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Copies of presentation handouts provided by speakers are available for viewing, downloading and printing. These are typically PDF files and links to websites. In addition to being available in this section, these handouts are also compiled.
NOTE: Will open in a new browser window or tab. |
2013 |
Sunday - January 27th Program: Ask the Experts:
12:30: Genealogical questions and help desk.
2:00: Program: Ask the Experts. |
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2012
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 Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012
Expert genealogist Ginger Frere of the Newberry Library and ChicagoAncestors.org will speak on "New Tools for Finding Old Stuff" Handout
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Newberry's 2012 Fall Workshop!
- Saturday, October 13th
9:30am - 2:30pm at the Newberry Library - 60 W. Walton - Chicago
"High Tech - Low Tech: Old-fashioned Genealogy Meets the 21st Century"
The genealogical fundamentals of evidence, analysis, and documentation
don't change whether you're using online tools or not.
Join Marsha Peterson-Maass, Matt Rutherford and Thomas MacEntee for a
free full-day workshop discussing these low tech fundamentals plus
ways to use high tech online tools to make your research easier.
Watch our blog,
http://www.newberry.org/genealogy-blog
http://www.newberry.org
http://www.chicagoancestors.org
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012
Author, translator and playwright Ellen Cassedy will speak about her newest book, “We are Here: Memories of the Lithuanian Holocaust,” at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, at the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois meeting in Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie.
Cassedy, a former columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and the author of two books for working women, has been exploring the world of the Lithuanian Holocaust for ten years. Her latest book began as a personal journey to connect with her Jewish forebears, but soon expanded into a larger quest, into how people in Lithuania—Jews and non-Jews—are engaging with their Nazi and Soviet pasts to move forward into the future.
Originally, Cassedy had set off into the former Jewish heartland of Lithuania to study Yiddish and connect with her ancestry. Then her uncle, a Holocaust survivor, told a surprising story about his experience in a Lithuanian ghetto, and an elderly man in her ancestral town made an unsettling request. Old certainties began to dissolve, and her Jewish heritage tour took on new meaning.
Ellen Cassedy is a regular contributor to VilNews, an international web magazine based in Vilnius, Lithuania. Her articles have also been published by Huffington Post, Lilith, Hadassah, Haaretz, the Jewish Telegraph Agency, The Jewish Daily Forward and other publications.
“We are Here: Memories of the Lithuanian Holocaust” was published by the University of Nebraska Press in March 2012.
Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will present a beginner’s workshop
Arlington Heights Public Library.
Beginners' Genealogical Research
Have you ever wondered how and when your ancestors came to this country? Where did they live, and what did they do for a living? Judith R. Frazin, an experienced researcher and lecturer, explained how to get started, how to interview relatives, how to use your public library as a valuable resource, how to use internet and document resources and how to conduct your research in a logical step-by-step manner. European research resources were discussed briefly. An extensive handout was provided.
Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois presented its third annual “Kvell and Tell” session. Attendees shared their genealogical breakthroughs and special family history discoveries with fellow JGSI members. Handout: Holocaust Online Research Sites
Sunday, July 29, 2012
“Genealogy Videos and Webinars—Free Family History Education from the Comfort of Your Home” will be the topic of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois meeting at 2 p.m., in Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. Abby Schmelling, JGSI vice president-program, will be present several fun examples of how to learn more about genealogy research techniques.
Many genealogical organizations offer short videos and webinars to help family historians learn about different areas of genealogical research. From JewishGen to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, family history researchers can find useful information and methods in their areas of interest.
The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth Israel will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use genealogy library materials, get help with genealogy websites on the Internet, or ask genealogical questions before the main program begins. For more information phone (312) 666-0100.
The IAJGS Annual Conference
Paris, France July 15-18.
For more info go to: http://www.paris2012.eu/. If you plan on attending
e-mail Mike Karsen at President@jgsi.org .
Sunday, July 29, 2012
“Genealogy Videos and Webinars—Free Family History Education from the Comfort of Your Home” will be the topic of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. Abby Schmelling, JGSI vice president-program, will be present several fun examples of how to learn more about genealogy research techniques.
Many genealogical organizations offer short videos and webinars to help family historians learn about different areas of genealogical research. From JewishGen to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, family history researchers can find useful information and methods in their areas of interest.
