Pat Crolley has been using the Main Library of the Tuscarawas County Public Library System for years. So, when her daughter purchased her an Ancestry.com subscription, she knew just where to turn.
“I signed up for the Ancestry Library for Beginners program to learn how to navigate the site,” said Crolley. “The library also offers a free version of Ancestry.com and it is a great free resource for anyone interested in beginning genealogy research.”
With the knowledge the library provided, Crolley was able to start researching her heritage and placing names onto her family tree. When her daughter and grandchildren wanted to know more about their ethnicity and how it changed with each generation, they turned to DNA test kits.
According to County Library Public Service Associate Gina Merrell, Mary Jamba, a trustee of the Ohio Genealogical Society, presented DNA Tested: An Introduction to Autosomal DNA Testing at the Main Library this past fall. After finding out about the class, Crolley reached out to Jamba to ask for her assistance in understanding her genome diagram results.
“I found out I was part Italian; that is something I didn’t know,” said Crolley. “I was also able to trace and meet cousins I didn’t even know existed before I started my research.”
Merrell, who plans and conducts the library’s genealogy programs, stated that genealogy research is like detective work — you build on what you know and follow through with matches.
“I have no idea how I would have been able to piece together this information without the library,” said Crolley. “I would have spent thousands of dollars without their help.”
Those interested in conducting their own genealogy research can stop by any of the county library’s five locations to use their local history collections. Or, for one-on-one assistance, those interested in learning more can attend an upcoming library genealogy program:
Genealogy Club: 6: 30 p.m. June 25.
Genealogy Websites for Beginners: 10 a.m. July 21.
Ancestry Library for Beginners: 1:30 p.m. July 21.
Genealogy Club: 6:30 p.m. July 23.
Genealogy Lock-In: 6 p.m. Aug. 10.
For more online genealogy resources visit www.tusclibrary.org or call any County library location: Main Library 330-364-4474, Bolivar 330-874-2720, Strasburg 330-878-5711, Sugarcreek 330-852-2813, and Tuscarawas 740-922-2748. Visit the library’s website for library addresses and more information on additional program offerings.
MEGAN KOVALASKE-GRIMM