When genealogists think of Washington D.C. and/or federal records, they tend to think of census records and the National Archives. Maybe the Library of Congress comes to mind. Census records are, of course, of great value, which is why so many websites offer digital access to these records. As for the National Archives and the Library of Congress, just how well does the average researcher know about what these repositories have to offer? Thinking of these exceptional resources beg the question, what else does the nation’s capital have to offer genealogists?
The answer to these questions are revealed in The Center: A Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Capital Area. This guidebook reveals the agencies, departments, and archives in the Washington D.C. area. D.C. plays a unique role as a repository of genealogical material. Collectively, there are more records and materials available through D.C. than the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. As a matter of fact, the Washington area collectively represents the world’s largest holding of research materials.
Like any book which references offices, addresses, and phone numbers, the contact data in this book may have changed. Fortunately, resources like Google make finding new addresses and contact information quick and easy. However, finding a listing of resources like the one compiled in this book, is not as easy. This guide gives researchers not only the name and place of repositories, but also a description, a listing of resources, procedures, and more. The detailed Table of Contents, listed below, provides good overview of what the researcher will find in this valuable guide to the nation’s genealogical records.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: Where Do I Start?
- About This Book
- The Gathering Process
- Getting Around
Chapter 2: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- Introduction
- General Information
- Room 400, Microfilm Reading Room
- Room 203, Central Research Room
- Federal Census Records
- Military Records
- Immigration Records
- Naturalization Records
- Passport Records
- Native American/Indian Records
- Black and African American Records
- Confederate Records Relating to Civilians
- Miscellaneous Records
- Tax Records
- Work Projects Administration, Historical Records Survey, RG 39
- The Regional Archives System
- A Selection of National Archives Publications Available Through the Family History Library System
Chapter 3: Federal Land Records
- Agencies of the Department of Interior
- Public Land States
- The Public Land Survey System of the United States
- Maps
- A Selection of Resources Available Through the Family History Library System
Chapter 4: The Library of Congress (LC)
- Introduction
- General Information
- The Thomas Jefferson Building “LJ”
- James Madison Memorial Building “LM”
- John Adams Building “LA”
- A Selection of Library of Congress Materials Available Through the Family History Library System
Chapter 5: National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and the National Genealogy Society (NGS)
- National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
- A Selection of DAR Resources Available Through the Family History Library System
- National Genealogical Society
- A Selection of NGS Resources Available Through the Family History Library System
- Chapter 6: Facilities for Military Records and Research
- American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)
- Department of Defense and Related Sources
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Government Printing Office
Chapter 7: Federal Government Agencies and Public Facilities
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of the Interior
- Department of State
- Smithsonian Institution
- U.S. Government Printing Office
Chapter 8: Government and Public Facilities, State, County, Regional, and Local, in Maryland and Virginia
- Maryland
- Virginia
Chapter 9: Genealogical Sources for the District of Columbia
- Introduction
- National Archives and Records Administration, Archives I
- Cemetery Records
- Church Archives
- City Directories
- Clerk of The U.S. District Court
- District of Columbia Department of Health and Human Services
- District of Columbia, Recorder of Deeds
- Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Library
- Maryland State Archives
- National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
- U.S. Government Printing Office
- Virginia State Library and Archives
- A Selection of District of Columbia Resources Available Through the Family History Library System
Chapter 10: Academic Instituions and Private Archives and Libraries with Genealogical Resources
- Academic Institutions
- Universities, Colleges, and Seminaries
- Private Archives and Libraries
- Family History Centers (FHCs)
Chapter 11: Resources for Ethnic and Religious Research
Chapter 12: Societies and Professional Organizations with Genealogical Resources
Geographical Cross-Reference
Bibliography
Appendix: Selected National Archives Order Forms
Index
The Center: A Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Capital Area is available at Family Roots Publishing; Price: 25% off at just $14.96