The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth Israel will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use genealogy library materials, get help with genealogy websites on the Internet, or ask genealogical questions before the main program begins. For more information phone (312) 666-0100. |
Sunday, June 24th
Special Showing of "Prisoner of Her Past"
The documentary “Prisoner of Her Past” was screened at the Jewish Genealogical Society meeting. The film’s
producer-writer-narrator, Howard Reich, the Chicago
Tribune’s jazz critic, will
comment on the story of his mother, Sonia, a Jew from Poland
,
who survived the
Holocaust as a child by running and hiding.
Decades later,
believing that the world had conspired to execute her, Sonia Reich fled her
house one night, suitcase in hand, insisting that someone was going to shoot
her in the head. In the documentary film, Howard Reich explains how he returned
to Dubno (now in Ukraine) to try to find answers to questions about his
mother’s past that ultimately led to her late-onset post-traumatic stress disorder.
The film ventures beyond Sonia Reich's story,
to show what can be done to help traumatized children today. It looks in
particular at young victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Howard Reich first wrote about his mother in a
Chicago Tribune article in 2003 and then published a book about her and
his research into her past, “The First and Final Nightmare of Sonia
Reich,” in 2006. His documentary film came out in 2010. For more
information about the film, see prisonerofherpast.kartemquin.com/.
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- Sunday, April 29th -
Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie
SPECIAL PROGRAM
The 1940 census and Online Finding Aids.
Two Lectures Presented by Joel Weintraub
Dr. Weintraub is an emeritus Biology Professor at California State
University, Fullerton and has won awards for his science teaching. He
became interested in genealogy about 12 years ago, and volunteered for 9
years at the National Archives and Records Administration in southern
California. Joel started transcribing streets within census districts
in 2001 to help researchers search the 1930 U.S. Census (released in
2002). He was joined in the venture by David Kehs and Stephen Morse in
2002, and together, they have produced a number of online census
searching utilities for both the federal and the New York State censuses
on the Morse One Step Website. Joel has been working on finder aids for
the 1940 census since 2005, and has given talks on that census starting
in 2006.
CLICK-TO-VIEW EVENT FLYER |
Sunday, March 25th
JGSI monthly meeting at Temple Beth Israel
Program: Marty Fischer will present a genealogical research case study:
"The Most Famous Man in America You Never Heard Of."
Marty discussed his research on a relative whose name
regularly appeared in newspapers all over the United States.
Today, that person is unknown to the general public,
but through his research hopes to breath life into his
relative's memory.
HANDOUT (PDF) Will open in a new browser window or tab: Online newspaper and books for genealogy research |
Sunday - February 26
Program: "Ask the Experts" featuring our JGSI panel of experts answering your genealogical related questions!
HANDOUT (PDF) Will open in a new browser window or tab.: Multimedia Resources for Researching and Writing Family History
Compiled By Martin Fischer
Each of these multimedia presentations prepared by professional genealogists will help
genealogy newcomers learn pointers on how to do successful family history research. Most of these links are for short instructional videos or tutorials. A few of the sites provide handouts or
blank forms that can be opened or downloaded and printed out for recording and saving the
genealogical information you discover while conducting your research. Depending on
connection speeds, some videos may load slowly.
Sunday, January 29th
Program: Ancestry.com website. Skip Bieber spoke about the ancestry.com website.
VIEW Presentation (47 pages PDF 4MB) Will open in a new browser or Tab.
Link to wildapricot online membership systems website ( http://www.wildapricot.com/ )
Link to the CAGGNI website. CAGGNI is a geneaolgy group that uses wild apricot. You can see the "public" version of CAGNNI ( http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/ )
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2011
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Sunday, Nov. 20. Mike Karsen
The Musical "Chicago" and All That Genealogical Jazz
The Broadway musical and Hollywood movie CHICAGO was based on the stories of two real-life women by the name of Belva and Beulah. Just as in the show and movie these women killed their lovers. By collecting standard genealogical documents Mike Karsen piece together their lives as well as put their tales into context relating to Chicago history.
