Saturday, 17 May 2025 Meeting, 10 AM CDT

Meeting will be a hybrid meeting. To join the Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87562594445?pwd=5qptQhEdYVjMkS2qBxoHLc9KgMabr7.1

Join us at Community Church of Richmond, 5714 Broadway St, Richmond, IL

Please note our new email: bigwillgenealogy@yahoo.com

"Railroad Records for Genealogists" to be presented by Craig Pfannkuche. Craig has been researching his own family's history with good success. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. His master’s thesis dealt with the history of central Lee County, Illinois. A resident of McHenry County for most of his life, he is a happily retired high school American history instructor. He maintains his interest in American history, both national and local, and is  the archivist for the Chicago and North Western Railroad Historical Society and the Corresponding Secretary of the Chicago Genealogical Society.

Railroad companies were meticulous record keepers. Substantial amounts of family history data were collected by the numerous railroad companies which spun their web of rails across the nation. These records cover work done by millions of working men and women, in every position and rank, even up to the present day. Much of this material survives and is a potential treasure of family history data to researchers. Craig Pfannkuche, Genealogical Archivist for the Chicago, and Northwestern Railroad Historical Society will discuss the type of such records which exist, how they meet genealogical research needs and how to access them by using the archives of the Chicago and North Western Historical Society as an example. Today these records are in the Railroad Museum in Union.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

In person at the Richmond Community Church, 5714 Broadway, Richmond, IL 60071; and virtually via ZOOM.  The presentation will begin at 10 AM, with a short business meeting after the presentation.

July 12, 2025 - Join us at Northern Illinois Regional Genealogical Societies Summer Conference at McHenry County College. Check our newsletter for further details. To register: https://formsmarts.com/form/2a2s

September 20, 2025 - Tina Beaird, "Irish in Chicago" - In person speaker, hybrid presentation

November 15, 2025 - Maureen Brady, "Comparison of British Records" - In person speaker, hybrid presentation

Membership renewal now due. Join at a meeting with exact change or check. Or, join online.