Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

Upcoming Events from our Member Societies Our friends at the North Suburban Genealogical Society will host their next Zoom meeting this Saturday, April 10th, at 1:00pm. Laurel Mellien will discuss the interesting history behind "Cemetery Symbolism."  Explore the rich symbolism displayed in cemeteries of the Victorian Era. Headstone art during this time period was carefully chosen by family members to properly represent the deceased. Many clues about the lives of the dearly departed can be discovered by learning the language of cemetery art symbolism. CLICK HERE for more info and to register! CAGGNI will hold their next Zoom webinar on Saturday April 17th at 10:30 am. Jeffrey Bockman will help you plan your next research trip with "Genealogy Vacation- Myth or Reality?" "Genealogy" and "Vacation" are rarely used in the same sentence let alone together except possibly in a divorce proceeding. You cannot resolve five to 20 years worth of genealogy

Chicago is a remarkable city with a remarkable history. With the rise of railroads and the city’s position on Lake Michigan, the city had grown rapidly in the years before 1871, when the population of more than 300,000 included many immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and Eastern European countries. But on October 8,1871, the Great Chicago Fire swept the city, killing more than 300 people and destroying thousands of buildings. After the disaster, Chicagoans built back bigger and better than before, creating the world-class city it remains today. In the Fall issue of the Quarterly, we would like to feature the stories of Chicagoans who lived through this frightening event. If your ancestors were among them, please consider writing and submitting their stores. · Were they recent immigrants to the city? · Did they live in the area where the fire started? · Or did they come to Chicago to help rebuild the city after the fire? · Did their families stay in Chicag

Mark Your Calendars for these upcoming events from our Member Societies!     The Peoria County Genealogical Society will be hosting their next Zoom meeting on Thursday, April 8th at 6:00pm. Evalynn Blanco will present, "So, You Want to Be a Pilgrim?" In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower, we will describe this voyage for the first pilgrims and their challenges of the first winter in what would become Massachusetts. Uncovering the genealogy back to one of these original 102 passengers will bring us to the present and we'll learn how to join the Mayflower Society of Illinois. CLICK HERE to learn more and register! The Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society will present their next Zoom meeting on Saturday, April 10th at 1:30 pm. Vicki Ruthe Hahn will present, "How to Find the Genealogy of a House and Those That Lived in It."  Vicki will show you how to use genealogy techniques of house architectural clues, local h

The ISGS March/April 2021 Newsletter is now available for you to read and enjoy! This jam-packed issue includes: Volunteer opportunities with ISGS Tips from the Genealogist- Land Records Who's Who in ISGS Upcoming Events Updates from the Illinois State Archives Genealogy Links Member Society Shout-Out And MUCH MORE! Click below to read! © 2021, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

Black History Month may be in February, but learning about the importance of African-Americans in Illinois history is important all year-round. Don't miss these great upcoming events! Our friends from the Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois passed along this event! Darrel Dexter will present “Stories of Bondage in Egypt: Slavery in Southern Illinois” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, via Zoom. The lecture is based off research presented in Dexter’s book, “Bondage in Egypt Slavery in Southern Illinois.” While conducting research for his book, Dexter visited the courthouses of the southern 24 counties of Illinois and discovered many official records of slavery. He found the primary source documents to provide a concise picture of how the enslavement of thousands of individuals was carried out in Illinois for 150 years under the shield of the law. By sharing the stories of several people who were enslaved in Illinois, Dexter hopes to emphasize the effect slavery has had on the state in

RE-SCHEDULED- "Pandemics Through the Ages" with the ALPLM The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has re-scheduled their "Pandemics Through the Ages" Facebook LIVE event to TOMORROW, Thursday March 18th at 12pm. Go to the ALPLM Facebook page   to join the presentation. CAGGNI will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting THIS SATURDAY, March 20th, at 10:30 am. Robert Allen will present "Maps and Genealogy." Robert will look at how maps can be used to supplement other genealogical information. A presentation will be shown to highlight sources of maps on the internet and elsewhere. CLICK HERE for more information! Don't miss the British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois' (BIGWILL) next Zoom meeting THIS SATURDAY, March 20th, at 10:00 am. UK research expert Paul Milner will present "Finding your 17th Century English Ancestors in England." CLICK HERE for more information! Here are some other events happening beyond Illinois!