November 3, 2012, Saturday - Third Annual 'Family History Fair' at Central Library

Time:  9:30a.m.-2p.m

Location:  Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall 

Learn About Top Resources to Trace Your Ancestry at Hennepin County Library’s Third Annual ‘Family History Fair’ 

Admission is free. Registration is required. Register online at http://www.hclib.org/ or call 612-543-KNOW(5669).

Did you know that some people of European ancestry have traced their family histories as far back as the 16th century because many government records from that era still exist?  You can learn about genealogy resources at Hennepin County Library and elsewhere plus connect with some of Minnesota’s leading genealogy experts at the third annual Family History Fair.

FEATURED SEMINARS
“CSI in Genealogy: Solving Family History Mysteries” — (Keynote, speaker: Dr. Lois Macklin, Minnesota Genealogical Society)·        
“Putting Grandpa on the Map,” tips for finding ancestral homes in the old country — (speaker: Jay Fonkert, director of the Association of Professional Genealogists)·         “The 1940 Census,” how to use the census as a gateway to the past — (speaker: David Suddarth, Minnesota Genealogical Society)·        
“Tumultuous Times: Minnesota in the 1860s,” what we can learn about the times and the written records — (speaker: Mary Bakeman, owner of Park Genealogical Books)·         “Finding Family History in Military Records,” finding and using records related to military service — (speaker: Tom Rice, full-time professional genealogy researcher and a director of the Irish Genealogical Society)·        
“What’s New in Internet Genealogy?” Learn about databases, indexes and family history websites — (speaker: Trudi Campbell, librarian and Hennepin County Library genealogy guru)·        
“Finding First Communities in the U.S. Where Your Family Settled,” migration and settlement resources — (speaker: Mary Wickersham, co-president of Midwest Ancestor Research)

RESOURCE TABLES AND TOUR
More than a dozen resource groups and organizations will have resource tables at the fair, including the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International, Irish Genealogical Society, Norwegian-American Genealogical Association, Romanian Genealogy Society, Rusin Association, Daughters of the American Revolution - Minnesota, St. Paul Family History Center, Park Genealogical Books, Friends of the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery, Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Minnesota, Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota and others.  Attendees will also tour Minneapolis Central Library’s genealogy collection and the Government Documents collection on the fourth floor.

SPONSORS
Family History Fair 2012 is sponsored by the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library in collaboration with the Minnesota Genealogical Society and One Minneapolis, One Read.  Library Director Lois Langer Thompson said, “Hennepin County Library has tremendous genealogy resources, including free access to top databases that otherwise charge individuals access fees. In addition, there are librarians on the staff who not only are extremely knowledgeable of the best genealogy research strategies, but are passionate about the topic and about helping people connect to their families’ past. The Family History Fair is a great opportunity for anyone who is beginning or continuing to research their ancestry.” Librarians say more people than ever are interested in tracing their family history and need help getting started. Librarians JoEllen Haugo and Trudi Campbell, two genealogy experts at Minneapolis Central Library, said it’s rewarding to assist genealogy patrons, such as the man in a genealogy class who finally found his ancestor’s passenger list after searching for 10 years.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information about Family History Fair 2012, genealogy databases and websites, and other genealogy  resources at Hennepin County Library:  http://www.hclib.org/