where2look4ancestors

  • Fun with Genealogy Files Part 2

    I recently told you I had taken the first step in an enormous and overwhelming home office reorganization project. My goal is to have all my genealogy files organized before the end of 2015. As I mentioned in Fun with Genealogy Files Part 1, space is of the essence. Smaller spaces work best when…

  • Drank its Contents with Suicidal Intent

    The young woman found lying in the shadows near Austin Avenue and Elizabeth Street was likely to die of carbolic acid poisoning. According to the December 10, 1894 issue of the Chicago Daily News, Agnes Sorgan “drank its contents with suicidal intent”.  

  • Freight Train Kills Young Woman

    Ida Schultz was killed and her brother Edward was injured when they were struck by a Burlington freight train according to the article below which appeared in the December 10, 1894 issue of the Chicago Daily News.

  • 9 Tips for Genealogy Success in the New Year

    Are you ready to reap greater rewards from your genealogy research? Oh my gosh, me too! With the New Year right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about my family history research goals for 2015. I need to answer pressing questions, overcome brick walls, make new discoveries and connect…

  • 1894 Obituaries: November 30

    The Chicago Daily News listed deaths on page 9 of the November 30, 1894 issue. The following names appeared (see image below for complete obituaries): Charles Beilfuss, Katie Beyerau, Jeremiah Crowley, Daniel Emmet Donovan, Patrick Dowling, Aggie Foster (nee Williams), Mary E. Fuller, William Gallagher, John Geary, Joseph Gotthelf, Joseph…

  • An 1894 Engagement

    Miss Belle Eichman and Mr. Abe Striker became engaged and an announcement was placed on page 9 of the November 30, 1894 issue of the Chicago Daily News:

  • Happy Turkey Day

    What a turkey I was to talk my sweet husband into doing Thanksgiving arts and crafts! 🙂  (He’s such a good sport!) And the construction paper project resulted in such adorable turkeys: Wishing you and yours a Thanksgiving Day full of delicious memories!

  • Why Every Genealogist Needs a Cemetery Kit

    The grave is supposed to be in here… But where? Maybe there? Feeling around for the edges… Marking out the shape… Clearing away the debris… Trimming the grass… Sweeping off the surface… Brushing out the engraving… Claiming a place in the row… Gone but not forgotten. Sometimes…if you are still…

  • 1892 Obituaries: April 8

    The following names appeared under “deaths” on page 8 of the April 8, 1892 issue of the Chicago Daily News: Timothy Bergan Margaret Blackburn William Deroy Annie Gregory Dr. Charles F. Hunt Capt. D. J. Humes Frank P. Malone Minnie Kelly John J. McCormick John Niston Michael O’Connell Michael James…

  • Elise’s Divorce Lawyers

    “And now on this (21st) twenty-first day of November 1874, comes the complainant by Jussen and Anderson, her solicitors…” The statement above was transcribed from my 2nd great-grandmother’s divorce papers. It made me wonder: Why would a 20-something German-speaking French woman from Ohio seek a divorce in Chicago? How did Elise Biedenharn (nee Schmitt) choose…