Conference Topics
The First Frontiersmen: The Scots-Irish
Some refer to them as Ulster Scots, others as Scots-Irish. Whatever their name, they are the U.S. descendants of those who were "planted" in the Ulster province of Ireland in the 17th century and subsequently immigrated to the American frontier. Their famous sons included Daniel Boone and Andrew Jackson, and we see their cultural influence in square dancing and country music. This presentation will review the history of the Scots-Irish and suggest resources for researching their family histories.
Illinois Research
Family History Research in Illinois & Wisconsin
The families which came to Illinois and Wisconsin came from varied ethnic backgrounds and created a varied landscape of urban and rural environments. The records which were created by, and about, them reflect that variety, both in type and availability. This presentation will first examine the similarities between Illinois and Wisconsin family history resources, and then look at the unique records of each state, including ethnic, religious and governmental archives and repositories. The discussion will also include a brief review of the history of this part of the "Old Northwest", and how that history has impacted the records which were created.
Analyzing Your Research
The gates to many research "brick walls" may often be opened by a thorough analysis of the records. Using examples of typical research documents, this presentation will demonstrate how clues for further research are often found "between the lines".
Quhat's In a Nayme?
The spelling of individual and family names was often "on the ear of the listener" and was not standardized until well into the 20th century. This presentation will look at the history of names, various naming patterns and research strategies for locating the "right" spelling of a name in various types of records.
