Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

Title :   Tracing Slave and Slaveowner Ancestors with DNA and Genealogy Date : Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 8:00 pm Central Description : The history of slavery in America has made our DNA a complex cultural stew. In this session, learn how to combine traditional genealogy and DNA research to confirm or deny slave, slaveholder, and ancestral ties to one of history's most peculiar institutions. Presenter : Nicka Smith Nicka Smith is a professional photographer, speaker, and documentarian with more than 18 years of experience as a genealogist. She has extensive experience in African-ancestored genealogy and reverse genealogy. She is also an expert in genealogical research in the Northeastern Louisiana area, sharing genealogy with youth, and employing the use of new technology in genealogy and family history research. Nicka has diverse and varied experience in communications, with a background in publications, editing, graphic design, radio, and video production. She has ed...

Don’t miss out on an exciting opportunity to attend a genealogy workshop featuring the internationally known genealogist, author, and speaker Tony Burroughs. Tony Burroughs is the founder and CEO of the Center for Black Genealogy and is also on the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Genealogical Society and the Kwame Nkrumah Academy.  During this day-long workshop you will have the opportunity to learn about the research process Tony Burroughs uses to discover information about the history of African-American Ancestry.  Several interesting topics will be discussed during this event including: Evaluating Evidence From Census to Slavery Did Your Ancestors Serve in the Civil War? Out of the Mouths of Slaves The event, hosted by the Wisconsin Historical Society , takes place in Madison, Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library on October 22 nd , 2016 from 9am-4pm CST.  For mor...

Join us on Tuesday, February 9 , at 8:00 PM Central, when Angela Walton-Raji, will present Reconstructing Black Community Life Through Benevolent Societies . To attend this webinar, register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8291948619192469250 . Last week's webinar, Organizing Your Genealogy Research Process , presented by Drew Smith, is now available to ISGS members in the Members Section of the ISGS website ( http://ilgensoc.org/members.php ). Upcoming Webinars February 9 – Reconstructing Black Community Life Through Benevolent Societies Presenter: Angela Walton-Raji Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8291948619192469250 March 8 – Researching in Archives & Libraries: Do’s and Don’ts Presenter: Melissa Barker Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1846416843611494402 April 12 - Letters, Ledgers, and Lodge Books: Finding Ancestors with Ethnic Resources Presenter: Lisa A. Alzo Registration: https://attendee...

ISGS 2014 Fall Conference “Land of Opportunity” More information October 24 & 25, 2014 , at the Regency Conference Center, O’Fallon, Illinois Tony Burroughs, FUGA, Author A founder and CEO of The Center for Black Genealogy. He is author of Black Roots: A Beginners Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree and is Vice-President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society.   Tony Burroughs’  ISGS Fall Conference Lectures: Farmers, Tenant Farmers, and Share Croppers Black Migrations Researching Pullman Porters: Railroad Records for African Americans Conference Brochure Click here to download the Conference Brochure (PDF). Program : Click here for full program details.                       Dates : Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th, 2014 Location : Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Shiloh/O’Fallon 360 Regency Park Drive, O'Fallon, IL, 62269...

New African-American Genealogy Data The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) is pleased to announce several new articles about African-American genealogy at its website. The articles relating to registers of slaves and emancipation of slaves in Gallatin County, Illinois, were originally written by Mr. and Mrs. H. Obert Anderson and published in the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly in 1978. They include: Register of Slaves (Indentures) and Emancipation of Slaves - Part 1 (Gallatin County) (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 1978) Emancipation of Slaves and Affidavits, Gallatin County, Illinois - Part 2 (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 2, Summer 1978) Emancipation of Slaves and Affidavits, Gallatin County, Illinois - Part 3 (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 3, Fall 1978) These articles, along with several other similar articles published in the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly during the late 1970s, can be found under Free Databases in the African-Am...

The Illinois State Genealogical Society is proud to announce the creation of a new database at the ISGS website . In honor of Black History Month, ISGS member volunteers have been busy scanning and transcribing a selection of African-American genealogy articles which were first published in the ISGS Quarterly during the late 1970s. Located under Free Databases and titled African-American Genealogy , items so far include these articles: Black Women's Descendants Sought (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 1, Spring 1977) Introduction to Black Genealogy (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 1978) The Negro in Montgomery County, Illinois (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 1978) Register of Slaves (Indentures) and Emancipation of Slaves (ISGS Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 1978) Published during the exciting post-Roots era when the genealogy community experienced a re-awakening and a renewed interest in African-American genealogy, these articles provide valuable data f...