Volume XXXV, Number 9 Contact Us: newsletter@mcigs.org September 2017

The Illinois and Michigan Canal was built in 1848 and stretched approximately 100 miles from LaSalle to Chicago. Canal boats were used to transfer people, goods and more between the two points. From LaSalle, steamboats were able to travel farther along the Illinois River and on to the Mississippi River to transport products. “Passage to Chicago” chronicles a family-run boat on its journey from LaSalle to Chicago, showing things the boat’s passengers would have seen day to day. Tom Willcockson was raised in St. Louis, grew up loving history and cartography. Tom was drawing sketching maps by the time he was in high school. Tom attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., where he studied history. After meeting his wife, Terry, in Minnesota, the two moved to Chicago, where he began work at the Newberry Library. The couple eventually landed in Woodstock in the 1990s, where Tom Willcockson started his own business, Mapcraft.

PASSAGE TO CHICAGO: A JOURNEY ON THE ILLINOIS & MICHIGAN

CANAL IN THE YEAR 1860

Tom Willcockson

September 14, 2017 @ 7:00pm

Point Outreach Center, Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL

On June 25th, FamilySearch announced its intention to discontinue the 80-year-old microfilm distribution service. FamilySearch explained the reason for this being the progress made in scanning or digitalization of films. As such, the last day to order microfilm is September 7, 2017. Through this transition, FamilySearch anticipates that it will be able to service more people based on freeing up resources from managing the films. From a business perspective, the transition is logical given that the cost of a blank roll of film sent to a FHC is $85 not including the $7.50 for postage paid by the requestor. For now, films currently on loan may remain. Additionally, current loans can be converted to “extended time” negating the need to return the films. FamilySearch has targeted to have all records digitized and uploaded by December 2020. However, there are a multitude of questions being raised over the announcement. This is particularly the case seeing that only approximately 62.5% of films have been scanned. Some organizations and family history centers have identified the impact this has had on the genealogical community and have stepped up to help. One such organization is the Wilmette FHC who is committing to their patrons to establish and maintain a microfilm library of Chicagoland. The Wilmette FHC is looking to maintain the current films and order as much additional film as possible prior to September 1, 2017. The Wilmette FHC is looking for donors to help with this cause which will also allow the library to update the current film readers and printers. MCIGS recognizes the value of this important work and has donated $750 towards these efforts. If you would also like to make a contribution, please make all checks payable to “Wilmette Illinois Stake”. Please send all checks to:

Family History Center 1133 Hunter Road

Wilmette, IL 60091

Sep 5, 2017 EGS – Telling Our Stories at Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL, 9:30am – 11am. For more information, visit http://www.elginroots.com. Sep 8, 2017 CAPL – GIG After-Hours: Fold3 at Cary Area Public Library, Cary, IL, 5pm – 8pm. For more information, visit http://www.caryarealibrary.org. Sep 9, 2017 NSGS – So, You’ve Found Your German Town of Origin. Now What? at Glenview Public Library, Glenview, IL, 1pm – 2:30pm. For more information, visit http://nsgsil.org/. Sep 12, 2017 ITPL – The Man who was (NOT) John Philip Sousa: Lessons Learned in German Genealogy at Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling, IL, 7pm – 8:30pm. For more information, visit http://www.indiantrailslibrary.org. Sep 14, 2017 MCIGS – Passage to Chicago: Traveling the Illinois & Michigan Canal at The Pointe, Crystal Lake, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Sep 16, 2017 CAGGNI – Hunting for Henry: A Case Study Using Collaterals at Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.caggni.org. Sep 16, 2017 ZGS – It is Well with My Soul Webinar at 9:30am. For more information, visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilzgs/. Sep 20, 2017 DCGS – European Immigrants at DuPage County Historical Museum, Wheaton, IL, 630pm. For more information, visit http://www.dcgs.org. Sep 27, 2017 CAPL – RootsMagic User Group at Cary Public Library, Cary, IL, 7pm – 8:30pm. For more information, visit http://www.caryarealibrary.org.

Upcoming Events Events

MCIGS Supports Continued Access to Microfiche at FHL

September 2017 McHenry County IL Genealogical Society

Oct 3, 2017 EGS – TryIt Illinois & HeritageQuest at the Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL, 9:30 am. For more information, visit http://www.elginroots.com. Oct 7, 2017 NSGS – Ireland’s Griffith’s Valuation at Arlington Heights Senior Center, Arlington Heights, IL, 10am. For more information, visit http://www.nsgsil.org. Oct 7, 2017 T&C – Accessing German Records at Town & Country Public Library, Elburn, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.elburn.lib.us/. Oct 9, 2017 MCIGS – DNA Genealogy Interest Group at Cary Public Library, Cary, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Oct 12, 2017 MCIGS – Before the Funeral Home and the Cemetery at The Pointe, Crystal Lake, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Nov 9, 2017 MCIGS – Genealogy Roadshow Story, White Like Her at The Pointe, Crystal Lake, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Nov 29, 2017 MCIGS – Where’s The Book w/ My Family In It featuring Drew Smith in online webinar For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Dec 14, 2017 MCIGS – Holiday Dinner at TBD, Crystal Lake, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Mar 15, 2018 MCIGS – Ancestry.com Library Edition at The Pointe, Crystal Lake, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com. Apr 19, 2018 MCIGS – Gen202: Beyond The Basics at The Pointe, Crystal Lake, IL, 7pm. For more information, visit http://www.mcigs.com.

