With the 1776-79 Illinois Campaign running straight through its borders and immigrants later arriving from other American colonies, many Illinois families have ties to Revolutionary War soldiers that they wish to honor by joining the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and the other Revolutionary War lineage societies – but don’t know where to start. Bryna O'Sullivan, our presenter for this webinar, will introduce the attendee to the basic requirements of joining a Revolutionary War lineage society and the sources that can be used to meet them. It will touch upon common sources, such as the census and vital records, as well as less common sources such as pension files, loyalty oaths, and more. An attendee should finish ready to begin putting together their application.

Online Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7567631057019748611

Ohio was the first gathering place of the LDS Church. Eventually, those who joined with the its membership eventually found themselves displaced into Missouri and Illinois before their trek to Utah. Note: This is not geared toward LDS members. The story of the LDS Church is a story of persecution. This lecture, presented by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, will focus on the members from both the United Kingdom and New England who were disowned from their families, and finished their lives in the western United States.

Online Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4880554381107385091

Genealogists are always looking for places where records are located. More and more these records are being found in places that are not your typical archives, library or genealogical society. One of these places is a museum. Many museums have back rooms filled with genealogical and historical records just waiting for the genealogist to discover them! Melissa Barker is our presenter for this webinar.

Online Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8386075626899201539

“The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper.” The National Archives at Chicago holds Federal records from agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin dating from the 1800’s. There are General Land Office, Farming and Agriculture, Naturalization, Military, Taxes, Postal Service, Court Cases and many more records that can be invaluable when researching your family history. Our speaker, Jane Haldeman, will discuss what’s available and how to access these rich resources. 

Some records that will be highlighted are: The Record books of the General Land Office, Federal criminal records including the Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act and Farm Ownership Case Files for Illinois.

Online Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7025326633433470723

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a turning point in Chicago’s history. The rebuilding of the city enhanced Chicago’s (and thus Illinois’s) position on the world stage. For genealogists, the fire presents a challenge as many important records were lost – including vital records. But it didn’t all burn!  Maps, diaries, church records, directories, newspapers, and other records survived. Our speaker, Ginger Frere, will present some of these alternative sources and discuss where they can be found.

Online Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6977633117555548675

The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 put Chicago on the map. Rising from the ashes of the Chicago Fire of 1871, a swampland was turned into an educational and entertainment region for the White City. Inventions surfaced, methods of dealing with potential epidemics were developed, and people came from around the world to learn about cultures they would otherwise never experience.

Listeners will find out how this event in Illinois’ history affected personal and educational lives. If your ancestor lived anywhere in the vicinity, the chances are he or she attended this monumental event. Chicago is more than the site of a horrendous fire; it rose from the ashes to become a world-famous city. Visitors today can find remnants of the Columbian Exposition all over the region and into Wisconsin so listeners will also find out how to connect personally to this exciting part of Illinois history. “The hog butcher of the world” literally became the leader of the world for six months at the end of the 19th Century.

Join us for this fascinating webinar presented by Jean Wilcox Hibben.

Online Registration:   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3256193076836331011