Learn more about the role of black troops during the Civil War at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
Cyril Lagvanec, Ph.D., will talk about the history of United States Colored Troops, Union Army regiments that primarily were African Americans, although some other ethnic groups served as well.
Established in response to a demand for more units from Union Army commanders, these regiments, which numbered 175 by the end of the war in 1865, constituted about one-tenth of the manpower of the army.
Members served in infantry, artillery and cavalry. About 20% of USCT soldiers were killed in action or died of disease and other causes, a rate about 35% higher than that of white Union troops.
Numerous USCT soldiers fought with distinction, with 16 receiving the Medal of Honor. The regiments were precursors to the Buffalo Soldier units that fought in the American Indian War.
FINANCIAL INFO: Sheila Cao, a personal finances consultant based in New Orleans, will give a series of presentations on financial management at 4 p.m. on four Wednesdays in February and March at the Wagner Library, 6646 Riverside Drive, Metairie.
Topics are:
- Feb. 4 – Financial foundations, including increasing cash flow, debt management
- Feb. 18 – How money works, including education funds, college savings
- Feb. 25 – Wealth formulas, with the Rule of 72 and emergency funds
- March 4 – Income protection, with tax-free retirement income stream and the DIME method
GENEALOGY: Gwen Kelley, a librarian who specializes in genealogy, will lead a series of classes at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave, Metairie.
They will be held on consecutive Wednesdays, starting at 2:30 p.m., on these topics:
- Feb. 18 – Using the Census, which can be a window into your ancestors’ stories — and clues about new relatives to add to your family tree.
- Feb. 25 – Researching vital records such as birth and death certificates and marriage licenses can be used to link each generation to the next.
- March 4 – Newspapers and obituaries have details that can bring your ancestors to life.
- March 11 – Researching cemetery records let you know where family members were buried and connects them together. In general, researchers using these records can expect to find information such as dates of death and interment, cause of death, age, sex and marital status.
- March 18 – Researching military records is complex and individual records need to be requested from archives.
- March 25 – Researching immigration records, which are the first step in finding where and when your family came to the United States so that you can research your family history in other countries.
MUSIC: The Crescent City Big Band performs at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
ASTRONOMY: Jeff Best, a retired aerospace engineer and avid amateur astronomer, will discuss how digital technology and photography have changed our ability to view the wonders of the universe. His talk happens at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
Anyone capable of using a Smartphone or Tablet App can easily use a Smart Telescope. Users are frequently surprised at their compact size as well as budget-friendly cost. Best will show astronomy pictures he has taken with one of these digital devices, explain how they work, and discuss some of the terminology involved.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
