The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a turning point in Chicago’s history. The rebuilding of the city enhanced Chicago’s (and thus Illinois’s) position on the world stage. For genealogists, the fire presents a challenge as many important records were lost – including vital records. But it didn’t all burn!  Maps, diaries, church records, directories, newspapers, and other records survived. Our speaker, Ginger Frere, will present some of these alternative sources and discuss where they can be found.

Online Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6977633117555548675

• Presenter:  Jean Wilcox Hibben
• Description: The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 put Chicago on the map. Rising from the ashes of the Chicago Fire of 1871, a swampland was turned into an educational and entertainment region for the White City. Inventions surfaced, methods of dealing with potential epidemics were developed, and people cam from around the world to learn about cultures they would otherwise never experience. Listeners will find out how this event in Illinois' history affected personal and educational lives. If your ancestor lived anywhere in the vicinity, chances are he or she attended this monumental event. Chicago is more than the site of a horrendous fire; it rose from the ashes to become a world-famous city. Visitors today can find remnants of the Columbian Exposition all over the region and into Wisconsin so listeners will also find out how to connect personally to this exciting part of Illinois history. "The hog butcher of the world" literally became the leader of the world for six months at the end of the 19th century.
• Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3256193076836331011

Featuring Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGLSM, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

With 20+ sessions presented by nine expert and well-known genealogists, we are confident there is something for everyone at this year's conference. Our hope is that after attending, you will come away with new tools and techniques to help you discover and Celebrate Your Ancestors.

Register online at www.ilgensoc.org or make checks payable to ISGS and mail with this form to ISGS, P.O. Box 10195, Springfield, IL, 62791-0195. Questions? Email: isgsconferences@ilgensoc.org 

• Description: In addition to Illinois' bicentennial, 2018 also marks the centennial of the end of World War I. Illinois answered Uncle Sam's call and men and women from across the Prairie State served during World War I both in Europe and on the home front. This presentation will highlight some of the ways the Great War changed Illinois and how to research your ancestors who may have served at home and abroad. In particular, utilizing social history resources to help enrich the story of Illinois' war contributions will be discussed.
• Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5825186603980794115

• Presenter:  Angela Walton-Raji 
• Description:   Hundreds of thousands of families left the South in the 1900s headed North. Their destinations were Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and beyond. This workshop looks at communities in the urban North and will illustrate how much can be learned about the county of origin in the South by studying the communities where they arrived.
• Registration:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2762471676044596227