DNA Blogs

Everyone has questions about DNA and genealogy. Here are a few blogs that can help you figure it
all out:

Your Genetic Genealogist
CeCe Moore is a professional genetic genealogist. Her blog breaks down the different tests and explains how to incorporate them into your research. She also lists great basic resources and recommendations for testing.

DNAeXplained 
Roberta Estes, a scientist and genealogist, explains in-depth the various DNA testing services available and helps interpret results.

The Legal Genealogist
While Judy G. Russell mostly writes about the law and genealogy, she also does a series on DNA.

Other worthwhile blogs:
The Genetic Genealogist
Through the Trees
Genealem's Genetic Genealogy

And for even more information, check out the new book The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy.

Mayflower Descendants

Do you have Mayflower ancestors? The General Society of Mayflower Descendants can help you find them. The Society was founded in 1897 and strives to publish authoritative genealogical information about the Pilgrims and their descendants.

The Genealogy & Local History Room contains a few publications from the Society of Mayflower Descendants including the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois. We have three editions in the Lundberg Collection: 1925, 1947, and 1962.

These volumes list members of the Society living in Illinois and includes their genealogies back to passengers on the Mayflower.

The books also include histories of the pilgrims and information about the Illinois chapter of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.

The Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes

The Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory are invaluable for researching ancestors from the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw and Seminole tribes.

In 1893, President Cleveland created a commission to negotiate land treaties with the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole tribes. The tribes agreed to abolish their governments and recognize Federal laws in return for allotments of land. Individual members had to apply with the Commission to be deemed eligible for tribal land.

Between 1898 and 1907, the Federal government received approximately 250,000 applications but the Commission only approved 101,000 names to be added to the Final Rolls. About one-fourth of these individuals were full blood.

The Final Rolls were published in 1907 and list applicants' tribe, name, age, sex, and degree of blood. These documents are important sources for genealogy research in the "Five Civilized Tribes."

Organizing Your Genealogy

Need some ideas for online organization? Sign up for our class on Wednesday, November 9 at 2:00 PM.

Register online or call the Reference Desk at 847-729-7500.