Make Your Voice Heard at Family History Hill Day, 15 April 2026

Do you love digging into your family’s past? Have you ever spent hours searching census records, military files, or old vital records trying to piece together your ancestors’ stories? If so, you already know how much we all depend on public archives and libraries to make that research possible — and those resources need champions.

That’s exactly what Family History Hill Day is all about.

The Records Preservation and Access Coalition (RPAC) brings together genealogy and family history advocates from across the country for an annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill, a unique opportunity for everyday family historians to speak directly with their elected representatives about why historical records matter to them. This year’s event is happening on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, in Washington, D.C.

What is Family History Hill Day?

Family History Hill Day is RPAC’s annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It’s an opportunity to meet directly with legislators and their staff to advocate for the National Archives and Records Centers, museums, and libraries – institutions that preserve the records we all depend on to tell our family stories.

You don’t need to be a professional genealogist or a lobbyist. You simply need to care about history and show up.

What Does the Day Look Like?

RPAC makes it easy for everyone. Registration includes virtual advocacy training sessions, so you’ll feel prepared and confident before you ever set foot in a congressional office. Plus, RPAC will provide policy statements and will help schedule appointments with your representatives.

Networking with fellow genealogists, family historians, and enthusiasts happens here too! RPAC hosts a breakfast near Union Station on Wednesday morning and a group dinner on Wednesday evening, two great chances to meet fellow family history lovers from around the country. 

Don’t forget to visit the National Archives for some personal research or the National Archives Museum while you’re in town. Plus, April in D.C. is cherry blossom season — not a bad bonus.

How to Sign Up

Registration is open. Remember, RPAC provides training, so you are fully prepared to participate. If you missed the training, recordings are available. Direct any questions to Jan Alpert, Chair of RPAC; her email is on the website. And if you miss this year, consider going next year.

Why It Matters

Every time you’ve found a great-grandparent’s immigration record or a distant cousin’s Civil War pension file, you’ve benefited from publicly funded archives. Those collections exist because people fought to preserve and fund them — and they need that same support today. Family History Hill Day is your chance to be one of those people.Come to Washington. Tell your story. Make a difference for every family historian who comes after you.

For more information, visit recordsadvocate.org.