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Black History Month 2021- Research Resources for your Illinois Ancestors!




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 involving the servitude and emancipation of Africans and African-Americans in Illinois from 1722-1863. The collection includes registers from several counties, land records, census returns, and more. Also be sure to download and save the Archives' "African-American Records" Research Pamphlet!
  • The National Archives provides many terrific resources on its "African American Heritage" page. Photos, documents and articles can provide a rich historical context to your ancestor's story.
  • The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is offering two upcoming events: "African Americans in the Civil War"  and "Junior Historians Live! Celebrates Black History Month," which will share exhibits and items from their collections that highlight the stories and achievements of African Americans in Illinois and the United States.

And as always, ISGS recognizes our friends at the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago for their efforts to preserve and share African-American history in Illinois and beyond! Visit their website to learn more about African-American genealogy research!










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