This Spring dig into your 'roots'

If you are riveted by the personal histories broadcast on television’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” the time has come for you to uncover your own family story. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center can help. A new session of its Beginning Genealogy Class, sponsored by RootsMagic Inc., takes place 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19 in the Hayes Research Library. Cost is $10/adult and $5/students through high school. Pre-registration is required.

Hayes Research Library Head Librarian Becky Hill, an experienced genealogist, leads the class. She instructs attendees on the basic steps of starting a genealogical search: how to interview relatives, create a genealogical chart, find resources, and make the most of each piece of information. Each person attending the class receives a series of handouts designed to assist in the process of creating a family tree.

At the end of the day’s workshop, participants are taken on a tour of the Hayes Research Library, which contains one of the area’s most extensive collections of genealogical resources. Additional library staff will be on hand to offer individual attention to those wishing to begin their research immediately. Guidance also will be given on using the Hayes Presidential Center website - - which contains the Ohio Obituary Index, a name index list of 1.6 million obituary notices published in newspapers throughout Ohio. If you are interested in attending the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center’s Beginning Genealogy Class, please call 419-332-2081, ext. 231 (in Fremont) or 800-998-PRES (out of town). You also can email Hill at bhill@rbhayes.org.