CSAGSI Meetings
Summaries of our past meetings
and future programs.
Czech us Out!
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CSAGSI MeetingsSummaries of our past meetings and future programs. Czech us Out! |
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All meetings will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, Ashland and Elm Street, LaGrange, IL. This is two blocks west of LaGrange Road (US45) and three blocks north of 47th Street.
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March 29, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
2008 Mini-Conference
Emigration - Immigration of the Czechs and Slovaks into IL
Featured speakers are: William Galush, Ph.D., Professor
Emeritus, at Loyola University and Malynne Sternstein, Ph.D., Assistant
Professor, University of Chicago, Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures.
Dr. Galush is a published author of many works on immigration. Professor
Sternstein is finalizing her book on Czechs in Chicago. They will discuss
Eastern European migration from 1840 to after WW1 1920. After lunch, a panel of
émigrés who arrived after WW2 - 1948 and will share their immigration
experiences of the Old Country & USA
(click here for more information)
May 17, 2008
Czech and Slovak Cinema – A Reflection of
History and Culture
The Czech and Slovak people are endowed with a rich
and distinguished cinematic legacy. This presentation will give an overview of
critical moments in Czech & Slovak history and culture through the lenses of its
notable film directors. It will cover the major historical periods and how they
affected artistic and sociological expression, touching on the eras from post
World War I, through World War II, to Communism, the liberal humanism of the
renowned “New Wave” film genre of the 1960’s, to Normalization, and finally to
today’s post-Communist period. We’ll view selected film scenes from each era
that includes the work of Czech directors Milos Forman, Vera Chytilova, Elmar
Klos, and Jan Hrebejk. The Slovak directors featured are Jan Kadar, Juraj
Jakubisco (the Slovak Fellini), Dusan Hanak, and Martin Sulik. A highlight of
the presentation includes scenes from the powerful “Shop On Main Street” of
1965, a look back to the Holocaust in Slovakia. A Slovak/Czech co-production,
“Shop” was internationally acclaimed and won an Oscar for best foreign film.
Susan Marcinkus, Producer/Director is Co-Producer of
Manifest Films, in Chicago and Los Angeles. Over the last fifteen years she’s
worked in Hollywood as director, producer and editor on award winning film and
TV projects. She served as segment producer on the popular show Rescue 911 and
on Safe Streets. She was associate producer/editor of the feminist feature
documentary, Right Out of History-The Making of the Dinner Party, chronicling
the process of Judy Chicago's acclaimed mixed media installation. Marcinkus
directed & produced the dramatic short, Second Thoughts, winner of the CINE
Golden Eagle Award. She worked as editor on the OSCAR AWARD winning dramatic
film Board and Care, and with Francis Ford Coppola and Godfrey Reggio's
groundbreaking feature documentary, Koyaanisquatsi, Life Out of Balance. She was
also co-producer on Late Curtain, a dramatic short & Chicago International Film
Festival award winner. As producer at the Jewish Television Network, she was
responsible for the urban affairs series Critical Issues Facing L.A. and other
news shows. Her personal documentary film, Pictures from the Old Country,
chronicles her quest to uncover the mysteries of her Slovak heritage and
identity. It’s had numerous airings on PBS TV and has played at conferences and
universities across the U.S. and central Europe. Marcinkus holds a BFA from the
University of Wisconsin and an MFA in Film/TV Directing from the American Film
Institute, in Los Angeles.
August 16, 2008
To be announced
October 18, 2008
To be announced
January 26, 2008
Craig L. Pfannkuche presents “Analyzing 19th Century Photographs For Family History Data”
Some of us are lucky enough to possess old photographs of our ancestors. Many times these photographs do not have any identifying names on them. This presentation will focus on how a family history researcher might be able to identify such individuals. Additionally, suggestions will be made as to how "unnamed" photographs, even if they cannot be identified, can be used to add interesting material to one's family history.
It should be remembered that not all identifications written on the fronts or backs of "carte-de-visites" (business card sized photographs 4 ½ x 2 1/2 inches) or "cabinet cards" (generally about 4 x 6 inches) are
accurate. Identifications might have been scrawled on the photographs years after they were taken at a time when the identifier's memory might have grown hazy. Thus, this presentation will also discuss; how identification can be confirmed?
