Genealogical research provides historical perspective on the musical 'Chicago' for the Nov. 16, 2025, JGSI hybrid meeting lecture

The Broadway musical and Hollywood movie "Chicago"  was based on the stories of two real-life women by the name of Belva and Beulah. Just as in the show and movie, these women killed their lovers. By collecting standard genealogical documents, Mike Karsen pieces together their lives as well as puts their tales into context relating to Chicago history.

Mike Karsen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG), and is a past president of JGSI. He has given more than 300 talks on genealogy topics locally, nationally, and internationally, including at Newberry Library and the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. He currently is executive vice president of JGSI.

His talk, titled "The Real Story of the Musical 'Chicago' and Its Two Murderesses,"  will begin at 2 p.m. CST via Zoom and at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois. Mike will be speaking in person at Temple Beth-El, but his talk will also be available online via Zoom.

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. CST 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. CST.

A registration/RSVP link will be available here in the future.

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