Northwest Suburbs August Genealogical Events (and Most are Free)

Every month, the first week of the month, I list genealogical events being held in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for about the next six weeks.  Most events are free, but sometimes you will need to register in advance, especially sponsored by a public library.  If it is sponsored by a genealogy society, you probably will not need to register unless there is a fee (which is designated by the $).  Check the website listed for more information.

If you’d like individual help, the following public libraries’ websites state that you may make an appointment with a librarian or genealogy volunteer: Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect. On August 9, and September 14, at 3-4:30 PM, the Indian Trails Library, Wheeling has a genealogy question and answer session with the librarian. Due to their 2016 remodeling, starting in May, the meetings will be held at 70 W Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove.  The Palatine Public Library holds a group Thursday evenings at 7:00 on August 4 and September 1. The Bloomingdale Public Library has a similar group on the fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 PM. Check the library websites for more details.

If you know of any events that I have missed, please email me. I hope you see at an event you’d like to attend.

August 9 10:30 AM

Tips and Tricks for using Familysearch by Dan Niemiec

Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

August 11 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

August 15 1:00 PM

Finding Daddy by Susan Morrison Garland

Northbrook History Museum

http://nsgsil.org

August 15 7:00 PM

Finding Your Roots in Naturalization Records by Steve Szabados

Palatine Public Library

http://www.palatinelibrary.org/

August 17 by appointment

Swedish Genealogy Research Help by Kathy Meade

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

August 19 9:30 PM

Finding Your Ancestors Online

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

August 20 10:30 AM

Creating Your Family Newsletter by Janis Minor Forte

Schaumburg Township Public Library

http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/

August 27 10:00 AM

Tapping the Power of Familysearch by Maureen Brady

Arlington Heights Senior Center

http://www.nwsgenealogy.org/

September 7 1:00 PM

Genealogist’s Guide to Digitalized Books by Susan Mayer

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

September 8 7:00 PM

Central Europe is Easy–Merci Napoleon! by Jacquie Schattner

Naperville Municipal Center

http://www.ilfvgs.org

 September 10 1:00 PM

How Do I Use My DNA in My Genealogy Research by Caron Primas Brennan

Northbrook History Museum

http://nsgsil.org

Northwest Suburbs July Genealogical Events (Most Are Free)

Every month, the first week of the month, I list genealogical events being held in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for about the next six weeks.  Most events are free, but sometimes you will need to register in advance, especially sponsored by a public library.  If it is sponsored by a genealogy society, you probably will not need to register unless there is a fee (which is designated by the $).  Check the website listed for more information.

If you’d like individual help, the following public libraries’ websites state that you may make an appointment with a librarian or genealogy volunteer: Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect. On July 13, August 9, and September 14, at 3-4:30 PM, the Indian Trails Library, Wheeling has a genealogy question and answer session with the librarian. Due to their 2016 remodeling, starting in May, the meetings will be held at 70 W Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove.  The Palatine Public Library holds a group Thursday evenings at 7:00 on July 7 and August 4 and September 1. The Bloomingdale Public Library has a similar group on the fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 PM. Check the library websites for more details.

If you know of any events that I have missed, please email me. I hope you see an event you’d like to attend.

 

July 5, 12, 19 and 26

Stories of Family Heroes:  A Summer Podcast

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

July 12 7:00 PM

Using Ancestry.com Family Trees by Caron Primas Brennan

Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

 

July 12 7:00 PM

Catholic Church Records

Chamber Park Community Center 242 N. Wolf Rd, Wheeling (Indian Trails Library remodel)

http://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/

 

July 14 1:00 PM

Fold3 More Than Military Records

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

July 14 7:00 PM

Genealogy and the DAR

Palatine Public Library

http://www.palatinelibrary.org/

 

July 14 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

July 16 10:30 AM

Who Got the Family Album?  Digitalizing and Sharing Family Artifacts

Schaumburg Township Public Library

http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/

 

July 18 10:00 AM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

July 25 1:30 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

July 30 1:00 PM

Oral History and Your Family Story

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

August 9 10:30 AM

Tips and Tricks for using Familysearch by Dan Niemiec

Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

 

August 11 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

August 15 1:00 PM

Finding Daddy by Susan Morrison Garland

Northbrook History Museum

http://nsgsil.org

 

August 15 7:00 PM

Finding Your Roots in Naturalization Records by Steve Szabados

Palatine Public Library

http://www.palatinelibrary.org/

 

June Genealogy Events in Northwest Suburbs (Most are Free)

Every month, the first week of the month, I list genealogical events being held in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for about the next six weeks.  Most events are free, but sometimes you will need to register in advance, especially sponsored by a public library.  If it is sponsored by a genealogy society, you probably will not need to register unless there is a fee (which is designated by the $).  Check the website listed for more information.

