Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns is scheduled to appear at the National Archives on Wednesday morning. The reason? He has discovered information about a relative who fought in the Civil War, and is unveiling his discovery in conjunction with Ancestry.com.
His appearance is closed to the general public, only members of the press can attend. The appearance will feature both Ken Burns and NY1 News Anchor Cheryl Wills, author of Die Free, a book about her great-great-great grandfather, who escaped from slavery to fight in the war. Their presentation will include an announcement by Ancestry.com.
Wednesday will also be the first day that many of the Civil War records will be available outside of the Archives. Members of Ancestry.com can view the records starting Wednesday, and they’ll be free to the public for one week only.
The announcement commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War on April 12, and Burns’ documentary on the war is airing on PBS all week.
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