Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

The July/August 2012 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. © 2012, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

Last week, we posted about research facilities and Lincoln sites you could explore while you’re in Springfield for the Illinois Family History Expo on August 3 and 4.  Genealogists always love a good museum, so we’ve selected some Springfield museums that might pique your interest. Unique Museums Illinois Fire Museum Bldg. 7, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Central & Main, 217-785-7487, www.sfm.illinois.gov/public/firemuseum.aspx Shea's Gas Station Museum 2075 Peoria Rd., 217-522-0475 Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Museum 4000 N. Peoria Rd., 217-525-1922, isphf.org AeroKnow Museum 900 Capital Airport Dr., 217-544-6122, aeroknow.com Military Museums Korean War Museum 9 Old Capitol Plaza, 217-523-7230 Illinois State Military Museum 1301 N. MacArthur, 217-761-3910, www.il.ngb.army.mil/Museum/default.aspx Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum 629 S. 7 th St., 217-522-4373 Air Combat Museum 835 S. Airport Dr., 217-522-2181, aircombatmuseum.org D...

There are so many things to see and do in Springfield, Illinois.  While you’re in town for the Illinois Family History Expo on August 3 and 4, you should plan to visit some Abraham Lincoln sites. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum 212 N. 6 th St., 217-558-8844, alplm.org The museum features interactive exhibits exploring Lincoln's life prior to and during his presidency. A listing of current exhibits can be found on the ALPM website. Lincoln Home National Historic Site 413 S. 8 th St., 217-391-3221, www.nps.gov/liho/planyourvisit/index.htm The Lincoln family lived in the home from 1844 to 1861. A four-block area around the home has been restored to its 19th century style. Tour tickets are available at the Lincoln Home Visitor Center located a short walk from the home at 426 S. 7 th St. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices 6 th & Adams, 217-785-7289, www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/lincoln_herndon.htm Lincoln and William Herndon worked together in this office from 1844 to 1852...

Are you planning to attend the Illinois Family History Expo in Springfield on August 3 and 4?  If so, why not plan to do some research while in town.  Springfield is home to some great research facilities.  Below are three places you’ll want to visit. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Address :  112 N. Sixth Street, Springfield Hours :  Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5 pm Website :  http://www.alplm.com/library/library.html Read our previous blog post for more information about the library. Illinois State Archives Address :  Margaret Cross Norton Building, Capitol Complex, near Second Street and Edwards, Springfield Hours :  Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Website :  http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/home.html Read our previous blog post for more information about the archives. Illinois State Library Address :  300 S. Second Street, Springfield Hours :  Monday through Friday, 8 am t...

On Tuesday, August 14 , at 8 PM Central, Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA, will present Major Midwestern Archives & Their Records , which will introduce you to several major Midwestern repositories and their holdings, finding aids, websites, and special indexes. To attend this webinar, register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/413029062 . Last week's webinar, Clue to Clue: Tracking a Family Over Time and Miles , presented by Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG, is now available to ISGS members in the Members Section of the ISGS website ( http://ilgensoc.org/members.php ). Upcoming Webinars August 14 – Major Midwestern Archives & Their Records with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA Register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/413029062 September 11 – Grandma did What!?: Researching your Famous and Infamous Relatives  with Gena Philibert-Ortega Register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/646294230 October 9 – Jumping Over Hurdles in German Re...

Whether he’s teaching about the workings of the National Archives or how to breathe life into ancestral records or how to overcome brick walls in genealogy researching, John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., can’t get away from using the word “fun.” “I do indeed have fun,” says the Washington, D.C.-based lecturer and teacher. “We have a ball. I feel enthusiastically about what I teach. My lectures are full of humor, and I teach through real, true stories. I present real examples, showing real documents. No matter what I’m teaching – about the Archives or problem-solving, I am using stories, and that’s what keeps it fun and entertaining.” The main speaker for the Illinois State Genealogical Society’s (ISGS) “ Family History in Profile ” Fall Conference to be held Oct. 19 and 20 at the Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center in Rockford, Illinois, Dr. Colletta received his advanced degree in Medieval French in the 1980s, but soon switched his career to genealogical research...

