WHAT'S NEW IN RELIC May 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: <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 . Among recent accessions are scrapbooks from the Lake Jackson Citizen's Association and Garden Club. ------------------------------------------- DIGITAL HISTORIES ADDED TO RELIC'S WEBSITE Two rare booklets from RELIC's collection have recently been digitized and are now online at http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/digital_titles.html . They both relate to memories of the battles at Bull Run (Manassas). Seventy-eight Years Ago: Bull Run Battlefield: some intimate sketches of the sites closely associated with the Battle of Bull Run, by Susan Morton (Bull Run, Va.: J.T. Richards, [1939?]). Twenty-seventh Annual Reunion of the Signal Corps, U.S.A. at the National Encampment, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., October 1902. (Manassas, Va.: Journal Press,1908). --------------- 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. You may register for any of these programs at 703-792-4540 or <mailto:[log in to unmask]> . For details see http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/relic_programs.htm May 12, 11 am - Genealogy 101, with Bevery Veness. May 24, 7 pm - Access the National Archives through Footnote.com, with Don Wilson. June 16, 11 am - Getting Started with PAF Software for Family History Research, with Joan Hardter. June 21, 7 pm - Who's Your Civil War Ancestor? with Don Wilson. July 12, 7 pm - The Civil War Begins at Bull Run, with Ron Mayer; repeated July 14, 11 am. "Genealogy Doctor": free counseling (contact us for an appointment). -------------- GENEALOGY 101 Presented by Beverly Veness Just beginning your family research? Haven't done research in awhile and curious about what new resources are out there? Learn about the basic techniques and resources available to help with the search for your family's roots from RELIC staff member Beverly Veness. The program will be presented on Thursday May 12, at 11 a.m. at Bull Run Regional Library. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------------------- ACCESS THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES THROUGH FOOTNOTE.COM Presented by Don Wilson The National Archives is America's information storehouse, collecting data on millions of residents who served in the military, arrived on passenger ships, took up federal lands, or were alive at the time of each decennial census. The Archives has a contract with Footnote.com to digitize many of its collections and make them available on the internet. In addition Footnote has loaded images of historic newspapers and city directories. A subscription is required, but some of the content is accessible free. RELIC's Don Wilson will demonstrate how to use Footnote to find documents useful to your genealogical or historical research. The program will be presented on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Library To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------------------- GETTING STARTED WITH PAF (PERSONAL ANCESTRAL FILE) SOFTWARE FOR FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH Presented by Joan Hardter Selecting and using a good software program can make a difference in how productive you can be in compiling your family history. One of the most popular programs, PAF (Personal Ancestral File), helps you organize all the information you collect and is available as a free download. The program, developed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allows for rapid data input and produces a variety of charts and reports. Local genealogist Joan Hardter will demonstrate just how easy it is to get started! The program will be presented on Thursday, June 16, at 11 a.m. at Bull Run Regional Library. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] -------------------------------- WHO'S YOUR CIVIL WAR ANCESTOR? Presented by Don Wilson This year is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. If your family lived in the United States during that time, you can find a personal link to those tragic and heroic events. What exciting stories could your ancestors tell? RELIC's Don Wilson will show how to find out in a program presented at Bull Run Regional Library on Tuesday, June 21, at 7 p.m. He will describe sources and techniques for tracking persons living at that time and what personal actions they may have taken. To reserve a seat for this free program, contact RELIC at (703) 792-4540 or at [log in to unmask] -------------------------------- 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] ----------------------------------------------------------- "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-roots.html