Nationally recognized genealogist Peggy Clemens Lauritzen headlines annual event celebrating family history and Northwest Ohio’s past
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Lucas County Public Library will host its annual Genealogy and Local History Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Main Library in downtown Toledo. The free event features genealogy presentations, local history resources, regional genealogy and historical organizations, and activities for researchers of all experience levels.
“The Genealogy and Local History Fair brings together people who share a curiosity about where they come from and the stories that shaped our community,” said Jason Kucsma, executive director of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. “Whether you’re tracing your family tree for the first time or uncovering new chapters in your research, the Library’s collections, staff and community partners are here to help you make meaningful discoveries.”
This year’s featured speaker is Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG, AGL, FOGS, a genealogist, longtime educator and director of the Family History Center in Mansfield, Ohio. Lauritzen has been immersed in genealogy since childhood, inspired by parents who instilled a passion for family history and historical research.
“My parents were excellent genealogists and instilled the same love of history and family in me and my three sisters,” Lauritzen said. “One of my favorite pictures is of my mother on her way to do cemetery research four days before my birth.”
Accredited in research throughout Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and portions of Pennsylvania, Lauritzen is a frequent lecturer, educator and columnist for Reminisce magazine. She will present four sessions throughout the day.
The Genealogy and Local History Fair also features an exhibitor hall where visitors can connect with genealogy societies, historical organizations, archives and community partners from throughout the region.
Visitors can also explore the Library’s Local History and Genealogy Department through guided tours offered throughout the day, enjoy a free lunch while supplies last and connect with genealogy and local history experts.
Visit toledolibrary.org/genealogyfair for additional information. Details are subject to change.
PROGRAMS AND LECTURES
Jazz to Hip Hop: Black American Music and Fashion
Saturday, Sept. 26: 10–11 a.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 2
Brought to you by the Ohio History Connection, this program covers the intersection of music, race and popular fashion from jazz to R&B to hip hop. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Homespun and Calico: Researching the Lives of Our Foremothers
Saturday, Sept. 26: 10–11 a.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 1
Featured speaker Peggy Clemens Lauritzen will discuss frequently overlooked sources and creative research strategies that can reveal the lives of our foremothers, despite sparse historical records. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Preserving Personal Archives in the Digital Age
Saturday, Sept. 26: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 2
Learn practical methods for preserving photographs, documents, audio and digital files, as well as strategies for organization and long-term storage. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Missing Identities: Tracing Family Lines Without Fathers
Saturday, Sept. 26: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 1
Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, the event’s featured speaker, will explore clues and resources that can help researchers trace family lines when a father’s identity appears to be missing. The presentation will discuss how to approach these discoveries with care and sensitivity. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
One-to-One Genealogy Assistance
Saturday, Sept. 26: 12:30–1:45 p.m.
Main Library Rooms 3 and 4
Personalized 15-minute genealogy assistance sessions will be available in Meeting Rooms 3 and 4 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. First come, first served.
Up in Smoke! What to do When the Courthouse Burns
Saturday, Sept. 26: 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 1
What should you do when an official vital record cannot be found because of a fire or other incident? This session will explore alternative sources for records that have been lost. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Natives of the Maumee Valley with Metroparks Toledo
Saturday, Sept. 26: 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 2
Learn how Indigenous peoples of the Maumee Valley relied on the land’s resources for survival and about their traditions, including trading, clothing and daily life in the 1790s. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
How to Find a Death Record for a Death in Lucas County
Saturday, Sept. 26: 3–4:15 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 2
This how-to session will help genealogists locate and obtain death records for former Lucas County residents. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Community Research: Historic Places and Historical Markers
Saturday, Sept. 26: 3–4 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room 1
Featured speaker Peggy Clemens Lauritzen will explore how historic markers and signs on old buildings can offer clues to the lives of your ancestors. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
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About the Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Founded in 1838, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library serves as the go-to community connector for makers, doers and dreamers across Northwest Ohio. With multiple locations plus Mobile Services in Lucas County, Ohio, the Toledo Library empowers individuals and enhances the quality of life in its community by fostering a love of reading, lifelong learning and social connections. Through its collections, innovative programs, partnerships and a commitment to inclusivity, the Toledo Library remains a vibrant cultural hub for the Toledo region.
For more information, please visit toledolibrary.org.