A professional speaker, Mike Karsen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG), and is currently President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois. He speaks on family legacy topics locally and nationally, presents conference programs and is on the faculty of Newberry Library and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago. Mike is the author of the JewishGen website "Guide to Jewish Genealogy in Chicagoland" and has published articles on genealogy. |
Sunday, October 30. Norman Sandfield
"There is life beyond Jewish Gen! Finding and Buying My/Your Family’s History, Memorabilia, and Heirlooms on eBay. With an additional segment on understanding and successfully using - eBay, eSnipe, PayPal, FatFingers, newspaperarchive.com, amazon.com’s ‘Search Inside the Book,’ etc."
Longtime JGSI member Norman L. Sandfield has discovered how to use eBay, the world's largest online trading community, as a source for family memorabilia and history.
His PowerPoint presentation will feature Items from his own family’s history – all discovered and purchased on eBay!
Besides showing his treasures, Sandfield showed us the Internet tools he uses, and provided a handout/booklet of his presentation, allowing you to learn to use these tools for your own research. |
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Sunday - OCTOBER 23rd 2011
Beginners' Genealogy Workshop:
Presented by Judith Frazin |
September
2011 (none)
(Jewish Holidays)
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| Sunday - AUGUST 28th
2011Program: our second annual Kvell and Tell meeting. Included were members reporting on the IAJGS conference in Washington and others telling brick walls and successes they have made over the past year. Our Ask the Experts panel was there to help. |
August 14-19, 2011 - WASHINGTON, D.C.
31st IAJGS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on JEWISH GENEALOGY
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| Sunday - JULY 31st
2011 |
Regular Meeting at Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie |
| 2:00 Program - JGSI member Walter Reed spoke. Walter is a Holocaust survivor and one of the children of Chateau de La Hille, a group of kids rescued after World War II’s Kristallnacht and taken to the South of France after the Germans invaded Brussels. |
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SUNDAY - June 26, 2011
Regular Meeting at Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie
Program - "Medical Genetics" Presented by Scott Weissman, MS/CGC
Scott M. Weissman, MS and Certified Genetic Counselor at the Center for Medical Genetics at North Shore University Health System gave an update on the status of Jewish genetic issues. |
| Sunday - MAY 22nd
2011 |
Regular Meeting at Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie |
2:00 Program - "Pushing Up Daisies" - Cemetery Resesrch.
Presented by member Jeanne Bloom, CG. JGSI member Jeanne Larzalere Bloom is a Certified Genealogist specializing in Illinois problem solving and compilation, particularly Cook County. She spoke on "Pushing up Daisies" and how to do cemetery research.
HANDOUT (PDF) Will open in a new browser window or tab. |
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| Sunday - MAY 15th
2011 |
Beginners’
Genealogy
Workshop
Northbrook
Public
Library
1201
Cedar
Lane
Northbrook, IL 60062 |
Learn how to research
your family’s history step by step in this practical
workshop.
After an
introduction, which explains how to get started, how to
interview relatives, and how to use certain important internet
and print resources, the
workshop will focus on which records are available, where they can be
accessed and
what information they may contain about your family. The talk
will
focus on U.S. resources because most researchers should start by doing
U.S. research
before doing European research. There will be an emphasis
on
Chicago research sites, but suggestions will also be given about where
to find similar records
in other cities so that the information in this workshop can be applied
to
research in other places. The talk also gives information about what
European resources
are available, although this is not the emphasis of the workshop.
An
extensive handout will be provided.
Presented
by Ms. Judith Frazin, A genealogist for forty years, is also the
author of three
editions of “A Translation
Guide to
19th-Century Polish-Language
Civil Registration Documents”. Received 2010 International
Association
of Jewish Genealogists
(IAJGS) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Jewish Genealogy
via
the Internet, Print or Electronic Product. Recipient
of the 2000
Wiglia award
by the Polish Genealogical Society of America.
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 Sunday - APRIL
10th 2011
Regular Meeting at Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie
Program - Dating
Old Photographs presented by Ava Cohen.
