Tech Tuesday: Making the Right Connections

Many of us have met long-time computer types who began working with computers long before PCs began appearing in the late 1970s. We recently interviewed a fascinating man who celebrates 50 years of working with computers. He loves explaining how computers moved from being complex, monstrous beasts run by certain “intelligentsia” into practical, analytical tools for everyday people; to how computers today help us communicate and work with each other, within different, newer social frameworks. His career led him to some fascinating developments in computer science, including early contributions to the beginnings of the Internet, where he now sits at the helm of a strategic team that is braving the most challenging tasks of dealing with Government information in the clouds. Dr. George O. Strawn is not just another computer/IT official who rose from the ranks – he is one of the most important thought leaders within Federal Government IT circles today. Plus, he loves the National Archives, because he says, “we bring to the table some of the toughest IT problems for all of the federal government that need to be solved in our time.” Read the first in our series of Applied Research interviews called “At the top of our List: Thought Leaders You Should Know”

Family Tree Friday: Were you at work? The 1940 Census employment status (Part 1)

This week's post comes from guest blogger Diane Petro, who is an Archives Technician in the Archives I Research Support Branch (RD-DC), Research Services, Archival Operations - Washington, DC.  Diane helps staff the research rooms at the National Archives Building and has also been working on reference activities relating to the upcoming 1940 Census release. … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Were you at work? The 1940 Census employment status (Part 1)

Update on Temporary Move of the Finding Aids Room at the National Archives Building

In late September 2011, the first phase of construction began on the ground floor research area of the National Archives Building.  On Friday, September 23, the Finding Aids Room closed at 3:30 PM to begin the move to the temporary location. The bulk of the move took place over that weekend. On Monday, September 26, … Continue reading Update on Temporary Move of the Finding Aids Room at the National Archives Building

NARA Coast to Coast: Documented Rights Exhibit Opens Today in St. Louis

Today's post comes from Theresa Fitzgerald and Wanda Williams, archivists at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. Come see our new Documented Rights exhibit, which opens today, Monday, October 3, 2011, and runs through March 2, 2012 at the new National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. This special exhibition illustrates this nation’s … Continue reading NARA Coast to Coast: Documented Rights Exhibit Opens Today in St. Louis

Family Tree Friday: Where is “Fred Tiffany” in an Enumeration District in the 1940 Census?

This week's post comes from guest blogger Constance Potter, who is a reference archivist at the National Archives in Research Services, Archival Operations-Washington, DC. Connie is the lead expert on reference relating to the upcoming 1940 Census release on April 2, 2012. Today we focus on the places where you can find a person in an … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Where is “Fred Tiffany” in an Enumeration District in the 1940 Census?

NARA Coast to Coast: The New National Personnel Records Center

This guest blog post is by Theresa Fitzgerald and Wanda Williams, archivists at the National Personnel Records Center. The National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has moved into a new 474,000 square-foot facility at 1 Archives Drive in north St. Louis County.     With a current workforce of nearly … Continue reading NARA Coast to Coast: The New National Personnel Records Center

Connect with Us on iTunes U

The National Archives just joined iTunes U, a dedicated area within the iTunes Store giving users public access to thousands of free lectures, videos, books and podcasts from learning institutions all over the world.  If you already have iTunes on your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or computer, you can search for "National Archives" on iTunes U to … Continue reading Connect with Us on iTunes U

DC-Area Researcher Forum Meeting Minutes from Friday, September 16th Now Available

Researchers are invited to read the minutes of the Researcher Forum meeting on September 16, 2011, posted to the DC-area Researcher Users Group webpage.  There were two items on the agenda: (1) a brainstorming session on how participants would like to move forward with the Researcher Forum, and (2) a discussion with NARA’s digitization partners: … Continue reading DC-Area Researcher Forum Meeting Minutes from Friday, September 16th Now Available

Keeping NARA’s Microfilm Readers and Printers in Good Repair

Today's guest blog post comes from Rebecca Crawford of Research Services. We know how important microfilm readers and printers are to the research you do each day at the National Archives.  That is why we do our best to ensure the machines in our research rooms are kept in good working order and available when … Continue reading Keeping NARA’s Microfilm Readers and Printers in Good Repair

Q & A Regarding New Copiers at Archives I and Archives II

The following post comes from Diane Dimkoff, Director, Customer Services, Research Services (RD-DC). What is the status of the current OCE copiers? The maintenance contract with OCE has expired.  The current copiers must be replaced quickly.  Since copiers are used by fewer researchers, we believe there are sufficient working copiers to see us through until … Continue reading Q & A Regarding New Copiers at Archives I and Archives II