News Release

Find Your Roots during Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures with Beth Sparrow of the Nebraska State Genealogical Society

Beth Sparrow, President of the Nebraska State Genealogical Society

News Release Date: November 14, 2018

Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514

Find Your Roots during Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures
 with Beth Sparrow of the Nebraska State Genealogical Society

Have you ever wondered about your family’s past? Do you know where your great grandfather and great grandmother were married? Do you know if you have any homesteaders in your past? Beth Sparrow of the Nebraska State Genealogy Society will be presenting a free, introductory program on genealogy at Homestead National Monument of America’s Education Center on November 25, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. as part of the Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures.

Beth Sparrow has been researching her family for over 16 years. She began working as a professional genealogist in August 2012. She researches for clients and gives presentations on genealogy topics. She also is an avid cemetery photographer. Beth has experience speaking to groups across the region, such as libraries and genealogy societies. Her special area of focus is the Midwest (Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Wisconsin), and she is a member of the Polk County Historical Society, the Association for Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society. She serves as president, conference coordinator, and area representative for the Nebraska State Genealogy Society. She maintains a blog online, as well as a social media presence through Facebook and Twitter.

“As many as one in three Americans is descended from homesteaders,” stated Homestead National Monument of America Superintendent Mark Engler. “Ninety-three million Americans today can trace their roots back to these pioneer families. The family histories we tell and record here at the park are an important part of the Monument’s mission.”
Homestead National Monument of America will present the annual Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures November 23, 2018 through January 6, 2019. These sparkling holiday displays showcase the ethnic traditions of people who came to places like Nebraska to file Homestead Claims and become landowning citizens of the United States. These holiday displays which include trees, ornaments and other festive decorations will be at the Homestead National Monument of America Education Center and Heritage Center. Cultures represented include Czech, French, German, Jewish, Irish, Polish, Scottish, Swedish, and Welsh.

Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2019. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (Homestead National Monument of America).
Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit http://www.nps.gov/home.