Many members often ask how our society began. Well, the truth is we just all sort of gravitated together from many other genealogy societies. The Chicago area had historically been, of course, a popular destination for Central European immigrants and many of us felt a void -- a need for a new ambitious society that could serve those interested in Central European genealogy with a Chicago-area flavor. And if membership is any barometer, we're apparently doing a pretty good job of filling that void.  

Though CSAGSI's first official meeting wasn't until March 23, 1996 when we gathered at the Tabor Hills Healthcare Facility (formerly the Bohemian Home for the Aged) to listen to residents aged 79 to 104 discuss their lives in the old country and in early 20th century Chicago, we were quite active long before that.  

A pivotal event for us was our mobilization to co-host the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International's Chicago conference. Many of the founders of CSAGSI worked hard to help with this successful conference which drew record numbers to Countryside, Illinois.  

The letter on the right, from the Governor of Illinois, attests to our hard work and diligence. (Click here for a larger image of the letter.) The remainder of this page depicts photos from the exhibit Joe Novak and Chris Miksanek assembled at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago to mark the event.  

The rest, as they say, is history. Or, is it the future?
 

An overview of the exhibit at James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. There was a lot of foot traffic and many visitors took a conference brochure. The Governor's office helped us arrange the display.
 

A close-up of the exhibit. We displayed a 100-year old Kristni List (Baptismal Certificate) from Bohemia as well as the publications from some of the participating genealogical societies.
 

The exhibit was sponsored by the Governor's Office. On the back of the exhibit is just one of the maps of the "old country" we had on display.