FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER from 10am – 4pm

Join us for a Family History Fair at Central Library on Friday 24 October 2025, between 10am and 4pm!

Come along to talk to experts from the following organisations who will be on hand to introduce their collections and answer questions about using materials to search for missing details in your family history.

We’ll be joined by:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Edinburgh Central Library – Edinburgh and Scottish Collection and Digital Teams

Edinburgh City Archives

Historic Environment Scotland

National Library of Scotland

National Records of Scotland and Scotland’s People

National War Museum Library

Scottish Genealogy Society

and The Royal Scots

There will also be a series of presentations held throughout the day. Both the day and talks are free to attend, but the talks should be booked in advance via TicketSource.

Read the full Family History Fair programme on the blog at https://zurl.co/mQieA

We hope to see you there!

Image: Photograph of group of children, Newhaven, c. 1921, © The City of Edinburgh Council Museums and Galleries

In December 1984, the body of 16-year-old Theresa Fusco was found buried under leaves in a wooded area near the roller-skating rink where she had worked in Lynbrook, in Nassau County, New York. Several law enforcement agencies responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. They determined her body had been there for weeks and she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Three men were later convicted of the murder, but DNA testing unavailable in the 1980s found that someone other than the three had committed the killings and they were exonerated in 2005.

In 2023, the Nassau County Office of the Medical Examiner, working with the FBI, submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the suspect. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown suspect.

Once the profile was created, it was provided to the FBI’s forensic genetic genealogy team, who worked to develop new leads in the case using forensic genetic genealogy.

With this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the suspect. This investigation led to the positive identification of the suspect, who is now known to be Richard Bilodeau, 63, of Center Moriches, a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York. He was indicted on two counts of murder on October 14, 2025.

Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can aid ongoing forensic investigations by joining the DNASolves database. Expanding the pool of available DNA profiles increases the likelihood of successful identifications, helping to reunite families with their missing loved ones and resolve cases that have remained unsolved for years.

The identification of Richard Bilodeau represents the 16th case in the State of New York where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other New York cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.

Credit: Othram

In September 1964, 50-year-old Catherine Bik Blackburn was sexually assaulted and murdered in her home on Colonie Street in Albany, New York. Several law enforcement agencies responded, including the Albany Police Department, and a homicide investigation was opened. Investigators collected a significant amount of evidence, including blood samples, a footprint in the yard, and slips of paper believed to be connected to the killer. Blackburn, a foreman at the Fuller Brush Company, rented out a room in her home and was separated from her husband, who was an Air Corps veteran working in Japan.

Investigators learned that Blackburn had recently cancelled newspaper ads to rent out the room and painted the rental unit the same weekend she was killed. Investigators found a slip of paper with the same numbers as the house, "117" and receipt torn from Catherine's receipt book. Investigators were able to read the name on the missing receipt by examining pen impressions on the next sheet of paper in the book. That name did not lead to any known person and was determined to likely be fictitious. Despite an extensive investigation that went on for years, the case went cold and no suspect was identified.

In 2023, the Albany Police Department, working with the FBI, submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the suspect. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the suspect. Once the profile was created, it was provided to the FBI’s forensic genetic genealogy team, who worked to develop new leads in the case using forensic genetic genealogy.

With this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the suspect. The potential suspect, who had died in 1998, was exhumed and DNA was collected and compared to the DNA from the 1964 crime scene. This investigation led to the positive identification of the suspect, who is now known to be Joseph Nowakowski, born in 1931.

Nowakowski died in 1998 after several stints in prison, according to officials. He was convicted of a similar assault of an elderly woman in Schenectady in 1973 and officials believe that Nowakowski is likely connected to other criminal cases in the area.

Advanced DNA testing at Othram was made possible through a grant from Season of Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to providing funding to investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases.

This case is a reminder that every piece of preserved evidence has the potential to unlock long-awaited answers. If you would like to support efforts to solve more cases like this, consider contributing your DNA data to the DNASolves database which aids law enforcement in identifying suspects and giving families the answers they deserve.

