Genealogy Club

Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, except in December
6:30-8:45 p.m.

Genealogy Club meetings are held in the lower level of the library in Meeting Rooms A/B. Meetings begin with announcements and the topic of the month. After that, beginner and intermediate sessions will begin along with round table discussions.

A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. The club is facilitated by Leslie Drewitz, a Certified Genealogical Librarian. If you have questions, please email Leslie at ldrewitz@mybpl.org or call (630) 924-2765. Members also share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds.

Computers are available to research genealogy using Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest, MyHeritage Library Edition (formerly World Vital Records), and Family Search. Since there are a limited amount of computers, please bring your laptop or tablet that can be connected to the library’s Wi-Fi.

The club also has a blog (not sponsored by the library) that club members can join to post questions or stories about their research. Executive committee members can share the blog link and account creation instructions.

Library Resources

Check our Library Databases page for a complete list of genealogy databases, including Ancestry, Heritage Quest, and more.

The library also provides access to online newspaper databases for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, and various other newspapers.

Recommended Websites

FamilySearch
Bloomingdale Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. Using the library's computers or Wi-Fi, you can access millions of locked FamilySearch digital records that are only available in a Family History Center or Affiliate Library. Free personal account is required and locked records are only accessible for in-library use.

Steven P. Morse
This site contains tools for finding immigration records, census records, vital records, and for dealing with calendars, maps, foreign alphabets, and numerous other applications.