Meeting Information

The Kane County Genealogical Society meets at 7:30 p.m. in the first floor meeting room of the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third Street, Geneva every fourth Thursday of the month, January through October  and the first Thursday in December.  All are welcome to attend.

Upcoming meetings:

January 24, 2008

 I Cannot Tell a Lie—I Chopped Down My Royal Family Tree

Speaker:  Jeffrey A. Bockman, renown genealogical speaker

Whether or not you are related to Royalty, their actions influenced your ancestors and they are interesting from both a genealogical and historical perspective. Useful lessons learned in the process, Links to various Royal sources. Discusses using History and Timelines along with evaluation of sources and personal ethics.

 

February 28, 2008

 Evacuating Grandma’s Privy for Family History Data

Speakers:  Craig Pfannkuche, amateur archealogist

Through his enthusiastic story telling, Craig explains why and how to excavate your ancestors' outhouses in order to find more about their lives.

 

March 27, 2008

Researching My Cherokee Ancestry

Speaker:  Mark Kater

Learn more about how to utilize the records for native Americans.

 

April 24, 2008

The Feds Have Records on Your Ancestors

Speaker:  Marian Schuetz

Marian Richter Schuetz, an instructor of genealogy at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn and the Naperville Park District, will discuss the type of family history records available at federal repositories.

 

May 22, 2008

How I Survived the Blitz

Speaker:  Joy Aavang, renown storyteller

Joy will share experiences of the WW II blitz of London

 

June 26, 2008

Sex, Murder and Genealogy

Speaker:  Mike Karsen

Dora Feldman McDonald, the daughter of German Jewish immigrants, made the front page of Chicago newspapers in 1907 when she shot her lover. Dora, who was married to one of the most powerful political bosses in Chicago at the time, used murder to end this affair and her lover's blackmail. But what ever happened to her after her dramatic acquittal the following year? Genealogist Mike Karsen uses every trick in his tool bag to set the record straight and follow her trail. 

 

July 24, 2008

Accomplishments in Genealogical Research

 Members will have the opportunity to share the results of their genealogical research

 

August 28, 2008

Uncovering Your Past In Land Records

Speaker:  Grace DeMulle, of the Newberry Library

Grace will discuss what one may find in land records and how to access them.

 

 September 25, 2008

Illinois and Michigan Canal and Regional Historical Collection

Speaker:  John Lamb, of Lewis University

John Lamb has made the study of the history of the Illinois and Michigan Canal his special interest for a very long time. Not only has he prepared numerous papers and presentations on the subject, he has been instrumental in establishing the Illinois and Michigan Canal Archives at Lewis University, appropriately in the heart of the Corridor. This archive, constantly growing, contains not only many of the official publications connected with the canal, including reports, surveys, hearings, engineering and economic studies, but also extensive material on the life of the canal and its adjacent communities. In addition, the collection includes numerous works on similar canals in the Middle West and elsewhere to place the Illinois and Michigan Canal in a suitable context.

 

October 23, 2008

Family History Month:  Sharing History with Our Living Families

Members are asked to bring examples of how they share their research and hobby with their family members.

 

 

December 4, 2008

Member’s Night:  Holiday Social

Join us as we open the 2008 resolution box and learn what type of research was accomplished!

 * Meetings subject to change.