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Sunday - MARCH
27th 2011
Regular Meeting at Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie
Program - No
Birth Certificate, No Problem - presented by Jeffrey A. Bockman
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SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2011
Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street in Skokie
JOHN PHILIP COLLETTA
Knowledgeable, entertaining and experienced, John Philip Colletta is a
popular Washington, D.C.-based lecturer. For 21 years he taught
workshops at the National Archives and courses for the Smithsonian
Institution. Today, he lectures nationally and teaches occasional
courses at local universities. Dr. Colletta is a faculty member of the
Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University
(Birmingham, Ala.) and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. His
publications include numerous articles, both scholarly and popular, two
manuals - They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant
Ancestor's Arrival Record and Finding Italian Roots: The Complete Guide
for Americans - and one `murder-mystery-family-history,' Only a Few
Bones: A True Account of the Rolling Fork Tragedy and Its Aftermath. Dr.
Colletta appears frequently on podcasts and local and national radio and
television. His Ph.D. in Medieval French is from The Catholic University
of America. Visit www.genealogyjohn.com.
Two topics in one day!
U.S. PASSENGER ARRIVAL RECORDS, 1820-1957: ADVANCED RESEARCH STRATEGIES
For genealogists who already know the basics of finding an immigrant
ancestor's ship list, this lecture focuses on the more challenging
cases. It reviews what the records are and what finding aids are
available. Then it surveys a variety of `stumbling blocks' that
hinder success and suggests sources and methodologies for overcoming
them. Arrival records since the 1880s are emphasized.
U.S. NATURALIZATION RECORDS, 1790-1920s: ADVANCED RESEARCH STRATEGIES
Assuming that the audience is already familiar with naturalization and
how to find an immigrant ancestor's record, this lecture addresses more
challenging cases. After summarizing what the records are and the
finding aids available to access them, it discusses issues that stymie
researchers, then demonstrates a variety of sources and methodologies
for achieving success. Particular focus is given to naturalizations
since the 1880s. |
Sunday, January 30 at Temple Beth Israel
Program: Ask the experts. |
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2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Topic:
Tips, Tricks and Tools to Organizing Your Genealogy Records with Family Tree Maker a genealogy software program presented by JGSI member Franklin Mills.
Location: Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
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Sunday, October 24, 2010
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will host a program on To Tell or Not to Tell: Should the Family Skeleton Stay in the Closet? How much should you reveal when publishing research on your family? This program is presented by Robin Seidenberg, Executive Vice President of JGSI on Sunday, October 24, 2010, 2 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie. |
Sunday October 17, 2010
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will host a Beginners’ Workshop lead by Judy Frazin at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, IL
This program is designed to help answer the question: “How do I get started researching my family?” |
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Kvell with us on your genealogy breakthroughs. This program will be an information sharing session where member researchers will have the opportunity to report on significant discoveries they have made in their family research and how they were able to achieve these successes, with input from our Ask the Experts panel as well. Bring a success story with you and briefly tell us about it. We will meet at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie. |
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Topic: The movie, Tevye, the 1939 full-length Yiddish (with subtitles) film from the National Center for Jewish Film. A less sentimental version of Shalom Aleichem's story than Fiddler on the Roof
Location: Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie |
June 6, 2010
A Day of Discovery – Midwest Jewish Genealogical Conference
From the Shtetl to the 21st Century
A day of workshops and lectures presented by
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois.
At Temple Beth Israel in Skokie.
Location: Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010, 2 p.m.*
Topic: Newberry Library's Website: Chicago Block by Block
Presented by Ginger Frere
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois facilities will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use our library materials, get help with genealogy Web sites or ask genealogical related questions before the main program begins. For additional information please phone (312) 666-0100.
Location: Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie |
Sunday, April 25, 2010, 2 p.m.*
Topic: “My Uncle, the Hollywood Producer: a Fabulous Tale.” Learn how Robin Seidenberg used historical newspapers and other research tools to separate fact from fiction about her famous uncle.
