TERRE HAUTE —
The Indiana Historical Society, in partnership with the Genealogical Society of Marion County, announces an Irish and Scots-Irish Family Research Seminar to be conducted in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana History Center on March 23. Information on resources for tracing Irish ancestors and Scots-Irish ancestors in Ireland will be presented by Fintan Mullan, director, Ulster Historical Foundation, and Brian Trainor, former director, Northern Ireland Public Records Office.
The all-day seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m. Registration is $35 for the general public and $28 for IHS and GSMC members. This fee also includes parking and free admission to the Indiana Experience. Lunch will be offered for $12. To register, or for more information, go online at www.indianahistory.org and click on “events and programs,” or call 317-232-1882.
The Indiana History Center is at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.
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February is Black History Month. This year, the Indiana Historical Society again invites students to take the Indiana Black History Challenge: “Show us what you know about Indiana’s African-American sports figures by completing the 10-question Challenge. Players who get all 10 questions right will be entered to win a Family Fun Pack grand prize including four lower-level tickets to an Indiana Pacers home game against the Los Angeles Lakers [on] March 15, where the Challenge winner will be recognized at halftime.
“The grand-prize winner also wins an overnight stay at the J.W. Marriott, a $50 gift certificate to The Capital Grille, four tickets to the Indiana State Museum, four tickets to The Children’s Museum, and a household membership to the Indiana Historical Society. All participants receive two tickets to the Indiana Experience, and we’re giving 30 lucky players four tickets to see the Indianapolis Indians.”
Visit www.indianahistory.org/teachers-students/challenge for more information, to access the study guide, and to take the challenge.
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The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society will conduct its spring Beginning Genealogy Classes on Wednesday evenings, starting on March 20 and include weekly classes on March 27, April 3, 10, 17 and 24. The classes will begin at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m., in the lower lever of the Vigo County Public Library.
The fee for the classes and materials is $25. This cost includes one free year of membership in the WVGS, valued at $15. The classes are limited to 30 participants, and registration is required. Register online at www.inwvgs.org, then click on “WVGS Upcoming Events” section. Or, contact Linda Malooley at lmaloole@gmail.com or 812-238-2415 and leave a message. Payment can be made online or by check.
The classes will cover topics such as how to fill out genealogy charts, how to organize your information, and where to find information from various sources (both online and offline) to begin and add to your family tree. The classes are appropriate for beginners who have never done genealogy, “dabblers” who have tried genealogy but need help to continue with their research, and anyone who wants or needs a refresher course. The classes will be taught each week by a different WVGS member.
History
GENEALOGY: Irish and Scots-Irish Family Research Seminar set
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties




