Society marks anniversary with genealogical conference
Some people want to crawl into a hole when they reach the big 4-0.
To mark its 40th birthday, the Illinois State Genealogical Society had a celebration and conference that drew more than 260 people to Elgin on Saturday.
Two of them were Pam and Tom Fattore of New Lenox. About 25 years ago, Pam began researching her ancestors on her mother's side.
She has more time now because her kids are in college. At the conference she learned more about how to find information and document it.
"It's something that's been collecting dust in the closet and I pulled it out," Pam Fattore said. "(The conference) helps re-enthuse you if you're getting sluggish. It pumps you up."
Carole McCarty, president of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, said one reminder stressed in some of the day's seminars is that even though access records have been greatly improved through computers, researchers must verify everything.
"Everything on the Internet is not always accurate. It still needs to be proven," McCarty said. "You need to be vigilant about sources. The name of the game for genealogists is source your information."
The conference drew exhibitors from across the state and suburbs.
The McHenry County Genealogical Society was selling binders filled with records on births, marriages, deaths and who was buried at which cemetery.
"Believe it or not, there comes a time in a person's life when they want to know where their great grandparents lived and what they did with their lives," said Kathy Park, the group's former president.
John Weck, president of the Illinois State Historical Society, said his group is looking to become more active.
Weck said people are still interested in history, and they prefer to visit historic sites rather than learn about them from a class.
"History defines who we are. It's about knowing who you are, where you came from and hopefully where you're going," he said. "Americans do care about history. Public history is becoming critically important."
For more information about the genealogical society, visit rootsweb.com/~ilsgs.