Through America's Lens: An Exhibit Focusing on WWII

The National Archives at St. Louis National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has opened a special exhibit called "Through America's Lens: Focusing on the Greatest Generation, 1920–1945." The exhibit features photographs and documents and will be open Monday through Friday until 27 September from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the NPRC building in Hazelwood.

On Wednesday, 29 May at 6:30 p.m., a panel of local historians will discuss "Poverty in America" as it relates to the photographs in the exhibit. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Jonathan C. Smith of St. Louis University's Department of African-American studies. The panel will consist of three local professors who will discuss the Great Depression, post-Depression poverty, and the impact of poverty on enrollment in World War II.

This panel discussion is free, but the NPRC would appreciate your letting them know if you plan to attend. You can send an e-mail to <stlpublic.programs@nara.gov> (with "lecture" in the subject line) or call 314-801-0847.

The NPRC is located at 1 Archives Drive, just off Dunn Road and next to Hazelwood East Middle School. There is security screening upon entering and exiting the facility. You will need photo ID to enter and are asked to leave weapons, knives, etc. at home. For more information, visit the website at <www.archives.gov/st.louis>

You Can Help Preserve the War of 1812 Pension Records!

You can help preserve the military pension records from the War of 1812 and perhaps win some research treats for yourself at the same time. The Federation of Genealogical Societies, in partnership with several other genealogy groups, is working on saving and preserving these important records. They are holding a contest in hopes of generating more interest in the project, and some of you might be interested in entering, especially when you see how terrific the prizes are!

You can go to the contest blog at http://www.preservethepensions.org/blog/genealogy-road-trip-contest/ to find out more information and/or to enter. Prizes start to be drawn on Monday, 20 May and will continue all next week, so don't delay. Even if you don't win the mighty national Powerball Lottery, you might get lucky here!