The National Archives has announced the presentation topics for the 2016 Virtual Genealogy Fair which will be held Wednesday, October 26th and Thursday, October 27th, 2016. In this annual two-day event archivists and employees of the National Archives give presentations on records NARA holds that are of interest to genealogists. The fair is free, and can be viewed online. You can download the handouts and follow along with the presenters.
You do not need to register. Just go to the link 2016 Virtual Genealogy Fair on October 26th & 27th and watch the sessions live. If you are unable to make it to the live sessions, they will be recorded and available for viewing later on YouTube. The Virtual Genealogy Fair page has links to the web pages for previous years, if you are interested in the presentations.
Schedule for Wednesday, October 26th (Eastern Time)
| 10 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks by Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero |
| 10:05 a.m. | Introduction to Genealogy at the National Archives by Claire Kluskens |
| 11 a.m. | The Best National Archives Records Genealogists Aren't Using by Lori Cox-Paul |
| 12 p.m. | National Archives Innovative Online Resources and Tools to Help with Your Genealogical Research by Sarah Swanson and Kelly Osborn |
| 1 p.m. | You too can be a Citizen Archivist! Getting the most out of the National Archives Catalog by Suzanne Isaacs and Meredith Doviak |
| 2 p.m. | Department of State Records for Genealogical Research by David Pfeiffer |
| 3 p.m. | American Battle Monuments Commission by Ryan Bass |
Schedule for Thursday, October 27th (Eastern Time)
| 10 a.m. | Nonpopulation Census: Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Social Statistics by Claire Kluskens |
| 11 a.m. | The Morning After – Changes as Reflected in Morning Reports by Theresa Fitzgerald |
| 12 p.m. | The Iwo Jima Flag Raisers – Chaos, Controversy and World War II Marine Corps Personnel Records by Bryan K. McGraw |
| 1 p.m. | What's New in the Lou: A Look at the Latest Accessions at the National Archives at St. Louis by David Hardin |
| 2 p.m. | The Faces of the National Parks Service by Cara L. Moore |
| 3 p.m. | Closing Remarks by Acting Executive for Research Services Ann Cummings |
