Virginia County Records, Vol. 1, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800

Virginia County Records, Vol. 1, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800

Edited by William Armstrong Crozier

For all of those with southern ancestry…we are happy to

do lookups in our special Southern Family History Collection. This particular book contains mostly wills and deeds and is searchable by surname. If you are a history buff…feel free to take a peek into some of the types of records that Alex Haley may have used to research his own ancestors while writing, Roots. In fact, there is a book mark on page 204, which leads to an entry added on Septr. 5, 1768, in which one brother leaves another “one negro” as payment for a debt.

It is believed that this was the exchange of the famed Kunta Kinta.

This book is available for viewing in the Bob and Rita Giannetti Southern Family History Room

“Record of Marriages, County Niagara, State of New York, 1838-1841”

Thanks to the very gracious director of the Lewiston Museum, Pam Hauth, I was granted special permission to transcribe some very early marriage records which are now available on our Lewiston Public Library website (www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org) and in the Local History Room.

While volunteering in the museum over the summer I found myself drawn to some court dockets which contained a binder with the name of one of the Odd Fellows I had been researching, Mr. Jonathan Bell. As I had also been transcribing the early meeting notes for the Odd Fellows, of which Mr. Bell was noted as the recording secretary, I felt almost a personal acquaintance of this gentleman who had been born about 150 years before my own birthday. While leafing through the pages of this 18th century manuscript I noticed that when turned backwards and upside down, the book was also a ledger of all marriages performed by Mr. Jonathan Bell, Justice of the Peace for Lewiston.

The ink was slowly, but surely, fading, pages crumbling, and there were lines so indistinct that I was forced to take the book out into the sunlight. Ultimately, when completed, there were ninety five marriages performed by Mr. Bell, including sixty four marriages of Canadian couples, one of residents of the Tuscarora Reservation and one of a couple who resided in Pennsylvania.

Off to the races!

The NY State Parks Dept. presented Snowshoeing on Dec. 30^th. The program began with a 15 minute indoor session that covered the history of snowshoes and the various types of snowshoes. After that was done, the kids went outside and got to try their hands (feet, actually) at snowshoeing

Pictures from the Niagara Falls Aquarium Touch Tank’s recent visit

The touch tank was filled with live shells, including lightning whelks, tulip snails, and conchs, plus sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, hermit crabs, oysters, and more

Inside FamilySearch, with Lou Omel

The Lewiston Public Library will be offering a free genealogy tutorial for three consecutive Saturdays at 2:00 with Family History Center librarian and instructor, Lou Omel. On Saturday, January 23rd, Mr. Omel will discuss the PAF software offered on the FamilySearch site as well as how to effectively use the online guides. The session on Saturday, January 30th, includes how to search the site, the online catalog, an introduction to the new FamilySearch and what to expect from a visit to the Family History Center. The final session on Saturday, February 6th, will include an optional follow-up visit to the Family History Center in Williamsville, NY. Please sign up early as space is limited.

Early Literacy Stations

Luke and Jude Violante were the first two children to use our new Early Literacy Station computers.

These computers are part of an educational solutions for children ages 2 through 10. They are self-contained systems ready to use right out of the box. They include more than forty-five educational software packages spanning seven curricular areas, top rated by Children’s Technology Review.

Lewiston Writers’ Group 2010 Dates Announced

The Lewiston Writers’ Group meets every other Monday at the Lewiston Library from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The group consists of local area residents who meet regularly to discuss and critique their writing efforts, and to exchange ideas and information about the craft.

Please join us!

2010 Meeting Dates

January 11, 25                         February 8, 22                         March 8, 22

April 5, 19                                 May 3, 17                                   June 7, 21

July 5, 19                                 August 2, 16, 30                      September 13, 27

October 18                              November 1, 15, 29                December 13, 27

Lewiston Library Winter Break Programs

The Niagara Falls Aquarium Touch Tank will be at the Lewiston Public Library on Dec. 28^th.  There will be two sessions 1:00, and 1:45. Space is limited to 40  touchers in each group so please register early. You can be put on a waiting list if someone cancels. We will call you if there is a cancellation.

NY Power Authority presents Family Jeopardy- Tuesday, Dec. 29^th at 1:00. For ages 5 and older. Families come play Jeopardy with us at the Lewiston Public Library with the NY Power Authority.  Registration is required so please sign up ahead of time.

NY State Parks Dept. presents Snowshoeing on Dec. 30^th at 1:00 . They will bring snowshoes to the Library. The program begins with a 15 minute indoor session covering the history and snowshoe types, followed by outdoor snowshoeing.  There must be a full snow covering on the ground. If there is no snow we will reschedule and those that are registered will be notified. This is recommended for ages 6 and up. Adults are welcome.  Registration is required ahead of time.

Family Bingo Day- Thursday, Dec. 31^st. at 11:00. Come play Bingo with us at the Lewiston Public Library. Children of all ages are welcome and prizes will be awarded to the winners. Registration is required so to be sure to have enough prizes to go around.

Board President Bob Presutti Steps Down

After serving on the Board of Trustees for the Lewiston Public Library for over seven years, Robert M. Presutti has stepped down. Mr. Presutti was a member of the library’s board of trustees from 2002 to 2009, serving as board president from 2003 to 2007 and again in 2009.

Known as an exceptionally strong advocate for libraries, he served not only locally but also at the county and state levels as a member of the boards of the New York State Association of Library Boards and the Nioga Library System,. Mr. Presutti also served the community as a longtime English teacher at Lewiston Porter Senior High School, where he was well-respected for his effectiveness in the classroom and for his service to the teachers’ union, which he headed for a time. His reputation and competence won him election to the Lew Port Board of Education, which he also served as president.

Mr. Presutti has been replaced as President of the Board by Mr. Linus Ormsby, a three year member and former Vice-President.

The Board of Trustees and the staff of the Lewiston Public Library extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Presutti for his unparalleled advocacy for libraries, his many achievements as president of the library board, and his extraordinary commitment of time, talent and energy to the betterment of the Lewiston Public Library and the community it serves. They would also like to extend to Bob and his wife, Pat, their best wishes for many more years of good health and happiness.

Santa visits the Library

Santa visited the Lewiston Public Library on Saturday, December 12th to read stories, present coloring books and listen to the wishes of about 85 children of the community. Mrs. Annette Wall and the Middle School Builders Club helped by reading Christmas stories to the children. Participants also made a Holiday craft to take home.

Mr. Claus was helped by the Friends of the Lewiston Public Library who served juice and cookies to all the children in attendance. Special thanks are extended to the Friends and the library staff for making the event memorable.