Cost and Registration Information

Take this whole four-part series on the building blocks of genealogy or just the individual sessions that appeal to you.

Early Registration Price (May 7 at 9 am** – May 24 at 4 pm): $85 per session; $200 for all four sessions
Regular Registration Price (May 24 at 4 pm – first day of class): $93.50 per session; $220 for all four sessions

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

All sessions are full. Please call (312) 255-3700 to be added to the wait list.

Scroll down to see listings for individual sessions.

Seminar Description

Take this whole four-part series on the building blocks of genealogy or just the individual sessions that appeal to you.

Session 1: Genealogy Unplugged: Finding Non-Digitized Resources
Saturday, 9 am – noon
July 13

Session 1 is full. Please call (312) 255-3700 if you would like to be added on the waitlist.

Go beyond online research and learn how you can use libraries and archival repositories to find more about your ancestors. This session will focus on the importance of using non-digitized materials, the holdings of various archives and repositories, and the unique resources they have. Find out why local libraries are often one of the best (and often overlooked) sources for genealogical information.

Ginger Frere, MLIS, is a professional researcher and lecturer specializing in genealogy and local history.

Session 2: Uniquely Newberry: Hands-On Records Group 1
Saturday, 1 – 4 pm
July 13

Session 2 is full. Call (312) 255-3700 if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

Not sure where to begin researching in Newberry's vast genealogical collections? Want a firm grounding in genealogical record groups? Need a tour of the Newberry’s genealogical resources and "hands on" case examples to teach you how to prep at home so that you can research onsite at the Newberry successfully? This class is what you've been waiting for! Records Group 1 will consist of census, ethnic, immigration and naturalization, land, maps and vital records.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is author of the Fundamentals of Genealogy® textbook series. She has taught many seminars at Newberry since 2003.

Materials List

Recommended:

You can purchase the following two recommended textbooks as below. Instructor will also make them available to use in the classroom whether you choose to purchase them or not.

• Marsha Peterson Maass, Fundamentals of Genealogy®: Basics for Everyone. ISBN: 978-0578184166
• Marsha Peterson Maass, Fundamentals of Genealogy®: The Most Helpful Tools You’ve Never Used. ISBN: 978-0578184173

Session 3: Uniquely Newberry: Hands On Records Group 2
Saturday, 9 am – noon
July 20

Session 3 is full. Call (312) 255-3700 if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

Not sure where to begin researching in Newberry's vast genealogical collections? Want a firm grounding in genealogical record groups? Need a tour of the Newberry’s genealogical resources and "hands on" case examples to teach you how to prep at home so that you can research onsite at the Newberry successfully? This class is what you've been waiting for! Records Group 2 will consist of local histories and directories, military, newspaper, tax and wills and probate records.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is author of the Fundamentals of Genealogy® textbook series. She has taught many seminars at Newberry since 2003.

Materials List

Recommended:

You can purchase the following two recommended textbooks as below. Instructor will also make them available to use in the classroom whether you choose to purchase them or not.

• Marsha Peterson Maass, Fundamentals of Genealogy®: Basics for Everyone. ISBN: 978-0578184166
• Marsha Peterson Maass, Fundamentals of Genealogy®: The Most Helpful Tools You’ve Never Used. ISBN: 978-0578184173

Session 4: Online Resources for Genealogical Research
Saturday, 1 – 4 pm
July 20

Session 4 is full. Call (312) 255-3700 if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

This course will review and compare the largest online genealogical databases: Ancestry, FamiySearch.org, MyHeritage, and Find My Past, looking at their strengths and ways to use them effectively. It will also review the electronic resources available through the Newberry: American Ancestors, Ancestry.com, Fold3, Gen-line, and HeritageQuest Online. As time permits we will then look at other little known but helpful resources available through Newberry and the Internet including Internet Archive, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, and Chicago Ancestors.

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

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