Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

The ISGS Office will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2017, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Regular hours will resume on Thursday, June 1, 2017. © 2017, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.

Join us on  Tuesday, June 13 , at 8:00 PM Central, when Melissa Barker will present  Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips From An Archivist . To attend this webinar, register at  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2682361248631831299 Last week's webinar,  Cause of Death: Using Coroner's Records for Genealogy , presented by Lisa A. Alzo, is now available to ISGS members in the Members Section of the ISGS website ( http://ilgensoc.org/members.php ). Upcoming Webinars June 13 -  Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips From An Archivist Presenter:   Melissa Barker Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2682361248631831299 July 11 -  The Watchfires of a Hundred Circling Camps Presenter:   Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6586254248864499459 August 8 -  Ten Years is a Long Time: Census Substitutes for the In-between Years Presenter:   Amy ...

The  May/June 2017 issue  of the ISGS Newsletter is now available to both ISGS members and non-members. Visit the ISGS website at  http://www.ilgensoc.org  and click ISGS Newsletter to download the current issue (in PDF) and to view past issues going back to January/February 2008. © 2017, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.

Join us on  Tuesday, May 9 , at 8:00 PM Central, when Lisa A. Alzo will present  Cause of Death: Using Coroner's Records for Genealogy . To attend this webinar, register at  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1471706587473686019 Last week's webinar,  Tracing Slave and Slaveowner Ancestors with DNA and Genealogy , presented by Nicka Smith, is now available to ISGS members in the Members Section of the ISGS website ( http://ilgensoc.org/members.php ). Upcoming Webinars May 9 -  Cause of Death: Using Coroner's Records for Genealogy Presenter:   Lisa A. Alzo Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1471706587473686019 June 13 -  Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips From An Archivist Presenter:   Melissa Barker Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2682361248631831299 July 11 - The Watchfires of a Hundred Circling Camps Presenter : Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG Registration...

The Newberry Library of Chicago recently added the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries back to their website. These interactive maps are a wonderful resource for understanding county border changes. The maps show how the borders of each state's counties have changed over time. Give it a try!  To access the maps, click here . Get started by selecting a state from the map and then click on “View Interactive Map.” Many thanks to the Newberry Library for making these maps available and to Judy G. Russell, the  Legal Genealogist , for getting the word out. © 2011, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

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...

Join us on  Tuesday, April 11 , at 8:00 PM Central, when Nicka Smith will present  Tracing Slave and Slaveowner Ancestors with DNA and Genealogy . To attend this webinar, register at  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/878957669916352771 Last week's webinar,  Nurses, Matrons, Laundresses & Cooks. Documenting Women in the Civil War , presented by Angela Y. Walton-Raji, is now available to ISGS members in the Members Section of the ISGS website ( http://ilgensoc.org/members.php ). Upcoming Webinars April 11 -  Tracing Slave and Slaveowner Ancestors with DNA and Genealogy Presenter:   Nicka Smith Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/878957669916352771 May 9 -  Cause of Death: Using Coroner's Records for Genealogy Presenter:   Lisa A. Alzo Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1471706587473686019 June 13 -  Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips From An Archivist Pre...