Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

Last week, we posted about research facilities and Lincoln sites you could explore while you’re in Springfield for the Illinois Family History Expo on August 3 and 4.  Genealogists always love a good museum, so we’ve selected some Springfield museums that might pique your interest. Unique Museums Illinois Fire Museum Bldg. 7, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Central & Main, 217-785-7487, www.sfm.illinois.gov/public/firemuseum.aspx Shea's Gas Station Museum 2075 Peoria Rd., 217-522-0475 Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Museum 4000 N. Peoria Rd., 217-525-1922, isphf.org AeroKnow Museum 900 Capital Airport Dr., 217-544-6122, aeroknow.com Military Museums Korean War Museum 9 Old Capitol Plaza, 217-523-7230 Illinois State Military Museum 1301 N. MacArthur, 217-761-3910, www.il.ngb.army.mil/Museum/default.aspx Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum 629 S. 7 th St., 217-522-4373 Air Combat Museum 835 S. Airport Dr., 217-522-2181, aircombatmuseum.org D...

There are so many things to see and do in Springfield, Illinois.  While you’re in town for the Illinois Family History Expo on August 3 and 4, you should plan to visit some Abraham Lincoln sites. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum 212 N. 6 th St., 217-558-8844, alplm.org The museum features interactive exhibits exploring Lincoln's life prior to and during his presidency. A listing of current exhibits can be found on the ALPM website. Lincoln Home National Historic Site 413 S. 8 th St., 217-391-3221, www.nps.gov/liho/planyourvisit/index.htm The Lincoln family lived in the home from 1844 to 1861. A four-block area around the home has been restored to its 19th century style. Tour tickets are available at the Lincoln Home Visitor Center located a short walk from the home at 426 S. 7 th St. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices 6 th & Adams, 217-785-7289, www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/lincoln_herndon.htm Lincoln and William Herndon worked together in this office from 1844 to 1852...

Are you planning to attend the Illinois Family History Expo in Springfield on August 3 and 4?  If so, why not plan to do some research while in town.  Springfield is home to some great research facilities.  Below are three places you’ll want to visit. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Address :  112 N. Sixth Street, Springfield Hours :  Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5 pm Website :  http://www.alplm.com/library/library.html Read our previous blog post for more information about the library. Illinois State Archives Address :  Margaret Cross Norton Building, Capitol Complex, near Second Street and Edwards, Springfield Hours :  Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Website :  http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/home.html Read our previous blog post for more information about the archives. Illinois State Library Address :  300 S. Second Street, Springfield Hours :  Monday through Friday, 8 am t...

The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) welcomes Family History Expos as it brings the Illinois Family History Expo 2012 to Springfield, Illinois on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4, 2012. Held at the at the Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway, in Springfield, Illinois, the two-day Illinois Family History Expo will feature the nation’s top genealogists and researchers. The keynote address is free to the public, as is an exhibit hall filled with professionals demonstrating the techniques, tools and technology to trace family roots. “We are facing a whole new frontier and it is thrilling to be an explorer in this new age. Every day new technology evolves to help make the job of discovering our roots faster, easier, and more accurate,” according to Family History Expos founder, Holly Hansen. Professional presenters will offer courses throughout both days to paid registrants. Course materials are available for study as soon as registration is complete. ...

Springfield Ancestry Day will be held in conjunction with the FGS 2011 conference – Pathways to the Heartland – in Springfield, Illinois from September 7-10, 2011. FGS thanks its platinum sponsor Ancestry.com for providing this opportunity to Springfield-area residents so they can further discover, share and preserve their family history. Scheduled events for Springfield Ancestry Day include: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. – Overlooked Secrets in U.S. Federal Census Records 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon – Hidden Treasures at Ancestry.com 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. – Break. Be sure to visit Ancestry.com in the Exhibit Hall! (no additional charge) 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – Getting the Most from Family Tree Maker 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. –Find Them Fast: Secrets to Searching Your Family History at Ancestry.com All classes will be held in the Hilton Springfield , 700 E. Adams Street (across the street from the Prairie Capital Convention Center). The cost for this full-day event is only $20.00. Participant...

ISGS is looking for volunteers to help move boxes of books (by vehicle) from the Illinois State Library to the Illinois State Archives this Friday May 20, 2011 at 1:00pm.  We anticipate finishing by 3:00pm. If you have a strong back and can help contact Janice at isgspresident@ilgensoc.org . Thanks in advance! © 2011, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

Share a Ride to the FGS/ISGS 2011 Conference in Springfield! If you have plans to drive to Springfield in September to attend the FGS/ISGS 2011 Conference , consider sharing a ride with a fellow ISGS member or conference attendee. The conference organizers have set up a ride sharing program via RideBuzz so you can list yourself as needing a ride or providing a ride from your area. Click here to find out more and click here to post a ride. © 2011, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

ISGS 2011 Spring Tour Springfield, IL - Saturday, April 2, 2011 The annual ISGS Spring Tour takes place on Saturday, April 2, 2011 in downtown Springfield, IL. This year besides the tour of the Illinois State Archives and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, we've added a tour of the Lincoln Public Library of Springfield! The tours take place at various designated times starting at 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. In addition, you can sign up to get assistance with locating Illinois death certificates while at the Illinois State Archives. Register now since space is very limited! The deadline is March 26, 2011 and you'll want to ensure that you reserve your preferred time slot for each tour. ISGS 2011 Spring Tour Brochure and Registration Form  (downloads in PDF) Online ISGS 2011 Spring Tour Registration Form © 2011, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society