National Archives: September programs

September programs at the National Archives (Washington, DC) will highlight genealogy, Hispanic military service and Puerto Rico.

Hispanic records - such as military records and Puerto Rican records - are important to genealogists searching Jewish roots because of the Converso presence, in general, as well as immigration patterns.

Mexican border crossings, as another example, demonstrate many Jewish records (Sephardic and Ashkenazi). If you have an Ancestry subscription, go to this record group and search for COHEN and other common Jewish names. The results indicate many individuals and families. There are more than 400 COHEN, KOHAN and variations, double names in the Hispanic naming patterns and many obvious Sephardic names added to Cohen or Kohan.

Footnotes: National Archives Librarian Jeffery Hartley will discuss how the Archives and Footnote.com are providing access to holdings. (11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4; 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6.)

Mexican Border Crossings: Archivist Claire Kluskens will discuss Mexican border crossing records documenting the arrival of permanent and temporary immigrants to the U.S. at the U.S.-Mexico border. (11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13.)

Hispanic Volunteers in the Antebellum U.S. Army: Archives Specialist John Deeben will discuss service records and other documentation for Hispanics who served in the U.S. Army (1835–55), including the Second Seminole War, the Mexican War, and the Apache and Navajo wars. (11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18; 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20.)

Hispanic-Related Films from the National Archives: A variety of film clips illustrating Hispanic population, culture, activities, and families in the early-mid-20th century. (11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21.)

Documenting Community, Politics, and the Economy in Puerto Rico, 1898–1950: Archives Branch Chief Kenneth Heger will provide an overview of records of the two Federal agencies that administered Puerto Rico - the Bureau of Insular Affairs and the Office of Territories - focusing on their value to local historians. (11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25; 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27.)

From the Records Book Group: "The Archaeologist Was a Spy: Sylvanus G. Morley and the Office of Naval Intelligence," by Charles H. Harris III and Louis R. Sadler. The Archives Shop offers a discount for participants. (noon Wednesday, Sept. 26.)

Hispanics in the 19th Century through Military and Census Records:
Archivist Constance Potter and Archives Specialist John Deeben will present a workshop on 19th century Hispanics in the Southwest, focusing on Civil War military service, regimental and pension records for volunteers from New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, population and non-population census schedules. (9.30-11.30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.)

Who’s on Your Family Tree? Beginning Your Family Genealogy: Marie Melchiori, CG, CGL, will help you get started with a look at home, local, county, Federal sources, with a look at the Internet as well. (10.15 a.m.-12.30 a.m. Friday, Sept, 28.)

Read more here, including fees for some programs, locations, directions, making reserveations and other information.