Women’s History Month 2026

 March marks Women’s History Month. The origins of this annual event date back to 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28. The law authorized and requested President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the week beginning 7 March 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” Five years later, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to pass Pub. L. 100-9, which designated the March as “Women’s History Month.”  

The original 1982 proclamation noted:

  American women of every race, creed and ethnic background helped found and build our Nation in      countless recorded and unrecorded ways...

As we celebrate America at 250, let us commemorate the role American women played in our history by focusing on our female ancestors and identifying resources to tell their stories.

American women—especially Indigenous and enslaved women—can be difficult to research due to a change of surname upon marriage and their lack of historical legal rights which mean a lack of government records that genealogists rely on. If you need some ideas for research, two National Archives web pages provide resources for researching historical women. Peruse these to find history and websites that are relevant to your female ancestors.

• National Archives – Archives Library Information Center – Women 
• National Archives – Archives Library Information Center – Pathfinder to Women’s History Research     

 The Internet is home to historical databases that list women’s names and other genealogical relevant information. Historians working on projects about historical communities develop databases that are also useful for genealogists. They can be more difficult to identify so make sure to use your favorite search engine to conduct searches for the words that best describe your female ancestors (a religion, a location, etc.) and the word “database” or history.  Some examples include:

• Enslaved: Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade                                                                       
• Slave Biographies                                                                                                
• The Quilt Index                                                                                                              
• Women Working 1800-1930                                                               
•  Sampler Archive                                                
• Women in the Holocaust

Obviously, women are found in genealogy website databases for the census, vital records, and military records but don’t forget to search your favorite genealogy website’s card catalog for the keyword “woman,” “women,” or “mothers” to find databases that have records that document women. You also shouldn’t limit your search to just a woman’s name. An example from the Ancestry Card Catalog for the keyword “mothers” shows the database World War I Mothers Pilgrimage for mothers and wives who lost a loved one in Europe during World War I. These images have women’s names as well as the name of their soldier.

Without a doubt, researching your American female ancestors is challenging. That’s a fact. But searching for women also can lead to deeper understanding of history and what records for a particular historical period may include your female ancestor.  So don’t limit yourself only to the familiar genealogy website search. Ask, “Where are women recorded?” and enjoy the search for their records!

Coming Together to Celebrate America at 250

 

 by Juliana Szucs

No matter how or when our ancestors came to be in this country, we are all connected to its history. This year’s celebration of America at 250 is the perfect time to reflect on the stories, struggles, resilience, and changes that forged our nation. Each family carries part of the American story, and as family historians, it’s our time to shine! 

What makes the United States remarkable is its diversity. America was shaped by many paths—voluntary and forced, some hopeful and some harrowing. As genealogists, we understand the complexities of our history. Family history encompasses not just the who, but the where, when, and how. That is where the stories live. But not all of those stories have been preserved in the same ways, if they were preserved at all. 

Growing up in a genealogy household, I always knew my own story was a unique blend—Polish, Hungarian, Irish, French, and English. That awareness shaped how I understood myself and my place in history. My daughter recently wrote about her ties to her Hungarian roots through the family recipes that were passed down. That spurred an interest for her to call me to learn more about the immigrant ancestors who brought those recipes to this country, as they came seeking a new life. (Yes, I was more than happy to oblige!)  

For many communities, including African American, Indigenous, Asian American, Latino, Pacific Islander, and some other immigrant populations, family history has been carried through memories and stories retold, songs, dance, foods, and celebrations, rather than traditional written records. Even so, lives that were erased, overlooked, or excluded from traditional archives can still be reconstructed when we broaden our understanding of what family history looks like and where it lives. 

Knowing where we come from helps us better understand who we are— and whose stories we may still be missing. When my mom embarked on our family history journey many years ago, genealogical and historical societies were incredibly helpful, and they are still a vital part of the genealogical community, guarding our access to records, helping with preservation, education, and other initiatives.  

As we prepare for a year-long celebration of America at 250, societies have a unique opportunity to ask deeper questions of themselves. Whose stories are present in our collections, programs, and narratives? Are our projects and programs reflecting the diversity of the community we represent? Whose stories are missing—and why? How can we ensure that our work reflects the multifaceted histories of the communities we serve? Do we have programs for a younger generation who might share the same interest the recipe sparked in my daughter? 

