For Immediate Release
- Press Contact:
- Bren Landon
- [email protected]
- (202) 572-0563
WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of the American Revolution Library and Genealogical Research System (GRS) were featured on the April 27 episode of NBC’s acclaimed series, Who Do You Think You Are? The series follows celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family ancestry. The episode can be viewed in its entirety on the NBC website.
In the April 27 episode, actor Rob Lowe uses DAR resources to learn more about his Revolutionary War era ancestor. The first stop on his journey is the DAR Library where he receives interesting clues about one of his ancestors. Using the online DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS), he is able to locate information about his ancestor and discover hints as to where to continue his search.
View photos from the filming at DAR Headquarters here.
The DAR was contacted by researchers at Who Do You Think You Are? when they first began working on his storyline, believing that it included a Revolutionary War era ancestor. The television program researchers utilized the DAR Library Search Service as well as the GRS, then started working closely with Terry Ward, who at the time was the DAR director of the genealogy department and head genealogist (who is now retired).
Additionally, Lynda Carter (a DAR staff genealogist at the time, now the assistant director of the genealogy data entry department) was brought in to help with the research based on her expertise in Pennsylvania resources and records. She was responsible for helping to discover and confirm the surprise news delivered to Rob Lowe at the end of the episode.
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About the DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS)
The GRS is an expanding collection of databases that provides access to many materials amassed by the DAR over 122 years. DAR members across the country are passionate ambassadors for genealogical preservation and research and the National Society is committed to being a premier provider of genealogical resources. The GRS includes four databases as well as recommended resources for genealogical research and access to the online DAR Library catalog. The online GRS databases enable researchers to better prepare for their visit to the DAR Library and also gives access to valuable resources to those who are unable to travel to Washington, D.C. to use the resources in the DAR Library. The online databases are free and available to the public at www.dar.org/grs.
About the DAR Library
The DAR Library is one of the largest genealogical research centers in the United States. Since its founding in 1896, the library has grown into a specialized collection of American genealogical and historical manuscripts and publications and includes powerful on-site ancestry databases. The DAR Library collection contains over 220,000 books, 20,000 research files, thousands of manuscript items, and special collections on Native American, African American and women’s history, genealogy and culture. Nearly 30,000 family histories and genealogies comprise a major portion of the book collection, many of which are unique or available in only a few libraries in the country. The DAR Library, located at 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. is open to the public for a $6 research fee Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information on the DAR Library, visit www.dar.org/library or call (202) 879-3229.
About the DAR