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Topic: History of Chicago Jewish Orphanages and Family Trees.” Julian Frazin and others will speak about their Chicago Jewish orphanage experience and the genealogical information their records may yield. Location:Temple Beth Israel |
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Topic: Ask the Experts about Knocking Down Those Brick Walls. We invite you to ask any genealogical related questions regarding your family history research. Location: Temple Beth Israel
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Sunday, January 31, 2010
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will present Genealogical Resources at the National Archives and Records Administration - Great Lakes Region, Chicago lead by Barry Finkel on Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 2:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster, Skokie, IL 60076 Learn which records are available at this NARA facility that can help you in your genealogical research. The JGSI meeting facilities will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use our library materials, get help with genealogy Web sites on the Internet or ask genealogical related questions before the main program begins. |
2009
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Topic: Maxwell Street: A Living Memory
A film by Eshel Productions
Location: Temple Beth Israel
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Sunday, November 8, 2009
Topic: Online Genealogy Resources
Presented by Harriet Rudnit
Location: Temple Beth Israel
3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
*Note: For regular meetings at Temple Beth Israel, the facilities will be open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members who want to use our library materials, need help with genealogical Web sites on the Internet, or have genealogical related questions. |
October 25, 2009
Beginners’ Genealogy Workshop by Judith R. Frazin, former JGSI president
Sunday, October 25 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane
Learn how to research your family’s history step by step. After an introduction, which explains how to get started, how to interview relatives, and how to use certain important internet and print resources, the workshop will focus on which records are available, where they can be accessed and what information they may contain about your family. The talk will focus on U.S. resources with an emphasis on Chicago research sites. However, suggestions will also be given about where to find similar records in other cities so that the information in this workshop can be applied to research in other places.
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster, Skokie, IL 60076
Program: "Finding the Treasures in 19th-Century Polish-Language Documents"
Celebrating the completion of JGSI’s latest project-- the publication of the 3rd edition of A Translation Guide to 19th-Century Polish-Language Civil-Registration Documents by former JGSI president Judith R. Frazin. Judith presented an explanation of the book methology and featured a demonstration of the techniques used to translate birth and death documents. |
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Program. Tour of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center at 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will present a docent lead tour of the Illinois Holocaust Museum on August 30, 2009, 1 p.m. at 9600 Woods Drive, Skokie. The museum’s permanent exhibits tells the story of the Holocaust and presents personal stories of Chicago-are survivors. |
Sunday, July 26, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
2:00pm: Program. The JGSI DNA Project One Year Later -- presented by Alvin Holtzman. JGSI arranged with FamilyTreeDNA, the world's first and largest genealogy-driven DNA testing service, to provide DNA testing to our members at a reduced rate. Find out the latest information, project successes and more.
Library open again after the programs until 4pm. |
Sunday, June 28, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Program: Annual Meeting/Ask the Experts - Members were invited to ask any genealogical questions regarding their family research. |
 June 14, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Sunday, June 14, 2009, 12:30 p.m. Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois proudly welcomes national lecturer and author Beau Sharbrough Presenting "Jewish Research on Footnote.com" and "Automated Search Tools"
Houston native Beau Sharbrough received a Philosophy BA from Texas A&M in 1977. His programming career began in 1980, and he is presently self-employed. He is the founder of the FGS web site, the GENTECH web site, and the Lexicon Working Group. He is a former president of GENTECH. He has previously worked as a Product Manager for tree products at Ancestry.com, and as Vice President of Content at Footnote.com. Beau writes regularly on technical topics in family history, with an occasional overdose of humor, and maintains the RootsWorks.com website. He is the author of Gene’s Anniversary Scrapbook. Lecture Free to JGSI Members.
Download handouts (PDF format): "Jewish Research on Footnote.com" and "Automated Search Tools" |
Sunday, May 31, 2009
1:00pm: Program. Beginner’s Workshop
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton Street,
Skokie, IL
Presenter: Judith Frazin, author and an experienced lecturer and researcher.
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Sunday, April 26, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Program, featuring Mike Karsen, will begin at 2:00.
He will speak on "Preserving Your Ancestor's Legacy: Write Their Life Story."
JGSI’s new Birds Of a Feather group, led Judy Frazin also met.
This BOF group focused on Polish Research,
Polish “brick walls” and successes. |
Sunday, March 29, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Program: Organizing Your Records by Trudy Barch.
"Have a Go-Go Day: Genealogical Organization Goals and Objectives". |
Sunday, February 22, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Program: Culture, Cooking and Chicago in 1898: The Role of Jewish
Heritage in Cuisine by Ellen Steinberg. It includes German Jewish
genealogy and the process of assimilation into Chicago life.
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Sunday, January 25, 2009 Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois presented "Ask the Experts." We invited any genealogical related questions regarding researching your family's history.
