Tuscarawas County Library hosts Local History & Genealogy Faire Oct. 11

The Tuscarawas County Public Library System will hold a Local History & Genealogy Faire at its Main Library and Operations Center Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The four-hour event is free and open to anyone interested in local or family history.

“Genealogy research is not always easy because it can be hard to know where to start,” said Tabitha Johnson, adult and teen services manager. “This event gives everyone the chance to learn about the resources available at their library and to reach out to organizations with a local history and genealogy focus.”

Johnson said informational tables will include local author and historian Noel Poirier; the Ohio Genealogical Society; the Bolivar Area Historical Society; the New Philadelphia Rotary Club and RTY Inc.; the Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum; Schoenbrunn Village; the Tuscarawas Genealogical Society; the Tuscarawas County Heritage Homes Association; the Tuscarawas County Historical Society; and the Canton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, among others.

At 12:30 p.m., RTY board members Carey Gardner and Rich Geib will present a program on the history of Tuscora Park.

The library’s genealogy collection and resources will also be showcased, with staff available to demonstrate the library’s microfilm machine and preservation station.

“Participants will also be able to sign up for mini Book-A-Genealogist sessions with a library genealogy specialist,” said Gina Merrill, public services associate. “The library’s technology training coordinator will offer 20-minute demonstrations on databases that are free to use with your library card.”

Demonstrations will include Ancestry Library at 11:15 a.m., Fold3 at 1:45 p.m. and Newspaper Archives at 2:30 p.m.

In addition, there will be a self-guided tour of the library’s local history and genealogy collections, including family histories, cemetery records, city directories and high school yearbooks.

“We hope people come away excited about discovering their own family stories and knowing that the library offers free genealogy resources to help them every step of the way,” Johnson said.

Registration is requested and can be completed by visiting the library’s event calendar at tusclibrary.org or by calling 330-364-4474. The Main Library and Operations Center is at 121 Fair Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.