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Civil War historian to speak at Boyle Library

September 10, 2008

Civil War historian Don Rightmyer will speak 6:30 p.m. Thursday as part of the General Lovell H. Rousseau Civil War Lecture Series at the Boyle County Public Library's temporary location on the Danville bypass.

Rightmyer's lecture, titled "Finding Your Civil War Ancestor," is free and open to the public.

Rightmyer is editor of Kentucky Ancestors, the Kentucky Historical Society's family history and genealogy quarterly publication. His talk will explain how everyone can learn to find their Civil War ancestor from Kentucky. Rightmyer is a former reference librarian in the KHS Research Library and was the reference librarian at the Boyle County Public Library for seven years.

The 150th anniversary of the Civil War will begin in 2011. Kentucky had a very unique experience during that war and people may find a few surprises in their Civil War family tree. Free handouts will be provided for participants to take home and use in their own research efforts.

Rightmyer has spoken twice during the lecture series and one of those talks was titled "Kentucky's Fighting Men in the Civil War."

The Rousseau series will conclude its 2008 schedule with a panel discussion with Nicky Hughes and Chris Kolakowski on Oct. 9. The series is co-sponsored by the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association and the Boyle County Public Library.

General Lovell H. Rousseau, the officer for whom the series is named, had local connections. Born in Lincoln County on Aug. 4, 1818, Rousseau was a prominent politician and attorney in Louisville before the Civil War. Perhaps his greatest impact on the Danville area was the role he played at the Oct. 8, 1862, Battle of Perryville. Rousseau, commanding a division of Union troops, displayed gallant leadership on the Boyle County battleground and helped prevent an overwhelming Confederate victory. In several instances, Rousseau was seen on his horse in front of the Union battle lines, twirling his hat on the tip of his sword and encouraging his troops.

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