South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society - Illinois

06/14/2026

Check out this upcoming online event about patriots of color and their descendants.

Sharing an upcoming virtual event of interest from AAHGS National.

Free to register. Donations are appreciated.

From Revolution to Remembrance: Patriots of Color and Their Descendants
A 10 Million Names event featuring a conversation with Ken Burns and Dr. Vincent Brown

Thursday, June 18, 2026
6:00 PM – 7:15 PM ET
Online via Zoom

This special conversation will explore the lives and legacies of Black Patriots who participated in the American Revolution and the ongoing work to recover, remember, and share their stories.

Presented by American Ancestors and 10 Million Names, the program will feature acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns and historian Dr. Vincent Brown in a conversation about Patriots of color and their vital, yet often overlooked, role in the American Revolution.

The event will also highlight the release of freely accessible family trees linking Patriots of color to descendants born before 1900, helping families reconnect lineages across generations.

This virtual event will be held via Zoom. A personal device and internet connection are required to participate. A full recording will be available for a limited time for those unable to join the live broadcast.

For more information and to register:
https://www.americanancestors.org/events/revolution-remembrance-patriots-color-and-their-descendants

06/14/2026

Big thanks to Kathy Meade for her Zoom presentation on Swedish research! So interesting!

06/12/2026

Join the watch party Sat., June 13 at 10am as Kathy Meade presents "Where Do I Begin? The Basics of Swedish Research." Meade is the North American representative for ArkivDigital AD AB, a company that offers online access to newly photographed color images of Swedish church books and other historical records. Meade will present via Zoom. To register, visit our event page at https://ssghs.org/event/sat-june-13-at-10am-swedish-genealogy-kathy-meade-of-arkivdigital-via-zoom/ and click the Zoom registration link, after which you will be sent a link to join the Zoom stream.

06/11/2026

A Juneteenth research tip from Ancestry:

Honoring your family's journey this Juneteenth starts with one person - you. Begin by logging what you know about yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. By connecting these generations through federal census records, you can systematically trace your family back to the crucial post-Emancipation era.

For more tips about researching your African American ancestors this Juneteenth, head to: https://bit.ly/3Euj0DJ

06/11/2026

Admission to Griffin MSI and the Anne Frank exhibit is free this Friday. See post for details.

06/08/2026

Congratulations to the new and returning officers at the Homewood Historical Society

The roster for the Homewood Historical Society (HHS) for 2026-27 was officially set at the organization’s recent annual meeting. Three officers are continuing in their offices—Bob Anderson, president; Koni Shaughnessy, secretary; and Mark Leschuck, treasurer.  New to the leadership team is long...

06/07/2026

Happy 100th anniversary, Richton Park!

🎉 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING! 🎉 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
Continuing our yearlong Centennial Celebration as we commemorate our 100th Anniversary and invite residents to a very special Centennial Celebration Board Meeting.

📅 Monday, June 8, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Southland College Prep Annex - 4645 Sauk Trail

Exactly 100 years to the day since our incorporation on June 8, 1926, we will gather as a community to celebrate a century of growth, resilience, innovation, and progress.

From its beginnings as a small settlement along historic Indigenous pathways to becoming the vibrant, diverse, and forward-thinking community we know today, Richton Park's story has been shaped by generations of residents who believed in building something special.

Join us as we honor this historic milestone with:

📜 A special Centennial Proclamation and Article Signing Re-Creation, commemorating the Village's original incorporation

🎥 A feature video presentation highlighting Richton Park's remarkable journey, along with citizen remembrances and reflections celebrating the people, places, and moments that shaped our community.

🎂 Cake and Centennial Celebration

📸 Photos, fellowship, and social time with neighbors, friends, elected officials, and longtime residents

This evening will be more than a Board Meeting; it will be a community celebration honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking ahead to the next 100 years.

06/07/2026

Coming through Homewood to get to our SSGHS Library? The viaduct at North Dixie Highway will be closed. See map for alternate routes. The closure has been delayed until Thursday, June 11 to allow more time to locate utilities.

Dixie Highway North Viaduct Closure Begins Monday, June 8, 2026:

The Dixie Highway North Viaduct will be closed for reconstruction beginning June 8. Motorists should follow posted detour routes and allow for extra travel time.

Southbound Dixie Highway Detour:
➡️ Dixie Highway
➡️ 175th Street
➡️ Governors Highway
➡️ 183rd Street
➡️ Return to Dixie Highway

Northbound Dixie Highway Detour:
➡️ Dixie Highway
➡️ Ridge Road
➡️ Ashland Avenue
➡️ 175th Street
➡️ Halsted Street
➡️ 171st Street
➡️ Return to Dixie Highway

Local traffic will continue to have access near the closure area. Please watch for construction crews, follow all posted signage, and please plan ahead for delays. Everyone will be trying to get somewhere, let's all get there safely. And without speeding. Thank you!

For project updates, visit: https://www.village.homewood.il.us/how-do-i/learn-about/dixie-highway-viaduct-construction-2026/-fsiteid-1 #!/