Family-history workshop focused on KHS cemetery preservation

Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

CONTACT: Laura Coleman at Laura.Coleman@ky.gov or call 502-564-1792

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 1, 2011)— The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and the Kentucky Genealogical Society (KGS) will host a free family-history workshop focused on KHS cemetery preservation resources from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

Ann Johnson, KHS cemetery preservation program coordinator, will discuss KHS resources available to family historians and cemetery preservationists. These resources include tracking databases, advice on legal issues governing property and descendant rights, stone cleaning and rubbing techniques and cemetery mapping practices.

“It is important to have local groups and individuals who are committed to finding ways to research, rescue and save small cemeteries in their counties, along with family burial plots in larger cemeteries,” said Johnson.

The workshop will also feature Phil DiBlasi, staff archaeologist at the University of Louisville, who will discuss the use of GPS to document cemeteries. There will also be an on-site visit to Frankfort Cemetery for a stone cleaning and GPS demonstration.

Following the close of each Family-History Workshop, at 1:45 p.m. the Kentucky Technology in Genealogy Users Group offers a free program to help support family-history researchers’ use and understanding of technology as it applies to genealogy.

Presented by KHS and KGS, the free Family-History Workshop series takes place each month at the Center for Kentucky History. Topics range from how to begin documenting your ancestry to specialized resources for experienced genealogists. If requested at the time of registration, an optional light lunch is available at a cost of $6, payable at the door.

To make a reservation, contact the KHS Reference Desk at 502-564-1792 or RefDesk@ky.gov. Registration for the April workshop is required before noon on Friday, April 8.

Learn more KHS genealogical resources at www.history.ky.gov.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's history. The KHS history campus includes the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum at the Old State Arsenal. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the website at www.history.ky.gov.