Do you like to read eBooks, listen to eAudiobooks, or watch movies online? Then, you may already know that the library subscribes to various platforms that make online reading and viewing possible. Perhaps you have even used Hoopla? Many people associate Hoopla with online videos and streaming music, and it IS a great source for those! However, Hoopla also…
Why on earth would you want to focus your genealogical research on America? Is there really anything that could be gained by studying the United States and its history? Many times, when we think about our genealogy, we think about researching certain ethnicities or in other countries; however, American genealogy should not be overlooked, particularly…
Happy Immigrant Heritage Month! This special celebration “aims to honor and recognize the contributions and diverse cultures of immigrants to the country. The designation of Immigrant Heritage Month began in 2014, when former President Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation establishing June as National Immigrant Heritage Month.” Did you know that immigrants arrived to the…
Did you know that Libertyville has not always been Libertyville? That’s right! The town whose residents started the Cook Memorial Public Library District has been known by several other names. In the past, Vardin’s Grove, Independence Grove, and Burlington were all used in lieu of Libertyville. Also, one of these precursors (Burlington) briefly served as…
Do you have ancestors who served in the military at some point in history? If so, you may be able to find their service records, draft cards, and more online! These documents can help illumine information about their service, while bringing them to life with details about their physical appearance. Sometimes, you may be unsure…
Want to explore your Jewish roots? Then, there is no better time than May to identify Jewish heritage resources! To start, the library has quite a few Jewish genealogy books that can be helpful for beginning and continuing your research. These print resources are just a smattering of all that is available. You will also…
This is Preservation Week (April 28 – May 4)! Celebrated annually during the last week of April, this special day serves as a reminder to make sure that your genealogical research and family history documents, photos, records, etc. last for years to come! There are many ways that you can accomplish this, depending upon the…
Have you been searching for an elusive Irish ancestor? Are you a bit of a cartophile (lover of maps)? Then, perhaps you would have luck finding them using the surname maps of Ireland. There are several versions, each based upon different records and genealogical data, so depending upon when your ancestor emigrated from Ireland, you…
Do you have enslaved ancestors? Do you have a passion for cemeteries, their identification, and their ongoing preservation? Then, you may be interested in learning about a wonderful national cemetery network! As we know, cemeteries can be a great resource for genealogical research. Recently, NPR featured an article about a partnership between neighbors who were…
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and for genealogists, they certainly can be. Do you have old family photos stored in your attic or basement? Perhaps you have albums, boxes, or hard drives filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of photos. These are invaluable resources for genealogy! Have you taken time to…
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