WHAT'S NEW IN RELIC July 2011 The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC), Prince William Public Library System, Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas, VA 20109. 703-792-4540 Email: [log in to unmask] To read the latest lists of new materials available in RELIC click on http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/whats_new_in_relic.htm . Notable among recent accessions is Joan W. Peters' new two volume history Brent Town and the Elk Run Valley. Another specialized local work which appeared on our April list, should have been acknowledged here as well: A Taste of Prince William County, Virginia, Wine History, by Raymond V. Olszewski. RELIC SEEKING NEWS INDEXERS RELIC is in need of more volunteers to help abstract and index news articles from back files of the Manassas Journal Messenger and the Potomac News. A commitment of at least five hours a month over a six month period is required. Indexers read and extract information from issues of our local newspapers and enter the data into an electronic form. Applicants must come to Bull Run Library for hands-on training. Depending on your access to the internet and a PC (not an Apple), the work may be done from home. For further information, please contact Beverly Veness at RELIC, [log in to unmask] To see and use the online index go to http://www.pwcgov.org/eservices/newspaperindex/ . The index to articles began in 1993 and is still a bit spotty for some time periods. In addition, it includes an incomplete index to local obituaries back to 1970. With your help we hope to make it more comprehensive. ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Ancestry Library Edition is available free at all public internet and catalog stations in Prince William Public Library branches. If you haven't used it recently you may not be aware that its appearance and search screens have drastically changed. RELIC staff are still getting used to the challenges and opportunities of the new interface. If you need assistance in navigating it, we would welcome your call. A tip: On any search screen, I recommend clicking on "Show Advanced." That gives you more control over your search results: It allows you to require exact matches, to use Soundex spellings, and to specify a range of dates. Without that control, your searches may be rather "fuzzy," and the results may go off in any direction. Among recent additions to the Ancestry lineup we note that the Sons of the American Revolution have offered their collection of applications 1889-1970 as digital images. Although the information can be seen in the applicant's handwriting, we have found no way of getting a print copy of the image without contacting the S.A.R. ---------------- RELIC PROGRAMS Here are our latest offerings. Funding for RELIC programs is provided by the Friends of Central and Bull Run Libraries. Sign language interpretation is available for Prince William Public Library programs if requested at least three weeks in advance. To be notified of upcoming programs and new resources in RELIC, visit http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/whats_new_in_relic.htm and click on Subscribe. All these programs will take place at the community room at Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas, VA. Most programs last about one hour. You may register for any of these programs at 703-792-4540 or [log in to unmask] For details see http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/relic_programs.htm July 12, 7 pm - The Civil War Begins at Bull Run, with Ron Mayer; repeated July 14, 11 am. August 11, 11 am - Finding Cousins through Family Tree DNA or 23 and Me, with J. J. Logan; repeated August 23, 7 pm. September 17, 7-11 pm - RELIC After Dark, featuring Colleen Fitzpatrick on Forensic Genealogy: CSI Meets Roots. $25 (includes dinner). September 27, 7 pm - Cemetery Symbolism, with Diane Nesmeyer. September 30, 2 pm - Genealogy 101, with Beverly Veness. "Genealogy Doctor": free counseling (contact us for an appointment). ------------------------------- THE CIVIL WAR BEGINS AT BULL RUN Presented by Ron Mayer Guest speaker Ron Mayer will present a short history of the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), July 1861, and its importance as the first major battle of the Civil War. He will incorporate the stories of some famous and not-so-famous local participants at this nation-altering event. He will show some ways to highlight the story of your Civil War ancestor's experience using photographs, graphics and maps. Mr. Mayer is a retired Air Force officer and presently works part-time as a consultant to a defense contractor. He is a member of the Civil War Roundtable and founded a local Civil War discussion group in 2006. In his spare time he gives lectures on Civil War topics in Northern Virginia. This program will be presented at Bull Run Regional Library on Tuesday, July 12, at 7 p.m. and will be repeated on Thursday, July 14, at 11 a.m. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] ----------------------- FINDING COUSINS THROUGH FAMILY TREE DNA OR 23ANDME Presented by J. J. "Jim" Logan Learn how you can discover your cousins and common ancestors through groups employing the latest innovations in genetic DNA testing for ancestry, in a presentation by J.J. 'Jim' Logan. Dr. Logan is the group administrator for several DNA projects and a member of the Standards Committee of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists. This program will be presented at Bull Run Regional Library on Thursday, August 11, at 11 a.m. and will be repeated on Tuesday, August 23, at 7 p.m. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] ------------------------------- "RELIC AFTER DARK" TO FEATURE FORENSIC GENEALOGIST COLLEEN FITZPATRICK: CSI MEETS ROOTS. Forensic genealogist Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD, will be the keynote speaker for the seventh annual "RELIC After Dark," scheduled for the evening of Saturday, September 17, 2011, 7 to 11 p.m., at Bull Run Library. Established reference materials such as photos, databases and DNA can provide much more information than you ever dreamed of, if only you keep your eyes open and use a little imagination. The goal of her lecture is to spark your imagination to discover new ways of looking at your family mysteries and to turn you into a forensic genealogist. Ms. Fitzpatrick consults for major military and civilian organizations, helping to solve identity mysteries and uncover frauds. "RELIC After Dark" is also an evening of dining and research opportunities. Reservations are now being accepted. The cost, which includes food, beverages, and complimentary printing from the library's electronic resources, is $25 (paid in advance, cash or check). Contact RELIC for further information. ----------------------------------------- CEMETERY SYMBOLISM: WHAT CAN YOU LEARN ABOUT YOUR ANCESTORS FROM THEIR TOMBSTONES? Presented by Diane Nesmeyer How many times have you seen a symbol carved on a gravestone and wondered what it meant? Some symbols are easily interpreted, such as the interlocking rings accompanied by the initials "F L T" which represent the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Others have more obscure meanings. Diane Nesmeyer, a genealogy instructor and member of the Maryland Coalition to Protect Burial Sites, will help you unravel the mysteries of Cemetery Symbolism. You will see examples of many common symbols found in cemeteries, learn their meanings, and recognize new questions to which they may lead in your search for family history. This program will be presented at Bull Run Regional Library on Tuesday, September 27, at 7 p.m. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] -------------- GENEALOGY 101 Presented by Beverly Veness Those curious about their family history have an opportunity to learn about methods, strategies and resources for tracing their roots. The hour-long program, conducted by Beverly Veness of the RELIC staff, is scheduled for Friday, September 30, at 2 p.m. "Genealogy 101" will highlight the numerous free genealogical resources available at RELIC and will explore basic techniques for tracking ancestors. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------ "Genealogy Doctor" Accepting Appointments for Research Help Don Wilson, head of RELIC (the Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for genealogy and local history at Bull Run Regional Library), sets aside time each month for free private sessions to mentor persons researching their family history. A thirty-minute session can be used to discuss and analyze an historical or genealogical problem that has stumped you. Daytime and evening hours are possible. To set up an appointment, please call RELIC at 703-792-4540 or email [log in to unmask] Bull Run Regional Library is located at 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas, VA 20109. -------------------------------- Have a question about Prince William County history, places or families? Need guidance with your genealogical research? You may contact RELIC staff for help and advice at Ask RELIC <http://www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=040034001840001757> or by calling us at 703-792-4540. Hours, September-June (ET): Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm. # ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html