The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia, created for the purpose of:
- providing advanced genealogical education to experienced researchers;
- promoting accuracy, thoroughness, and precision in research and documentation;
- educating with a focus on federal records available through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA);
- fostering the relationship between NARA, its staff, and the interested public.
Our mission is to provide quality advanced genealogical education about records created by the Federal Government to experienced researchers, without regard to sex, race, creed, color, or nationality. At the one week institute, we are dedicated to promoting an understanding of the origin and organization of the historically relevant records in the stewardship of the National Archives and to advancing public appreciation of our nation’s history.
Gen-Fed is guided by a Board of Trustees, consisting of leadership from cornerstone entities in the genealogical community:
Board Members
- Nathaniel Taylor, FASG – President, American Society of Genealogists (ASG)
- Tricia Seguine, MLIS – President, Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)
- Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA – President, Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)
- David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS, FNGS – President, National Genealogical Society (NGS)
Ex-Officio Non-voting Board Members
- Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL – Director, Gen-Fed
- Mary O’Brien Vidlak, CG – Assistant Director, Gen-Fed
Ex-Officio NARA Representative*
- Trevor K. Plante – Supervisory Archivist and Chief of the Reference Services Branch, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
* The third Ex-Officio position (NARA representative) is typically filled by the Archivist of the United States, following Congressional confirmation. We are fortunate to have Trevor Plante—a long-time Gen-Fed supporter, lecturer, and highly respected NARA archivist—participating on the Gen-Fed Board.