Genealogy and Local History Programs
The Wayne County Public Library strives to offer genealogy and local history programs for our researchers free of charge. Additional programs are offered through the Wayne County Genealogical Society. The library is separate from the local historical societies and genealogical society; however, at times our programs may overlap.
Monday, July 25, 2022
Casting Your Net: Finding Your Ancestors Online
Wayne County Public Library, Wooster Branch, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Over the past few years, family historians have depended more and more on digital information to search their roots. "Casting Your Net" will take a look at some of those resources online and help demonstrate how you can "Cast Your Net" to find information on your researchers. Program will be held in Conference Room East of the Wayne County Public Library, Wooster Branch, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures
This program will be presented virtually. Program is from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please contact the department at genealogy@wcpl.info for more information.
Kathryn Haueisen, former resident of Wooster and descendant of two of the passengers on the Mayflower, will fill us in on the rest of the story behind the famous 1620 trans-Atlantic voyage. A small group of people identified as Saints and Strangers, founded Plimoth Plantation and against all odds, survived. Today that area is Plymouth, MA. Before the English settlers arrived it had been the Native community of Patuxet. Author Haueisen spent seven years researching the story in New England, England, and The Netherlands for her historical fiction account of the religious and political events in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries that prompted the religious rebels to sail to a new-to-them world. Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures tells the story from the perspective of both the English immigrants and the Indigenous people who encountered them on the shores of Cape Cod.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Fishing for Ancestors: Finding Your Elusive Ancestors
Wayne County Public Library, Wooster Branch, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
We all have at least one -- that one ancestor who seems to hide from the enumerator, owns no property, abides by the law, and leaves no paper trail behind. "Fishing for Ancestors" will explore some ways to try to find your elusive ancestor.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Getting Started: Finding Your Ancestors Online
Wayne County Public Library, Shreve Branch, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Join Genealogy Librarian, Deb Kitko, to learn more about the many resources available online for those interested in researching family history. She will focus on FamilySearch, Ancestry, and several other databases.
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Casting Your Net: Finding Your Ancestors Online
Wayne County Fair Grounds, Grange, Time TBA
Over the past few years, family historians have depended more and more on digital information to search their roots. "Casting Your Net" will take a look at some of those resources online and help demonstrate how you can "Cast Your Net" to find information on your researchers.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Black Men in Blue: The Civil War, Ohioans, and the United States Colored Troops
Wayne County Public Library, Conference Room, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This program is part of the Civil War Roundtable and is made available through an Ohio Humanities Council Grant. This presentation presented by Kelly Mezurek focuses on the Ohio black community’s response to the national conflict, the wartime participation of free black men, and the impact of their service on white Ohioans. Special attention is given to the 5th and 27th USCT.
Saturday, September 24, 2022
The Return of the Genealogy Lock-in
Wayne County Public Library, Adult Department, from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
After a couple years hiatus, the infamous Genealogy Lock-in returns. This activity provides researchers to devote up-to four hours of their time searching for their family roots. This is an after-hours program and registration is required.