Goochland County militiaman Edward Houchins was wounded in 1780 at the
Battle of Camden when a bullet tore through his arm.  He submitted a
petition in 1818 to the Virginia General Assembly for an increase in his
$40-a-year pension.  Included with the petition was a fragment of the
bullet that left him severely disabled.  This petition is just one of
25,000 legislative petitions in the collections at the Library that
cover a range of political, social, economic and religious issues in the
commonwealth from 1776 to 1865.  The research potential of the
collection is among the topics to be discussed by the experienced
professional archival staff at "Straight to the Source: An Introduction
to Research Using Archival Records at the Library of Virginia," Friday,
March 25, 2011, 8:30-4:00, at the Library, 800 E. Broad Street,
Richmond.
 
"Straight to the Source" is sponsored by the Friends of the Virginia
State Archives in cooperation with the Library of Virginia.  Now in its
second decade, the programs offer an opportunity for in-depth discussion
of specialized research topics.  In addition to legislative petitions,
staff will discuss the Library's Civil War 150 Legacy Project that is
digitizing original records of the period still in family hands; using
newspapers in genealogical research; and finding county court records
thought lost by war and fire.
 
The cost of the program for members of the Friends is $25, and includes
a box lunch.  The cost for non-members is $40, and includes a one year
membership to the Friends and a box lunch.  Space is limited and
pre-registration is required.
 
For a copy of the program and registration information, contact
[log in to unmask]
before March 21, 2011.
 


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