Washington, DC…The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the grant making arm of the National Archives, in partnership with Documents Compass at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, is pleased to announce 5,000 previously unpublished documents from our nation’s founders are now online through Rotunda, the digital imprint of The University of Virginia Press.The ROTUNDA Founders Early Access project (http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu:8080/founders/FOEA.html) makes available for the first time letters and other papers penned by important figures such as James Madison, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. The Founders Early Access portion of the site allows users to read, search, and browse the newly transcribed documents, and is available at no cost to users. In 2008, Congress urged the National Archives to investigate ways to make the Founders Papers more readily available to historians, scholars, and the general public at no cost to researchers. As long-time funders of the print editions of the Founding Fathers documentary projects, the NHPRC worked with the editorial teams and supported a pilot demonstration project through Documents Compass, a nonprofit organization designed to assist in the digital production of historical documentary editions.Over the past ten months, the pilot has transcribed and completed basic transcription verification for roughly 5,000 documents. These transcriptions will be fully verified, and the editorial teams will provide explanatory annotation as they proceed with their work. Each completed volume of a documentary edition contains roughly 500 documents and provides notations that identify historical figures and events to shed light on the papers’ meaning and significance.“There is much to discover here,” said Penelope Kaiserlian, director of the Press. “Take a look, for example, at Thomas Jefferson’s letter to James Madison on August 30, 1823, when the elderly Jefferson contests the memory of 88-year-old John Adams regarding the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Historians will already know this letter, but now anyone can easily find this readable version.”“This is an important stage in the process,” said Kathleen Williams, Executive Director of the NHPRC. “We have been looking for ways to help the public gain access to these documents sooner and to assist the editorial projects in completing the comprehensive documentary editions. This work advances those goals.” The Founders historical documentary editions include the papers of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, as well as the Documentary History of the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the first Federal Congress, and the first Supreme Court. Rotunda is publishing digital editions of some of these publications in its American Founding Era Collection.“Generations of scholars, historians, and teachers will use these documents to tell the American story from its grand beginnings,” added Williams. “We will look back in wonder at the effort of countless scholars to create this work, a national monument to the founding of our nation. Transcribing documents and publishing them online at an early stage makes more of this treasure available sooner, and we look forward to the day when the entire collection is fully annotated and complete.”
Archive for October, 2009
National Archives Helps Founding Fathers Go Online
Thursday, October 29th, 2009Wordless Wednesday: My friend’s house
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009Ancestry.com Posts De-Classified Records on Amelia Earhart’s Disappearance, Now Online for the First Time
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Ancestry.com Allows Americans to Investigate for Themselves, ‘What Really Happened to Amelia Earhart’PROVO, UT–(Marketwire – October 23, 2009) -
There are multiple theories surrounding the mysterious disappearance of iconic aviator Amelia Earhart in 1937, but a unique case file published online for the first time ever by Ancestry.com reveals more details. Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online resource for family history, has published a 73-page file consisting of letters and telegrams sent in the 1960s by an interesting cast of historical characters, including Congressman J. Arthur Younger, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Douglas MacArthur II and members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of State. Now accessible for free on Ancestry.com, the records give the public a first-hand view of the investigation into the claim that Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan were taken prisoner and executed in Saipan (then governed by Japan). Through the years, this adaptation of Earhart’s death has become one of many theories surrounding her mystery-riddled disappearance.“These records leave you wondering if historians and Hollywood have gotten Amelia’s story right,” said Quinton Atkinson, director of content acquisition for Ancestry.com. “They shed light on a theory of her disappearance that has all but been brushed aside. “In the records, Congressman Younger asks the U.S. Department of State to look into Earhart’s disappearance based on “increasing evidence that she did land and was executed in Saipan.” Younger asked the department to investigate a lead by Thomas E. Devine, who stated that “he actually saw the grave of Amelia Earhart” while he was stationed in Saipan. “It’s been more than 70 years, yet Amelia’s disappearance remains one of America’s greatest unsolved mysteries,” said Atkinson. “These files are a great representation of how historical records offer clues to our past. With records like these now accessible online, Americans can delve deeper into the mysteries and lore that shroud their family histories.”The Earhart file is part of the Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad collection on Ancestry.com, now searchable for free for a limited time. Digitized in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), this Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad collection spans the 1960s and 1970s and comprises more than 80,000 records of Americans who died abroad.Whether a conspiracy theorist, a casual historian or simply curious — learn more about the investigation into Amelia Earhart’s disappearance and decide for yourself what happened by visiting www.ancestry.com/amelia. Or see if you have a hero in your own family tree on Ancestry.com. http://www.dna.ancestry.com/ http://www.mycanvas.com/ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ http://www.genealogy.com/ http://www.myfamily.com/ http://www.ancestry.com/
About Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com is the world’s largest online resource for family history and has digitized and put online over 4 billion records over the past twelve years. Ancestry users have created over ten million family trees containing over one billion profiles. Ancestry.com has local Web sites directed at nine countries, and more than 8 million unique visitors spent more than 5 million hours on an Ancestry Web site in May 2009 (comScore Media Metrix, Worldwide). For more information on Ancestry.com and its other family history resources, visit http://corporate.ancestry.com.Web sites:
http://www.familytreemaker.com/
National Archives Statement on Improving Services to Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC
Monday, October 26th, 2009
Washington, DC…The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) continually looks at ways to improve and increase our services to visitors and researchers. We conduct this review to ensure that we continue to provide the highest level of services to our regular clientele and to extend our services to potential users with different backgrounds and expectations.
