About the library > News Releases > 2006> Learn how to trace your African-American family history

Learn how to trace your African-American family history at North Portland Library on Feb. 25

February 3, 2006

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PORTLAND, OR – North Portland Library will host the free Jump-Start Your African-American Genealogy program on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Local genealogists and library staff will present information to help researchers find information on family history. Participants will have an opportunity to practice researching techniques and will be entered in a drawing for a free DNA test.

The schedule is as follows: At 3:30 p.m., local genealogist O. B. Hill will discuss his experience conducting genealogy research. At 3:45 p.m., author Stephen Hanks will discuss his book, Akee Tree: A Descendant's Search for his Ancestors on the Eskridge Plantations. (The book will also be available for purchase.) At 4 p.m, librarian Janet Irwin will talk about Multnomah County Library resources, including the specialized genealogy collection at Central Library (including Civil War records and The Oregonian Index) and the genealogy databases available, such as Heritage Quest. At 4:45 p.m., Emily Aucilino of the Genealogical Forum of Oregon and the International Society of Genetic Genealogists will introduce the basics of DNA genealogy. From 5:15-6 p.m., participants may practice the researching skills they have learned on the library's computers.

North Portland Library is located at 512 N. Killingsworth St. For more information, call 503.988.4810.