The identification of the suspect represents the 14th case in the State of New York where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. 

Event Info: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/10fa64b5-afc7-4c10-91dd-bf40edae1d90

The Montclair Women’s Club’s Friday Afternoon Speaker Series presents Cairenn Binder, Asst Director of the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Center. She will talk about the burgeoning new field of investigative genetic genealogy.

Montclair Women's Club

82 Union St, Montclair, New Jersey 07042, US

Free for MWC members, $10 nonmembers

Lynzi Coffey of Salt Lake City, Utah, will be the keynote speaker at the Mesquite Family Search Day on Saturday, Oct. 18.

This free event will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 110 N. Arrowhead Ln., Mesquite. The workshop begins at 8 a.m. and includes classes and family history displays as well as a continental breakfast.

Coffey’s presentation, entitled “Expect Miracles in Your Family History Journey,” will focus on her personal successes researching her own ancestors.

She is the operations manager of the largest 15 Family Search Centers the LDS church maintains in North America and assists in the operation of the other 2,000 plus centers around the US and Canada.

Classes include instruction on using new Family Search Mobile Apps to add documents, photos, audio and more to Family Search accounts.

Other topics taught are using FamilySearch Wiki to find genealogy databases, websites and other resources as well as personal, one-on-one coaching sessions, using full text search/AI and learning to use the Family History program on Chrome OS, the system to which Family Search Centers are migrating.

On Saturday, October 18, from 9:30 am to 4 pm, everyone is invited to attend a genealogy conference at Rowan Public Library’s West Branch, located at 201 School St. in Cleveland, North Carolina.  

This free conference is designed for ages 16 and up and researchers of all skill levels and backgrounds – from the beginner who’s looking for lost information about relatives to skilled enthusiasts and academics. All attendees are asked to register by calling 704-216-8232 or visiting bit.ly/GenealogyCon25. 

Lunch will be provided for pre-registered attendees, courtesy of the N.C. Genealogical Society.   

This year’s conference theme is “New Directions,” and Gretchen Witt, RPL's History Room Supervisor and Conference Coordinator, hopes the day will introduce new directions for research and learning to each person who attends: “My hope is that everyone who participates will leave with new knowledge that will serve them well in the future,” she said. 

The day’s agenda includes specialized sessions, a tour of a local historic site, a tour of RPL West, a vendor room, and a display of research posters. Vendors include groups like the North Carolina Genealogical Society and poster subjects offer information such as how to navigate the Rowan County Register of Deeds' website and how to record an oral family history. Poster applications may be submitted via bit.ly/GenealogyConPoster through October 3. 

“The conference strives to be just as interesting and useful to those who are ‘dipping a toe’ into local history and genealogy as it is for those who are knowledgeable researchers,” said Witt. “It is truly suitable for a broad audience, and it’s just a fun time!” 

RPL West opens its doors at 9 a.m. on Saturdays, and conference check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. The day will feature four sessions led by professional genealogist Diane L. Richard, the owner and president of Mosaic Research and Project Management and a listed researcher with the State Archives of N.C., University of N.C. Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library, and Duke University’s David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. She is currently editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal and a regular contributor to the online publication now known as “Internet Genealogy.” She is the author of “Tracing Your Ancestors — African American Research: A Practical Guide,” published in 2019. Richard has also performed research for the US version of the TV show “Who Do You Think You Are?” and appeared in the Bryan Cranston episode. 

“Richard is wonderful about sharing her expertise and teaching others how to locate family records,” said Witt. Attendees will also learn about genealogical research techniques, tools, strategies, and more.   

Retired Catawba College History Professor Gary Freeze, Ph.D., will also present a short session on early settlement in Rowan County. “People don’t always realize that early Rowan County made up nearly half of the state. The popularity of “Outlander” has raised awareness of this, but Dr. Freeze delves into what really drew people to this area and helped make Rowan a central player in nineteenth-century N.C. economics and politics,” explained Witt. 