The age of the person in the photograph (I have a hard time judging the age of females.) and the person who took the photograph are critical to determining who is actually in the photograph. Judging the age of the person in the photograph is mostly a matter of guessing. Finding the data when a photograph was taken can be done more easily. It is most often done by comparing the name and address of the photographer to those found in City Directories or, if they are not available for that area, in newspaper
business card advertisements. Note when the photographer was at the specific address printed at the bottom or back of the photograph. Compare that to the date of the City Directory or newspaper edition.
If there is no photographer data on the photograph, take note of the hairstyles (especially of women), clothing, and, possibly, background props shown in the photograph: Compare these to what is seen in old reprint "Wards" or "Sears" catalogs, or use comparative photographs seen in one of the books listed below.
For "carte de visites", note also whether there are brown or blue lines around the photograph. That means a mid 1860's date. On occasion, blue or orange "postage" style stamps can be found on the backs of the photos. They mean an 1865 or 1866 date.
If one is lucky enough to have an album of 19th century family photographs but feels discouraged that most of the photographs are not named, a number of people in those photographs can still be identified. It is critically important here to understand the work "provenience."
The person who put the collection of photographs together was most often thinking that "the most important members of the family come first." Where husband and wife photographs entered first? Were siblings and cousins placed further to the rear of the album? Where were the photos taken? Relationships often lead to identifications.
"Pictures From the Old Country" film by Susan Marcinkus
Join us as we view the filmmaker's quest to uncover the mysteries of her
Slovak identity and heritage, after they had been lost behind the Iron Curtain
and her family's secrecy. Susan will join us for a question and answer session
following the viewing. She will also have her film available on both VHS and DVD
format after the screening.
Pictures From the Old Country chronicles the filmmaker's quest to uncover the mysteries of her Slovak identity and heritage, after they had been lost behind the Iron Curtain and her family's secrecy. Growing up during the Cold War, she is curious about the "strange" language her grandmother is speaking. Fantasizing that Grandmother must be a communist spy; she begins to ask questions that are never fully answered. Years later as an adult, she embarks on a journey that crosses continents and generations - leading her to family she had never before known in a country that was facing its own identity crisis. Along the way, not only does she gain a deeper understanding of her family roots - but discovers a beautiful land, a rich culture, and a profound sense of her own Slovak American identity.
March 2007 Workshop: "Deciphering and Sifting through Your Ancestors' Story"
, 2007
"Flight of the Falcon - The American Sokol Performance Team in Prague" presented by Tom Pajer, Team Coordinator
Using a DVD he created to illustrate the process, Tom will share the member (age 14 - 30) selection procedures and discuss the team's preparations in all phases of gymnastics (plus some Czech language lessons provided in part by our own Bob Baumruk). The team was formed in September 2005 and performed to a worldwide, enthusiastic audience at the final competition (slet) in Prague in July 2006.
, 2007
"Walk & Talk within the Steps of Cyril and Methodius Slavic Old World”
Our Saturday, August 18th at 1:30 – 4 pm a program will be presented by College
of DuPage Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Czech-American
Archaeological Field School. Dr. John P. Staeck he will show a power point
presentation and perhaps a few artifacts. He will tell us of his research on the
early medieval fortresses and places that Cyril and Methodius may walked on in
Great Moravia around 800 A.D.
Join CSAGSI in the exciting new project in the Czech
Republic. Dr. Staeck covers the origins of the Czech people, culture, and state
from 4000 BC to the post-Soviet Block era. Travel vicariously to archaeological
excavations at a 30 acre hill fort with Neolithic, Bronze Age, Celtic, Medieval,
and Early Modern components. Also, learn about the village RMIZ. The site is
located in a beautiful timber reserve in the eastern Czech Republic (Moravia),
just 3 hours east of Prague and a similar distance north of Vienna.
A recent view of the project (which is very different today)
can be found through the link at
www.cod.edu/people/faculty/staeck We are currently working at
Breclav-Pohansko in southern Moravia, just a km north of Austria and about 15 or
18 km from the Slovak border. We are partnered with Masaryk University-Brno and
Dr. Jiri Machacek.
There are new Dr Staeck photos imbedded in this field school
information web page. Fun to look at before the talk:
http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/staeck/New%20Czech%20field%20school.htm
http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/staeck/mainpage.htm
October 2
7, 2007The Prague Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities organization visits.
