Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

If you will be attending the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2011 Conference, why not take an informative behind-the-scenes tour of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library during your visit to Springfield.  Guided tours include a visit to the following areas of the library: Closed Stacks Steve Neal Reading Room Newspaper/Microfilm Collection Manuscripts Collection Audio-Visual Collection Conservation Lab Microfilm Lab Tickets FREE tour tickets will only be available at the conference Hospitality Table, located in the lobby of the Prairie Capital Convention Center beginning at 3:00 on Tuesday, September 6th.  Space is limited and you must have a ticket. ALPL Tours are for registered conference attendees only. Tour Schedule Wednesday, September 7 10:00-11:00 AM 2:00-3:00 PM Thursday, September 8 10:00-11:00 AM 2:00-3:00 PM Friday, September 9 10:00-11:00 AM 2:00-3:00 PM Location The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is located at: 112 N. Sixth Street, Springfield,

The July/August 2011 issue of the ISGS Newsletter is now available to both ISGS members and non-members. Visit the ISGS website at http://www.ilgensoc.org and click ISGS Newsletter to download the current issue (in PDF) and to view past issues going back to January/February 2008. © 2011, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

Springfield Ancestry Day will be held in conjunction with the FGS 2011 conference – Pathways to the Heartland – in Springfield, Illinois from September 7-10, 2011. FGS thanks its platinum sponsor Ancestry.com for providing this opportunity to Springfield-area residents so they can further discover, share and preserve their family history. Scheduled events for Springfield Ancestry Day include: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. – Overlooked Secrets in U.S. Federal Census Records 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon – Hidden Treasures at Ancestry.com 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. – Break. Be sure to visit Ancestry.com in the Exhibit Hall! (no additional charge) 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – Getting the Most from Family Tree Maker 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. –Find Them Fast: Secrets to Searching Your Family History at Ancestry.com All classes will be held in the Hilton Springfield , 700 E. Adams Street (across the street from the Prairie Capital Convention Center). The cost for this full-day event is only $20.00. Participant

ISGS Ancestor Photo Contest Winners The Illinois State Genealogical Society is proud to announce the winners of its recent Ancestor Photo Contest held earlier this year. Rotating Ancestor Slide Show Added to ISGS Website There were 12 photos selected from the many images submitted by ISGS members and they are all available for viewing at the ISGS website. We’ve created a “rotating slide show” which will display two images when you click on a sidebar menu item. In addition, place your mouse pointer over an image to learn more about the person or persons depicted and which ISGS member submitted the photo. Winners and Photos Frieda Hann Loe (1896-1979), 2nd from right in a Chicago sweatshop, abt. 1912. Submitted by Nancy Loe. Family of Andrew West Lascelle and his wife Mary Harriet Miner, abt. 1887, possibly Dorr, McHenry County, Illinois. Submitted by Gordon W. Struve.   Christian Kath (1812-1894) & Louisa Jess (1812-1849). They were both from Schleswig-Holstein, G

New African-American Genealogy Data The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) is pleased to announce several new articles about African-American genealogy at its website. The articles relating to registers of slaves and emancipation of slaves in Gallatin County, Illinois, were originally written by Mr. and Mrs. H. Obert Anderson and published in the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly in 1978. They include: Register of Slaves (Indentures) and Emancipation of Slaves - Part 1 (Gallatin County) (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 1978) Emancipation of Slaves and Affidavits, Gallatin County, Illinois - Part 2 (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 2, Summer 1978) Emancipation of Slaves and Affidavits, Gallatin County, Illinois - Part 3 (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 3, Fall 1978) These articles, along with several other similar articles published in the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly during the late 1970s, can be found under Free Databases in the African-Am