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W131, NIGR to Gen-Fed: The Tradition Continues with Malissa Ruffner, CG

Gen-Fed Alumni Luncheon, 12:15 pm, Wednesday, 10 May 2017 (Registration Required – $32.00)

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) is the oldest genealogical institute in the country. But what’s with the new name? And what makes this Washington, D. C., institute different from the others? This luncheon presentation will trace the history of the institute since its 1950 debut and walk you through an evolution that mirrors the changes in genealogical research itself. If you have never attended Gen-Fed or its predecessor, National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), you will get a first-hand report (an original record with primary information!) on the 2016 re-boot. If you are already an alum, you will enjoy the trip down memory lane and might even begin planning your return.

In this day of unprecedented opportunities for online learning, institutes offer an important educational experience—maybe even especially in this day. Educating yourself on federal records, rich in genealogical and historical detail, is an important investment. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) welcomes Gen-Fed attendees for the week that begins with a greeting from the Archivist of the United States. The program offers unique access to records and the professionals who care for them, as well as presentations from expert genealogists and researchers who know them well. Gen-Fed’s new home base,the Innovation Hub—next door to the archival Consultation Room on the ground floor at NARA-DC—fosters collegial interaction among classmates and staff.

Come hear why this institute’s rich tradition has stood the test of time and why it occupies a special place in the hearts of countless genealogists. I look forward to seeing you there!

Visit Gen-Fed on the web and find out more at http://www.gen-fed.org/