If you’d like individual help, the following public libraries’ websites state that you may make an appointment with a librarian or genealogy volunteer: Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect. On June 8 and July 13, 3-4:30 PM, the Indian Trails Library, Wheeling has a genealogy question and answer session with the librarian. Due to their 2016 remodeling, starting in May, the meetings will be held at 70 W Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove.  The Palatine Public Library holds a group Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. The Bloomingdale Public Library has a similar group on the fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 PM.    Check the library websites for more details.

If you know of any events that I have missed, please email me. I hope you see an event you’d like to attend.

 

June 5 3:00 PM

Central Europe is Easy – Merci Napoleon!  by Jacquie Schattner

Genealogical Forum of Elmhurst

Elmhurst.genealogy@YAHOO.com
 

June 8 9:30 AM

Finding Your Ancestors Online

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar
 

June 8 7:00 PM

Uncle Jake’s Farm: Federal Land A-Z

Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook

ddudek@fountaindale.org or

https://fountaindalegenealogy.wordpress.com/
 

June 9 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar
 

June 11 1:00 PM

Researching Colonial American Ancestors by Jane Haldeman

Northbrook History Museum

http://nsgsil.org
 

June 15 7:00 PM

Genealogy - Where Do I Look? by Jacquie Schattner

Prospect High School $

http://ce.d214.org/adult_classes/
 

June 15 Appointments

Swedish Genealogy Research Help by Kathy Meade

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar
 

June 18  All day event

Geneaquest 2016 (Multiple speakers)

1016 American Lane, Schaumburg

http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/
 

June 21 7:00 PM

Victorian Mourning Customs

Chamber Park Church 242 N. Wolf Rd, Wheeling (Due to Indian Trails Library remodel)

http://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/
 

July 12 7:00 PM

Using Ancestry.com Family Trees by Caron Primas Brennan

Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/
 

July 12 7:00 PM

Catholic Church Records

Chamber Park Church 242 N. Wolf Rd, Wheeling (Due to Indian Trails Library remodel)

http://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/

 

May Genealogy Events in Northwest Suburbs (Most are Free)

May 7 10:00 AM
Researching the Wisconsin Historical Society Library by George Findlen
Arlington Heights Senior Center
http://www.nwsgenealogy.org/

May 7 9:30 AM-4 PM

Genealogy Day
Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook
https://fountaindalegenealogy.wordpress.com/

May 10 7:00 PM

Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors by Tina Beaird
Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg
https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

May 12 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

May 14 1:00 PM

Navigating the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Archives by Raymond Johnson
Northbrook History Museum
http://nsgsil.org

May 17 7:00 PM

Polish Genealogy Research
Algonquin Area Public Library District
http://www.aapld.org/

May 18 1:00 PM

Genealogists Who Pin
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

May 19 7:00 PM

Going Beyond the Begats: Writing Your Family History with Details
Chamber Park Church 242 N. Wolf Rd, Wheeling (Due to Indian Trails Library remodel)
http://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/

May 21 10:30 AM

Find A Grave by Robert Allen
Schaumburg Township Public Library
http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/

May 24 7:00 PM

Fold3 In-Depth
Helen Plum Library, Lombard
http://www.helenplum.org/

June 5 3:00 PM

Central Europe is Easy – Merci Napoleon!  by Jacquie Schattner
Genealogical Forum of Elmhurst
Elmhurst.genealogy@YAHOO.com

June 8 9:30 AM

Finding Your Ancestors Online
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

June 8 7:00 PM

Uncle Jake’s Farm: Federal Land A-Z
Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook
ddudek@fountaindale.org or
https://fountaindalegenealogy.wordpress.com/

June 9 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs April Genealogical Events (Most are Free)

Every month, the first week of the month, I list genealogical events being held in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for about the next six weeks.  Most events are free, but sometimes you will need to register in advance, especially sponsored by a public library.  If it is sponsored by a genealogy society, you probably will not need to register unless there is a fee (which is designated by the $).  Check the website listed for more information.

If you’d like individual help, the following public libraries’ websites state that you may make an appointment with a librarian or genealogy volunteer: Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect. On May 11, June 8 and July 13, 3-4:30 PM, the Indian Trails Library, Wheeling has a genealogy question and answer session with the librarian. Due to their 2016 remodeling, starting in May, the meetings will be held at 70 W Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove.  The Palatine Public Library holds a group Thursday evenings at 7:00 on April 7. The Bloomingdale Public Library has a similar group on the fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 PM.    Check the library websites for more details.

