Record of the Week: The Book of Negroes

This February, the Rediscovering Black History blog is kicking off a new feature - the Record of the Week. Every Thursday during Black History Month there will be a post highlighting one of the records from the National Archives' vast holdings. The Inspection Roll of Negroes (NAID 5890797), more commonly referred to as the Book … Continue reading Record of the Week: The Book of Negroes

Mayor for Life

Written by Netisha Currie and Tina Ligon, National Archives at College Park “My greatest work comes in the community” ~ Marion Barry Today is the annual Turkey Giveaway - a local tradition of Southeast Washington, DC in which former mayor Marion Barry would give out turkeys and vegetables to less fortunate residents so that they … Continue reading Mayor for Life

2014 National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

Written by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist at the National Archives in College Park. Today is the kick off for the second annual National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair. From October 28-30 the Archives will broadcast 17 live lectures from across the nation via YouTube to inform the general public on various aspects of genealogical research. This … Continue reading 2014 National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

NARA at ASALH

written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland   For many years, employees at the National Archives have participated in the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) annual conferences. They've shared information on records relating to the black experience that can be found … Continue reading NARA at ASALH

Dr. Maya Angelou’s Legacy through the National Archives

This post is dedicated to the memory of Maya Angelou - born April 4, 1928.  Maya Angelou was a revered American author, poet, activist, holder of many other occupations, and icon. The impact and power of her words were immediately felt with the publication of her first autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), … Continue reading Dr. Maya Angelou’s Legacy through the National Archives

The Pole at Last

 Today's blog is written by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. In addition to permanent government records, the National Archives also holds many documents and artifacts relating to polar exploration. These records were donated by many explorers and scholars to the Center for Polar Archives at NARA until the late 1970s. … Continue reading The Pole at Last

When the Government Can’t Help

Today's blog is written by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland There are many episodes of disappointment in American history when disparate groups of citizens seek out the interference of help from the Federal Government and are turned away because there is no way … Continue reading When the Government Can’t Help

Protecting America’s Treasures: Black History in the Vault

Today's blog post is by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist in the Textual Processing Division of the National Archives     A small portion of the millions of records at the National Archives are considered to be of such historic or intrinsic value that researchers are restricted from physical access to these materials. These materials are … Continue reading Protecting America’s Treasures: Black History in the Vault