Orientation classes, taught by reference librarians, are offered regularly. The "Resources for Genealogical Research at the Library of Congress" course is designed as a basic introduction for genealogical researchers using the Library of Congress collections. Each session includes an introduction to genealogical research: what it is and what it involves; the resources and facilities of the Local History and Genealogy Reading Room: compiled family histories, local histories, city directories, telephone books, the reference collection, how to search the Library's online catalog, and an overview of automated resources on the Internet. How to locate published census schedules and indexes, ship passenger lists, military service and pension records, military lists and registers, cemetery records, church records and registers, court records, land records, and registers of births will be included. A tour of the LH&G Reading Room will conclude the class. The orientation classes are offered by the Local History and Genealogy Reading Room reference staff on the following Wednesday mornings during the winter and spring of 2007:

January 10 and 24; February 7 and 21; March 7 and 21; April 11 and 25

For more information, please refer to Local History & Genealogy Reading Room, Library of Congress.