At Noon, attendees will have the option to travel on their own convoy-style to Cleveland’s Third Creek Presbyterian Church, located at 2055 3rd Creek Church Rd. The church cemetery was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic places in 1983; its earliest surviving gravestone is dated 1776. According to Witt, “Folklore has it that local nineteenth-century schoolteacher Peter Stuart Ney was really Marshal Michel Ney, who served in Napoleon Bonaparte’s army. The church has a famous tombstone enclosed in brick and viewing glass that is rumored to be his.” The tombstone’s plaque reads, "In Memory of Peter Stewart Ney a native of France and soldier of the French Revolution under Napoleon Bonaparte who departed this life November 15th, 1846, aged 77 years."  

Lunch (either provided or on-your-own), a poster session, and two more presentations round out the day. Past conferences have been attended by people from all over N.C., and Witt expects the same this year. “We are working towards a record turnout,” Witt said. “We purposely strive to decrease barriers to attendance, like registration fees, enabling a day of education and community that really supports RPL’s mission of lifelong learning.” 

To learn more about the conference, contact Witt at Gretchen.Witt@rowancountync.gov or 704-216-8232 or visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org. More details about Richard and her work are available at www.mosaicrpm.com.

The City of Tulsa, in collaboration with field experts, is set to commence a fifth excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 14, as part of the ongoing investigation into the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre graves.

This follows the latest summary report and proposed next steps from the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey.

The excavation aims to uncover more victims of the massacre, with two victims, James Goings and C.L. Daniel, already identified. Another individual, George Melvin Gillispie, has been identified, though it remains undetermined if he was a massacre victim.

The 2024 Field Season Summary Report, available at www.cityoftulsa.org/1921graves, outlines recent findings from forensic anthropologists. The report suggests expanding excavations in Blocks K and F, located along the cemetery's westernmost fence line, after previous excavations did not yield the expected number of victims.

On Monday, Oct. 13, Oaklawn Cemetery was closed to the public for the duration of the excavation, which is expected to last several weeks. Drones and aircraft are prohibited during the excavation.

The City of Tulsa is coordinating with Greenwood, North Tulsa, and 1921 Race Massacre descendants to allow community volunteers to assist with the excavation. Interested individuals can sign up at https://forms.office.com/g/cCbiYcE5Sn.

The 2024 field season has already uncovered substantial evidence of trauma victims in Section 20 of Oaklawn Cemetery, with remains of four additional individuals with gunshot wounds recovered. Among the six confirmed gunshot victims, five displayed evidence of multiple gunshot wounds from at least five different calibers.

The City of Tulsa, in partnership with Intermountain Forensics and the Greenwood Cultural Center, is also hosting Community Engagement Genealogy Workshops on Nov. 7 and 8. These workshops aim to empower community members, especially descendants of the massacre, to explore their genealogies. Registration is required at www.greenwoodculturalcenter.org/genealogy-workshop.

This excavation and the genealogy project are part of Mayor Nichols' "Road to Repair," announced on June 1, 2025, to address the multigenerational wounds from the massacre. The plan includes the Greenwood Trust, a privately funded charitable trust aiming to secure $105 million for the benefit of Greenwood and North Tulsa residents.

For more information on the Road to Repair, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/RoadtoRepair.

October is Canadian Library Month, and Orillia Public Library in Ontario is celebrating with a variety of engaging events designed to educate, inspire and connect the community. From genealogy to decluttering, author talks to creative workshops, there’s something for everyone this month.

Among this month’s highlights as the Genealogy Club’s 20th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m. Professional genealogist Linda Corupe will present Selling the Past: Advertising in the 1800s, offering a fascinating look at vintage ads and the everyday life of two centuries ago — plus, cake.

Next, clear your calendar for The Hidden Stress of Stuff on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. Professional organizer Laura Davidson will delve into why clutter feels so overwhelming and how small changes can have a big impact. Registration is required for this session.

