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• Genetic Genealogy Open Discussion for DNA Questions and Answers (Members Only)

  • When
    21 Jul 2024
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    From the convenience of your home device

  Register

  This 7 p.m. Central Time Zoom session is for JGSI members only. This special online-only event will feature JGSI DNA mavens Alvin Holtzman and Gil Bardige.

  This is a time for an open discussion about genetic genealogy (DNA). Bring your genetic genealogy questions and brick walls, and help answer questions of others. JGSI members are invited to share their DNA discoveries and quandaries related to using genetic tests for researching family history and discovering previously unknown cousins.

  Be sure to register for the Sunday, July 21, 2024, JGSI members-only DNA discussion by clicking the button at left on this web page.

  If you are not a JGSI member and would like to participate in this discussion, please consider purchasing a JGSI membership for as little as $25 a year.  See the details at: https://jgsi.org/Membership.

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• 'Kvell and Tell' session on Sunday, July 28, 2024

  • When
    28 Jul 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois

  Register

  JGSI members to share discoveries and research tips in 'Kvell and Tell' program July 28, 2024

  The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will hold a hybrid “Kvell and Tell” session on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Seven JGSI members will take turns sharing family history discoveries and research tips starting at 2 p.m. CDT.  As a hybrid meeting, the talks may be given from home via Zoom OR in person at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois. The Zoom talks will be projected onto the wall at the temple.

  At 12:30 p.m. CDT, before the presentations, please join us for lunch and networking at Temple Beth-El. Register and order a delicious box salad or sandwich lunch from Sunset Foods. All options are kosher style, dairy. The last day to order food is July 23rd, even if the website allows you to order after that date.  Bring your questions and talk about your research journey, or just get to know your fellow genealogy enthusiasts.  Our help desk and library will be open and available  from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

  Please register/RSVP by clicking the button at left.

  Confirmed speakers and topics for this year's “Kvell and Tell” include the following:

  • Alex Feller: "Prenumerantn: Finding ancestors in subscriber lists of 19th century books"
  • Marty Fischer: "Morris Fischer’s Gravestone: Understanding the Symbols on an Elaborate 19th Century Kohanic Matzevah"
  • Scott Meyer: "Finding A Needle in the Haystack—with Artificial Intelligence!"
  • Abby Schmelling: "Jewish Waldheim—Family Histories and Memories"
  • Bob Silverstein: "From Krynki to Elk Grove Village to Krynki"
  • David Sterlin: "Chance Discoveries – Part 3"
    
  • Terry Taylor: "Stories, Secrets, and Mistakes—Gather Evidence!"

  Each presenter will speak for approximately 10 minutes. After all the presentations have been completed, viewers/attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of the speakers.

  The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to enjoy the lunch they have purchased; use genealogy library materials, including our collection of maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged. 

  For more information on the JGSI, visit our website  or phone 312-666-0100. For information about membership benefits, click here.

  
  

  
  

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• 44th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy

  • Start
    18 Aug 2024
  • End
    22 Aug 2024
  • Location
    Sheraton Philadelphia PA Downtown, 201 N. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Expert Jewish genealogists will be presenting informative family history talks for the 44th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

  For more information or to register for the conference, visit the conference website here: https://www.iajgs.org/conference/

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• "Don't Fan the Flames: Become a Fan of Using FAN Research" by Debbie Trotsky Soren

  • When
    25 Aug 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois
  • Spaces left
    296

  Register

  Researching family, friends, associates and neighbors is lecture topic for Aug. 25, 2024, JGSI hybrid meeting

  “Don't Fan the Flames: Become a Fan of Using FAN Research” will be the lecture topic of genealogist Debbie Trotsky Soren for the Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois hybrid meeting.

  Her talk will begin at 2 p.m. Central Time via Zoom and at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois. She will be speaking IN PERSON at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, Illinois, and her talk will be available online via Zoom for those who register to attend remotely.

  Please register/RSVP by clicking the button at left.
  

  Be sure to come to our pre-meeting on Aug. 25, 2024, from 12:30 through 1:45 p.m.: Free consultations for JGSI members and non-members alike! Wondering how to begin your family tree search? Have a brickwall? Need assistance with a DNA test—which company to test with or need help interpreting results? Need help navigating a website such as Jewishgen? Need assistance in writing your family history? Several of our experts will be on hand to assist you.

  Let us help. Prior to our scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday program at Temple Beth-El, we will meet from 12:30 until 1:45 to devote our attention to you and your situation. Located in the social hall, lower level.