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Sunday, January 11, 2009
Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois hosted a Beginners' Workshop lead
by Judy Frazin at Skokie Public
Library, 5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL This program is designed to help
answer the question: "How do I get started researching my family?"
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2008
Sunday, November 23: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Program. Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will host Jewish Lawndale presented
by Amanda Friedeman of Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.Topic:
Learning more about the immigrant's port of entry to
Chicago.
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Sunday, October 26: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Topic: Skeletons in the Closet
Speakers: Robin Seidenberg & Abby Schmelling: Genealogy presentations of family history episodes.
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Sunday, September 21: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
1:00pm: Program. Steve Morse, creator of the One-Step Search Forms. “One-Step Webpages: A Potpourri of Genealogical Search Tools” and "One-Step Webpages: A Hodgepodge of Lesser Known Gems”.
Handout (5 pages PDF file)
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-
- Program. Mining the National Archives
Speaker: Ginger Frere
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Program. Topic: Annual Meeting and Ask the Experts.
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Jewish Genealogy Resources in Chicago with JGSI President Mike Karsen
Meeting Handout: (PDF will open in new browser or tab)
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Sunday, March 30: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
"DNA: The Newest Tool in Genealogy" -- Details of JGSI's New DNA Project Announced.
Alvin Holtzman the speaker.
View a 28 page DNA Project presentation offers an overview of the use of DNA testing for studying your genealogy. The file in PDF format is approximately 4MB. A high speed internet connection is recommended.
DNA Presentation will open in a new browser window or tab
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| Sunday, February 24: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
"Family Tree Maker 2008--The Latest Version" by Frankin Mills a JGSI member. Franklin reviewed Family Tree Maker's new interface and dozens of new features. |
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"How to Plan the Perfect Family Reunion" by Sally Mann. Sally’s presentation offered ways to help you plan and organize your next family reunion.
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Judy Frazin lead this important workshop. The program is designed to help answer the question: "How do I get started researching my family?"
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2007
- Sunday, November 18: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
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- 2:00pm: "Analyzing Late 19th and Early 20th Century Photographs for Family History Data"
by Craig L. Pfannkuche
- Some of us are lucky enough to possess old photographs of our ancestors. Many times these photographs do not have any identifying names on them. This presentation will focus on how a family history researcher might be able to identify such individuals. Additionally, suggestions will be made as to how 'unnamed' photographs, even if they can not be identified, can be used to add interesting material to one’s family history. JGSI members can also bring their own photos to the meeting to get information.
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- Sunday, October 21: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- "Searching Electronic Databases," by Ginger Frere, M.L.S. Download handout: Seven Steps to a Successful Search PDF 125kb
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- September 30, 2007: Congregation Or Torah, 3800 W. Dempster Street, Skokie, IL
- "Finding Your Ancestor’s Ellis Island Arrival Record" by Dr. Stephen P. Morse. Dr. Morse, the recipient of many awards from the genealogical community for his One-Step Website, will demonstrate how to use his one-step search forms to help you find your ancestors at the Ellis Island online database. He will also give a second lecture on "Demystifying the Jewish Calendar".
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- Sunday, August 26: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- Mini-workshop: Belle Holman reviews JGSI library holdings.
- Highlights of the IAJGS 2007 International Conference in Salt Lake City
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- Sunday, July 29: Tour of Waldheim Cemetery
- Car pools form at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Directions to Waldheim Cemetery 1400 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park
- Tour of cemetery with Ilene Bass, former director of operations. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring water, if desired.
- Locate family graves on your own
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- Sunday, June 24: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- Annual meeting followed by "Waldheim Update" by Ilene Bass.
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- Sunday, May 20: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- "Sex, Politics, Murder, and Genealogy"
- Local Chicago historian Walter Roth will narrate the sensational story of Dora Feldman McDonald who made headlines in 1907 when she shot her lover. Learn how genealogist Mike Karsen traced what happened to McDonald and her family after the trial; what Karsen found surprised both of them. After this program, there will be a question and answer period until 4pm. Presentation handout by Mike Karsen (PDF). Sex, Murder, and Genealogy
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- Sunday, June 10: Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street, Skokie
- "Beginner’s Workshop" by Judith Frazin, past president of JGSI.
