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EXPLORE RELIC
September 2020 - The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC)
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Start your historical journey here. RELIC's email newsletter highlights upcoming free events and happenings. Genealogy and local Virginia history are our specialty as a service provided by the Prince William Public Libraries. You can always find more about us at pwcgov.org/relic.
Central Library is currently being renovated. When that renovation is complete, tentatively set for early to mid-October, RELIC will reopen in spacious new quarters there. Please check the website for updates.
Starting Monday, August 31 - Friday, September 18, RELIC will be closed for all services. Beginning Saturday, September 19, RELIC will be available by email and phone (new number TBD).
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The following virtual programs can be accessed on our website beginning on the dates shown. Previous RELIC programs can be viewed on RELIC's Programs page.
All U.S. residents descend from immigrants. Those who arrived within the past 500 years may have a paper trail. RELIC's Don Wilson will describe passenger lists and naturalization records and how to find them.
After 25 years at the Bull Run Regional Library, the RELIC department has moved to a new home at the renovated and reopened Central Community Library. RELIC's Kirk Johnson leads this brief "virtual tour" along with an overview of the resources and materials available for patrons researching their family history or the history of our community.
Although RELIC has a robust collection of materials, neither RELIC nor Prince William Public Libraries can own every record of interest to patrons. Fortunately, it's possible for us to borrow materials from other library systems for patron use. The Library of Virginia, in particular, has a wealth of materials of interest to genealogists and local history researchers. RELIC's Kirk Johnson will guide you through the process of finding materials on the Library of Virginia website and other institutions, and placing an Interlibrary Loan request
Although RELIC has a robust collection of materials, neither RELIC nor Prince William Public Libraries can own every record of interest to patrons. Fortunately, it's possible for us to borrow materials from other library systems for patron use. The Library of Virginia, in particular, has a wealth of materials of interest to genealogists and local history researchers. RELIC's Kirk Johnson will guide you through the process of finding materials on the Library of Virginia website and other institutions, and placing an Interlibrary Loan request
RELIC's Don Wilson will lead a roundtable discussion addressing "brick wall" problems with your genealogical research. Register to be included in this meeting of fellow family history researchers where you can share ideas and insights and work through stubborn research problems.
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AGENCIES OF HISTORY
If you are doing historical research in Prince William County, you have a number of organizations supporting your work. Here are some of them:
Prince William County Historic Preservation Division, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, preserves, maintains, and interprets historic sites owned by the County, including Ben Lomond, Brentsville Courthouse, Rippon Lodge, Old Manassas Courthouse, Williams Ordinary, Lucasville School, and Bristoe Station Battlefield. For several years in March, they have organized a symposium of Prince William history. Tours of selected historic sites have resumed.
The Prince William County Historical Commission advises the Board of County Supervisors "in its efforts to identify, preserve, protect, and promote Prince William County's historical sites, artifacts, buildings, and events." These citizen appointees meet monthly. They sponsor highway markers and research projects and support the protection of cemeteries and historic sites facing development. Their support staff include County Archaeologist Justin Patton and the Historic Preservation Division. They have published or reprinted a number of works important to our local history.
Historic Prince William is Prince William County's historical society. They offer periodic programs on local topics, often at Montclair Library. They sponsor tours of regional historic sites. Members have been active in restoring neglected and vandalized cemeteries. They offer grants to scholars specializing in Prince William research. They sponsored Eugene Scheel's map of Prince William historical sites and his book Crossroad and Corners. Their website has links to numerous photos, documents, and maps.
None of the above organizations has a library or archive available for public access. Although RELIC is not an official county archive, it is the next best thing. The other organizations often refer questions to RELIC for a response. We are gratified by our ability to satisfy the research needs of many of the people who contact us.
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To be notified of upcoming library programs and activities, sign up for the PWPL newsletter.
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Questions and comments are always welcome.
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