Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

Be sure to check out these excellent resources for researching your Illinois African-American Ancestors!  More resources are provided in this ISGS Blog post from 2020! READ "Rev. John B. Dawson: Social Activist and Early Settler of Chicago's Avondale Neighborhood" by John D. Cameron- featured in the Spring 2019 issue of the ISGS Quarterly John Cameron's research of the Rev. John B. Dawson was inspired by Nia Easley's art "intervention" about the Dawson community in Avondale. Check out Easley's project HERE FamilySearch Blog  "All about Black History Month" provides resource links and features a NEW FamilySearch record set- "African Heritage Records." Also check out the "African American Resources for Illinois" research page on the FamilySearch Wiki The Illinois State Archives online databases include Illinois Servitude and Emancipation Records.  This database includes about 3,400 names found in government records i...

Mark your genealogy calendars for these upcoming events, including a special presentation from the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and a kid's art contest from the ALPLM! Events from our Associate Members The Champaign County Genealogical Society will meet over Zoom on Tuesday, February 9th at 7pm. Monique Rivera is the Co-director of Engagement at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois. She will present highlights on the history of marriage records in the U.S., along with tips and strategies for using them in family history research. Registration details are available on the CCGS website. The St. Clair County Genealogical Society will hold their next Zoom meeting on Thursday, February 4th at 7pm. Mera Hertel will present "Acrhaeology in Your Backyard."   Mera Hertel oversees graphic productions at the American Bottom Field Station of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey. Managing ABFS's production and photography team, she coordinates ...

Are you looking for opportunities to share your time and talents? Consider volunteering with ISGS! We currently have open positions within the ISGS Governing Board and on several Committees. Individual committees are always looking for more members! The ISGS Nominations Committee is also seeking Director candidates. A list of volunteer opportunities can be found on the ISGS website under About Us > Volunteer Opportunities. Governing Board and Committee Chair vacancies are listed on the About Us main page. If you are interested in any of the opportunities listed, or would like more information about a particular position, please contact Candace Marx, ISGS 2nd Vice President, at isgs2ndvp@ilgensoc.org. She is happy to answer any questions or provide more details. If you are already an ISGS volunteer, THANK YOU for sharing your time and talents! Your hard work is much appreciated by the ISGS board and membership! © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

See below for more upcoming learning opportunities! The Champaign County Genealogical Society's next meeting will be held on Tuesday January 12th at 7pm, via Zoom. Bethany Genn Anderson will be providing an overview of oral history methods and resources. See the CCGS website for registration details! The North Suburban Genealogical Society's next meeting will be held THIS Saturday January 9th at 1pm, via Zoom. Melanie Mc Comb from AmericanAncestors will present: "Follow the Money: Go-To Records for Tracing Ancestors on the Move." Visit the NSGS site for more info and to register! The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is presenting a fun and unique presentation on Thursday January 14th at 5pm, via Zoom. Dr. Karl Luthin will present "History Meets Hollywood"- Dr. Luthin, DVM, will discuss his work on major motion pictures (including Lincoln, Glory and The Last Samurai ) and the research that goes into ensuring historical accuracy. CLICK HERE ...

The latest edition of the ISGS Newsletter is hot off the presses! Click HERE or below to read! This issue is jam-packed with information, including: Volunteer opportunities and ISGS open Board positions Meet the ISGS Board, featuring ISGS Treasurer, Cemetery Records Committee, and Marketing A full calendar of upcoming genealogy events Local Society Highlights Tips from the Genealogist And much more! © 2021, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society