September 2017 McHenry County IL Genealogical Society

Upcoming Events

MyHeritage Acquires Millenia Corporation

MyHeritage has completed its ninth acquisition by acquiring Millenia Software. Millenia Software is most notably known for being the makers of Legacy Family Tree and distributors of genealogy webinars. Another business that Millenia is known for is their cruises. In 2004, Millenia started doing Legacy Family Tree cruises. While MyHeritage has promised that there will be a 2017 cruise, the future is unclear as to whether future cruises will take place.

News Bytes Events

FamilySearch Releases New Indexing Tool

In January 2017, FamilySearch released a list of 6 things to watch for from FamilySearch in 2017. Number four (4) on the list was the availability of new indexing tools. The new indexing tool no longer requires software to be downloaded and installed. You can access the new indexing tool at: https://www.familysearch.com/indexing (login required)

The Demise of CDs and DVDs In his July 31 blog entry, Dick Eastman of Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter emphasized the importance of keeping disks for software you may have recently purchased as it may be difficult to obtain a copy of that same disk in the future. What is becoming equally as difficult is finding new computers, desktop or laptop, which include a CD or DVD player. Most software is being distributed electronically or online. You can read the full article at: https://blog.eogn.com/2017/07/31/the-demise-of-cds-and-dvds

September 2017 McHenry County IL Genealogical Society

Many of you that attended our August meeting at The Pointe may have noticed the small camera (above) on a tripod. This technology, manufactured by Livestream, allows people and organization to record or stream content live at a relatively small cost. MCIGS will seek approval from all future speakers to record their presentations and place the recordings in the ‘members only’ area of the website. We look forward to bringing this benefit to all MCIGS members. This solution is being provided based on requests and feedback. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to bringing you new services in the future.

MCIGS Leverages New Technology to Bring

Monthly General Meetings to Your Doorstep

Following the MCIGS Summer Conference, MCIGS launched the webinar series. The intent is to bring quality genealogy speakers and content for those that are not local and/or may be unable to attend our monthly meetings at The Pointe a means to expand their genealogy knowledge. We were very fortunate to have Thomas MacEntee as our first webinar presenter. We are equally as fortunate to have Drew Smith of The Genealogy Guys Podcast and Genealogy Connection for our next webinar on Wednesday, November 29th at 7pm. For additional information or to register for the event, please go to http://www.mcigs.org/calendar.html.

MCIGS Continues Webinar Series with Drew Smith of

the Genealogy Guys Podcast and Genealogy

Connection

The Zion Genealogical Society and

Zion Benton Public Library

will be hosting this event.

Attendance is FREE however, registration is required. Register at www.zblibrary.info or 847-872-4680

Location is:

Zion-Benton Public Library 2400 Gabriel Ave Zion, IL 60099

9:30 am & 11:00 am

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL:

Finding Ancestors Amid the Rubble Of Disaster and Misfortune and

MAKE COLLATERAL SEARCHES PAY OFF

Webinar Hosted By Thomas MacEntee

While you may think you’ve hit a brick wall with your research, have you tried using cluster and collateral search strategies to look for an opening? Researching non-direct relations as well as those friends and neighbors in

your ancestors’ network can pay off in ways you might not imagine

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Workshop program

8:00 am Registration and browsing. Coffee and doughnuts will be available for purchase.

9:00 am Passenger Arrival Records, Colonial Times to Mid-20th Century John Philip CollettaThis lecture begins with a discussion of sources for discovering the arrival time and place—and perhaps the ship—of an immigrant to colonial America, exploring U.S. passenger arrival records, especially 1820-1957, available on microfilm and the Internet. Explaining step-by-step how to conduct that search, specific examples illustrate how to use Web sites, National Archives microfilmed indexes, book indexes, and other research tools.

10:30 am 2A: U.S. Military Pension and Bounty Land Records, 1776-ca. 1916 John Philip CollettaMilitary pension and bounty land files in the National Archives differ from military service records. You need certain information to initiate a search for an ancestor’s file, using a variety of websites, National Archives indexes and other finding tools, and a step-by-step procedure for locating, identifying and retrieving a particular file. Two cases, Revolutionary War and War of 1812, illustrate the process.

2B: O Canada! A Model for Genealogists Michelle Bray WilsonThe tools available to the French-Canadian researcher are second to none. Learn how to uncover vast swaths of forebears in a single afternoon. In addition to the French, we’ll also touch on Canadian history, British Canada and military Canada.

1:00 pm 3A: U.S. Military Service Records, 1775-ca. 1916 John Philip CollettaThis lecture explains how the service records are housed in the National Archives. Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War case studies demonstrate the step-by-step procedure for locating, identifying and retrieving specific records. Finding aids include resources in state archives, key Internet sites, National Archives indexes, and published guides.

