Family History Month Programming Kicks Off October 1 at Central Library

October is National Family History Month and Birmingham Public Library’s Southern History Department is here to help you with your genealogy research. 

Below is a listing of programs we have scheduled throughout October to help patrons research their family tree and connect with others who share passion about learning about genealogy.

Mary Spencer, genealogist

* This Saturday, October 1,  at 1:00 p.m. in the BPL Research Library's Arrington Auditorium on the 4th Floor, we welcome professional genealogist Michelle Spencer (https://romamarygrace.com/) to BPL. Michelle is a researcher, speaker, and writer. She will be offering two workshops: "Don't Forget to Misspell! Getting the Most from Online Newspaper Research" and "Sanborn Maps: A Genealogist’s Guide."

* We’re excited to offer a new series of workshops called A Few of Our Favorite Things. Taking place on October 5, 19, and 31 at 11:00 a.m., these 3 unique workshops offered by library staff highlight our favorite quirky and “under the radar” genealogy resources. Print and online sources that staff use and want to share will be featured.

Paul Boncella, BPL Map Conservator

* Our genetic genealogy expert, Paul Boncella will discuss how to preserve your family pictures using FamilySearch.org on October 12 at noon. On October 26, also at noon, he will be sharing how to sort your DNA matches.

Dallas Hanbury, The Lantern Project

* On October 22, at 2:00 p.m., Dallas Hanbury will conduct a hands-on workshop for researching newly digitized records of enslaved persons in Mississippi and Alabama. The Lantern Project is a multi-institution effort to digitize and transcribe legal records of enslaved persons generously funded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Records featured in the project include probate records, bills of sale and receipts, wills, circuit court records, plantation records,. and other similar materials.

All programs will take place at the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham,  in the Research Building. Michelle Spencer’s programs will be in the Arrington Auditorium and all others will be in the Computer Center. Both are on the 4th floor. 

For more information, check out our BPL Events Calendar. All events are in-person and the weekday events are also online via Zoom.

By Mary Beth Newbill|Department Head, BPL Southern History Department