WHAT'S NEW IN RELIC October 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] <mailto:[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 ---------------------------------- UPDATED RELIC PUBLICATIONS ONLINE We have recently uploaded new editions of the following RELIC publications. See them at http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/relic_pubs.htm . Each is a pathfinder to techniques, contacts and sources (manuscript, in-print, and online) * Climbing Your Family Tree (RELIC, 2011). Answers to ten questions we are often asked about getting into genealogy. * Roots in Prince William (RELIC, 2011). The guide to genealogical and historical research in Prince William County, Virginia, has grown from 12 to 19 pages. ---------------------------------------- ONLINE ORDERING OF FHL FILMS BEGINS SOON The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has announced that online ordering of FHL microfilm will begin in our area later this month. The Family Search website www.familysearch.org/films will handle all orders and payments, and will deliver the film to whichever family history center you select. RELIC will continue to be a contracted family history center for the delivery and use of FHL films. RELIC staff will be happy to assist you with the process. ----------------------- 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] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> . For details see http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/relic_programs.htm October 13, 2 pm - An Introduction to RELIC, with Don Wilson (in cooperation with Lifelong Learning). October 25, 7 pm - The New Family Search, with Karen Jensen (repeated December 8, 11 am). November 6, 2 pm - The Beale Treasure, with Steven Matyas. December 8, 7 pm - Finding Cousins through Family Tree DNA or 23 and Me, with J. J. "Jim" Logan (rescheduled from August 23). "Genealogy Doctor": free counseling (contact us for an appointment). ------------------------- AN INTRODUCTION TO RELIC Presented by Don Wilson The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center (RELIC) is a treasure trove of resources for those researching their family histories, no matter where their families lived, and for those researching local Virginia history, or the history of your house. Department head Don Wilson will describe its holdings and services, Thursday, October 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Library's community room. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] ------------------------- NEW AT FAMILYSEARCH.ORG Presented by Karen Jensen With a new emphasis on original records and education, the latest version of FamilySearch.org is better than ever. Karen Jensen, assistant director of the Centreville Family History Center, will show you how to explore these new features including the new Library Catalog, the Research Wiki, free online classes, and the world's largest free collection of genealogical records. The program will be held on Tuesday, October 25, at 7 p.m. in the library's community room. It will be repeated on Thursday, December 8, at 11 a.m. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] -------------------------- THE BEALE TREASURE STORY Presented by Stephen M. Matyas, Ph.D. In 1817, a party of 30 Virginians led by Thomas J. Beale determined to visit the great Western plains and enjoy themselves in hunting buffalo, grizzly bears, and such other game that the country would afford. After wintering in Santa Fe, gold was discovered about 300 miles to the north, and the enterprise quickly changed from hunting to mining. The gold was eventually brought back to Virginia and buried. The story is detailed in a small pamphlet published in Lynchburg in 1885 entitled "The Beale Papers, containing authentic statements regarding the treasure buried in 1819 and 1821, near Bufords, in Bedford County, Virginia, and which has never been recovered." Even more intriguing, the pamphlet contains three numerical ciphers, one of which (never decoded) purportedly describes the exact location of the treasure. In a program at Bull Run Regional Library on Sunday, November 6, at 2 p.m., cryptologist, American Antiquarian Society member, and author Stephen M. Matyas, Ph.D., will tell the story of this treasure and those who have searched for it. His two books, Beale Treasure Story: The Hoax Theory Deflated, and Beale Treasure Story: New Insights are methodical investigations into everything that is known about the mysterious Beale affair. 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, December 8, at 7 p.m. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] (It was postponed from an earlier date because of the Virginia earthquake.) ----------------------------------------------------------- "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