Enjoy photos of the many events from the Czech
flag flying over the Picasso at Daley Plaza; to our CSAGSI-sponsored immigration
display and panel discussion at the Sokol headquarters in Oakbrook; to several
Czech films, art exhibits and concerts that made June such a wonderful time for
Czechs and Czech-Americans in Chicago. Learn more about this committee that
sponsored our Czech festival.
December 3
, 2007Christmas Party
Christmas Party
There is a meeting at 6:15 at your table before the
6:30 pm family style Czechoslovakian dinner.
Entertainment - Marion Hartmann, chair; Ed Slavik
on accordion - Czech, Moravian and American carols. We will have song sheets for
all.
Marie Jensen on Christmas Customs
October 21, 2006
August 19, 2006
"
The Eastland Disaster: A Multimedia Presentation"We are looking forward to having a multimedia presentation of the Eastland Disaster. Featured will be historic photos plus interviews of Czech survivors. Eight hundred forty four people perished on July 24, 1915 when the steamer “Eastland” overturned in the Chicago River. Because it was an outing for Western Electric employees in Cicero, many of the missing were of Czech descent. Friends and non-members are welcome.
The May 20 meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, 150 South Ashland Avenue, LaGrange, IL. This meeting will be in our usual room on the lower level. The handicap entrance will also be open and elevators will be available to take you to the lower level. Signs will be posted to help guide you.
Go to the August 19, 2006 Meeting Page
May 20, 2006
“Your Public Library: A Genealogist’s Guide to Unexpected Resources”
Our next meeting is May 20 and features Sonia Schoenfield and Arlene Lane, Reference Librarians at Cook Memorial Library, who will present “Your Public Library: A Genealogist’s Guide to Unexpected Resources.” The North Suburban Library System recently awarded Arlene and Sonia a regional award for their online feature designed to help people research their family trees. They have a most fascinating audio-visual presentation that will help you access places you might not have considered in finding your ancestors. Handouts will also be provided.
January 28, 2006
Czech Chicago:Pilsen and Little Village.
Dominic Pacyga, Professor of History at Columbia College, will share fascinating slides and a most interesting talk about the areas of the city where some of our ancestors lived. He comes very highly recommended as one of the best speakers on this topic. Don't miss this special program.
Go to the January 28, 2006 Meeting Page
"Dudy
Doings"
Michael Cwach, player of the Czech bagpipes known as the "dudy" presented a live
performance dressed in a typical kroje. His music was enhanced by a very
interesting set of slides explaining this historic folk instrument. In
addition, Jefe Brown, producer, helped Michael present the fascinating DVD,
"Call of Dudy: Bagpipes Across Borders". The DVD was available for purchase
following the performance.
August 20, 2005
The speaker for our August 20th meeting, 1:30 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, will be Grace DuMelle of Newberry Library. Her topic will be "Chicago Genealogy 101". Grace will explain the challenges of searching for Windy City relations using unindexed newspapers and some resources few family historians utilize: fire insurance maps, inquest records and Cook County tract books. Grace is the author of "Finding Your Chicago Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide to Family History in the City and Cook County" published in 1005. Copies of this book will be available for sale. Come and join us for an informative and enjoyable talk.
Ms. DuMelle presented a fascinating talk to help us overcome the challenges of searching for Windy City relations. She discussed the impact of the 1871 Chicago Fire, the difficulties of the address and street name changes and helped us find information in resources few family historians utilize: fire insurance maps, tract books, and inquest records. Many of those in attendance purchased a copy of her new book, "Finding Your Chicago Ancestors" and had her autograph it.
On May 15th, we'll have the current president of the Plzen Butchers, Mr. Bill Cech, come to tell of his profession, explain the use of 100-year-old artifacts we are borrowing from the CSA museum, and give us hints on preparing special Czech dishes. Historic pictures of the Plzen butchers from before 1920 and 1927 will be on display with part of their uniform.
December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, is our annual Christmas Party at Bohemian Crystal Restaurant in Westmont at 5:30 PM.
