Did you know resources are available to genealogists outside the U.S. census population schedules? The U.S. Marshalls and enumerators had to follow instructions outlined in manuals which are excellent tools for genealogists. Jennifer will provide tips, tricks, and resources to extract more information and evidence than ever! Using examples, she will demonstrate what codes and tick marks represent and introduce resources and methods to advance your census research.
Jennifer Roodzant is a professional genealogist and speaker specializing in DNA and southern U.S. research. She volunteers as secretary for the Napa Valley Genealogical Society and is a certificate-holder in Genealogical Research from Boston University and ProGen Study Groups. Jennifer applies genealogy standards to resolve complex research objectives.
Registration is required via the Chicago Genealogical Society website under Events. Registration will close 1 hour prior to the event. The meet-up will take place virtually via ZOOM. All people registered will receive an email the morning of the event with log-in instructions and a link. This information is not to be shared.
Note: This webinar is FREE for CGS members. Non-Members can register for the event for $10. No refunds.
Open Mic Meet-Up - CGS Members Only Event
Join us to share your discovery or watch and listen to others share their successes. You have a research problem? Come and ask the group. Maybe someone will have a suggestion to further your research. A great opportunity to learn!
This meet-up will have a host to run the Zoom and to give the opportunity for everyone to share as time permits. If you plan to share a discovery or problem, please keep it to 5 minutes or less to allows others to also share.
Picture from Library of Congress
Over ten percent of the US population fought in the Civil War in the 1860s. Using (mostly) free resources, learn some tips on how to determine if your ancestor was in the war, and how to differentiate among those common named soldiers.
Brian Rhinehart is a professional genealogist and speaker and is the owner of CivilWarRecords.com. He is a graduate of Boston University’s Certificate of Genealogy Research and his work has been featured in the PBS television show "Finding Your Roots." A direct descendant of six Civil War soldiers, Brian specializes in research and record retrieval for Civil War and War of 1812 soldiers at the National Archives in Washington DC and has retrieved military files for hundreds of clients there.
***This presentation will be recorded and only available to members for 30 days.
DNA Doubleheader - Two DNA Webinars in One Afternoon
13 May @ 1:00pm & 2:30pm
Join us for this special afternoon to learn about DNA with Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG®, BCG Trustee.
1:00pm – Why Test My DNA When I Already Know My Ancestors? Explore the many ways DNA test results confirm and advance documentary research.
2:00pm – 30-minute break
2:30pm – Case Study---Who are Katey's Biological Parents? Ancestry DNA Match Lists and A Deep Dive into Documentary Records Confirm a Biological Relationship and Extend the Proof Back Generations
A case study demonstrates research strategies integrating evidence from documentary and genetic sources to prove genetic relationship conclusions. Common mistakes in atDNA analysis are explored.
Karen Stanbary, CG®, holds the Certified Genealogist credential. She lectures nationally on the use of DNA test results in genealogical problem-solving, always within the framework of the Genealogical Proof Standard. She is a Trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists and chairs that organization’s DNA Committee.
Cost: $10 members (that’s only $5/per webinar!)
$20 non-members
No refund after May 6, 2023. The online payment service fee of $1.50 will be deducted from refunds. These presentations will not be recorded. Handouts will be provided to registrants only.
Part of the thrill of genealogy is sharing our discoveries with those we love, so it can be disappointing when our family members and friends have no interest in the subject. However, with good research, thoughtful planning, and a dash of ingenuity, we can create engaging stories designed to entice even the most reluctant readers. Topics include how to breathe life into dry genealogical facts, choosing a compelling story structure, making decisions that enhance the quality of the writing, and presenting what you’ve written in an appealing way. Creating a captivating ancestral story from our ancestors’ names, dates, and places is like turning fish eggs into caviar: the facts don’t change, but the way we describe them makes all the difference. Our speaker, Pam Vestal, is a professional genealogist and speaker who turned her focus to her longtime love of genealogy after a 20-year writing career. Her articles have appeared in the National Genealogical Society Magazine, The Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and FGS's Forum magazine, and her lectures take her from coast to coast. Pam specializes in conducting genealogical research and then transforming that information into illustrated stories that even non-genealogists can enjoy.
This presentation will be recorded and only available to members for 30 days.
***Note - Thie June Webinar will also be the CGS Annual Meeting.
Mt Carmel Cemetery Walk
Mt Carmel Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois is a wonderful historic Chicago cemetery very much worth a visit. The cemetery is the final resting place of a very large number of Chicago’s 19th century Irish Catholic immigrant population. Besides the Irish, the west side of the cemetery is “home” to a very large number of Chicago’s Italian Roman Catholic immigrant population. The gravestones for many buried here have ceramic individual photos attached to them. Passing along such stones is a fascinating experience.
The cemetery also contains a number of unique family statuary stones including that of Julia Buccola Petta, a rotating family group statue “stone,” as well as a “mailbox” stone. A “city street” of family mausoleums are also notable. At the center of the cemetery is the large Mausoleum for Chicago cardinals. Visitors will also visit the end of the line for most of Chicago’s infamous gangsters of the 1920s and 1930’s. Our cemetery walk guide will be Craig Pfannkuche.
Registration is required via the CGS website and will close Friday, 7 July at 3:00pm CST. Attendees will receive an email after registration closes with a cemetery map detailing information on the meeting spot.
If you are unable to attend, we plan on live streaming some of the cemetery walk that morning on Facebook so check it out.
Member Gravestone Photo Request
***CGS Members*** The CGS Cemetery Committee is offering to take gravestone photos for members at the Mt Carmel Cemetery. One request per member please. Please check FindAGrave and BillionGraves websites first to see if a photo is already available. Depending on the number of requests received, it may not be possible for volunteers to complete every one. Also, volunteers may not be successful in finding the requested graves. If the grave is located, you will be emailed photo(s) of the gravestone and CGS will also load the photos on FindAGrave.
Provide the name, dates, and location (section, plot) for your photo request. To look up a grave location, go to www.catholiccemeterieschicago.org and on the top bar select “Find Your Loved One.” Requests will be taken between May 1- June 30. Email to CGS info@chicagogenealogy.org Attn: Mt Carmel Cemetery Gravestone Photo Request.
Chicago Genealogical Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Address: PO Box 1160, Chicago, IL 60690-1160