Mystery lovers won’t want to miss author Iona Whishaw’s visit on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m., presented in partnership with Manticore Books. Whishaw will discuss her latest novel, A Season for Spies: A Lane Winslow Prequel, a tale of wartime espionage and family intrigue inspired by her own family history.

For a creative outlet, join The Artful Way to Wellness on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Therapeutic arts practitioners Lindsey and Molli will guide participants through a hands-on evening of painting and collage. No artistic experience needed.

OPL is also hosting activities for children, teens and families. Teens can get into the spooky spirit with Scary Snacks on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., while families can enjoy the Family Boo Bash on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., featuring Halloween crafts, games and treats. Kids aged nine to 12 can take on a challenge in the Tween Escape Room on Monday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Plus, don’t miss the Hotel Transylvania-themed PA Day program on Friday, Oct. 24, for some monstrous fun.

October is also the perfect time to join or renew your library membership during OPL’s membership drive. Sign up for a new card or renew an expired one for a chance to win a $200 prize pack. Already a member? Refer a friend, and both of you could win a $50 local restaurant gift card. Can’t make it into the library? Catch OPL at Zehrs on Friday, Oct. 17, from noon to 2 p.m., and at the Orillia Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Finally, OPL is looking for input on its future digital services through the Digital Strategy Survey, open until Monday, Oct. 20. Share your thoughts and be entered to win one of three $50 Downtown Orillia gift cards.

There’s always something happening at OPL — why not see what sparks your interest? Visit the library’s website or call 705-325-2338 for details and registration information for upcoming programs and services.

On Saturday, October 18, from 9:30 am to 4 pm, everyone is invited to attend a genealogy conference at Rowan Public Library’s West Branch, located at 201 School St. in Cleveland, North Carolina.  

This free conference is designed for ages 16 and up and researchers of all skill levels and backgrounds – from the beginner who’s looking for lost information about relatives to skilled enthusiasts and academics. All attendees are asked to register by calling 704-216-8232 or visiting bit.ly/GenealogyCon25. 

Lunch will be provided for pre-registered attendees, courtesy of the N.C. Genealogical Society.   

This year’s conference theme is “New Directions,” and Gretchen Witt, RPL's History Room Supervisor and Conference Coordinator, hopes the day will introduce new directions for research and learning to each person who attends: “My hope is that everyone who participates will leave with new knowledge that will serve them well in the future,” she said. 

The day’s agenda includes specialized sessions, a tour of a local historic site, a tour of RPL West, a vendor room, and a display of research posters. Vendors include groups like the North Carolina Genealogical Society and poster subjects offer information such as how to navigate the Rowan County Register of Deeds' website and how to record an oral family history. Poster applications may be submitted via bit.ly/GenealogyConPoster through October 3. 

“The conference strives to be just as interesting and useful to those who are ‘dipping a toe’ into local history and genealogy as it is for those who are knowledgeable researchers,” said Witt. “It is truly suitable for a broad audience, and it’s just a fun time!” 

RPL West opens its doors at 9 a.m. on Saturdays, and conference check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. The day will feature four sessions led by professional genealogist Diane L. Richard, the owner and president of Mosaic Research and Project Management and a listed researcher with the State Archives of N.C., University of N.C. Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library, and Duke University’s David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. She is currently editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal and a regular contributor to the online publication now known as “Internet Genealogy.” She is the author of “Tracing Your Ancestors — African American Research: A Practical Guide,” published in 2019. Richard has also performed research for the US version of the TV show “Who Do You Think You Are?” and appeared in the Bryan Cranston episode. 

“Richard is wonderful about sharing her expertise and teaching others how to locate family records,” said Witt. Attendees will also learn about genealogical research techniques, tools, strategies, and more.   

Retired Catawba College History Professor Gary Freeze, Ph.D., will also present a short session on early settlement in Rowan County. “People don’t always realize that early Rowan County made up nearly half of the state. The popularity of “Outlander” has raised awareness of this, but Dr. Freeze delves into what really drew people to this area and helped make Rowan a central player in nineteenth-century N.C. economics and politics,” explained Witt. 

