Pioneer Museum Announces Speaker for Founders Day, May 8
Pioneer Museum will host author Janine Briley as part of Founders Day activities on May 8. Mrs. Briley will give a talk titled “Connecting the Dots: Breathe Life into Family History” at 2:00 pm in the Historical Society Center auditorium. After 16 years of research, Janine is approaching publication of her book, Arhelger, A First Family of Fredericksburg.
Janine is a descendant of August Arhelger who arrived in Fredericksburg with the first wagon train on May 8, 1846. With the collaboration of many Arhelger cousins from the United States and Germany, she has compiled a family history that she says “sometimes reads more like fiction than fact”. Her book weaves together the story of Fredericksburg and the history of the Arhelger family tracing the migration, and genealogy of the Arhelgers from the ancient village of Arheilgen through present-day Fredericksburg, Texas, and beyond.
Born and raised in Odessa, Texas, Janine was inspired to study German and Geography after attending the 1972 Arhelger Reunion. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and has done graduate work at Stephen F. Austin University. Janine stated “There have been many ‘joys’ in connecting the dots to a rich family history and unexpected delays bringing the book to print.”
Janine lives in Longview, Texas with her husband, Steve. They have three children, Julie, John, and William. She works in the family business as its records and office manager. As a certified records manager she has developed a comprehensive filing system for the company’s active, inactive, and archival records.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Pioneer Museum admission will be waived for Founders Day activities. Program Manager, Liz Brookshire, stated “We hope you will come to hear about the challenges and adventures involved in researching and preparing a family history for publication.”
Janine is a descendant of August Arhelger who arrived in Fredericksburg with the first wagon train on May 8, 1846. With the collaboration of many Arhelger cousins from the United States and Germany, she has compiled a family history that she says “sometimes reads more like fiction than fact”. Her book weaves together the story of Fredericksburg and the history of the Arhelger family tracing the migration, and genealogy of the Arhelgers from the ancient village of Arheilgen through present-day Fredericksburg, Texas, and beyond.
Born and raised in Odessa, Texas, Janine was inspired to study German and Geography after attending the 1972 Arhelger Reunion. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and has done graduate work at Stephen F. Austin University. Janine stated “There have been many ‘joys’ in connecting the dots to a rich family history and unexpected delays bringing the book to print.”
Janine lives in Longview, Texas with her husband, Steve. They have three children, Julie, John, and William. She works in the family business as its records and office manager. As a certified records manager she has developed a comprehensive filing system for the company’s active, inactive, and archival records.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Pioneer Museum admission will be waived for Founders Day activities. Program Manager, Liz Brookshire, stated “We hope you will come to hear about the challenges and adventures involved in researching and preparing a family history for publication.”
Posted by The Society at 4/26/2010 2:37 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: founders day pioneer museum connecting the dots family history janine briley
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: founders day pioneer museum connecting the dots family history janine briley
Sounds like great fun! I know it will be very enlightening.
Reply to this