Rowan Public Library’s Genealogy Conference Returns to RPL West 

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.  

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 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. 

Coursera Now Available Through Rowan Public Library

Now through December 31, 2025, Rowan Public Library cardholders can enjoy 90 days of free access to Coursera through a pilot program made available through the State Library of North Carolina. 

Coursera is a global online learning platform offering courses and certificates from top universities and companies. With over 300 partners, including Stanford, Duke, Google, IBM, and Meta, Coursera provides a wide range of subjects and formats, including courses, specializations, and certificates. Degree programs require additional payment and are not included in the pilot program.

The Coursera program will allow registrants to learn in-demand, job-relevant skills to secure their first job, improve career advancement, or transition into a new field. According to the Coursera Learners Outcome Report, 77% of Coursera learners report career benefits including new skills, increased pay, and new job opportunities.

To sign up for a free account, fill out the registration form using your active Rowan Public Library card. Registrants will be directed to the Coursera website to sign in or create an account. After signing in, registrants may select the course(s) they wish to take. Although this is a pilot program, after 90 days, a user’s progress is saved – they won't lose their work. If seats are still available, you can register again for another 90 days. Alternatively, users can continue learning by subscribing directly through Coursera. Users who do not log in or engage with Coursera after 30 days will have their access removed to allow space for others.

For more information about Coursera, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8240.