Just when you thought you knew all the names of all the record sets from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now called USCIS), there’s another one. This lecture will introduce researchers of 20th Century immigration to the Petition File, a document created for immigrants who started the naturalization process between 27September 1906 and early 1950. P-files come in two distinct versions: P-briefs, 1906 – early 1929; and P-files, early1929 – early 1950. Participants in the lecture should note these dates carefully. What are they and why should a researcher care? "P-files were created by US Naturalization Examiners for every Petition for Naturalization filed, and can provide a good deal of information on the applicant. These files, available only via FOIA request, are in the custody of USCIS, and scheduled for destruction in 2050. Advocates are working to make P-files more accessible and fighting to save them.

Born in St. Louis, raised in Chicago, now living in Washington, DC, Renée left the public policy world for professional genealogy, finding that researching dead people is easier than working with Congress. While this remains true, historic preservation and records access requires advocacy work, now more than ever, which is why you will hear a call to action in this talk. Renée is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington, the JewishGen Latvia Research Group, the Association of Professional Genealogists Advocacy Committee, and is the policy advisor to the RecordsNotRevenue.com campaign." "Renée worked as a researcher for Season 2 of PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow, and served as lead researcher for Season 3. She is a regular at the National Archives, Library of Congress and US Holocaust Memorial" "and Museum. You can find Renée at EasternEuropeanMutt.com.

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