It’s come to our attention that our researcher community may have received erroneous information about our plans for some adjustments to the Archives I research rooms. The following information is an outline of what we are considering.
Are you reducing the size of the Finding Aids/Consultation Room?
No. Current plans would more than double that space.
The current room on the ground floor of the National Archives Building (Room G-28) serves as the finding aids room, the consultation area, and as office space for three staff members. The area available in this space for consultation with the public is approximately 450 square feet and has three consultation tables. We are proposing to move the consultation area from G-28 to the adjacent area which is currently the National Archives Library, G-30. We will use approximately 1100 square feet of what is now Library space for this consultation area. The space will have eight tables for consultation. So, we will more than double the area and number of tables for researchers to consult with staff and use the finding aids. The three staff members who currently have their workspace in G-28 will have new workstations adjacent to the research room that they can use to do other work when they are not providing direct consultation service. This plan is based on the successful model that has been in place for several years for consultants at Archives II in College Park.
Are you eliminating the Microfilm Reading Room?
No. Over the last few years use of our microfilm holdings has decreased by 70%. In fiscal year 2000 we had 53,000 microfilm researcher visits; in fiscal year 2009 we had 16,000 microfilm research visits. When our microfilm reading room was first designed and built we estimated the need for 100 microfilm readers. Because of digitization and other factors, there no longer is the need for so many microfilm readers. So we are considering reducing the number of microfilm machines to 30 and increasing the number of public access computers to meet the demand for the old and the new technology. We will maintain the number of microfilm machines at a level that is needed by those researchers who continue to have the need for microfilm.
Are you eliminating self-service microfilm?
No. For the convenience of both researchers and staff, the National Archives maintains a policy of allowing researchers to browse our microfilm cabinets and select their own microfilm. We will continue with this policy as long as research demand warrants it. We may, however, relocate the microfilm to another public area adjacent to the microfilm reading room.
Are you eliminating the Lecture Room?
No. Our current lecture room on the ground floor (G-24) is used daily for programs such as our very popular “Know Your Records” seminars. Any renovation of the ground floor research area will include a lecture room so our researchers, visitors, and NARA staff can continue to use it for critical outreach and other activities.
What are you doing with the Orientation and Registration Area?
While we may eventually re-locate those areas physically, we have no immediate plans to do so. We of course would not eliminate this critical function, and will ensure it is located appropriately.
These changes to the National Archives Building should improve the services we provide to researchers. No functions or services are being eliminated or reduced.
To ensure that the changes meet the needs of researchers, we intend to continue to have our quarterly meetings with our Archives I user group to keep users informed and solicit their comments.
Caution is Key at Hotspots
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009This excellent article from Symantec is a must read if you use your laptop in libraries and other research venues. The most important takeaway from the article: If you are, say, in the library and have just logged onto the WiFi there with your netbook or laptop, be certain to go to your computer’s share settings and turn off all shared items, and globally block all sharing if your operating system allows that. When you get home, you can reinstate sharing to download your research. This is especially important if you are logging into your email or any other passworded account (e. g. your Ancestry.com account) while on the public WiFi.
FamilySearch’s Record Search adds new collections
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
There are some fascinating new collections in FamilySearch’s Record Search. Ten million new records and images were added this update. Some particularly interesting highlights included the 1865 Massachusetts State Census, Wisconsin 1855 State Census, and 1869 Argentina Census—all now complete, the Ghana Census, 1982–1984 digital images, and the England, Cheshire School Records, 1796–1950, collections. See the chart below for a list of all the newly added collections.
These collections can be searched for free at FamilySearch.org Record Search pilot (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).
