Today's DAR
DAR members from across the nation gathered at our House Beautiful in Washington, DC May 5-8 for the third annual DAR Genealogy Research Institute. The 2024 Institute featured Master Class lectures by Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., the premier authority on use of DNA for genealogy research, and author, historian, and military records expert Craig R. Scott, MA, CG, FUGA. In addition to their lectures, Mr. Scott conducted individual consultations with attendees to assist them with their research challenges, and Dr. Bettinger greeted attendees at a reception and book-signing on Tuesday.
Making Genealogy Discoveries and New Friends
Attendees were delighted to have extra research time in the DAR Library and Seimes Technology Center, as these outstanding resources added extended hours on Monday and Tuesday for GRI attendees. A session on Maximizing DAR Library Resources by DAR Library Director Dr. Stephanie Tuszynski was especially helpful. Attendee and event volunteer photographer Melissa Wilkinson was ecstatic when she discovered her first Patriot on her father’s lineage while researching at Seimes – something she thought she would never find. She was quick to note how helpful DAR Library staff member Andrew Boisvert was during her research efforts.
A visit to the Library of Congress (LOC) reading rooms led by Corresponding Secretary General, Janet McFarland was an added feature for the 2024 Institute. While browsing in the LOC Rare Book Collection, attendee Rhonda Prate had the special treat of viewing her Diller family Bible from 1744!
Concurrent sessions were devoted to DAR, including specific topics that provided updates on DAR genealogy resources and the latest information on preparation of new and supplemental Applications. Two DAR staff genealogists shared expertise with attendees: Audra Sombke did a deep dive into LDS Research/Records, while Pamela Loos-Noji introduced attendees to early church records. Retired staff genealogist, Marilyn Gabriel Mills shared common reasons for generation of an ‘additional information request’ (AIR) letter during the application verification process.
Additional sessions included those by Registrar General, Cynthia Parnell; DAR Genealogy Commission National Chair Jeannine Dobbins; DAR DNA Network Committee National Chair and Past Registrar General, Sharon Withers; DAR Genealogy Preservation Committee National Chair Colleen Joyce; and national vice chairs of several genealogy committees including Shannon Combs-Bennett, Kathy Crusco, Dr. Debbie Duay, Dawn Fleishans, and Kari Weis.
As with any major event, it takes a team to plan and implement the annual DAR Genealogy Research Institute. In addition to the DAR Library and Registrar General’s staff, members of the PR, Security, Purchasing, DAR Museum, DAR Store, DAR Insignia Store, Constitution Hall Audio Visual Technology, Accounting, and Facilities Departments, as well as Elizabeth Patridge (who administered the Eventbrite ticket platform) and Operations Officer Wendy Davis-Bushey all helped ensure a successful event. In addition to the DAR national committee chairs already listed, additional committees, including Lineage Research (Susan Johnston, National Chair), Property Beautification & Hospitality (Maureen Tipton, National Chair), Specialty Research (Anthony Startz, National Chair), and Volunteer Genealogists Committee (Mary Lewey, National Chair) were invaluable.
GRI Committee Vice Chairs Rachel Michael and Beth O’Such, along with Committee Executive Liaison Janet McFarland played critical roles in preparation and implementation for the 2024 Institute. The event could not be done without the support and encouragement of the President General, NSDAR and the Executive Committee. Thank you to all who attended, and to all who made the event possible. Plan to join us next year for the 2025 GRI, to be held May 5-7!