  The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, get help with family history websites or ask genealogical questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m.

  Do you want to find out more about your direct ancestors, but the records you need seem to be missing? Have you hit a brick wall? In Debbie's 2 p.m. talk, you will learn why FAN research (researching family, friends, associates and neighbors) can help you further your research. Whether or not you are interested in collateral (non-direct) relatives, FAN research is a tool that can be helpful to all genealogists. It may also be referred to as cluster, or collateral research.

  Debbie Trotsky Soren began researching her own family over 25 years ago. After working as a CPA, raising a family and serving on various community boards she earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, and now provides genealogical services for others. In June 2013 she toured family shtetls (towns) and visited archives in Lithuania and Belarus. Debbie is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society. She has been on the board of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois for the past six years, and is currently serving as treasurer.

  For more information on the JGSI, visit our website or phone 312-666-0100. For more information about membership benefits, click here.

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• “Resources for Jewish Genealogy in Chicagoland—What’s New” by Mike Karsen

  • When
    22 Sep 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois
  • Spaces left
    298

  Register

  Mike Karsen to present update on Chicago-area Jewish genealogy resources on Sept. 22, 2024

  “Resources for Jewish Genealogy in Chicagoland—What’s New” will be the topic of a presentation by genealogist Mike Karsen for the Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, hybrid meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois at 2 p.m. Central Time. Mike will be speaking in person at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois, and online via Zoom.

  Registration/RSVP will be available here in the near future.

  This event will feature JGSI former president Mike Karsen giving his annual update covering various resources available to discover your Jewish roots in Chicagoland. He will include a wide range of records and research resources. He will also cover some uniquely Jewish resources. Today, with so many records available online, you hardly have to leave your home to research your Chicago roots. Case studies will be utilized to demonstrate the research process.

  A professional speaker, Mike Karsen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and is a past president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois. He has presented over 300 talks on genealogy topics locally, nationally, and internationally, including for the Newberry Library and the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago.

  The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, including our collection of maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged. 

  For more information on the JGSI, visit our website. For more information about membership benefits, click here.

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• Mark your calendar for the JGSI hybrid meeting on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024

  • When
    17 Nov 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois
  • Spaces left
    300

  Mark your calendar for the JGSI hybrid meeting on Sunday, Nov.  17, 2024

  Additional details will be available in the near future.

  The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, including our collection of maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged. Feel free to bring your lunch!

  For more information on the JGSI, visit our website. For more information about membership benefits, click here.

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• "Illinois Digital Resources" by Tina Beaird

  • When
    26 Jan 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois
  • Spaces left
    300

  Researching genealogy using Illinois online resources is Tina Beaird’s lecture topic for Jan. 26, 2025, JGSI hybrid meeting

  “Illinois Digital Resources” will be the lecture topic of genealogist and librarian Tina Beaird for the Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois hybrid meeting. Tina will be speaking in person at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois, and online via Zoom. Her talk will begin at 2 p.m. Central Time. 

  The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, get help with family history websites or ask genealogical questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m.

  RSVP/registration will be available in the near future.

  There are several Illinois websites for finding your Land of Lincoln ancestors. From CARLI to IDA, Tina will show you in her talk how to find maps, newspapers, phonebooks, company magazines, yearbooks and more. Illinois has it all! Learn how to dig into these online resources and get to know your Illinois ancestors.

  Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is the Genealogy/Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library. She lectures nationally on military research, genealogical methodology, Scottish records, and archival preservation. She is a First Vice President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society and a board director for the Oswegoland Heritage Association.

  Tina volunteers her time with several local historical and genealogical societies scanning and indexing historic records. Occasionally, Tina finds time to research her own family tree, which she has been pursuing for over 30 years. A rabid baseball fan, Tina has visited 26 out of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and can’t wait to finish the last four.

  The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, including our collection of maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged. 

  For more information on the JGSI, visit our website. For more information about membership benefits, click here.

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• Mark your calendar for the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival on Sunday, June 8, 2025

  • When
    08 Jun 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    TBA
  • Spaces left
    300

  Planning is underway for the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025.

  The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois plans to be among the many Chicago-area Jewish community organizations to be represented at this Jewish community event. JGSI member volunteers will staff a table where we can share what we do and answer Jewish genealogical questions for festival attendees.  

  Further details about the festival will be forthcoming at: https://jewishfestival.org/

  
  

  
  

  
  

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