Writing about family history to be focus of May 18, 2025, special hybrid event co-hosted by JGSI and North Suburban Genealogical Society

“Facts and Fables and Family Narratives” will be the lecture topic of genealogist Kate Penney Howard on Sunday, May 18, 2025, for a special hybrid event co-sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois and the North Suburban Genealogical Society. Her talk will begin at 1 p.m. CDT via Zoom and in person at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois. After the hybrid presentation, Kate will conduct an in-person writing workshop, called “Crafting Your Family Narrative,” at Temple Beth-El, where on-site participants will begin writing a piece of family history, applying the lessons taught in Kate’s lecture.

More details and registration information are on the Events page.

JGSI hybrid meetings feature easy access to useful research library and genealogy help desk

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, Illinois, open at 12:30 p.m. before most monthly hybrid meetings. This allows individuals to utilize genealogy library materials, seek assistance with genealogy websites, or pose genealogical questions before the main program commences at 2 p.m.

During nearly every in-person JGSI monthly meeting, our "help desk" operates from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. Member volunteers will access online databases and address genealogical questions one-on-one for both members and visitors, as time permits. The JGSI research library boasts over 600 volumes catering to Jewish family historians, including a diverse selection of historical and contemporary maps. All books and maps are available for perusal from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. at each regular monthly meeting.

More details and registrations for JGSI events are on the Events page.