EVERTON'S FAMILY HISTORY NEWSLINE Tuesday, 11 May 1999 The U.S. Navy Historical Center The westward advance of the United States frontier is justifiably seen as a continual acquisition of land. But the growth of the United States is even more tied to the sea -- from the first colonists arriving on the eastern shore to the "forty-niners" who arrived on the west coast to the acquisition of Hawaii and other territories in the Pacific. Without sea power, the United States would be far smaller than it is today. The United States Navy has a long and proud history, and there is an abundance of materials for the family historian with a naval connection to use in the search for biographical and "environmental" information on his or her ancestors. One of the best websites to visit to help you learn about that information is maintained by the U.S. Navy Historical Center in the nation's capital. Among the greatest features of this website is its FAQ (answers to Frequently Asked Questions), with over 100 entries addressing Navy subjects as diverse as naval casualties, nurses in the U.S. Navy, the World War 2 Code Talkers, how to locate and use deck logs, Navy and Marine Corps recipients of the Medal of Honor, African Americans in the Navy, and military dog tags. The answers to these and other questions are explained in some detail, with extensive bibliographies allowing you to research each topic in depth. Some entries include individual names and biographical data, but all of the answers act as doorways to libraries of information. Of course, the FAQ is only one of several portions of this excellent site. Other components include information about the Center, its holdings, how to use its facilities, and of course, links to other websites in a similar vein. The website sponsored by the U.S. Navy Historical Center is well worth the visit for anyone with an interest in the history of the United States, whether or not they have a progenitor who served in the Navy. But we should include a word of caution: Even a "short" visit may lead to a much greater investment of your time as you discover the fascinating history of the U.S. Navy and the men and women who served their country in that branch of the military service. Resource: The United States Navy Historical Center Washington Navy Yard 901 M Street SE Washington, DC 20374 http://www.history.navy.mil Copyright 1999, Everton Publishers All rights reserved