Portraits From a Storm . . .

Patty Bullion the creator of the Facebook page Pictures and Documents Found After the April 27, 2001 Tornadoes, now has a great new blog to share stories that have come from the page. The blog is called Portraits From a Storm, Rebuilding the South One Picture at a Time!

I've been watching this Facebook page since it began and its so wonderful to see that the lost photos are slowly making their way home!

Just an example of a photo finding its way home, this photo was claimed on the eve of a young lady getting married. The photograph is of her mother on her wedding day. Amazing!

NARA - A Great Genealogy Resource

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the custodian of our nation's records. Most people probably have learned a little about the National Archives in Washington, D. C. because it is the keeper of the original Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, but they do not know the extent of their other duties.

In addition to the Washington, D. C. office, NARA maintains a national network of facilities in 13 other cities around the country.

There are approximately 9 billion pages of textual records; 7.2 million maps, charts, and architectural drawings; more than 20 million still photographs; billions of machine-readable data sets; and more than 365,000 reels of film and 110,000 videotapes in addition to electronic records now being housed in these facilities.

For the genealogist, the NARA can provide a wealth of information about a family's history. Some of the most frequently requested records for genealogy research are:

* Ship Passenger Arrival records

* Individual Census Pages

* Eastern Cherokee Applications

* Federal Land Entry Files

* Federal Military Pension Files for the Revolutionary War through the Civil War

* Bounty land warrant applications

* Compiled Military Service Records through the Spanish-American War

* Veterans' service records, WWI - Present

* Pre-WWI Service Records.

Be aware there are specific forms must be completed to be able to obtain copies of a record or file by mail-in customers, and the NARA charges fees for copies of archival records. The current fee schedule is available on the NARA website.

Over the years, I have requested Civil War Pension Records, Bounty Land Warrants and Land Entry files. The wealth of data and clues to more records has been invaluable in continuing my research. The affidavits giving first hand accounts of military service and sometimes copies of a family record etc. are such family treasures.

Although it is hard to wait for a few weeks for the files to arrive, it is always so exciting to open the envelope and see what records were still available and enclosed. I was so surprised to receive a copy of the receipt from the Vincennes Indiana Land Office showing my 3x great-grandfather entering land in early Indiana and making payment in full in 1834.

In addition to housing the nation's records, the NARA offers genealogy workshops on a variety of topics at its regional faculties around the country. Many are free and open to the public.

For instance, the New York City facility will be holding a workshop on June 14th called "Finding Family: What to Do When Hit the Brick Wall". A professional genealogist and guest lecturer will discuss strategies, tips and clues to figuring out next research steps when you don't know where to look next.

Interested in taking advantage of some of these workshops? Check out one of the NARA facilities near you for a list of their upcoming events.

1. Anchorage, AK

2. Atlanta, GA

3. Boston, MA

4. Chicago, IL

5. Denver, CO

6. Fort Worth, TX

7. Kansas City, MO

8. New York City

9. Philadelphia, PA

10. Pittsfield, MA

11. Riverside, CA

12. San Francisco, CA

13. Seattle, WA

14. Washington, D.C.