Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

Happy 16th Anniversary to the ALPLM! On Monday April 19th, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will be celebrating their 16th anniversary by offering free admission! One lucky visitor will win a gift basket filled with Lincoln goodies! CLICK HERE to reserve your tickets! Learn about the Great Lakes' connection to the Underground Railroad The Center for Great Lakes Literacy has a terrific educational program about the Great Lakes connection to the Underground Railroad.   Students and adults alike can benefit from these resources and learn more about the important part of American history. Upcoming events from our Member Societies Join the DuPage county Genealogical Society at their next Zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 21st. Mike Karsen will present "Introduction to Jewish Genealogy." CLICK HERE to learn more and register! The Kane County Genealogical Society will host their next webinar meeting on Thursday, April 22nd. Suzan Bates will present, "Gen...

Upcoming Events from our Member Societies Our friends at the North Suburban Genealogical Society will host their next Zoom meeting this Saturday, April 10th, at 1:00pm. Laurel Mellien will discuss the interesting history behind "Cemetery Symbolism."  Explore the rich symbolism displayed in cemeteries of the Victorian Era. Headstone art during this time period was carefully chosen by family members to properly represent the deceased. Many clues about the lives of the dearly departed can be discovered by learning the language of cemetery art symbolism. CLICK HERE for more info and to register! CAGGNI will hold their next Zoom webinar on Saturday April 17th at 10:30 am. Jeffrey Bockman will help you plan your next research trip with "Genealogy Vacation- Myth or Reality?" "Genealogy" and "Vacation" are rarely used in the same sentence let alone together except possibly in a divorce proceeding. You cannot resolve five to 20 years worth of genealogy ...

Chicago is a remarkable city with a remarkable history. With the rise of railroads and the city’s position on Lake Michigan, the city had grown rapidly in the years before 1871, when the population of more than 300,000 included many immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and Eastern European countries. But on October 8,1871, the Great Chicago Fire swept the city, killing more than 300 people and destroying thousands of buildings. After the disaster, Chicagoans built back bigger and better than before, creating the world-class city it remains today. In the Fall issue of the Quarterly, we would like to feature the stories of Chicagoans who lived through this frightening event. If your ancestors were among them, please consider writing and submitting their stores. · Were they recent immigrants to the city? · Did they live in the area where the fire started? · Or did they come to Chicago to help rebuild the city after the fire? · Did their families stay in Chicag...