Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (April 17 at 10 am - May 4 at 4 pm): $25 per session; $150 for all eight sessions
Regular Registration Price (May 4 at 4 pm - first day of class): $27.5 per session; $165 for all eight sessions

Click here to register for ALL sessions

Scroll down to register for individual sessions.

Seminar Description

Sometimes 60 minutes of instruction on a focused topic can help you push through a particular question or task in your genealogical research project. Take all eight sessions, or simply those that most appeal to you.

Session 1: Newspaper Records Group with Caron Primas Brennan
June 23, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Learn how using old newspapers can add to your genealogy research and be an alternate source of family information.

Session 1 is full. Please call (312) 255-3700 to be added to the wait list.

Session 2: FamilySearch Primer with Caron Primas Brennan
June 23, 11 am - noon
A review of the free FamilySearch.org website and its Family Tree capability.

Session 2 is full. Please call (312) 255-3700 to be added to the wait list.

Session 3: Probate and Inquest Records Group with Grace Dumelle
June 23, 1 - 2 pm
Get a more complete picture of who and what your ancestors left behind with inventories and other court records. Investigate accidental/criminal death with inquest records.

Click here to register for Session 3

Session 4: Gems of Polish Genealogy at the Newberry Library with Grace Dumelle
June 23, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Locate ancestral towns and problem-solve using ethnic society records, city directories/histories and European geographic sources, all at the Newberry.

Click here to register for Session 4

Session 5: Census Records Group with Marsha Peterson-Maass
July 14, 9:30 - 10:30 am
This session will look at many forms of the U.S. Census (found at the Newberry and online). We will cover the information found within the Census itself, tools for using the Census, and accredited analysis techniques. You’ll also receive tips and advice on how to find elusive ancestors so you’ll never say, “I guess the Census taker missed them” again.

Session 5 is full. Please call (312) 255-3700 to be added to the wait list.

Session 6: Ten Presentation Ideas with Marsha Peterson-Maass
July 14, 11 am - noon
Is it time to put your research into a presentation, but you’re not sure what to do? In this session we will look at a variety of examples like displaying a wall family tree, creating a scrapbook, video, or Facebook album, writing a quick and easy life story, and more!

Online registration for Session 6 is closed, but you can still register by phone. Please call (312) 255-3700 to do so.

Session 7: Finding and Using Digital Books with Ginger Frere
July 14, 1 - 2 pm
Digital books are everywhere – there are millions of them! This session will demonstrate techniques for finding and searching digital book collections for material relevant to your research.

Click here to register for Session 7

Session 8: Local Histories and Directories Records Group with Ginger Frere
July 14, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Local histories and directories can answer myriad questions. They can provide a fascinating glimpse into the times and places where your ancestors lived.

Click here to register for Session 8

Caron Primas Brennan is a frequent speaker at local libraries and genealogical societies, a blogger, and a researcher for herself and others.

Grace Dumelle is a professional researcher and speaks throughout the Midwest. She wrote the award-winning Finding Your Chicago Ancestors.

Ginger Frere, MLIS is a professional researcher and lecturer specializing in genealogy and local history. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is author of the Fundamentals of Genealogy® textbook series and Valor Research Director for Purple Hearts Reunited. She has taught numerous seminars at Newberry since 2003

Materials List

Required:

• There are no required materials for any of the 60 Minutes sessions.

First Readings:

• There is no reading assignment for the first class.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.