Following one’s family roots gives a sense of belonging and history. In today’s modern world, there are more resources than ever to learn about one’s ancestry. Yes, DNA tests are wonderful advances in science to trace family lineage, but a DNA test won’t show a great-great grandfather’s photo or provide a copy of a birth certificate. For those personal touches, interested persons must know where to look. The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is host to a virtual program Friday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. entitled Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations.
It will be an instructional course in genealogy for both novices at family history research, as well as those who have been researching their ancestry for many years. The instructor, Debra Dudek, holds a post-graduate certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies and is head of Adult and Teen Services at the Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook. She specializes in British genealogy, World War I research, and emerging technology, topics. Dudek will teach participants how to use a variety of underutilized resources such as military rosters, consulate applications, voter registrations, canceled passports, frakturs, and much more.
Many of the customers at the Aurora Public Library District utilize the local history collection to search for their family histories. Librarian Christopher Biersdorf recognizes the interest our community members have in discovering their ancestral lineages. “Creating a family history can include simply finding one’s ancestors or going as far as creating an entire family tree. With this program, customers will learn how to widen their searches for the birth dates, locations, and naturalizations of their ancestors.”
In addition to the Emma and Robert Wegman Local History Room at Santori Library on River Street in Aurora, there are many online resources available for more genealogical help. With a Aurora Public Library District Library card, there is access to Ancestry Library Edition, powered by Ancestry.com and Heritage Hub, the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 through today.
Please visit aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or call us at 630-264-4117 to register for Friday afternoon’s program with expert Debra Dudek. Visit aurorapubliclibrary.org/local-history for access to family history resources, or make an appointment to use our Local History Room. Don’t know where to start? The local history staff members at the Aurora Public Library District can be contacted directly at genealogyhelp@aurorapubliclibrary.org. Let us help inform those interested in ancestors and their origination!