Have you come across a family member that was incarcerated, but unsure where to look next?  Explore the process of uncovering the story of Frank Fanta, with only his name and inmate register number, information provided on a label in a sketchbook created by an inmate at the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site.  Discover other incarcerations, aliases, and even a divorce by using prison records.  By using a combination of widely available records and those that are less known, you will discover how to uncover more about your relative's incarceration.  

Our speaker, Steven Wright, is the Curator of the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Old Joliet Prison Historic Site.  During his time there he has learned how to unravel the story behind the men and women that have been incarcerated at the former prison.  Since 2019 he has been actively documenting the death and burial of inmates of the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site.  While doing so he discovered the men and women buried there have a story to tell outside of their incarceration.  In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his french bulldog and pitbull.  He began his own genealogical research with his paternal grandmother at the age of seventeen, a hobby very few others at his age were interested in.

The Webinar will be recorded and available on the CGS website in the members only section.

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.