The Genealogical Institute of Federal Records 2020 session was cancelled due to travel restrictions and the closing of the National Archives (NARA) in Washington, D.C., last year. This year, unfortunately, in the wake of continuing travel restrictions and repository shutdowns, it is unlikely that NARA will be open, or not open to full capacity. We sincerely appreciate the concerns and precautions that the Archives has to make in these difficult circumstances.
We now announce that the 2021 Genealogical Institute on Federal Records will be held virtually this year. We are grateful to have the full support of the instructors and NARA staff. Because we will take less time in travelling to other repositories, we are taking the opportunity to add lectures and new topics to the program this year. Gen-Fed will take a total of 50 students this year.
However, it is unlikely that formal registration will be held for this event. The students originally registered for 2020 have first priority. They have the option to defer to 2022. Gen-Fed waitlists do not carry over from year-to-year, but there is a already a waitlist that is still part of the 2020 registration cycle, which will be given next priority until the session fills. If there is capacity after that, an announcement will be made at least 10 days prior to the opening of registration.
Thank you – stay safe and well,
Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG®, CGLSM, Director Darcie Hind Posz, CG®, Assistant Director
Photo credit R. Koford
The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) 2018, held July 16–21 at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., was another great week of learning and camaraderie. Attendees used words like exceptional and excellent and amazing to describe the experience but this comment best captures the unique quality of Gen-Fed: