Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

The Fox Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting their next meeting via webinar on Thursday May 14th , featuring Stephen Szabados as part of their Writers Series. Stephen will present "Your Next Step: Write Your Family History." Were your ancestors royalty or members of the working class? Were they rich or barely surviving? Whoever they were, we need to preserve their memory. The program will discuss a process and format that makes the transformation of your research efforts to writing a family history easier. Your information will “come alive.” If we do not preserve the memories and stories of our ancestors for future generations, who will? Stephen Szabados is a lecturer and author who has given numerous programs to genealogy groups and libraries. He is the author of over ten genealogy books and over fifteen family histories. He is also a contributing editor for the Polish American Journal. He has a passion to share his love of family history and his courses cov...

Here are a few great offers to make the most of your stay-at-home genealogy research! American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society:  NEHGS is offering a special discount on new memberships during the month of April. Throughout April, the cost of a new, individual, annual membership is now $74.95.  To take advantage of this offer, contact the NEHGS Member Services Division at membership@nehgs.org, or call (888) 296-3447. Offer is available through April 30th, not valid on current renewals. MyHeritage   is offering a Stay At Home DNA sale- only $39 for DNA kits through April 30th. Free shipping on orders of 2 or more kits. Order today at myheritage.com . And remember, ISGS member s have access to over 80 on-demand webinars  from our webinar archive! If you are not a current member, we are offering a  special FREE opportunity  to view one of our recent webinars, "Illinois Servitude and Emancipation Records," presented by Anita Boyd! Clic...

Midwestern Roots is looking for speakers for their 2021 conference! A great opportunity for genealogy speakers with lectures that focus on immigration and migration! Click on the image below to learn more. © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

The March/April ISGS Newsletter is hot off the presses and available for FREE on the ISGS Website!   This edition has plenty of ideas for conducting successful genealogy research while staying safe at home! The ISGS Board is happy to welcome home Barbara McKean, longtime volunteer with both ISGS and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum! Barbara and her brother were stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of Hawaii when the coronavirus hit. We are happy Barbara and Malcolm made it home to Springfield safe and sound- and their adventure was featured on the Jim Leach radio show, heard locally on News/Talk 94.7 & 970 WMAY. You can hear Barbara's story for yourself by following this link! © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

Image from the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society,  Vol 74, Illinois Digital Archives  (idaillinois.org) With the recent illness and uncertainty, the ISGS Board hopes that you and your family are staying healthy. Members, please check the ISGS website for updates on our office closure, and more detailed information on the impact to our services will be sent to you very soon. The recent coronavirus outbreak has lead many family historians to wonder how their ancestors handled the 1918 flu epidemic over 100 years ago. The flu epidemic had a global impact, occuring during the final days of World War I as American soldiers traveled to the frontlines of Europe; unknowingly carrying the virus with them. The flu epidemic hit even the smallest, rural towns of Illinois. Local historical societies, archives and newspapers have fortunately kept records of the the flu's impact, and many resources to learn more about your Illinois ancestors can be found onl...

The ISGS Education Committee is excited to announce TWO new "Good To Know" presentations, now available in the "Members Only" section of the ISGS website! "Good To Know" is a series of presentations designed to assist genealogists using archives, libraries, and other research facilities in Illinois. Each video starts with a short audio introduction, leaving you with the flexibility to view the remainder of the presentation at your own pace. The videos will prepare you for visiting the research facilities in person- including important information about parking locations, hours, contact information, whether you can bring electronic devices or pens/pencils inside, even where the outlets and vending machines are located. All the important details are included, to make your research trip as easy and productive as possible! The "Good To Know" series now includes 4 videos covering the Illinois Regional Archives Depository system (IRAD): ...

The Ulster Historical Foundation is presenting a FREE lecture series on Irish Genealogy Research, and two upcoming dates will be in Chicago! See below for details. Click on the poster to link to the registration pages for the Irish American Heritage Center or the Newberry Library events. What a great opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and your Irish heritage by learning some valuable research skills! https://www.newberry.org/03192020-irish-genealogy-research-program © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society