This August, I was incredibly fortunate to attend Gen-Fed – the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records – in Washington, D.C. It was my first time at any genealogical institute, and just finding out that I had been selected felt amazing. With so many professionals hoping for a spot each year, having my name among the few chosen was genuinely special. Even more exciting, it gave me a perfect reason to return to D.C. after almost three decades since my first visit.
What’s a Genealogical Institute?
In the U.S., a genealogical institute is all about immersive learning – week-long programs built for passionate family historians eager to elevate their skills. Rather than quick workshops, institutes like these go deep. Students and experts come together for days of hands-on classes, lectures, and group work. The focus ranges from advanced strategies to deciphering archival records or tackling specialized topics – think federal, military, and immigration documents. For many genealogists, attending an institute is a pivotal career milestone: it’s where expertise grows and new research techniques are mastered.
Some key institutes in the United States include the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), the Genealogy Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), and Gen-Fed itself.
Gen-Fed: The Experience
Gen-Fed is no ordinary seminar. This annual, five-day program takes place at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and nearby College Park, Maryland. It’s designed for intermediate and advanced genealogists who want to delve into federal government records. The curriculum packs full days of intensive, expert-led classes – plus hands-on time with original records.
What My Week Looked Like
With the long flight from Amsterdam, I arrived three days early to enjoy the city – and some weekend adventures with friends (including the National Mall and Arlington National Cemetery). Then Gen-Fed began: five days straight, nine to five, with two or sometimes three classes crammed into each half-day. It almost felt like going back to college!
The program introduced us to the vast collections managed by the National Archives – records, maps, photographs, films – and how to search for these in the catalog. We covered bounty land records, military and pension files, immigration and naturalization documents, legislative materials, court cases, and sources on both Native Americans and enslaved African Americans. Every class focused on records originally created by the U.S. federal government. Beyond the classes, Gen-Fed also scheduled excursions – I joined an unforgettable tour of the Library of Congress.
Why Did I Do It?
Friends and colleagues kept asking why I signed up, especially as someone whose research centers on the Netherlands. My answer was and is threefold: first, I wanted to experience a genuine genealogical institute for myself. Second, I believe in ongoing education – there’s always more to learn. Third, U.S. federal records can be a goldmine for tracing Dutch families who emigrated to America.
Gen-Fed was absolutely worth it, not just for what I learned professionally but for the inspiration I took home. The week sparked a renewed interest in piecing together the life of Jacob van Braam, my ancestor’s brother who famously fought alongside George Washington, survived six years as a prisoner in Canada, and later participated as a Royalist in the American Revolution. While federal records may not tell his story, Gen-Fed taught me how to find those hidden clues. And it brought me – in my last hours in D.C. – to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate. Gen-Fed was more than just an educational opportunity – it became a profound journey into both American archives and my own family’s unique story.
