

The National Archives is known worldwide as a treasure chest of genealogical information. Each year, millions of people use Federal records in the National Archives to search for their family roots. Census schedules, ship passenger arrival lists, citizenship papers, military pension files, land patents, and court records offer detailed evidence to flesh out family histories. This competition provides an opportunity for students to share their research “treasures” with the public.

The awards are $1,000 for first place; $500 for second place. Winning articles may be published in Prologue, the quarterly magazine of the National Archives, and/or on the National Archives web site.

To be eligible, an applicant must be either an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning; have completed at least one semester; and have not yet advanced to candidacy, if in a Ph.D. program. An applicant does not have to be an American citizen, but must be attending an American college or university. Permanent National Archives employees are not eligible.

Awards will be announced at the National Archives annual Genealogy Fair on April 22, 2009.

Applicants are required to submit:
1. Cover sheet that includes the following:
o Name and contact information;
o Proof of enrollment at an accredited academic institution; and
o Signature giving permission for the article to be published.

2. An original, unpublished work between 1,000 and 3,000 words that demonstrates the use of National Archives holdings to conduct genealogical research. The essay must be typed and include a works-cited page or bibliography. End notes are suggested but not required.

Please submit applications to:
Diane Dimkoff
Director, Customer Services Division
Room G-13
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20408

Index to Hudson, Wisconsin Newspapers

Paula Stuart-Warren  Newspaper Indexes  Leave a comment

Earlier, I did a blog post about the death of Willis H. Miller of Hudson, Wisconsin. Kathy Deiss of the St. Croix Valley Genealogical Society sent details on the CD of his wonderful newspaper index. The cost is $29.95 plus $3.00 postage. Send your check to SCVGS, P.O. Box 396, River Falls, WI 54022. She said “it’s a great resource. Three of our members spent untold hours, one drawer at a time, entering every detail. It truly is a treasure.”

Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in January 2009

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

If you are going to be in (or live in!) the Washington, DC area in January, you might be interested in today’s Press Release from the National Archives:

In January, the National Archives will feature a series of programs highlighting records from its holdings. All programs are free and open to the public and will be held in the National Archives Building and at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

Visitors to all programs in the National Archives Building Research Center (Room G-24) should use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The National Archives at College Park, MD is located at 8601 Adelphi Road. For directions to both locations, see: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro.

Civil War Pension Files at Footnote.com
Tuesday, January 6, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Beau Sharbrough from Footnote.com will discuss the Civil War pension files recently scanned and published online through the partnership between the National Archives, Family Search, and Footnote.com. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium on Thursday, January 8, at 11 a.m.)

Introduction to Genealogy
Wednesday, January 7, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. This lecture occurs on the first Wednesday of the month and selected Saturdays. The next weekday lecture will take place on Wednesday, February 4.

The National Archives Experience “Digital Vaults” online interactive exhibition
Tuesday, January 13, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Suzanne Isaacs, digital projects coordinator for the National Archives Experience, will present features in the National Archives “Digital Vaults” exhibit. With a database of some 1,200 documents, photographs, drawings, maps, and other materials and a keywording system that visually links records, the Digital Vaults enables visitors to customize their exhibit experience and to create posters, movies, and games that can be shared by e-mail. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium on Thursday, January 15, at 11 a.m.)

Introduction to Genealogy
Saturday, January 24, at 10 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. This lecture occurs on select Saturdays and the first Wednesday of the month. The next weekend lecture will take place on Saturday, February 21.

“Help! I’m Stuck”
Saturday, January 24, noon-4 p.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
An archivist with extensive experience in genealogy and the records of the National Archives will be available to assist with research questions. Please sign up for a 20-minute appointment at the Research Center. The next opportunity will be on Saturday, February 21.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Tuesday, January 27, at 11 a.m.
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
Ramona Branch Oliver, FOIA/Privacy Act Officer for the National Archives, will discuss provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and how the statutes affect public access to both archival and operational records at the National Archives. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in the auditorium on Thursday, January 29, at 11 a.m.).

Willis H. Miller — we have lost a champion of history and genealogy

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

The worlds of genealogy, history and newspapers have lost a great friend. Willis H. Miller of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away last Sunday. His obituary reads like an autobiography and I am sure Willis worked on his own obituary over the years.

I met this amazing man many years ago and the minute someone mentions his name I immediately think “newspaper index.” The newspaper that is synonymous with his name, the Hudson Star-Observer, carried this about the index, “He was instrumental in establishing, at the office of the Star-Observer, the Hudson Area Biographical Index, a comprehensive listing of names and information on some 200,000 Hudsonites, both living and dead. The index has caught the attention of historians, researchers and genealogists from throughout the nation over the years.” The index is virtually a history of the area and does include some Minnesotans.

A celebration of his life takes place this coming week on what would have been his 90th birthday.

His obituary is in the Sunday, November 23rd issue of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and in many other newspapers in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This is the obituary that all of us should have — but alas, the cost of publishing these is prohibitive.

Vermont library adds a touch of modern convenience

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

What would a library add in today’s world that would bring it into the 21st century? I am willing to bet you would say computers with internet access, an electronic catalog, or gasp, wireless internet. This library in Roxbury, Vermont is already ahead of many. Fooled you — it already has wireless.

So, what has it added? Read this article to have a smile for this Friday.

2009 is the Lincoln Bicentennial

Paula Stuart-Warren  Lincoln  Leave a comment

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809. Next year marks the 200th anniversary of that date. A year-long national celebration “Live the Legacy” is planned. Lectures, articles, displays, books, speeches, photos, and so much more are planned.

The Lincoln Bicentennial website is here. Most states have a liaison appointed and those are listed on the website as are activities, representatives working on the memorial year, a timeline of his life, projects and contests for kids, links and publications for learning more about Lincoln, and other items about his life, legacy, and how it is being commemorated.

November Discount for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2009!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Classes, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy  1 Comment

Still thinking about registering for the January 12-16, 2009 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy? Some courses are already full, and others are filling quickly! But, SLIG is offering a special deal for you.

From now until November 28, 2008, you can register with a $25 discount. This is a great opportunity to save on your registration fee.

Whether your interests are in a locality strategy, like the Gulf South States, England or Germany, or on improving your skills, like using the Internet or researching Beyond Libraries, the 2009 Institute has a course for you. Maybe you’ll want to take advantage of a rarely offered course on Hispanic Research for Spain and Latin America. Or for more individual help, you might try American Research and Records or Problem Solving.

See the U.G.A. website at www.infouga.org for the latest registration information and details about each course.

Whatever your choice, the 2009 Institute will be a great experience!

Hope to see you at the 2009 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy!

Geoffrey Morris
Director 2009