Program: Attending Gen-Fed

photo by SM Kuleto

“Gen-Fed” – Genealogical Institute on Federal Records

Presented by Diane Dillon

Diane will discuss her participation in “Gen-Fed 2024.” Gen-Fed = Genealogical Institute on Federal Records, which is held for one week each year (since 1950) at the National Archives (NARA) in Washington, D.C. The intensive daily sessions are focused exclusively on the “origin, organization, proper use, and evaluation” of records created by the federal government, particularly those at Washington, D.C. and College Park, MD. There’s a lot more than you think to be learned at NARA!

Diane is a life-long Napa County resident and descendant of the Conn & Pritchard families. Her academic credentials include UC Santa Barbara, B.A. in cultural anthropology; UCLA, MSLIS (law librarian specialization); and UC Davis, J.D. She was a partner at Napa’s oldest law firm, Coombs & Dunlap, before serving five terms on the Napa County Board of Supervisors. Her “retirement” time is focused on all things Napa County history-related, including Bale & Bothe state parks, NapaValleyRoots.org (which is facilitating the establishment of the Napa County Heritage Network), and City of St. Helena’s plans for its 150th anniversary in 2026.