By Jessica Layman, Genealogy and Local History Librarian
When people come to the Crossroads Discovery Center (CRDC), they may have different levels of experience with genealogy. Sometimes, people have been doing family history research for decades. Sometimes, they have inherited a binder or three of information from an older relative but aren’t sure what to do with it. Sometimes, someone has bought or been gifted a DNA test and wants to know how to interpret the results they have gotten.
There are also folks who come in who have been living in the Hamilton County area for decades or even generations. Others have just moved here and are checking out the library for the first time and want to know more about the area they live in. Some have ancestry here too.
We are able to help people with all these different experience levels. Often, we give a tour of the space and our interactive permanent exhibit and then set people up with some introductory books on either genealogy or the local history of Hamilton County. Another important piece of the Crossroads Discovery Center puzzle, however, is our program offerings.
Every month, our team works to offer several high-quality programs on either genealogy or local history topics. A sneak peek of our summer offerings below will hopefully spark your interest in something new or encourage you to brush up on some skills. We encourage registration for most of our programs but always feel free to drop by.
Crossroads Discovery Center Summer Programs
G.A.B.- Genealogy Advisory Board
Thu. 5/1 & 6/5 | 2:30-3:30pm | Noblesville Library
Join Crossroads Discovery Center staff and Nancy Massey, Hamilton County Genealogist, for this lively discussion of all things genealogy. This casual genealogy group meets almost every month of the year. Here, you’ll find experts right alongside newbies sharing their research wins and struggles and getting advice. This is a great opportunity to learn from others and also walk away with new ideas.
Discover More: Archives
Wed. 5/21 | 6:30-7:30pm | Noblesville Library
This program, delivered by our Assistant Manager Ann Grilliot, will showcase a deeper level of research for your genealogy needs. There are so many digitized records out there, and they are not all on Ancestry.com, the most popular of online genealogy websites. You’ll learn to look for treasures in less visible spots. This class will be especially useful for location-specific research. Through this program, you’ll find university, state archives, and libraries that may have some of those missing pieces of your family history.
The 1820 State Land Survey: How It Still Impacts Us Today
Sat. 5/31 | 2-3pm | Noblesville Library
Our county historian, David Heighway, will present this great opportunity to learn about some local Hamilton County history as he discusses the Indiana State Land Survey. Ever wondered why roads in Hamilton County are laid out the way they are? Learn how they were established over 200 years ago. This survey is still used to define and describe property today. If you’re new to the area, this program will help orient you to the geography of Hamilton County. If you’ve got genealogy interests Hamilton County, this could help with property research or understanding why an ancestor settled where they did.
Charity on Film: 1930s & 1940s Service Club Movies of Noblesville
Sat. 6/7 | 2-3pm | Noblesville Library
This is another local history program given by county historian David Heighway. Utilizing digitized film, get a glimpse of Noblesville in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Local community service groups in Noblesville filmed their work ninety years ago. Follow along with the film clips to see some familiar sites and discuss how the past and present of Noblesville are different and the same. This program is great for people with familiarity of Noblesville, but it’s also a fun look at how communities change over time.
Beginning Genealogy: 8 Steps to Success
Sat. 6/21 | 10-11:30am | Noblesville Library
This is a great example of a class that people at any level of genealogy research can attend. Whether you are just beginning to research your family tree or returning to research after a break, this beginner-level course is a great overview of what it takes to research family history. Basic methods, tips, online resources, and record types will be explored and discussed, and there will be plenty of opportunities for questions. When folks new to genealogy come into the Crossroads Discovery Center, this is the class we suggest they take.
Genealogy 101 For Kids | Ages 9 & up
Tue. 6/24 | 2-3pm | Noblesville Library
Think of this class as a way to get the younger generation involved in family history research. History research is like detective work, and honing those skills can help people of all ages. During this class, you’ll learn how to look at different historical records and put pieces of a family tree puzzle together. Kids 9 and older and their caregivers can join as we think about what different pieces of information tell us about the past.
Working on the River: Commercial Vessels on Hamilton County Waterways
Sat. 7/19 | 2-3pm | Noblesville Library
This local history program from county historian David Heighway will be a lot of fun! Today, using boats on Geist, Morse, and the White River is something people do for fun. However, there has been a long history of commerce and business up and down Hamilton County’s rivers and creeks. You may be surprised at what you learn!
Oral History Workshop
Thu. 7/24 | 6:30-7:30pm | Noblesville Library
This program is a great opportunity to learn about another method of genealogy or family history research. Even if your family hasn’t done any genealogy research in the past, conducting oral histories is a great way to preserve family memories for future generations. You’ll learn best practices in family history interviews and the basic tools to begin conducting oral histories. Jessica Layman, Local History and Genealogy Librarian, will help participants from start to finish: prepare for the interview, form questions, and preservation. This will be especially useful for those booking our Audio Recording Lab for family history interviews.
Swedish Genealogy
Sun. 7/27 | 2-3pm | Noblesville Library
The Crossroads Discovery Center staff tries to offer specific genealogy help whenever possible for different situations. In this instance, this class will help with research techniques for those with Swedish ancestors. Learn some research basics and tips and tricks. Representatives from VASA Order of America Lodge SVEA 253 will share their experiences with Swedish genealogy research and share pathways and resources.
As you can see, there is always more to learn with genealogy and local history. History research is often a puzzle that is never completely solved, but being able to learn more each day is part of the excitement! Join us for one (or all) of these programs, and you’ll have a great summer in the CRDC!