During America's great canal-building boom, it was said that all you needed to build a canal was a pick, a shovel, a wheelbarrow, and an Irishman. Far from being lazy, unwashed, and unskilled, these new immigrants labored long hours, built…
The name evokes images of gas stations, mom-and-pop motels, quirky attractions, and adventure on the open road. In this nostalgia-packed lecture, historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., explores the history of Route 66, the iconic road that linked Chicago to Los Angeles…
Fox Valley Genealogical Society is proud to participate in Naper Settlement's Gettysburg Day, where visitors can take a step back in time to commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. FVGS will have volunteers on hand to help…
This talk discusses how the forthcoming Illinois & Michigan Canal was pivotal in shaping the new state through its socio-economic influence early in the nation’s westward expansion. Dr. Wayne Duerkes is a professional historian and author with over 30 years…
A look into what one newspaper called the most sensational murder case in Kane County history (as of 1912). The Murder of Edwin Kelchner in 1890 created numerous records. Edwin was married to the speaker’s great-great-grandfather’s sister. This talk will…
The first picture postcards were published for the 1889 Paris Exposition, celebrating the completion of the Eiffel Tower. In America, the first picture postcards were printed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago —making Illinois the birthplace of the…
Different DNA research questions sometimes require different strategies. See three unique questions solved using DNA analysis tactics you can apply to your own research. REGISTER HERE Kelli Jo Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, author, and international genealogical speaker. Kelli holds…
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable new tool for genealogists, potentially saving 100s of hours a year and offering new ways to organize our research. However, these tools have important limitations that must be understood in order to utilize…
Lineage societies have been collecting and preserving family histories for more than 125 years. Did you know that some of these resources are available online for free? And you don’t even need to be a member to take advantage of…
Do you have a unique family artifact that led you to seek discoveries about your ancestral roots? Did you discover a document or a photo that helped you solve a brick wall? Do you have a cherished heirloom that tells…