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HEADLINE: Upcoming Events Focus on Hoosiers' Family History, Cultural Heritage

INDIANAPOLIS (August 9, 2012) – Mark Twain once said “Why waste your money looking up your family tree? Just go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.” However, Hoosiers longing to discover their family history while not looking to enter into politics or waste money can take advantage of two upcoming genealogy-related events at the Indiana State Library.  Genealogy for Night Owls and the Indiana Genealogy & Local History Fair offer great opportunities to learn more about the bevy of resources available for experienced and novice family history researchers housed in one of the Midwest’s largest genealogy collections.

“Human nature causes most of us to be curious about our family’s origins,” said Roberta L. Brooker, Indiana’s State Librarian. “Genealogy may seem like a painstaking process, but the resources and staff available at the State Library can simplify your family history research.”

Genealogy Night Owls on August 15 from 5:30-8:30 PM will include opportunities to build your own family tree, library orientation and collection tours, Ask-An-Expert opportunities, door prizes, and more. In addition to expert advice on conducting genealogy research, the State Library’s Conservator will be on hand to offer tips for preserving family heirlooms such as letters, photos, scrapbooks and family Bibles. You are welcome to bring items for feedback on proper preservation, though State Library and State Archives staff cannot provide appraisals. Registration is required.

The Indiana Genealogy & Local History Fair on October 27 from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM is another unique event for family history researchers. Guests are welcomed to visit the “midway” to collect information from genealogical and local history organizations and Indiana public libraries, and shop the commercial vendors. Various programs will be offered during the day with topics that include Digging for Data in Back Rooms and Basements by Bruce Oakley, family history researcher; Your Grandma Wasn’t a Cherokee Princess by Dark Rain Thom, author and family historian; and Genealogy is like a Potato by James Alexander Thom, author and researcher.

“These programs are designed to give attendees a broader view of their heritage,” said Brooker. “While Hoosiers have wide-range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, we also share many unique characteristics with one another. These events highlight both our unique and shared cultures.”

More information about these events and others hosted by the Indiana State Library are available at www.in.gov/library/events.htm.  The State Library’s award-winning Genealogy Collection website (Family Tree Magazine 2011Best State Websites) has several additional resources available online and accessible 24/7 from your home, work or school computer.

About the Genealogy Collection (http://www.in.gov/library/genealogy.htm)
The Genealogy Collection has developed over time to become one of the largest collections of family history information in the Midwest. The collection includes 40,000 printed items (family histories, indexes to records, how-to books, cemetery transcriptions, family history magazines, and more) as well as microfilmed federal census records, Indiana county records, passenger lists, and military pension information. The collection includes hundreds of CDs with family history information. The emphasis of the collection is on Indiana and bordering states, as well as eastern and southern states.

About the Indiana State Library (http://www.library.IN.gov)
The Indiana State Library was established in 1825 to provide library services to Indiana’s state governmental officials and employees. Since that time, the responsibilities of the State Library have expanded to provide services to all citizens of Indiana. Just as the Library of Congress serves as the historical repository for our nation, the State Library is responsible for collecting and preserving all types of information and data about the state of Indiana.

Everyone is welcome to visit the State Library. Our professional staff is available to assist with research questions, offer expertise on a variety of subject matters, including genealogy, and provide general guidance and information about materials in the Library’s collections.

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Media Contact: Drew Griffis
317-650-6158, agriffis@library.in.gov