Start your journey into discovering your family history here! Learn
basic techniques to help in your search for information to build your
family tree. Even if you have been working on your tree for awhile,
this course may remind you of some overlooked areas in your research.
Bring a friend!
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Sunday, April 29: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
Barbara Steiner, author of "Courage and Resistance: Remembering the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising"
Barbara will speak about "Jewish Life in Poland before and during World War II". She'll be bringing copies of her book for sale, as well. |
- Sunday, March 25: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- Andrew Sloin, advanced doctoral student in the Department of History and the Committee on Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago, and founding member of the non-profit Jewish Social History Project based in Krakow, will speak on,
- "Mapping Ashkenaz: Boundaries, Borders, and the Jewish Geography of Eastern Europe, 1648-1939."
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- Sunday, February 25: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- "The Doctors Beck", a Chicago medical family's genealogy and story.
- JGSI member Dr. Sidney Blair will present the history of the Beck, Pollack, Hirsch, and Stein families.
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- Sunday, January 28: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- 30-minute video "Romance of a People, 100 Years of Jewish History in Chicago 1833-1933."
- JGSI member Jeanne Larzalere Bloom will speak on "The Unpolished Gems: The Cook County, Illinois Irregular
Indexes"
- These records, beginning in 1871 after the fire, are useful for Jewish genealogists and others because they include papers on surname changes and pre-1916 birth/death affidavits.
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- Sunday, January 14: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- "Beginners' Workshop" presented by Judy Frazin.
Start your journey into discovering your family history here! Learn
basic techniques to help in your search for information to build your
family tree. Even if you have been working on your tree for awhile,
this course may remind you of some overlooked areas in your research.
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2006
- Sunday, November 19: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- Former Chicagoan Sam Wolff, who now lives in Jerusalem, will discuss his Sephardic family connections to the Amado, Moses, Ligiers, Wolff, and Pinkus families.
- "The Forgotten Synagogues of Chicago" by Rob Packer, Author of Doors of Redemption.
- Forgotten Synagogues of Chicago is his new book which covers a 150 year history of Chicago
synagogue architecture with personal stories going back 100 years.
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- Sunday, October 22: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- "What's New at the Newberry." Ginger Frere, genealogy research librarian for the Newberry, will bring materials with her.
- "Genetic Genealogy" by Jeffrey N. Bassett
- Genetic Genealogy is the latest technique being
used as a tool in genealogical research. Jeffrey Bassett will present different case studies from
the Bassett family DNA project including some DNA results for the Israel family
(through marriage) as well.
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- Sunday, August 27: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- Brief report on the New York IAJGS Conference
- "Live from NY! It’s the New Part of the News in Genealogical Research with Our Featured Ensemble of JGSI Researchers!"
- "Ask the Experts." A panel of knowledgeable Jewish genealogical researchers will answer your questions.
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- Sunday, July 30: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- Mini-workshop: "How to interview your relatives" by Judy Frazin.
- Annual Meeting reports
- "Write Your Family History Now!" by Mike Karsen
- JGSI co-president, Mike Karsen, will discuss the need to share the results of our genealogical research. He will show us how to publish works ranging from simple 30 page booklets to volumes with detailed biographies which place family lives in historical context. Don’t delay! Organize your findings and share them with your family as soon as possible.
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Wednesday, July 12: 7:00pm: Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street, Skokie Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will host "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Archives in Belarus."
Dr. Oleg Perzashkevich, associate professor at the Belarusian Polytechnic Academy and the Belarusian State University, and Director of the Minsk Historical Genealogy Group, will explain the importance of and history of the Belarus archives to the Jewish population, their indexing system and fees, and provide information on Minsk and other Belarusian archives. If your ancestors lived in five different countries but never moved (Lithuania, Poland, White Russia, Russia, and Belarus), you are probably from Belarus. |
- Sunday, June 25: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette
- "Beginner's Workshop" presented by Judy Frazin.
Start your journey into discovering your family history here! Learn
basic techniques to help in your search for information to build your
family tree. Even if you have been working on your tree for awhile,
this course may remind you of some overlooked areas in your research.
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- Tuesday, June 6: 7:30pm: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
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"One-Step Webpages: A Potpourri of Genealogical Search Tools." presented by Dr. Stephen Morse .