If you know of any events that I have missed, please email me. I hope you see an event you’d like to attend.

 

April 2 10:00 AM

Get the Scoop: Interviewing by Diane Dassow

Arlington Heights Senior Center

http://www.nwsgenealogy.org/

 

April 3 3:00 PM

Digging Deeper into Probate Records by Grace Dumelle

Genealogical Forum of Elmhurst

Elmhurst.genealogy@YAHOO.com

 

April 4 7:00 PM

Overseas Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Prospect High School $

http://ce.d214.org/adult_classes/

 

April 9 1:00 PM

Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors by Tina Beaird

Northbrook History Museum

http://nsgsil.org

 

April 12 7:00 PM

What’s the Buzz about BillionGraves by Debra Dudek

Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

 

April 13 7:00 PM

Top Ten Genealogy Tips by Jacquie Schattner

Sun City Genealogy Club – Huntley

http://www.sccah.com/?page=CC018

 

April 14 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

April 15 9:30 AM

Finding Your Ancestors Online

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

April 16 10:30 AM

Mapping It: A DIY Tutorial by Sarah A.V. Kirby

Schaumburg Township Public Library

http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/

 

April 18 6:30 PM

Using Family Search

Palatine Public Library

http://www.palatinelibrary.org/

 

April 20 7:00 PM

Overseas Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Barrington Area Library

balibrary.org

 

April 30 1:00 PM

The Many Languages of Genealogy

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

May 7 10:00 AM

Researching the Wisconsin Historical Society Library by George Findlen

Arlington Heights Senior Center

http://www.nwsgenealogy.org/

 

May 10 7:00 PM

Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors by Tina Beaird

Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

https://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

 

May 12 7:00 PM

Beginning Genealogy by Jacquie Schattner

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

May 18 1:00 PM

Genealogists Who Pin

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

http://www.ahml.info/ and go to the events calendar

 

Unwed Mothers - Surprise!

Probably the biggest genealogical surprise for me, was the discovery of many un-wed mothers throughout all of the generations.  Being a Baby Boomer myself, I saw the creation of the first birth control pill, signaling the beginning of the “Sexual Revolution”, Previous generations led us to believe they had “refrained until marriage.”  There had been a few “mistakes”, but those were relatively rare.

Wow!  Through family research, I found that this was just not the case.  The old saying that the first baby doesn’t necessarily take nine months, is true.  While I am not going to make a list of these children, or their mothers, you too might have already located this type of information. 

However, the example that shocked me, and may never be explained is in the story of Julie Ernestine Louise Ambellan, my husband’s gr-grandmother. In her US records, Ernestine always listed herself as a widow with the married name of Ambellan.  Her immigration records, census records and her death record list her as a widow. Even the 1913 Buffalo City Directory has her listed as the widow of Frederick Ambellan. For 20 years, I did not know her maiden name.  The family story was that their father was in the military and away at war, and not really around the family, so they did not know him well.

I first noticed that when five of her children who were born in Hardenbeck, Brandenburg, Germany between 1870-1886 registered to marry in Buffalo, New York, they listed various names for their parents. (Marie married in New York City, so I do not have her information.) 

Emilie listed Frederick and Ernestine Ambellan (no maiden name)

Bertha listed Frederick Ambellan and Ernestina Keppel
Herman listed Herman Ambellan and Ernestine Koppen
Anna listed unknown father and Ernestine Ambellan
Helen listed unknown father and Ernestine Ambellan

How could these children not know the name of their father and mother correctly?  Even if he was away in the military, I was surprised that they did not know even his name.

When the Hardenbeck records became available there was clarification and a surprise.

Ernestine’s children’s baptism records of show that she never married the father of her children.  Ambellan is her maiden name!

Each record for five of her six children, (unable to find Marie's) states that Ernestine's father, Johann Friedrich Ambellan came to the church to deliver the news that his unmarried daughter, Ernestine, had delivered a(nother) child.  This must have been very difficult for her father. 

In the late 1800's, being an unwed mother was not uncommon. In this case, there are several possibilities.  It may have been the same father. Many times, couples did not marry until the father completed his military commitment and the couple had enough money to pay a tax that was needed to marry.  OR, perhaps there were different fathers. (Sadly, there could be 6 different men.) 

However, the surname Koeppen frequently appears in Hardenbeck records during that time period.    (Koeppel not at all).  A man with surname Koeppen probably did father one or more of the children.  I do not have pictures of all of Ernestine’s children, so have not been able to see if there are resemblances.  DNA?  Nothing yet.  This mystery may never be solved. 

 .