Our researchers in Archives I asked for a way that we could continue the discussions begun at our recent researcher meeting at Archives I in Washington, DC. Special media researchers have also encouraged us to make communications easier with staff and managers. In response, we’re introducing a specialized series here on NARAtions. This new set … Continue reading DC-area Researchers: Welcome to our new discussion space!
Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Agricultural Schedules
A couple of weeks ago I showed you an example of a Mortality Schedule. Today I want to show you another type of Nonpopulation schedule – this time an Agricultural Schedule. If you have an ancestor who was a farmer in the mid-nineteenth century, you may be able to find information about their farm. You … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Agricultural Schedules
NARA Launches Open Gov Website
NARA has launched a new website, www.archives.gov/open to serve as your source of information about NARA's openness activities. You can explore raw datasets, learn about NARA's developing Open Government Plan, and join in the conversation about what should be included. We need to hear your ideas for how NARA can conduct its work more openly, … Continue reading NARA Launches Open Gov Website
Question: Which U.S. decennial census is your favorite and why?
On April 2, 2012, the Federal Census Bureau will be releasing the 1940 Census for public access. For many genealogists and researchers, the release of this census will open new insights into pre-war America, as well as provide opportunities for genealogists and family historians to continue their research into this most recent decade. Like all … Continue reading Question: Which U.S. decennial census is your favorite and why?
Open Government: NARA Releases Six Datasets
As part of the Open Government initiative, NARA recently released six datasets available for the first time as raw data in XML format. The datasets are: three editions (2007, 2008, and 2009) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) archival descriptions from the Archival Research Catalog (ARC) organization descriptions from the Archival Research Catalog (ARC) … Continue reading Open Government: NARA Releases Six Datasets
Family Tree Friday: Congress granted pensions as private claims.
American citizens have always had the right under the U.S. Constitution to petition Congress directly to redress specific grievances or recoup financial losses resulting from government actions (such as private property damaged by the Union Army during the Civil War). In the 19th century, Americans commonly exercised this right, sending hundreds of thousands of private claims to … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Congress granted pensions as private claims.
Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Mortality Schedules
Most genealogists are familiar with the federal population census records and begin their research with these records. But did you know that the Census Bureau also took a series of Nonpopulation Census records between 1850 and 1880? They included mortality, agricultural, industrial, social statistics and defective, dependent, and delinquent schedules. These censuses cover the 12 … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Mortality Schedules
The National Archives and the Open Government Initiative
The National Archives is working on responding to the Obama Administration’s Open Government Directive of December 2009, which was issued to promote new lines of communication and cooperation between the federal government and the American people. The Open Government Directive is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/open/documents/open-government-directive. Stay tuned for updates!
Question: What are some good examples of interactive historical timelines on the Web?
The internet provides lots of great tools and services to help genealogists and historians understand the evolution of relationships and events over time. From teachers to big corporations, researchers at all levels can benefit from these innovative new tools, one of the most effective of which is the interactive map or timeline. One example of … Continue reading Question: What are some good examples of interactive historical timelines on the Web?
Family Tree Friday: More Info on Compiled Military Service Records.
In my previous blog I mentioned compiled military service records for volunteer soldiers. While CMSRs are generally recognized as the official record of a volunteer's military career, did you know they were NOT created at the time the soldier served? The War Department first created compiled service records in the early 1890s to help verify military … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: More Info on Compiled Military Service Records.