Ancestry.com and the Oklahoma Historical Society are partnering to present Ancestry Day in Oklahoma, two days of genealogy and native culture November 7-8, 2014. Featuring speakers from Ancestry.com, this event will appeal to researchers at all skill levels. Registration for the main event is $40 and includes admission to all Saturday classes presented by Ancestry.com.

On Saturday, November 8, all activities will be held in downtown Oklahoma City at the Renaissance Ballroom in the Cox Convention Center from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and include:

• Ancestry 101: New & Review
• Getting the Most from Ancestry.com
• Using AncestryDNA to Further Your Family History Research
• The new American Indian Collection on Ancestry.com
• Sharing Your Family Story

Ancestry.com will share new online resources for those interested in tracing their American Indian heritage. The new American Indian Collection will feature records that previously have not been accessible online. Other classes will explore skills and resources for general genealogical research. This program is designed for researchers with a range of experience.

Participants may also attend activities offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society for an additional charge including Friday sessions, bus tours, a reception, and a Saturday lunch program. For complete conference details and registration info visit www.okhistory.org/ancestryday or contact Laura Martin at 405-522-5225 or lmartin@okhistory.org.

Ancestry.com is the world's largest online family history resource with more than 14 billion records available to its 2.1 million subscribers worldwide.

The Oklahoma Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), is now accepting nominations for its 2015 awards program. Individuals, businesses, government agencies and organizations contribute to the preservation of Oklahoma's heritage through rehabilitation/restoration projects, archaeological site protection, field and archival research, publications and public programming. Previous award recipients are featured on the SHPO's website. Submit a nomination to help the SHPO focus attention on accomplishments like these in your community.

The SHPO's awards program includes the Shirk Memorial Award for Historic Preservation and the SHPO's Citation of Merit. The Shirk Memorial Award for Historic Preservation recognizes historic preservation programs or activities that have had statewide impact. The SHPO's Citation of Merit highlights noteworthy accomplishments in historic preservation at the state or local level. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., Friday, December 5, and nomination sponsors and award recipients will receive notice of the results of the selection process in February 2015. The awards will be presented at the banquet during Oklahoma's 27th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in Bartlesville, scheduled for June 3-5, 2015.

If you have questions about the awards criteria, contact Melvena Heisch at 405-522-4484 or mheisch@okhistory.org. The SHPO accepts nominations in either electronic or hard copy format. To request nomination forms and instructions, contact Betty Harris at 405-521-6249 or bharris@okhistory.org. Or, obtain the information from the SHPO's website at http://www.okhistory.org/shpo/shpoawards.htm.

The Oklahoma History Center Museum Store is proud to offer unique and handmade Oklahoma merchandise. We are happy to be adding three quality products by three creative Oklahomans.

The store now has dishtowels made here in Oklahoma by Christina Sharpe-Crowe. She has built a career and lifestyle out of blending modern life with traditional craftsmanship and ideals. Ms. Sharpe-Crowe creates unique Oklahoma designs on linen tea towels with silkscreening. Each linen tea towel is designed and illustrated by Christine, hand printed, dried in the sweet Oklahoma air, and folded and packaged with real human hands.

Longtime friend of the Oklahoma History Center, Janet Wheeler, has brought us cute kitchen towel and potholder sets. Each set contains one towel and one potholder, with the state of Oklahoma appliqued by hand. These sets make great gifts for locals and visitors alike. We also carry handmade purses and key chains made with care by Ms. Wheeler.  

From Shawnee resident Jonathan Hilton, we are happy to have received wood cutting boards in the shape of the great state of Oklahoma. The boards are made of black walnut, with an inlay of Osage Orange. The product is Oklahoman from beginning to end, starting with wood milled right here. We are excited to add Mr. Hilton to our growing family of Oklahoma artists and artisans.

Call or stop by for these and many other unique products. Products can also be ordered on the Museum Store website at www.okhistory.org. Members always receive a discount of 15% on Museum Store purchases. Please contact us at (405) 522-5214 with any questions about these or any other of our great items.