The program speaker for the Oct. 30 CSAGSI meeting will be George Rokos, CSAGSI Projects Chair. George will speak on past and present projects and publications that CSAGSI has undertaken. In his talk George will showcase the materials CSAGSI has which will help others find their roots. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
In a departure from our usual speaker presentation Joe Hartzel will show two videos. One will be on the new Czech-American TV Herald show which has generated much interest and which the CSAGSI supports. The other video will be a travelogue to the land of our ancestors. Since Joe has traveled to the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic many times, he is well qualified to speak about these lands and to describe the points of interest. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
We are pleased to have as our June speaker Joseph F. Vosicky, Jr., the President of the Bohemian Lawyers Association and the lawyer for Bohemian National Cemetery. He will speak about the Lawyers Association, the Bohemian National Cemetery, and the time he spent at the Masaryk University Law Faculty as a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. Mr. Vosicky was instrumental in forming the Friends of Bohemian National Cemetery. He also wrote the memorable speech for last year’s BNC Memorial Day service. Please join us for a very interesting afternoon.
Russell Lewis will speak on the Collections at the Chicago Historical Society (www.chicagohistory.org) Russell Lewis, Andrew W. Mellon Director for Collections and Research, is responsible for preserving, managing, building, and making accessible to the public the CHS's collection.
December 6th is our annual Christmas Party.
March 29th is our conference, "A Quest for Ancestors."
Go to the 2003 Conference page.
Kathryn Barrett, a nine year volunteer at the National Archives, Great Lakes Region, will be our speaker at the January 18 meeting. She will speak on the Civilian Conservation Corp, which became the largest national organization for the relief of the unemployed in the nation's history. Her research in the CCC began as a result of a request for a program for a genealogical society. Kathryn's father was a member of Company 607 CCC out of Fort Sheridan and became the incentive for the initial research into this program. The CCC records may offer you a new direction in genealogical research.
October 19, 2002
Wayne Wolf will be our speaker for the October 19 meeting. He will relate how Frank J. Wolf and Sons, a Czech company manufacturing paper, paper bags, and twine, began business in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago in 1903 and then move to Cicero after World War II. How a Czech business survived and interacted in the Czech community will be an important part of this cultural and historical presentation.
August 24, 2002
The speaker for the August 24 meeting will be Helen Shaw, a professional genealogist and a Newberry Library seminar instructor. With the recent release of the 1930 Federal Census, new information is available to the genealogist for the first time. Existing indexes are often incomplete or flawed. Helen will discuss what indexes are available and how to get the most from them. Every serious genealogist will want to attend this informative session.
On June 8th, Mr. George T. Drost, Honorary Consul For the Czech Republic, will be speaking on his immigration experience and what being Honorary Consul means. Additionally, Michele Morain, Senior Advocate Office from the Berwyn Cicero Council on Aging will bes speaking on Senior Benefit Awareness.
Go to the June 8, 2002 Meeting Page.
On October 20th, our treasurer George Rokos presented, "Local Sources for Czech and Slovak Genealogy."
Go to the October 20, 2001 Meeting Page.
On August 25th our speaker was Zenny Sadlon who has a new translation of a book "Good Soldier Svejk."
Go to the August 25th, 2001 Meeting Page.
On June 9th, Grace Dumelle, of Heartland Historical Research Service, gave a slide presentation titled "Going Straight to the Source - Pointers on Oral History."
Go to the June 9, 2001 Meeting Page.
March 24th was our 4th conference, "A Quest for Ancestors."
Go to the 2001 Conference Report page.
On January 27th, Paul Milner will present, "How to Build a Personal Genealogical Reference Library."
Learn what books or types of books and resources you should include in building your personal genealogical reference library. A special emphasis will be given to new resources on the market. Suggestions will be made on how to get the most out of your library and use it for your own continuing education.
Go to the January 27, 2001 Meeting Page.
Mark your calendars!
On August 26th, Susan Decker, Barbara Wachholz, and Ted Wachholz, three founding members of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, presented a discussion of the sinking of the Eastland.
Go to the August 26, 2000 Meeting Page.
On June 10th, Norbert Blei discussed Chicago Neighborhoods and his book regarding the same.
Go to the June 10, 2000 Meeting Page.
On January 26th, Paul LeBlanc, Vice-President of the American Sokol Organization, presented, "Sokol - Triumphs, Tribulations, and Endurance to the Present."
Go to the January 26, 2000 Meeting Page.
Go to the October 2, 1999 Meeting Page.
[speaker not yet scheduled.]
Go to the August 28, 1999 Meeting Page.
On June 12th, Karl Moore, Supervisor of the Illinois Regional Archives gave a presentation on the resources available from IRAD.