At Noon, attendees will have the option to travel on their own convoy-style to Cleveland’s Third Creek Presbyterian Church, located at 2055 3rd Creek Church Rd. The church cemetery was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic places in 1983; its earliest surviving gravestone is dated 1776. According to Witt, “Folklore has it that local nineteenth-century schoolteacher Peter Stuart Ney was really Marshal Michel Ney, who served in Napoleon Bonaparte’s army. The church has a famous tombstone enclosed in brick and viewing glass that is rumored to be his.” The tombstone’s plaque reads, "In Memory of Peter Stewart Ney a native of France and soldier of the French Revolution under Napoleon Bonaparte who departed this life November 15th, 1846, aged 77 years."  

Lunch (either provided or on-your-own), a poster session, and two more presentations round out the day. Past conferences have been attended by people from all over N.C., and Witt expects the same this year. “We are working towards a record turnout,” Witt said. “We purposely strive to decrease barriers to attendance, like registration fees, enabling a day of education and community that really supports RPL’s mission of lifelong learning.” 

To learn more about the conference, contact Witt at Gretchen.Witt@rowancountync.gov or 704-216-8232 or visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org. More details about Richard and her work are available at www.mosaicrpm.com.

FamilySearch is announcing its free October 2025 webinars. Topics include tips for getting the most out of the FamilySearch Family Tree, using cemetery records, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, a virtual tour of the FamilySearch Library, and a livestream of the arrival of the Crossings 200 Norwegian sloop in New York City. All webinars are presented by specialists from the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and offer engaging ways to make meaningful discoveries. Find and share this announcement in the FamilySearch Newsroom.

The October 2025 webinars began with a session on how to effectively use the FamilySearch Family Tree (Watch now on demand). Chandra Schmidt shared techniques to help individuals correct information in family relationships. Join Angela Thorup as she demonstrates the best types of records, hints, sources, and how to link them to individuals in Family Tree. Julia A. Anderson will discuss using United States cemetery records to enrich your FamilySearch family. Learn more about what cemetery records are, their genealogical value, and how to find them.

This month, FamilySearch has 3 livestreams. Join FamilySearch on a livestream covering the arrival of the Norwegian immigrant ship Restauration in New York City harbor on 16 October 2025, at 12:15 p.m. mountain time, celebrating the sloop and its 52 passengers after their historic transatlantic voyage 200 years ago. The broadcast will be co-hosted by a descendant of an original Slooper (immigrant on the ship), capturing the arrival and associated festivities that honor the legacy of Norwegian family heritage and the enduring spirit of those who crossed oceans to build new lives for themselves and future generations.

On 23 October, a special livestream will highlight the FamilySearch Library. The live event will be streamed on FamilySearch social media platforms and features a virtual tour, the fantastic history of the library, and an interactive panel discussion with some of the library’s research specialists.

The final livestream, on 30 October, will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. It will honor heritage, share experiences, reflect the richness and diversity of cultures, and help people connect through stories that matter.

FamilySearch Webinars October 2025 Schedule

Date	Webinar and Link	Presenters
Watch Now	FamilySearch Family Tree: Correcting Relationships	Chandra Schmidt
Thursday, 16 October, 11:00 AM	FamilySearch Family Tree: Records, Hints, and Sources	Angela Thorup
Thursday, 16 October 12:15 PM	Norwegian Ship Arrives After a Historic Journey	FamilySearch
Thursday, 23 October, 11:00 AM	FamilySearch Library Livestream	FamilySearch
Thursday, 23 October, 12:00 PM	Using U.S. Cemetery Records to Fill in Gaps on Your Family Tree	Julia A. Anderson
Thursday, 30 October, 11:00 AM	Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with FamilySearch	FamilySearch

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About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the world’s largest genealogy organization. We are a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use our records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 125 years. People can access our services and resources online for free at FamilySearch.org or through over 6,500 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the central FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.