National Archives at Chicago

The National Archives in Chicago is another great location for a genealogical research trip.

The Regional Archives in Chicago have an extensive microfilm collection that includes:

• Federal Census Records
• Indian Census Rolls for Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
• Naturalization Indexes
• Passenger Arrivals
• Military Service and Pension Records

The Archives also has paper records of:

• World War II Draft Cards
• Indian School Records
• Criminal, Civil, and Bankruptcy Case Files
• Farm Ownership Case Files

In addition, they store other historical records such as maps and photographs from 1800 to the 1990s for the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

It is suggested that you contact the Archives before visiting. You can also initiate research by phone, by email or by mail.

Newberry Library

Manuel Rodriguez. Compendio Geografico, c.1768. 

The Newberry Library in Chicago has the largest collection of genealogical resources in the area. It's actually one of the best genealogy research institutions in the United States and it's definitely worth a visit!

The Newberry's collection contains thousands of genealogies and local histories from all regions of the United States, Canada, and the British Isles. They have published transcriptions, indexes and abstracts of vital, military and legal records and their collection of Civil War unit histories is one of the country's best. The Newberry also has access to many online resources and periodicals from across the country. Search their catalog and visit their genealogy page for research guides and for more information on the collection.

Also, be sure to check out this article from CAGGNI. They provide a great overview of what to bring, helpful hints, and what rules you need to keep in mind when you visit the Newberry.

NGS Research Trips

The National Genealogical Society sponsors research trips to Washington DC and Salt Lake City each year. These trips are led by professional genealogists who can help guide you on how to take advantage of the great genealogical resources available in SLC and DC. You can spend six days at the Family History Center in SLC or you can use the genealogical resources at the National Records and Administration, the Library of Congress and the Daughters of the American Revolution Library all under the guidance of NGS experts.

Genealogy Libraries in the Midwest

You don't have to travel too far to find some excellent genealogy resource centers. Two of the best genealogy centers are here in the Midwest: Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN & Mid-Continent Public Library that services the Kansas City, MO region.

The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library has one of the largest genealogy research collections in the US. They have more than 350,000 printed materials and 513,000 items on microfilm and microfiche. The Genealogy Center has a large collection of American and European family histories, city directories from across the US, passenger lists, military records, Native American, African American, Canadian, and European records. One of the Center's missions is to collect US genealogy and local history publications including a significant collection from Illinois.

The Midwest Genealogy Center at the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, MO is the largest public genealogy library in the US. They have almost three-quarter of a million genealogy research materials. Many of their items are kept in open stacks that visitors may browse and much of the collection actually circulates (and is available for inter-library loan if you cannot make it out to Missouri). Their collection includes family histories, archival collections, city directories, Native American resources and Midwest pioneer collections.

New Volunteer

We have a new volunteer in the Genealogy & Local History Room. Susan Mayer will be working with us on Wednesdays from 9:30-1:00.

The Genealogy & Local History Room is open the following hours:

Mondays, 9:30-12:30

Tuesdays, 10:00-2:00
Wednesdays, 9:30-1:00

Thursdays, 10:00-2:00

Please drop by to work on your research or to browse our interesting collection.

And remember that we still have volunteer opportunities available. You can fill out an application or contact Kimberly Schlarman for more information.

Gettysburg

This is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Union and Confederate soldiers fought for three days starting July 1, 1863.

Monument to 8th Ill. Cavalry at Gettysburg

Three regiments from Illinois fought at Gettysburg:

8th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry
This regiment was mustered in 1861 along the Fox River in St. Charles.

12th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry
The 12th was mustered in Springfield but also contained two companies known as the McClellan Dragoons who organized in Chicago.

82nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry
Organized in Springfield, this regiment consisted mostly of German, Scandinavian and Jewish immigrants.



Do you have ancestors who fought in the Civil War? I had at least three Civil War ancestors whose regiments fought at Gettysburg!

The National Park Service has an excellent database for searching for your Civil War ancestors. The site will also allow you to see a history of the various Union and Confederate regiments and gives a nice overview of the major battles. The NPS can also help you plan a trip to a battlefield.