Go to the June 12, 1999 Meeting Page.
We're history! CSAGSI's third conference, "A Quest for Ancestors Through History" was a sell-out! Read all about it.
Go to the 1999 Conference Report Page.
On Saturday, January 30th, H. Paul Davidson, President of Legacy Publishing, presented, "Multimedia - Various Levels as it applies to Genealogy." Read about it.
Go to the January 30, 1999 Meeting Page.
A jolly time was had by all...[under construction]
Go to the December 5, 1998 Meeting Page.
On Saturday, October 31, 1998, Marian Richter Schuetz, an instructor of genealogy at Waubonsee Community College, presented, "The Ellis Island Experience."
Go to the October 31, 1998 Meeting Page for more information and exciting web links.
On Saturday, August 29, 1998, John Budilovsky,
past president of the Bohemian Funeral Directors Association
presented, "Memoirs of a Bohemian Undertaker."
Go to the August 29, 1998 Meeting Page
for more information and exciting web links.
On Saturday, June 6th, a crowd of 160 members and guests (our third largest audience to date) attended our quarterly meeting to hear Phillip Costello, who is in charge of the Archives of the Circuit Court of Cook County, speak.
Go to the June 6, 1998 Meeting Page for more information and exciting Cook County-related web sites.
That's it. It's history! Our 2nd conference, "A Quest for Ancestors," held on March 28th, 1998, was a fantastic event.
On January 31st, a capacity crowd joined us for a panel discussion on travel to the old country led by CSAGSI President Joe Hartzel and members Charlie and Barbara Vlk, Barbara Rogus, Rose Marie Kenny and others.
Go to the January 31, 1998 Meeting Page.
Read all about our 1997 Holiday Celebration.
Go to the December 6, 1997 Celebration Page.
On October 25th, a record crowd of more than 180 members and guests joined us to hear John Marvin present, "Cadastrals and Castles."
Go to the October 25, 1997 Meeting Page.
On September 6th, more than 160 members and guests listened attentively as the Chicago Historical Society's Carol Turchan presented, "Preservation of Paper and Photographic Collections."
Go to the September 6, 1997 Meeting Page.
On June 7th, more than 127 members and guests convened to hear Dr. James P. Krokar present, "The Decision to Come to America: Immigration from Europe, Austria-Hungary, and the Czech and Slovak Lands."
Go to the June 7, 1997 Meeting Page.
CSAGSI's first conference, "A Quest for Ancestors" is now as much a part of our history as are our ancestors. Read all about it.
Go to the 1997 Conference Page.
On February 15th, more than 125 members and guests (the largest turnout to date) gathered as Joan Hemzacek presented, "Tracking your Czech and Slovak Immigrant family through Home and Local Sources."
Go to the February 15, 1997 Meeting Page.
An especially jolly time was had by the capacity crowd on December 7th, at the Bohemian Crystal Restaurant in Westmont, Illinois. More than 130 members and guests packed the banquet room to hear Lillian Chorvat discuss Christmas customs of the old country after first partaking in a dobre lunch consisting of all the roast pork, chicken, and dumplings one could possibly eat.
Go to the December 7, 1996 Meeting Page.
On September 21st, Kathryn Barrett, of the National Archives, presented the topic, "Using the National Archives...What Have They Got?" to a full house of over 80.
Go to the September 21, 1996 Meeting Page.
On June 22nd, Marlene Kettley of the LDS Family History Center presented the topic, "Using the Resources at the Family History Center (LDS)," to a standing-room-only crowd of CSAGSI members and guests.
Go to the June 22, 1996 Meeting Page.
On March 23rd, CSAGSI was officially introduced at Tabor Hills Healthcare Facility (formerly the Bohemian Home for the Aged). This was an exciting meeting where residents aged 79 to 104 (wow!) discussed their lives in the old country and in early 20th century Chicago.
Go to the March 23, 1996 Meeting Page.
January's meeting was not strictly a CSAGSI meeting, but many CSAGSI members gathered to hear CSAGSI's treasurer and bulletin chair, Dr. Paul Valasek, present his exciting talk on steamships and the immigrant's experience.
Go to the January 27, 1996 Meeting Page.
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All material presented here is Copyright 1996, 2007 CSAGSI, Inc.
Webmaster: Chris Miksanek
Last updated: December 5, 2007
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