Welcome!
Thank you for registering for our 2025 Washington, DC Research Tour, which is taking place Sunday, March 23 - Saturday, March 29, 2025!
Discover the wealth of family history resources in our nation’s capital. Delve into military records, immigration files, compiled family papers, and more at the National Archives and Records Administration and the Daughters of the American Revolution Library.
Program includes:
- Six-night hotel stay at the State Plaza Hotel
- Tour and orientation to collections at the DAR Library and the National Archives
- Lectures presented by American Ancestors genealogists
- Three, thirty-minute consultations with expert genealogists (one virtual pre-tour consultation, two on-tour consultations)
- Group meals (opening and closing dinner)
- Pre-program preparatory webinar and resources
Please reach out to Kathleen Mackenzie, Education and Programming Manager, at kathleen.mackenzie@americanancestors.org if you have any questions prior to the program.
Pre-Tour Preparatory Zoom Presentation
Live broadcast: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist, and Kathleen Mackenzie, Education and Programming Manager.
Learn how to prepare for your time in Washington, DC and at the repositories, make the most of your one-on-one consultations, and more! This presentation will be held in a zoom meeting format. This means that during our Q&A sessions you will have the option to come on camera, unmute, and ask questions. You also have the option to remain muted with your camera off, and instead ask questions in the meeting chat.
Pre-Tour To-Dos
American Ancestors Participant Information and Research Interests Forms (Required for all)
Participant Form 1 - For Pre-Tour Zoom Consultation - Due February 24
Please fill out this Participant Form by February 24, 2025. Your answers on this form will assist our genealogists in preparing for your pre-tour consultation! It also allows you to submit emergency contact information, dietary restrictions, and more.
Participant Form 2 - For Two On-Tour Consultations - Due March 7
Please fill out this Participant Form by March 7, 2025. Your answers on this form will assist our genealogists in preparing for your two on-tour consultations!
If you have any questions about filling out these forms, please contact Education and Programming Manager, Kathleen Mackenzie at kathleen.mackenzie@americanancestors.org. Please note that you have the option to save your form and return to it by clicking the "Save" button at the bottom of the page.
NARA Orientation (Required for those who have not visited NARA in DC in the last year)
This online orientation takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. You will receive a certificate once it's complete, which you will need to present when we arrive to NARA. You can either print the certificate or a take a picture of it with your phone. Complete the online orientation here:
https://rise.articulate.com/share/uK5NGkSpg74JHLTOcGPmM4e94MJyxQgD#/
NARA Registration (Required for those who have not visited NARA in DC in the last year)
This is a quick form, and the registration will automatically go into NARA's system. There is no need to print it or take a picture to show that you've completed it.
https://researchercommunity.force.com/securitycentral/s/kiosk-registration
American Ancestors Navigating Our Nation's Federal Records Online Course (Optional but recommended if you plan to do a lot of research at NARA)
In 2022 we offered an online course, Navigating Our Nation's Federal Records. The course includes five 90-minute classes covering a wealth of information about records available at NARA. We're making this archived course available to you as part of your tour benefits!
Link to Course Content: https://www.americanancestors.org/navigating-our-nations-federal-records-2022
Schedule
Subject to Change
| Sunday, March 23: Opening Evening | |
| after 3:00 p.m. | Check-in at State Plaza Hotel |
| 4:00–5:30 p.m. | Introductions and Your Guide to the Week, State Plaza Hotel, Ambassador Room |
| 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Welcome Dinner, State Plaza Hotel, Diplomat Room |
| Monday, March 24: NARA | |
| 8:45 a.m. | Coach Pick-up at State Plaza Hotel for travel to NARA |
| 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Researcher Registration and Orientation by NARA staff |
| 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Essential NARA Records for Family History Research, presented by Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert and Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure |
| 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Personal Research and Consultations at NARA |
| 5:00 p.m. | Coach Pick-up at NARA |
| Tuesday, March 25: DAR Library | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Coach Pick-up at State Plaza Hotel for travel to DAR Library |
| 9:00 a.m.–9:45 p.m. | Orientation to DAR Library |
| 9:45–3:50 p.m. | Personal Research and Consultations at the DAR Library |
| 4:00 p.m. | Coach Pick-up at DAR Library |
| Wednesday, March 26: Choose Your Repository | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Coach Pick-up at State Plaza Hotel for travel to DAR Library, then NARA |
| 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Personal Research and Consultations |
| 4:00 p.m.* | Coach Pick-up at DAR Library, Drop off at State Plaza Hotel *Meet outside DAR Library at 3:55 p.m. |
| 5:00 p.m.* | Coach Pick-up at NARA, Drop off at State Plaza Hotel *Meet outside NARA at 4:55 p.m. |
| Thursday, March 27: Choose Your Repository | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Coach Pick-up at State Plaza Hotel for travel to DAR Library, then NARA |
| 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Personal Research and Consultations |
| 4:00 p.m. | Coach Pick-up at DAR Library, Drop off at State Plaza Hotel *Meet outside DAR Library at 3:55 p.m. |
| 5:00 p.m. | Coach Pick-up at NARA, Drop off at State Plaza Hotel *Meet outside NARA at 4:55 p.m. |
| Friday, March 28: Choose Your Repository | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Coach Pick-up at State Plaza Hotel for travel to DAR Library, then NARA |
| 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Personal Research and Consultations |
| 4:00 p.m. | Coach Pick-up at DAR Library, Drop off at State Plaza Hotel *Meet outside DAR Library at 3:55 p.m. |
| 5:00 p.m. | Coach Pick-up at NARA, Drop off at State Plaza Hotel *Meet outside NARA at 4:55 p.m. |
| 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | Closing dinner, State Plaza Hotel |
| Saturday, March 29: Check Out of Hotel | |
| Before 12:00 p.m. | Check out of State Plaza Hotel |
Optional activities on your own:
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Packet Materials
Hotel
We will be staying at the The State Plaza Hotel, located at 2117 East Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20037. This is located in the Foggy Bottom area of DC, very close to the George Washington University campus. It is just a few blocks from the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, and other sites. The hotel has a variety of amenities including:
- On-site Garden Cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- All rooms feature fully equipped kitchens with full-size refrigerators, small ranges, microwaves, and dining space
- Complimentary wifi
- 24-hour security
- Fitness center
Check in is at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, and check out is at noon on Saturday, March 29. If you would like to book additional nights at the hotel, you can do so directly with the hotel on their website or by calling them at 202-861-8200. When you check in, you can let them know that you're part of our block and would like to stay in the same room throughout your stay.
Parking:
Self parking at $48 inclusive of tax. No oversized vehicles. Maximum height 6'3". Parking spaces are limited.