3B: ‘C G A T’ - Four Little Letters: Understanding DNA Michelle Bray WilsonA clear understanding of the available DNA tests, how they work and what they can tell you is essential to the optimal deployment of your DNA dollar. Gain a firm understanding of what DNA can do for you, what tests to take, and how to begin your analysis.

2:30 pm 4A: Only a Few Bones: Case Studies in Assembling Sources to Reconstruct Real-Life Events John Philip Colletta

The biographical facts we discover about our ancestors did not happen in a vacuum. To reconstruct their lives, therefore, the facts we discover about them must be “situated” in the proper historical context. Three 19th-century case studies demonstrate how to use multiple sources to assemble vivid accounts of ancestral events and generate biographies that portray individualized ancestors.

4B: After You Swab: Getting the Most From Your DNA Test Michelle Bray WilsonGo beyond the ethnicity pie chart by incorporating the simple Good Practices that can immediately boost your experience. Learn about the methodologies, company-provided tools and third-party tools that can help you authenticate your paper trail, uncover unknown parentage, and generally advance your genealogy efforts.

Space may be limited in some sessions.There is a 30-minute break between the 1st and 2nd sessions and the 3rd and 4th sessions.

For further information, visit our website at www.rootsweb.com/~illcgsor find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-IL-Genealogical-Society/284057881619229 W

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Lake County (IL) Genealogical Society

25th Annual Genealogical Workshop

The Rank and File:

Seeking Our Military

AncestorsSaturday, Nov. 11, 2017

Hosted by the Lake Villa Township West Campus

37850 N. Ill. Rt. 59 Lake Villa, IL 60046

Registration/Browsing: 8 a.m.Programs: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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About the SpeakersJohn Philip Colletta, Ph.D., is one of America’s most popular genealogical lecturers. Knowledgeable, ex-perienced and entertaining, he resides in Washington, D.C. For 20 years, while laying the foundation for his ca-reer in genealogy, he worked half-time at the Library of Congress and taught workshops at the National Archives. Today Dr. Colletta lectures nationally, teaches at local schools, and conducts programs for the Smithsonian Institution’s Resident Associate Program. He is a faculty member of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (University of Georgia, Athens) and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. He has also taught for Boston University’s Certificate in Family History program and three genealogy insti-tutes where he created courses: the National Institute on Genealogical Research (Washington, DC), the Genea-logical Institute of Texas (Dallas), and the Genealogical Institute of Mid-America (Springfield, Ill.). His publications include numerous articles, both scholarly and popular, two manuals — They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Arrival Record and Finding Italian Roots: The Complete Guide for Americans — and one “murder-mystery-family-history,” Only a Few Bones: A True Account of the Rolling Fork Tragedy and Its Aftermath. Dr. Colletta appears frequently on podcasts and local and national radio and television. He is featured in Episode Four of “Ancestors,” the ten-part KBYU-TV series, as well as its sequel. He has received many profes-sional honors, including fellowship in the Utah Genealogical Association and distinguished service awards from the Dallas Genealogical Society and the National Society, Daughters of Colonial Founders and Patriots.

Michelle Bray Wilson has been active in the genealogy community for 10 years, lecturing throughout the Midwest on DNA, French Canadians, and other topics. An engineer by training, Michelle’s DNA expertise comes largely through self-study. Her goal in presentations is to make complex topics plainly understood.

About the Workshop and NEW LocationThe Lake Villa Township West Campus (formerly Gavin North School) houses the Lake Villa Township Assessor’s Office and Community Center and is located at 37850 N. Illinois Route 59, Lake Villa, a quarter-mile south of the Ill. Rt. 132 intersection, on the west side of the street.

Directions:

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SECOND YEAR AT NEW LOCATION!

-Lunch is not guaranteed for those who register after Nov. 1 or at the door.-Books, maps and other genealogical reference materials and supplies will be available for purchase from exhibitors.

-Great Raffle prizes will include AncestryDNA and FamilyTreeDNA kits.-A Silent Auction will be held during the workshop.

From the I-94 Tollway: Take Exit 8-A, Grand Ave. West (IL Route 132). Drive 10 miles west to Route 59. Turn left at the light; drive about 1/8 mile, past the church driveway; turn right into the school driveway.

From the northwest, take Route 12 south to the stoplight at East Grand Avenue. Turn left and continue over the railroad tracks, through Fox Lake, past Grant High School to the stoplight at Route 59. Turn left on Route 59 and continue about 2.5 miles to the facility on your left.

From the southwest, take Route 12 northbound towards Fox Lake. Before coming to Fox Lake, take the Route 59 exit, to the right. Head north on Route 59, until you see the building, about 2.5 to 3 miles ahead, on your left.

From the southeast, go to Route 120, (Belvidere Road), westbound. Take Route 120 west to the stop light at Wilson Road, turn right (north). Stay on Wilson Road until you reach the light at Route 59 (St. Bede’s Catholic Church will be on your right). Turn right onto northbound Route 59. The entrance to the building will be about 1.5 miles ahead on your left.