Genealogical research offers historical perspective on the musical ‘Chicago’ at Aug. 24 lecture in Northbrook

The Broadway musical and Hollywood movie “Chicago” was based on the stories of two real-life women by the name of Belva and Beulah. Just as in the show and movie, these women killed their lovers. By collecting standard genealogical documents, genealogist Mike Karsen pieces together their lives as well as puts their tales into context relating to Chicago history.

Mike Karsen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and is a past president of JGSI. He has given more than 300 talks on genealogy topics locally, nationally, and internationally, including at Newberry Library and the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. He currently is executive vice president of JGSI.

His talk, titled “The Real Story of the Musical ‘Chicago’ and Its Two Murderesses,” will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook. Karsen’s talk will also be available online via Zoom.

Register for this unique Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois hybrid meeting at jgsi.org/event-6225214.

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. for those who want to use genealogy library materials, including the collection of maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged.