Learn about Sanborn maps at genealogy meeting Thursday

The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in the first-floor meeting rooms of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.

The evening program will be a prerecorded webinar by Lisa Louise Cook on Sanborn maps.

The Sanborn Map Company published maps from 1867 to 1970 to evaluate fire insurance liability in urban areas and is a great resource for understanding what your ancestor's neighborhood was like. These detailed streets plans show about four to six city blocks on each sheet. You'll learn ways to use these undervalued genealogy resources and where to find them.

Lisa Louise Cooke owns "Genealogy Gems" and hosts "The Genealogy Gems" podcast. She is an author, video producer, speaker and regular contributor to Family Tree Magazine.

The Elgin Genealogical Society evening meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Gail Borden Public Library. All meetings are open to the public. For information, visit www.elginroots.com.