Scaling Your Brick Walls class

The Scaling Your Brick Walls class will be offered on 6 Tuesdays beginning August 30 to October 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. If you have taken the Climbing Your Family Tree class last spring or have had experience doing genealogy research, then this class is for you. The course fee, which includes a 3-ring binder and handouts, is $25. Registration is required since class size is limited. Pay your fee to register in the Genealogy & Local History Department.
Visit the Genealogy & Local History Department online at www.KHCPL.org/glhs.

Summer Research Trips

Summer is a great time to travel and visit the areas where your ancestors lived. Preparation for these research trips is very important. I just returned from a little place called Raywick, Kentucky where my father's mother was born and raised. All that remains there now are a few houses, a small grocery store, a Catholic Church and 2 bars. In the local cemetery, I was able to take 64 pictures of relatives who I had never met.

I also visited the county public library located in nearby Lebanon, Kentucky. The genealogy room was very small, but contained usefull information compiled by local genealogists. This is information that will probably never be on Ancestry. In the short time that I was there, I met five people who had compiled books for the collection. What an incredible day.

Plan ahead on your next research trip by gathering some important information before you go: check on the days and hours the genealogy department is open, ask if food and drinks are allowed in the department, and find out if the resources can be copied, scanned or photographed. Be sure to bring information on the people you will be researching, either on paper or on a laptop and don't forget your flash drive, portable scanner and camera. These gadgets really make genealogy research easier.

I'm proud to say, that on my recent research trip, I followed by own advice on everything, but it would have been nice to have had GPS in my automobile. It might have saved me an hour's drive in the wrong direction when leaving Raywick. I'll add that to my list.

GenFest 2011 at Kokomo

Don't forget, GenFest 2011 will be held Friday, June 10 from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 11 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library - Main Branch. Take advantage of the opportunity to use the large genealogy collection for research, enjoy the vendors, door prizes and snacks. On Saturday, we will have speakers through out the day. 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Cathy Wright from Indiana Landmarks - "How to Research Your Historic Home". 11:00-12:00 p.m. - Janet Winrotte, Digitization Coordinator - "Digitization at KHCPL". 1:30-2:30 p.m. - John Morr, Howard County Historian - "Pioneer Relatives". 3:00-4:00 p.m. - Members of the Sons of Union Veterans will share "Stories of the Civil War".
Join us for this exciting and informative event.
For more information go to www.KHCPL.org/genfest2011 .

GenFest 2011

The 6th annual GenFest will be held at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library (KHCPL) and co-hosted by the Howard County Genealogical Society (HCGS). GenFest 2011 will be held Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 at KHCP Main, 220 N. Union St., Kokomo, Indiana. Planned events include:

Friday from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m., genealogist will have the opportunity to use the genealogy collection for research into the evening when the library is normally closed. Think of it - you, all those resources, vendors, door prizes and snacks.

Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. KHCPL Main will be dedicated to genealogists. The Genealogy & Local History Department will have available staff for personal research assistance with our large genealogy collection. Though out the day, speakers will share information on current genealogy topics.

Vendors will be on hand both days with genealogy supplies, research materials, and publications for your shopping pleasure. Local exhibitors will share information. Visitation opportunities to local historic venues will be offered.

Come prepared to have fun and to do some research. KHCPL Main is a newly remodeled facility with free parking. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and the Computer Lab on the second floor will be open for your use. For more information go to the website at www.KHCPL.org/genfest2011 or contact Marcia at mford@KHCPL.org.

28th Genealogy for Night Owls

The 28th Genealogy for Night Owls will be held Friday, April 29 from 5:30 p.m. until 12:00 midnight. This after hours research evening is designed for experienced genealogists. The fee is $12 for Howard County Genealogical Society members and $14 for non-members, and includes a buffet dinner and door prizes. Register in the GLHD by paying your fee for this evening of fun and research. Space is limited, so register now.

New Hours Beginning April 2

The open hours for the Genealogy & Local History Department have changed slightly. Although it is a small increase, we are happy to be able to serve our patrons in a better fashion. Our hours will now be Monday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and closed on Sunday. With this increase in hours, we also have an increase in staff. Amy Russell will now work 3 hours per week as Desk Staff and 8 hours per week as a Digitization Assistant. Amy will continue to serve as a Sub in the department when needed.

Visit the Genealogy & Local History Department online at www.KHCPL.org/glhs .

Climbing Your Family Tree Class

A beginning genealogy class "Climbing Your Family Tree" will be held in Meeting Rooms A & B at KHCPL Main each Tuesday evening in March. The course fee, which includes a 3-ring binder and handouts, is $25. Registration is required since class size is limited. Pay your fee to register in the Genealogy & Local History Department.
Visit the Genealogy & Local History Department online at www.KHCPL.org/glhs.