National Genealogical Society

National Genealogical Society
Name	National Genealogical Society
Founded	1903
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia
Type	Nonprofit
Purpose	Genealogy, family history

National Genealogical Society The National Genealogical Society serves researchers, historians, librarians, archivists, and genealogists across the United States and internationally, promoting standards in family history research through education, publications, and advocacy. Founded in the early 20th century, the organization connects practitioners associated with repositories such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and state historical societies, while collaborating with institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, American Historical Association, and Federation of Genealogical Societies.

History

The organization was established amidst contemporaneous developments involving figures and institutions like Frederick Jackson Turner, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the expansion of archives such as the New York Public Library and the Massachusetts Historical Society. Early activities reflected trends tied to the rise of professional societies such as the American Antiquarian Society and the growth of municipal recordkeeping exemplified by the City of Boston and the State of Virginia. During the 20th century the society engaged with national initiatives including the preservation campaigns associated with the Historic American Buildings Survey and archival programs influenced by the Works Progress Administration. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the group intersected with digital projects at institutions like the National Archives and Records Administration, collaborations with commercial partners such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, and methodological debates prominent in venues like the American Historical Review.

Mission and Programs

The society’s mission emphasizes standards and methodology aligned with professional practices promoted by entities such as the American Library Association, the Society of American Archivists, and the Council of American Maritime Museums. Programs support preservation efforts at repositories including the Library and Archives Canada, the New York State Archives, and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and offer guidance on records held by agencies like the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Census Bureau, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Outreach includes partnerships with genealogical societies such as the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the California Genealogical Society, and the Utah Genealogical Association, and coordination with events at venues like the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the National Museum of American History.

Publications

The society publishes peer-reviewed and educational material comparable in stature to journals like the American Historical Review and periodicals from the Royal Historical Society. Core publications address case studies involving sources from the United States Census, Naturalization Records, Civil War pension files, and collections at the National Archives and Records Administration. Contributors have included researchers who also publish with the Oxford University Press, the University of North Carolina Press, and the University of Chicago Press. The organization’s editorial standards reflect bibliographic practices used by the Library of Congress, the Modern Language Association, and the Chicago Manual of Style.

Conferences and Education

Annual conferences draw speakers and participants who have lectured at venues such as the American Philosophical Society, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and the New-York Historical Society. Sessions have covered material from records housed by the National Archives and Records Administration, methodologies used at the Family History Library, and case studies involving collections from the Bancroft Library and the Clements Library. The society has organized workshops mirroring curricula from the National Council for History Education and continuing education models used by the Smithsonian Institution and the Association of Research Libraries.

Membership and Governance

Members include volunteers and professionals who also serve with the American Historical Association, the Society of American Archivists, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and the Genealogical Society of Utah. Governance structures have drawn on nonprofit models similar to those of the American Red Cross, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and university alumni associations such as those of Harvard University and Yale University. Leadership has collaborated with municipal archives like the City of Philadelphia and state repositories including the Massachusetts Archives and the California State Archives.

Awards and Grants

The society administers awards and grants to recognize scholarship comparable to honors given by the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, and the Royal Society. Grants have supported projects related to collections at the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and regional repositories such as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference holdings. Recipients have included researchers who publish with presses like the University Press of Kentucky, the University of Nebraska Press, and the Princeton University Press, and who present findings at conferences like the Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association and symposia at the Smithsonian Institution.

Category:Genealogy organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in Virginia