Attending a workshop on utilizing the Louisville Free Public Library website for family research can be incredibly valuable. Here's why:

 

By attending the workshop, attendees will significantly enhance their ability to explore their family history, uncover new stories, and gain a deeper appreciation for the history of their community.

 

 

Nancy Simmons Roberson, a native of Michigan, has dedicated her life to education and genealogical research. She earned her B.A. degree in Education at Adrian College and pursued graduate studies at Michigan State University.

 

With over 40 years of experience in genealogical research, Nancy has made significant contributions to the field. She served as the president of the Louisville Genealogical Society in 2013, 2014, and 2020. Her passion for genealogy extends to teaching, as she has organized and taught internet genealogy classes at her church and various branches of the Louisville Public Library for many years.

Nancy is an active member of several esteemed genealogical organizations, including the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, First Families of Ohio, the John Marshall DAR Chapter, and the Kentucky Mayflower Society.

 

 

 

 

The Samuel M. Plato and Lusby Family Photograph Collections offer fascinating insight into the rise of two middle-class Black families in early 20th century Louisville. Samuel M. Plato was a prominent architect at a time when his profession had few Black members. The Plato collection is rich not only as a window into middle-class life, but also into Plato’s architectural style. The story of Thaddeus Stevens Lusby Sr. parallels that of Plato. Born a slave and raised on a tobacco farm, Lusby moved to Louisville after emancipation and gained success as a builder and contractor. The story of these families intersects when one of Lusby’s daughters, Nettie, marries Samuel Plato.

Heather Potter is the Curator Manuscripts at the Filson Historical Society; prior she was a Project Archivist at the Kentucky Historical Society for the Kentucky Folklife Archives and the former Curator of Photographs and Prints at the Filson Historical Society. Heather received her BA in History from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, and an MLS with an emphasis in Archives from Indiana University – Bloomington. Heather has worked over a decade at the Filson, focusing on collecting, preserving, and providing access to the Filson’s visual materials collection and recently transitioned into overseeing the manuscript collection. In addition, she is an advocate for the preservation of family photograph and paper collections. She specializes in 19th century photography and caring for family photographs and papers. Her research interests include Mammoth Cave, World War I, and Genealogy & Family History.