Interview with Jay Fonkert, an ISGS Speaker

J. H. “Jay” Fonkert, CG, is one of the featured speakers at the Illinois State Genealogical Society’s 2017 Annual Fall Conference. He lectures at national and regional conferences and has taught at the Salt Lake Institute for Genealogy. He has published more than 50 research and teaching articles and is co-editor of Minnesota Genealogist. His current research focuses on English, Norwegian, and Midwest genealogy. While we are eagerly awaiting the Fall Conference in October, ISGS asked Jay a few questions:

Illinois State Genealogical Society: What are you most looking forward at the ISGS annual fall conference?
Jay Fonkert: I'm delighted to be participating in my first-ever ISGS conference – especially in Moline, just across the river from my home state of Iowa. It is exciting to be on the program with Karen Stanbary, Tony Burroughs, and Rachel Popma, as well as some other fine speakers who are new to me.

I'm excited to learn more about DNA from Karen Stanbary; she is outstanding. My DNA talk will focus on better understanding the statistics behind the relationship predictions the DNA companies give us. Weather predictions aren't always on the mark; neither sometimes are DNA predictions.

ISGS: How did you become interested in genealogy? How long have you been researching?
JF: I was well into my 40s – more than 20 years ago – when I became interested in family history. As you all know, one thing leads to another, and soon I was following ancestral lines I never knew I had. The research bug might have been a natural extension of my work as a policy analyst, but I think the real seed was planted in my graduate study in geography. My fascination with migration and place motivates the talk I am giving on Saturday morning: "Why There? Merging Evidence to Understand Migration." I'm also offering a primer titled "Historical Geography for Midwest Genealogists" – Chicago plays a big role in this one.

ISGS: Your first lecture at the ISGS Fall Conference is about using newspapers to better understand our ancestors. What are some of your favorite newspapers articles you've found about your ancestors?
JF: Historic newspapers may seem a bit old-fashioned next to DNA, but they are one of my favorite sources for family history. They help fill in the gaps in our ancestors' lives and sometimes serve up surprising drama. I have found stories about the arrival of my grandfather's threshing steam engine, a court appearance for a man who was fined for selling "adulterated lard," and column inch upon column inch of ancestral scandal.

ISGS: Of your own family history, which ancestor is your favorite to research?
JF: I have never found an uninteresting ancestor, but for some reason I can't explain, my wife's ancestors are the ones who have really sucked me in.  Especially, the Fawkner family of Kentucky and Indiana, and yes, briefly Illinois. The Fawkner’s, with their confused identities and multiple marriages, pop up at some point in almost all my presentations. And, if you want a fun identity puzzle, there is the Chicago Norwegian immigrant who stole a neighbor's name.

This is going to be fun.  I am looking forward to seeing you all in the Quad Cities in October.

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The ISGS 2017 Annual Fall Conference is on October 27 and 28 in Moline, Illinois. Find more information about Jay Fonkert and the lectures he will be leading by visiting the Illinois State Genealogical Society’s website. 
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