It's All Relative
News and tips about genealogy and local history. 
Posted on 07/02/12 | Comments
There is yet another opportunity to get started with your family research. An EXTRA beginner's class has been added on Monday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Register on our webpage or call 847-392-0100. Start tracing your family now! We'll show you how!
Posted on 05/16/12 | Comments
There is always an opportunity to get started with your family research. An EXTRA beginner's class has been added on Monday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Register on our webpage or call 847-392-0100. Start tracing your family now! We'll show you how!
Posted on 05/13/12 | Comments
If you need help finding those evasive Polish ancestors, fear not! More help sessions have been added. You can sign up now for a one-hour Polish help session on Wednesday, June 6 at 6p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. Register on our webpage or call 847-392-0100.
Posted on 04/11/12 | Comments
Chicago was the destination for thousands of Polish immigrants during the late19th and early 20th Centuries. Now the descendants of those immigrants are researching their family history. Sign up for a one-hour
Polish Genealogy Help session! New dates are Monday, April 30 from 1-3pm and Monday, May 21 from 6-8 pm.
Posted on 03/28/12 | Comments
It's almost here! The 1940 Federal census will be released on Monday, April 2. You can access it from the
National Archives. The census is NOT indexed. Starting next Monday, a massive indexing project will begin. If you want to help index the census, click here.
Posted on 02/08/12 | Comments
Are you just starting to research your family tree? Sign up for the beginner's class on Thursday, March 8. The class starts at 7:30 p.m. You can also drop in during the day and get help from one of the genealogy volunteers on duty. You can even set up a one-hour appointment with the Local History/Genealogy Librarian. We've got you covered! Come on in!
Posted on 02/01/12 | Comments
Nothing to do on Friday nights? Starting Friday, February 3, NBC will again broadcast the popular genealogy program "Who Do You Think You Are?" Season 3 will start with Martin Sheen as he discovers his European ancestors. Check out the NBC website for more info!
Posted on 12/20/11 | Comments
Could that old office building be an archtectural gem? On Tuesday, December 20, WBEZ radio had a feature story about a group of students and faculty from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago who have taken on the task of documenting architecturally significant municipal, commericial and religious buildings in the Cook County suburbs from the frequently-overlooked 1930-1970 period. These and previous findings constitute the Landmarks Illinois "Recent Past Survey," which includes many Arlington Heights buildings, such as St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church and Grandt's Shell station on Northwest Highway. You can search/browse the full database (for Arlington Heights and many other communities) or enjoy some slideshows of select communities from the Survey's homepage. If you're further interested in Arlington Heights history, you may want to check out some books on the Village's history from our collection. Also make sure to take a look at the site for the upcoming 125th anniversary celebration (quasquicentennial).
So, next time, look at that strip mall a little more closely...you might be surprised at what you see! Comment if you have any special memories of buildings listed there.
Posted on 12/14/11 | Comments
The holidays bring families together in many different ways. What a perfect time to start asking questions about your ancestors. How did they celebrate this season? What kind of presents did they get? Get out those old photos and see if someone can identify those people. Call or email a distant cousin and share information with them. Take a lot of pictures or even make an iMovie of your family. Who knows? You may now have an idea for a New Year's resolution!
Posted on 11/29/11 | Comments
The winter holidays are upon us! Whether you trim a tree, light a menorah, or just relax by the fire, this is the season for family gatherings. How does your family celebrate the holidays? How did your parents? Grandparents? Are you continuing holiday customs because of your religious or ethnic background? Will you start new ones? Start thinking of unique ways to remember you family--present and past. After all, 'tis the season!