Hats off to the online volunteers who help make these collections freely available by donating a few minutes of their time or talents through the FamilySearch Indexing program.
|
Collection |
Indexed Records |
Digital Images |
Comments |
|
Argentina, 1895 Census |
|
47,007 |
Updated index and images. Project is now complete. |
|
Argentina, 1869 Census |
484,234 |
157,133 |
Updated index and images. |
|
England, Cheshire School Records, 1796–1950 |
435,681 |
|
New index only collection. Project is now complete. |
|
Ghana, Census, 1982–1984 |
|
11,187 |
New browse image only collection; project is ongoing. |
|
Mexico, Coahuila, Catholic Church Records, 1627–1978 |
|
83,363 |
Updated browse image only collection. Project is now complete. |
|
U.S., 1920 Federal Census |
7,330,741 |
|
Added indexes for Wyoming, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. |
|
U.S., Illinois, Cook County Birth Registers, 1871–1915 |
369,962 |
19,781 |
Updated index and images. |
|
U.S., Massachusetts State Census, 1865 |
1,352,817 |
17,656 |
Added indexes. Project is now complete. |
|
U.S., Wisconsin State Census, 1855 |
133,164 |
3,088 |
New index and image collection. Project is now complete. |
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
FamilySearch Indexing Projects Update
Monday, October 19th, 200916 October 2009
New indexing projects added this week are:
· Argentina, Buenos Aires—1855 Censo [Parte 2]
· Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935
(Partnered with Ontario Genealogical Society—Toronto Branch)
· U.S., Maine—1920 Federal Census
· U.S., New York—1920 Federal Census
Volunteers can help with these projects at FamilySearchIndexing.org.
(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects.)
Recently Completed Projects
(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process in preparation for future publication.)
· Argentina, Mendoza, San Juan—Censo 1869
· Guatemala, Guatemala—Censo de 1877
· U.S., Kentucky—1920 Federal Census
· U.S., Indiana—1920 Federal Census
· U.S., Vermont—Militia Records, 1861–1867
Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion
Argentina, Buenos Aires—1855 Censo [Parte 2]Spanish(New)
Argentina, Cordoba—Matrimonios, 1642–1931Spanish7%
Argentina, Santiago, Santa Fe—1869 CensoSpanish94%
Belgium, Antwerp—Foreigners Index, 1840–1930English61%
Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986English56%
Canada, British Columbia—Marriages, 1859–1932English90%
Canada, Québec, Montreal—Régistres Paroissiaux, 1800–1900French4%
Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 1]Spanish43%
Deutschland, Brandenburg—Kirchenbücher, 1789–1875German82%*
Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 24–38]German95%
Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 39–69]German1%
España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935Spanish4%
España, Avila, Navalmoral—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935Spanish16%
España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1]Spanish23%
France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907French4%
France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux 1802–1907French3%
France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792–1906French90%
France, Paris—Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie 2]French50%
France, Saint-Lo—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907French11%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Bautismos de Sagrario, 1898–1920Spanish48%
Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 1]Italian95%
Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2]Italian49%
Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 2]Spanish48%
Mexico, Hidalgo—1930 Federal CensoSpanish22%
Mexico, Jalisco—1930 Federal CensoSpanish12%
Mexico, Mexico—1930 Federal CensoSpanish72%
New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915English43%
Nicaragua, Managua—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Parte 1]Spanish14%
Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930 [Parte 3]Spanish36%
Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982Spanish1%
Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885German1%
South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970English12%
Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]Swedish3%
Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]Swedish10%
Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]Swedish1%
Tschechien, Litomerice—Kirchenbücher, 1552–1905 [Teil 1]German13%
U.K., Cheshire—Parish Records, 1538–1850 [Part 2]English/Old English47%
U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1754-1900 [Part 2]English13%
U.S., Arkansas—County Marriages, 1837–1957 [VII]English59%
U.S., Georgia—1920 Federal CensusEnglish59%
U.S., Illinois, Cook—Birth Certificates, 1916–1922 [Part 2]English90%
U.S., Indiana, Allen County—Marriages, 1811–1959English71%
U.S., Indiana, Benton County—Marriages, 1811–1959English50%
U.S., Indiana, Boone County—Marriages, 1811–1959English22%
U.S., Indiana, Brown County—Marriages, 1811–1959English33%
U.S., Indiana, Harrison County—Marriages, 1811–1959English17%
U.S., Kansas—1920 Federal CensusEnglish73%
U.S., Maine—1920 Federal CensusEnglish(New)
U.S., New York—1905 State CensusEnglish74%
U.S., New York—1920 Federal CensusEnglish(New)
U.S., Rhode Island—1905 State Census [Part 1]English20%
U.S., Rhode Island—1935 State CensusEnglish39%
Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 1]Spanish75%
Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925German3%
Украина, Киев—Метрические Книги, 1840–1842Russian40%
(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)
Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion
Australia, Victoria—Probate Records, 1853–1989English76%
België, Mechelen—Overlijdens Registers, 1851-1900Dutch, Flemish48%
Belgique—Registres Des Décès—En Français, 1796–1910French36%*
Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935English(New)
Deutschland, Bremen—Schifflisten, 1904–1914German76%
Norway—1875 Census [Part 1]Norwegian73%
U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 2]English87%
U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3]English1%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Birth Registers, 1890–1908English1%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Death Registers, 1848–1940English22%
(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
DNA News Roundup
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009www.DNAAncestryProject.com Discover Your Ancestry with DNA. Find Ethnic and Geographic Origins.
