DC Suggestions - ELIZABETH RUSSO
Subject: DC Suggestions
From: ELIZABETH RUSSO
Date: February 16, 1999

Top 3 places:

1.  NARA -- The Mother of all Records depositories.  All your census
needs at one stop.  Military records for all wars.  Confederates, too (I
got more here than at the AL Archives).  Knowledgeable staff (mostly.)
Many volunteer genealogists/historians.  GO EARLY.  STAY LATE.  Avoid
going  10 a.m. - 2 p.m. when there likely will be a waiting list.  But
even at peak times, I waited less time than at my local FHC.  Once I got
rolling, I was able to pull, view, and copy about 15 census records in
one afternoon.  TRY TO HAVE DONE YOUR INDEX WORK BEFORE YOU GO.  They
are missing several volumes of the State Indexes.  They have new
microfilm copiers that have given me the best copies yet.  And if you
can't make out a damaged film, you can view original records, but the
latter TAKES TIME.  Quick food across the street.

http://www.nara.gov/

No researcher i.d. required for most records, unless you want to examine
original documents.   If you do, allow time to complete paperwork.

2.  DAR library -- A beautiful library, friendly staff. User-friendly
stacks.  Books on family histories (largest collection in the US if not
the world except perhaps in UT) are arranged alphabetically by last
name.  State books arranged by region. Check their online catalog before
you go.  Staff makes the copies while you wait.  If you know what you
want before you go, you can really maximize time. Open Sunday
afternoons. But limited daytime hours.  Limited paperwork required for
research.  Most DAR info now on online searchable databases, so the best
value of this facility truly are the  books.  Food vendors close by (but
don't expect much beyond sodas and hot dogs.)

http://www.dar.org/library/library.html

3.  Library of Congress -- The Mother of all Book Depositories.  Divided
into Reading Rooms; one for Genealogy/Local History, one for Maps, one
for periodicals, etc.  Go early to get a photo i.d. which will enable
you to request books.  Reference books are available without i.d., but
they are but a fraction of the holdings.  Computer search their catalogs
before you go, and take a listing of call numbers, authors, titles,
dates.  You can only request a limited number of books per hour.  while
waiting for the books (10 min. - 1 hour wait), peruse and copy from the
reference books.  Their holdings boggle the mind.  Several hundred books
on Huguenots, for example (the last thing I researched there.) 
Cafeteria for visitors, but hours limited.  Pricey food nearby.

http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/gen_hours.html

ALL 3--

Because of limited time, taxi fares are well worth it.  The  Metro runs
close to each of these, but you have to change trains between
facilities, and walk a bit.

No food or drink allowed in the libraries.

Clean restrooms.

Security checks.  DAR most lenient.  Lib. of Congress most strict.

Bring cash for copy cards (vending machines).  Avoid bringing the new
$20 bills.

Wear comfortable clothing.  I found NARA to be uncomfortably hot in
January.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth DuBois Russo
(whose daughter conveniently moved to DC a few months ago...we "visit"
as I dash from one place to another -- grabbing a quick bite -- and late
at night.... if you time it right, you can be researching from 8:30 a.m.
to 9:30 p.m. most weekdays.)

PS--I'm going again in a few days and will let you know of any updates
to the above.  Last visit a few weeks ago.

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