The One-Step website started as an aid for finding passengers in the Ellis Island database. Over the years it has evolved, and today includes over 100 web-based tools divided into eleven separate categories ranging from genealogical searches to astronomical calculations to Israeli phonebook lookups. This presentation will describe the range of tools available and give the highlights of each one.
Dr. Morse is an amateur genealogist who has been researching his Russian-Jewish origins for the past few years. His websites on searching the Ellis Island database and the 1930 census have attracted worldwide attention. In his other life, Steve is a computer professional who has spent a career doing research, development, teaching, consulting, and writing. He is best known as the designer of the Intel 8086 microprocessor (grandfather of today's Pentium
processors) which sparked the PC revolution twenty years ago. He has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, and enjoys tinkering with electronics in his spare time.
Free to JGSI members; $10 for nonmembers (which will apply to membership if you join JGSI by July 1, 2006).
For more information and to reserve your seat, phone 312-666-0100 or e-mail rsvp@jgsi.org. |
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Sunday, May 21: Meet at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie at 1:00pm to form car pools to Jewish Graceland Cemetery, 3919 North Clark Street, Chicago
To volunteer to drive or sign up for a carpool, e-mail Julie Levin at JewishGraceland@jgsi.org or call 312-666-0100.
Carpools form at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 Dempster, Skokie
Directions for car pools or directly.
Guided tour begins at Jewish Graceland, 3919 N. Clark, Chicago
"Tour of Jewish Graceland Cemetery" with Mark Mandle and Norman Schwartz.
Jewish Graceland is Chicago’s oldest existing Jewish cemetery. JGSI has indexed all of the burials back to the 1850’s. To culminate this project, this tour will cover the history of the cemetery, famous people buried here including Civil War veterans.
Tour concludes
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- Sunday, April 30: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- workshop: "Help Desk: Q & A" moderated by Gene Alpern.
- "How to Find Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Arrival Records Online" by Mike Karsen
When the Ellis Island database went online in 2001 we entered a new generation in searching for our ancestors’ arrival records. In recent days additional ports including Baltimore, Boston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Galveston, and Castle Garden have been made available to genealogists around the world via the internet. This lecture provides the basics for searching these databases using case studies to illustrate various techniques.
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- Sunday, March 26: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- workshop: "Tips and Tricks" for Users of Family Tree Maker -- Franklin Mills
- Myrna Siegel & Walter Reed (JGSI members)
- "Traveling back to our Birth/Ancestral Towns" Myrna Siegel & Walter Reed (JGSI members)
Walter Reed left Germany as a kinder transport child shortly after
Kristalnacht and is the only member of his immediate family to survive the
Holocaust. He will speak about his return trip home and the vast amount of
information he was able to find in his search for answers.
In 1995 Myrna and Shael Siegel, native born Chicagoans, visited their
ancestral towns in Poland, Lithuania and Belarus. In 2004 they made a
return visit to Lithuania and Belarus. Myrna will speak of their
challenges and of new findings.
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- Sunday, February 26: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- workshop: "How to Use FamilySearch.org (Mormon) Website" by Harriet Rudnit and Judy Frazin.
Harriet and Judy will focus on searching the LDS library portion of the Mormon website in order to locate resources for a particular country.
- Belle Holman (JGSI librarian)
- "Introduction the JGSI Research Library"
The Program will highlight the various subject areas in the JGSI Research Library and how to best use them for your genealogical research. Both the beginner and the advanced researcher will find information of interest.
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- Sunday, January 29: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- workshop: "Help Desk" -- Harriet Rudnick
- "Ask the Experts"
- Try to stump our panel of experts and add some new
branches to your family tree! Share your family history research
problems to find possible solutions. Topics will include resources,
vital records, internet research, genealogy computer programs,
publishing, finding ancestral origins, ethical issues, and much more. Join our audience and share your own expertise to help other
genealogists.
Speakers: Mike Meshenberg, Larry Hamilton, and Judy Frazin.
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- Sunday, January 15: Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
- "Beginner's Workshop" presented by Judy Frazin.
Start your journey into discovering your family history here! Learn
basic techniques to help in your search for information to build your
family tree. Even if you have been working on your tree for awhile,
this course may remind you of some overlooked areas in your research.
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Þ additional previous years' JGSI meetings
Þ future meetings of JGSI
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