Learn how Fold3 can help you explore military records
Military records can give you valuable insight as you explore your family’s history. Orange County Library System can help you explore resources to do that as well as other genealogy research methods. Here’s listing of the classes they have available on the topic this month. For more information and to
Turn your Turkey Day into a genealogy research opportunity
The approach of the holidays will find us spending time with family and that provides a perfect opportunity to do some research on your family tree. Among Orange County Library Systems offerings this month is course that will prepare you to ask helpful genealogical questions at the Thanksgiving table. For
“I Like Orlando!” Lyndon Johnson’s Campaign Rolls in to Central Florida
By Travis Puterbaugh from the Fall 2024 edition of Reflections Magazine On the morning of Oct. 26, 1964, readers of the Orlando Sentinel woke up to a historic headline: “Welcome to Central Florida, Mr. President.” The occasion of President Lyndon Johnson’s visit to Orlando marked the first time that a
Equality from the Pulpit: The Rev. Marni Harmony
By Justine Truc, 2024 University of South Carolina Oral History Fellow Fighting for racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights, the Unitarian Universalist Association has advocated fiercely for equal rights nationwide. After their merger in 1961, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America formed the Unitarian Universalist Association, which
Historic Animals of Central Florida
Bumper stickers and water decals were once plentiful in gift shops at souvenir stands along the Florida roadside. One of the most popular was the Florida Marineland bumper sticker in the shape of a bottlenose dolphin. The History Center pays homage to that era with four new sticker designs for
During Dark War Times, a Pooch Named Pinkey Brought Sunshine to Orlando
By Joy Wallace Dickinson The World War II years meant tough times for Central Florida, as they did across the United States. Residents worried about loved ones in uniform, fighting in Europe or the Pacific, and coped with rationing and food shortages, making do with less. During such times, even
“Third Century America” Comes to the Kennedy Space Center
By Travis Puterbaugh A recent acquisition of materials relating to life in Central Florida from the 1970s to the 1990s contained some unexpected gems, including several archival items relating to a significant exhibition at the Kennedy Space Center in 1976. Looking ahead in ’76 That year, as the United States
Sir Gus: Orlando’s Kissing Camel
By Jeremy Hileman Since the formation of the Bahia Shriners, the Central Florida delegation of Shriners International, thousands of the club’s members have made their mark on the community. Their charitable efforts and fun-loving personas have been part of the Orlando-area landscape since 1955, when the group was officially granted
The library can get your genealogy research on track
Have your ancestors been working on the railroad? If so, the library might be able to help you find family history through railroad records. “Working on the Railroad” is just one of the many genealogy classes Orange County Library System is offering this month. For more info on this and
Roaring Twenties Twister: Family Photos Bring a Sorrento Storm to Life
By Katie Marra, Orange County Regional History Center Archivist On March 17, 1928, a tornado swept through Sorrento, Florida, a small community in Lake County just east of Mount Dora. The results were damaged homes and property, downed trees, multiple injuries, and one fatality. Throughout the remainder of March 1928,