EXPLORE RELIC
November 2022 – THE RUTH E. LLOYD INFORMATION CENTER FOR GENEALOGY AND LOCAL HISTORY
Start your historical journey here. RELIC's email newsletter highlights upcoming free events and happenings. Genealogy and local Virginia history are our specialties as a service provided by Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL). You can always find more about us at https://www.pwcva.gov/library/relic
RELIC service is available: In-person at 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, Virginia, by email at mailto:[log in to unmask], and by phone at 703-792-8380.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Upcoming Programs
All programs will be in person at Central Library.
Some previous RELIC programs can be viewed on https://www.pwcva.gov/department/library/RELIC-programs
SEGREGATED LIBRARIES IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
Friday, November 4, 2:00 p.m.
Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne LaPierre researched the history of Northern Virginia’s segregated public libraries. In addition to investigating Fairfax County Public Library’s own history, they examined the situation in Northern Virginia as a whole, including the library systems in the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William. Chris will present findings from the duo’s intriguing Inquiry.
DUE TO THE CONDITIONS BEYOND OUR
CONTROL, THIS PROGRAM WILL BE
POSTONED UNTIL SPRING 2023.
GEORGE AND MARTHA; JOHN AND ABIGAIL -- COMPARINING THE MARRIAGES OF AMERICA'S FIRST TWO PRESIDENTS
Thursday, December 1, 2:00 p.m.
Professor Peter Henriques takes a closer look at the relationship between George and Martha Washington and between John and Abigail Adams. Register online at https://pwcgov.libnet.info/event/7170440 by phone at 703-792-8380, or email [log in to unmask]
RELIC INSIDER
Secrets of Online Databases
Recently, someone asked me for "tips" on using https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001igK6tBj5YKxEOrbSVR4ViBTrYIpW0Gcjs6t2B8UBFNmAf2KfgLtzlX7uO88N674ghF0MlKhTkr1154x-OAdKI9Ebg-XGUHfehITJPJMMllNaBVOmOS6SXKtad0M_x308RPmz3yGeM4q0wHrgGzBJm-cgC1BzTwq1YY4mjPZHCsCHd1W3N33UkSr9FOKOlvNUCH1o55-IKXpr92rNTLogYA==&c=Pzanx5qInLqWCKfC5yM4PmGBELMowNMq4ASpHZTpVGmkRhL6Pk1Hig==&ch=18RUMVkiTBP1Qc75nE7gzFRoLbv-pBK6urbUiR_-g6EHDI4iveA7ew==, which led me to wonder: "Where would I begin?"
It's a massive topic, with hundreds (thousands?) of databases. The only "simple" instruction would be to put a name into the general search engine and then look at the explosion of results one by one. But, of course, that is what they want to avoid. They want a "simple" way to get the exact answer they need. And if they knew what that answer was, they wouldn't be asking us.
The trick is knowing how to ask questions in a way that will give you only a few answers. To do that, you need to become familiar with the databases' categories, and the rules Ancestry uses to search them. Often, the best way to search is to pick out a specific database or subset that focuses on what you want. Military records? Consider focusing on the enlistment subset. Passenger list? See what is available for the time the ancestor arrived. Census search? Pick a specific year. Don't forget city directories between census years. Learn the limits of each database: What is missing?
The easiest way to learn the ins and outs of any database in PWPL's Digital Library is to click on the vertical tab to the left, "Digital Library Tutorials." That tab will take you to https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001igK6tBj5YKxEOrbSVR4ViBTrYIpW0Gcjs6t2B8UBFNmAf2KfgLtzlX7uO88N674gQk4UzHxzqRgAFsGvmAqKKBJ0Vh0uodiqI0n25DWz-6l2xKshEMo4JbrTh4C9DRbnA7Pl6tGkj1TUGcYscmLmHixSekwnM4O4D4kO2efl0MY=&c=Pzanx5qInLqWCKfC5yM4PmGBELMowNMq4ASpHZTpVGmkRhL6Pk1Hig==&ch=18RUMVkiTBP1Qc75nE7gzFRoLbv-pBK6urbUiR_-g6EHDI4iveA7ew==, providing short tutorials about many databases offered through the Digital Library.
For Ancestry.com: Library Edition, that link looks similar to Ancestry's home page. The https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001igK6tBj5YKxEOrbSVR4ViBTrYIpW0Gcjs6t2B8UBFNmAf2KfgLtzlX7uO88N674gsux0TMfjiUZ4-Qu__Ewu3IGA8t_S4EPGo6UeNA4XjCyRH7pubt4s2ABzJ3TPDdhRymFQF2WF6HyQRdRbi8XBTVV778oqmiyXDHXdc1whry4ZlVzvHZF0JkbRHKt0wUXf&c=Pzanx5qInLqWCKfC5yM4PmGBELMowNMq4ASpHZTpVGmkRhL6Pk1Hig==&ch=18RUMVkiTBP1Qc75nE7gzFRoLbv-pBK6urbUiR_-g6EHDI4iveA7ew== will give you plenty of tips about getting started and understanding many of the records Ancestry.com: Library Edition provides. HeritageQuest Online, an offshoot of Ancestry, has a tab called "Research Aids" that also helps you get started and includes historical maps of each state in the Union.
Remember, if you have a specific question about one of our online databases, feel free to contact us to see if we can untangle it for you. Call 703-792-8380 or email mailto:[log in to unmask]
-----
Visit the "Tree Doctor"
You can now make appointments for virtual or in-person visits with Don Wilson, "The Tree Doctor." We can set up an hour appointment to discuss and dive into your brick wall research problem. Call by phone at 703–792–8380 or email mailto:[log in to unmask] to set up a time.
#
______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
|
