The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois (JGSI) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization established in 1981 and now with over 300 members. JGSI is a member of IAJGS, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies. 

We help members collect, preserve, and perpetuate the records and history of their ancestors and serve as a resource for the worldwide community to research their Chicago area Jewish roots. JGSI hosts our monthly meetings with informative speakers and expert genealogy volunteers  to answer your questions about Jewish genealogy.

Mindie Kaplan to share tips on researching common names on March 21

“Finding Your Kaplans,” a free genealogy webinar about researching common names, will be presented Sunday, March 21, 2021, for the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois monthly online meeting. Mindie Kaplan’s live streaming presentation will begin at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time, and will be preceded at 1 p.m. by a members-only genealogy question-and-answer discussion time.

More details and registration on the Programs page.

JGSI planning online DNA discussions for members only on March 14, April 11

Online discussion sessions about using DNA for genealogical research are being planned for paid members only of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois. These special events will start at 7 p.m. Central Time on Sundays, March 14 and April 11, 2021. Please register on the Programs page for the Zoom link.

More details and registration on the Programs page.