Programs based on smaller communities in the area where our ancestors lived are just as important as the larger ethnic population—even if you don’t have direct ties to that smaller community.  After all, they were our ancestors’ neighbors. Their very presence in the area is significant when it comes to adding context. As ethnic communities melded together here in America, you may even find that a foreign tradition made it into your family. (Hey, you don’t have to be Polish to enjoy a Paczki on Fat Tuesday!) 

The current issue of National Genealogical Society Magazine includes an article by Lauren Peichtel and Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, which looks at ways we can strengthen and grow the field of family history, expanding interest with inclusive programs that go beyond the traditional lectures and workshops. That article can be found online for free (for both members and non-members). 

We’ll also be exploring ways we can join in our nation’s 250th Anniversary with new ideas for your family history here on the UpFront blog, so stay tuned here and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Diverse family history programming not only expands historical context; it fosters empathy, builds understanding, and strengthens relationships within our communities. By listening to underrepresented voices, learning the histories of the places we research, and forming meaningful partnerships, societies can help more people see themselves reflected in America’s past—and its future. 

Throughout this commemorative year, we invite societies and researchers alike to explore what America250 looks like through the lens of family history for everyone.

 

 

America at 250: A Call to Action

The 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding is more than a historic milestone; it is a chance to highlight the importance of genealogy in understanding who we are as individuals, families, and communities. Whether you’re an individual genealogist or part of a society or organization, America at 250 provides a meaningful framework to engage others in the value of family history. 

A Call to Action: Do One Thing 

During the National Genealogical Society’s (NGS) annual meeting, which was held on 20 August 2025 (the recording is here), Executive Director Matt Menashes encouraged all of us to commit to at least one thing in 2026—something that inspires, educates, and encourages family history preservation and research. Even one action can make a lasting difference. Just think of the impact when multiplied across our community. 

A Personal Contribution 

We are the guardians of America’s story in the most meaningful way possible—history up close and personal. Now is the time to share the stories we’ve found with family and friends. As the spotlight shines on history in the upcoming year, we have the power to make it personal for our families. Here are some ways you can share family history and hopefully pique the interest of relatives. 

Write biographical sketches. Keep it simple focus on one ancestor at a time and tell their story. They don’t have to be Revolutionary War patriots, just anyone with a connection to a chapter in American history. 

Plot it on a map. Your family may not realize all the places where your ancestors once lived. Use maps to chart locations and routes taken during your family’s immigration or migration.   

Use history to tell the story. Were your ancestors part of a large migration? What were the circumstances under which they relocated? If your ancestors didn’t move around, learn about the history of the area in which they lived. Check local histories to learn about local events that aren’t found in history books. City and county histories are widely available via sources like Internet Archive, Google Books, HathiTrust, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com. 

Include art where available. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so use photographs of people and places to illustrate your family story.  

Share it! History is best preserved when shared. Short stories can be shared easily via email and social media (although be sure to use caution and don’t share details on living persons).  

In the Community 

Volunteer locally. Look for opportunities to volunteer with your local library, genealogical or historical society, or municipality. There will be plenty of events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary so join the fun.  

Teach family history. You have a lot to offer. Create a presentation, workshop, or class on beginning family history that you can present through your local library or some other organization.  

Write an editorial. Remind others through your local newspaper of the importance of recording our family stories and the preservation of the records and resources that are vital to and enrich our family stories.  

Collaborate with cultural and educational institutions. Partner with museums and archives to highlight resources available and teach genealogy skills. Also, check to see if there is an interest in local schools, community centers, alumni organizations, or any group that might be interested in learning how to begin family history research.  

Visit elderly people in your community. Humans are our most fragile archives. Look for opportunities to record the histories of our oldest friends and neighbors. Their stories are America’s story, too, and without someone taking the time to record their memories, that part of the story could be lost forever. 

Our Collective Impact 

Imagine the nationwide effect if we all did just one thing. From small-town libraries to major archives, from local societies to national organizations, together we can show the public the many ways family history research enriches our understanding of history and who we are. 

For more ideas, see the NGS pamphlet (.pdf), Family History is America’s Story: An America250 Toolkit for Genealogy and Family History Organizations. 

As we prepare to celebrate America at 250, let’s use this opportunity to make family history more visible, accessible, and meaningful for all. What’s your one thing going to be?