Genealogy Tours and Cruises

Are you looking to get away this summer and do a bit of genealogy research but don't know where to start? Cyndi's List has compiled lots of excellent links to different tour and travel groups that specialize in helping you discover your heritage. Travel anywhere from Ellis Island to the Czech Republic!

The Curtiss-Reynolds Airport

The Chicagoan, Vol. 7, No. 13. Copyright The Quigley Publishing Company, a Division of QP Media, Inc.

If you're planning on travelling this summer by plane, you'll probably be leaving from either Midway or O"Hare; but at one point, you could have chartered a flight right from Glenview. In fact, in the late 1920s, it seemed that Glenview would become Chicago's major airline hub.

The area around the Chicago Municipal Airport (now Midway) was becoming surrounded by both new residential neighborhoods--which encroached on the airport's ability to expand--and new industry--which created smokey, unsafe air conditions for pilots. Seeing an opportunity, land was purchased in north Glenview to create the next major Chicago airfield and the Curtiss-Reynolds Airport opened in 1929. Curtiss-Reynolds boasted modern clubhouses, state-of-the-art lighting, a pilot training school, and the largest hangar in world at the time. Unfortunately--just nine days after the airport was dedicated--the stock market crashed, the Great Depression began and the demand for commercial aviation started to decline.  

The Curtiss-Reynolds Airport on opening day. October 20, 1929.
DN-0089767, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum.

The Curtiss-Reynolds Airport managed to stay open during the 1930s by hosting entertainment events such as National and International Air Races and commercial companies would offer sight-seeing tours over Lake Michigan. In 1937, the Navy began leasing space in Curtiss-Reynolds' Hangar One. Soon the airport became the Glenview Naval Air Station.

You can read a fun article from a September 1929 issue of The Chicagoan here. The author visits the newly built Curtiss-Reynolds Airport and learns about the burgeoning aviation business. It's really fascinating! Imagine flying for only 35¢ a mile!

And if you're interested in more of Glenview's early aviation history, visit the Genealogy & Local History Room where we have books and articles on Curtiss-Reynolds and the Naval Air Station.

Planning Your Research Trip

Genealogy research trips can be incredibly informative but require a lot of planning. It's better to be fully prepared before you begin your journey so you can get the most out of your trip. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Narrow the scope of your research. Try to focus on just one person or family. Keep a list of what information you already have and what information you're trying to obtain.
• Try to create an outline of your research goals. Decide what facts you would like to check and what records you may be looking for. 
• Familiarize yourself with the region you will be visiting. Research local libraries, historical societies, courthouses, archives, churches and colleges. Try to find out what records may be available at each location you hope to visit. 
• Contact the centers where you plan to do research. Verify their hours, location, and the scope of their collections. Learn about each facility's research policies. Will you have access to original documents or digitized copies? Can you bring in your own research notebooks and laptop? What are their policies on photocopying materials?
• Search the library or archive's online catalog and make a list of items you may want to look at. Focus on items that are unique to the area: manuscripts, family histories, local histories, photographs, local newspapers, church records, etc.
• Map out your locations and create your travel itinerary. 
• Before you go, double-check that your home library does not already have access to some of the materials you may be searching for.

These are just the basics. Here's a great 20 minute discussion presented by the Midwest Genealogy Center and FamilySearch about preparing for your trip.

The Gathering: Ireland's Family History Year

According to the latest census information, more than 35.5 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. In fact, more than an estimated 70 million people around the world claim to be of some Irish descent.  In honor of those with Irish heritage, Tourism Ireland has announced 2013 to be Ireland's Family History Year. There are plenty of talks, seminars, clan gatherings and activities scheduled to keep an Irish researcher busy. And in October, you can attend Back to Our Past--a large genealogy conference in Dublin.

Visit The Gathering and Ireland.com for more information about Irish heritage activities and other pertinent tourist information.

If you cannot make it to Ireland this year, a great Facebook page has been created in honor of the event. They have been posting great links to digitized materials and the site hosts expert Q&As where you can send in your Irish family history questions.