Black genealogy conference comes to Summit City Frost Illustrated – Oct 13, 2009… 14—Genealogy File and Time Management by Shelley Murphy; 15—Catholic Sacramental Records: A Source for Louisiana Researchers by Jari C. Honora; 16—DNA …Mayor joins US dig in search for lost colonists
North Devon Gazette & Advertiser – 8 hours agoThrough genealogy and modern DNA testing it is also hoped to establish links between people from Bideford and families in America that can be traced back to …Idaho genealogy group to discuss DNA testing IdahoStatesman.com – Oct 9, 2009Attendees will discuss how to choose the right software for research, the society’s Cemetery Assessment Project and DNA testing for genealogy. …Reportlinker Adds Global Genealogy Products and Services IndustryReuters – Sep 30, 2009Market Overview 1 Introduction 1 Market At a Glance 1 Male Adoptees Turn to DNA Testing to Discover Surnames 1 Genetic Genealogy Testing Grows Generously 2 … What’s in the Future for Genealogy? Ancestry magazine – Sep 24, 2009Undoubtedly, the new frontier for genealogy can be summed up in three letters: DNA. Genealogists today can already determine their ethnic origins with a …
Book View Ancestry magazine Past Perfected, Future Envisioned Ancestry magazine The Many Faces of Family History Ancestry magazine Ancestry magazine DNA’s Fated TwistAncestry magazine – Anastasia Sutherland Tyler – Sep 25, 2009 Interested in all things family history, Monty donated a blood sample and a four-generation family tree to the genealogical DNA database. …Corrections and clarifications guardian.co.uk – Oct 11, 2009(It is DNA fingerprinting that is often used in forensic science, medical research and genealogy.) The picture caption also said that Cambridge researchers … Research and Markets: Genealogy Products and Services – Global Outlook Report Reuters – Oct 8, 2009 … The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (USA) * Family Tree DNA (USA) * Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (USA) * The Generations Network, …
Lehi’s DNA: What’s missing?Mormon Times – Michael De Groote – Sep 24, 2009 According to Ugo Perego, senior researcher at Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, the nucleus of the human cell contains about 3.2 billion pieces of …Grab Your Cotton Swab Ancestry magazine Mother’s Eternal Influence Ancestry magazine all 4 news articles » African-American genealogy and reuniting family, friendsAnnapolis Capital – Mitchelle Stephenson – Oct 8, 2009 In June, Marshall completed the program and launched Genealogy Research Business, which helps people find their country of origin through the use of DNA.
Hi Matt!
Vote for me!
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Good Mood Gig from SAM-e
NARA presents Taylor Branch
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009Washington, DC…The National Archives will host author Taylor Branch to discuss his groundbreaking new book, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History in the White House, on Wednesday, October 7, at 7 p.m. This program is presented in partnership with the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.
This event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building, located at Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station.
Over seven years while in office, President Bill Clinton described what it’s like to be president to a Pulitzer-Prize winning historian. Author Taylor Branch discusses his book, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History in the White House, his account of the dialogues. Immediately after each of the seventy-nine sessions, Branch recorded his reactions to their conversations, as well as Clinton’s demeanor, moods, and daily life in the West Wing. A book signing will follow the program.
Note: Featured books are available for purchase in the Archives Shop before or during the event at a 15% discount. To purchase books before an event please call 202-357-5271 202-357-5271. All proceeds support exhibit, education, and public programs at the National Archives.
Taylor Branch is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-65, and At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-1968. The author of two other nonfiction books and a novel, Branch is a former staff member of The Washington Monthly, Harper’s, and Esquire.
For more information, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000 (202) 357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online.