Nowadays we can log on to ye olde Facebooks and keep tabs on our cousin and in many families Grandma and Grandpa are using the Facebooks to keep in touch. But if you want to find out about previous generations – Facebook doesn’t offer much. Just the word Family Tree brings back memories of my mom helping me we a 2nd grad project. She was determined to fill that piece of posterboard out correctly – probably because there was no other written location of the family history.
The Heinz History center is kicking off a new series of events this weekend to help you learn about your family tree before the Facebook era. The workshops this weekend are focused on researching African American and Jewish family histories. It looks like they will be hosting additional workshops in the future.
Saturday, February 25, 2012 – African American Family Histories
On Sat., Feb. 25, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., noted genealogist Dr. Deborah Abbott will trace the ancestry of an African American family and provide insight to visitors on the best genealogical methods. Dr. Abbott will demonstrate how visitors can trace their family roots with limited facts and information, particularly those with ancestors who were enslaved and emancipated.
This History Center workshop is co-sponsored by the Afro-American Genealogical Society of Pittsburgh and supported by the Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.
Sunday, February 26, 2012 – Jewish Family Histories
On Sun., Feb. 26, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Detre Library & Archives will offer special demonstrations of Ancestry.com, Jewishgen.org, and a presentation on Jewish family research methods called “Finding Family in the Old Country.”
Following the demonstrations, the presenters and Detre Library & Archives staff will be available for genealogy-related questions during an open house session.
This Rauh Jewish Archives workshop was underwritten with the generous support of the William M. Lowenstein Genealogical Research Endowment Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
ADMISSION: Admission is FREE for Genealogy Weekend participants and registration is encouraged. To pre-register, call Natalie DeRiso at 412-454-6373or e-mail nnderiso@heinzhistorycenter.org.
Then steer your wagon (or mini van) down 711 south to Stahlstown – time to celebrate the important fiber of flax. Flax is what linen fabric is made out of. The Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival is the 2nd oldest Scutching festival in the United States. They have been celebrating the scutching every year since 1907. Yep, 1907 – so join them for the 105th annual Flax Scutching festival to learn about how the flax plant is turned into linen cloth and snack on some buckweat pancakes too.
Just a short drive north of Pittsburgh on 79N. is the tiny but historic town of Harmony, Pa. The town may be small – but they have got some big things going on. Saturday is the perfect day to drive up and check out Harmony.