ISGS member society, Rock Island County Illinois Genealogical Society announces a series of Summer Workshops for 2012: Saturday, July 21- "Let's Get Started" Saturday, August 18- "Federal Records and More" Saturday, September 22- "Genealogy Websites and Software" Saturday, October 27- "Writing and Publishing Your Family History" All workshops are held from 1-4pm at the Butterworth Education Center, 701 - 12th Avenue, Moline. Classes are FREE for current RI Gen. Soc. members. Cost for non-members is $5 per workshop. Space is limited! RSVP to Linda Polich (309) 236-1985 or Linda Walker (309) 786-6197. Visit the RICIGS website at  http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilbgsrim/  for more information. © 2012, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) welcomes Family History Expos as it brings the Illinois Family History Expo 2012 to Springfield, Illinois on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4, 2012. Held at the at the Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway, in Springfield, Illinois, the two-day Illinois Family History Expo will feature the nation’s top genealogists and researchers. The keynote address is free to the public, as is an exhibit hall filled with professionals demonstrating the techniques, tools and technology to trace family roots. “We are facing a whole new frontier and it is thrilling to be an explorer in this new age. Every day new technology evolves to help make the job of discovering our roots faster, easier, and more accurate,” according to Family History Expos founder, Holly Hansen. Professional presenters will offer courses throughout both days to paid registrants. Course materials are available for study as soon as registration is complete. ...

The Illinois State Genealogical Society is proud to support the Federation of Genealogical Societies’ “ Preserve the Pensions ” campaign. As a part of this campaign we will be publishing a bi-monthly blog post that shares a few details about War of 1812 events that happened during the war this week. July 3, 1814 – Capture of Fort Erie On July 3, 1814 American forces led by commanders Major General Jacob Brown, Brigadier General Winfield Scott, and Eleazar Wheelock Ripley worked their way thru the darkness and fog to attack Fort Erie. At the time, Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond, the British commander, had turned over command of Fort Erie to Major Thomas Buck. Lieutenant General Drummond hoped that this would buy him some time so that he could concentrate his forces against the Americans. However, as the American troops approached Fort Erie Major Buck ordered only a few shots to be fired, then he quickly surrendered the Fort to the Americans. July 5, 1814 – Battle of Chi...

The Illinois State Genealogical Society group for FamilySearch Indexing keeps on truckin’ during the month of June, keying over 81,000 records and arbitrating over 10,000.  To date, we’ve indexed over 280,000 records!  Way to go everyone! And, on July 2, FamilySearch set a goal to index/arbitrate 5 million records within a 24-hour period.  Not only was the initial goal of 5 million reached in less than 16 hours, but it was surpassed.  Over 7.2 million records were indexed and over 3 million were arbitrated, for a total of 10,340,879.  That’s amazing!  The ISGS group generously contributed to the goal by indexing over 17,000 records and arbitrating over 1,600.  A special thanks to our top contributors on July 2:  Pamela H., Arlene J., Julie T., and Cheryl W. Illinois is currently 53% complete—that’s a 22% increase from our last status update in early June.  The project overall is about 81% complete and we are nearing the finish line. ...

Are you interested in learning more about genealogy methodology and using a variety of records? If so, join us next week for our July webinar, Clue to Clue: Tracking a Family Over Time and Miles , presented by Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG SM . Date : Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 8:00 pm Central Description : Using various clues, this presentation shows how to move from one piece of information to the next to piece together the life of an ancestral family. The steps used are illustrated so that they can be followed by the beginner as well as the seasoned genealogist. Use of census, probate, property, and personal records, among others, are explained. Presenter : Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG SM A native of the Chicago area, Jean Wilcox Hibben has a PhD in folklore and MA degree in Speech Communication. A national speaker and former college professor, Jean is a Board-Certified genealogist; Director of the Corona, Calif. Family History Center; volunteer at NARA, Pacific Region...

ISGS 2012 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. You can also view all of this year's winning photos and those from previous years by clicking Free Databases in the sidebar and selecting Ancestor Photos . Winners and Photos BLOESE family The photo shows the Bloese family in 1937 in order of age from oldest to youngest.  Missing was the oldest sister Rose.  Please note that it was boy girl from top to bot...