North Carolina State Library Offers Free Family History Fair Aug. 11 as ‘2nd Saturdays’ Program

Aug. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. -- As part of the popular 2nd Saturdays program, the State Library’s Government and Heritage Library will host its very first Family History Fair featuring speakers, exhibitors and genealogy experts, on Saturday, Aug. 11.  

The free event, which is also part of the State Library’s ongoing 200th birthday celebration, will be held in the Department of Cultural Resources Building at 109 E. Jones Street in downtown Raleigh from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Family History Fair will provide information and guidance for experienced family history researchers and beginners alike.  Children can learn what life was life in the 18th Century and enjoy a special children’s family history activity book.

Nearly 20 exhibitors and activities for all ages will fill the lobby of the building. Speakers and exhibitors include Library staff, genealogy professionals, State Archives staff and local family history organizations. For more information call (919) 807-7450. For a list of exhibitors and vendors, go to http://statelibrarync.org/news/2012/06/2nd-saturdays-augu....

Featured presentations and activities include:

•   “We Have Stories to Tell: Family and Personal Stories” by Sylvia Payne, B.A. This is sponsored by the N.C. Humanities Council Road Scholars Program. 11 a.m.

•   “Exploring the North Carolina Digital Collections: Tips and Tricks for Genealogists and Historians,” by Lisa Gregory, Digital Collections Manager, Digital Information Management Program, Government and Heritage Library. 1 p.m.

•   “Ask the Genealogist!” The N.C. Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists will be available for free 15-minute research consultations. This service is on a first-come first-served basis. There will also be a German translator on hand to help decipher old German handwriting.

•   North Carolina Family Records Scanning Station. Visitors can bring North Carolina family Bibles and brief genealogies and letters to be scanned to become part of the N.C. Family Records Online Collection.  For questions, contact Druscie Simpson with the State Archives at (919) 807-7319.

About the State Library of North Carolina:
The State Library of North Carolina builds the capacity of all libraries across the state, develops and supports access to genealogy and other specialized collections, and provides resources for the blind and physically handicapped.

About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources:
The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council, and the State Archives. Cultural Resources champions North Carolina’s creative industry, which employs nearly 300,000 North Carolinians and contributes more than $41 billion to the state’s economy. To learn more, visit www.ncdcr.gov.  For more information about 2nd Saturdays and other events, visit www.ncculture.com.