Event—Adult Education

African American Genealogy

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Using the Newberry’s collections as a starting point, this class will provide an introduction to African American genealogy research.

Pullman Company Employee Service Card for Chamberlain Johnson, 1936. Call number: Pullman 06-02-03 Bx. 216

Class Description

Not sure where you should begin with researching your genealogy? In this introductory class, discover your family’s journey by creating a solid foundation, working from the known to the unknown. This session will cover oral history, interviewing techniques, and a virtual guided tour of Ancestry’s Library Edition and FamilySearch.

Anita Boyd is former Webinar Chair of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, former Member Chair of the Fox Valley Genealogical Society, and former Website Content Manager of the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago. In 2006, she became hooked on genealogy when she discovered the family secret: her grandfather’s grandmother’s family were once enslaved by her grandfather’s grandfather’s family. When she is not researching her Boyd Family, she researches the in-laws or friends' brick walls and is currently obsessed with the Abolitionist Movement.

Materials List

No required materials or first reading.

Cost and Registration

One session, $100 ($90 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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Call us at (312) 255-3700 or send us an email.

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