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  Genealogy conferences all over the nation almost always have a room set up for vendors to sell genealogy-related items such as books, maps, how-to manuals and old postcards. There are always vendors who sell T-shirts with humorous genealogy pun-laden sayings. The most common joke (I use the term loosely) is worn by about 20 percent of the attendees at the conference, and it says “Genealogists Never Die, They Just Lose Their Census.” I’ll pause while you groan…. Before the internet was a daily part of our lives, one of the most important sources was the federal census. If you …

  When you’re looking to make your next big move, renting can be easier than purchasing, especially when it comes to issues like maintenance and long-term commitments. But while there are benefits to renting, there definitely are disadvantages, too. So you move into your new rental property and you are ready to decorate! Many times, though, landlords will prevent tenants from painting any walls or putting nails into the walls. You also may not be able to change out any worn-out carpeting. If you have pets, you may have a problem finding a rental unit that permits them. And if …

  There are days that I wish there were a Facebook page just for genealogists! I would love to be able to post a question about a particular family, or a specific town, or both, and have everybody see it who has even a moderate interest. Everybody would try to answer the question. They would either tell me what I need to know, or teach me how to find it for myself, or both. The Facebook can be used that way, but you get all the hassles of being on Facebook, like endless vacation pictures, angry political posts, and unfunny …

  Pullman resident Tom Shepherd has in his possession a remarkable artifact from a bygone era: a bronze plaque created by the Pullman SFBI (Societa Filarmonica Bella Italia) to honor members and their sons who had served in World War II. Given the significance of this artifact and its military theme, Mr. Shepherd has made arrangements to donate the plaque to the Italian American Veterans Museum at Casa Italia in Stone Park. The plaque will be bestowed upon the museum at a special ceremony at the Oct. 30 Spaghetti-Os meeting at Carlo Lorenzetti’s, 560 W. 14th Place, Chicago Heights. We’re …

  You’ve travelled a long road and you’ve finally closed on your home, but your journey has just begun. While you’re making plans to decorate your house, renovate your kitchen or plant your garden, there are a few items I suggest you add to your to-do list. Start out my by making sure your important documents are protected. They should be kept inside of a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box. For example, a packet was given to you at your closing that includes all your mortgage documents. Before you put them away, you may want to contact the …

  “Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels, doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles,” those are a few of Maria’s favorite things in “The Sound of Music.” As you can imagine, mine are far more Italian than that. As promised last month, here’s my short list. My family’s red sauce — Or do you say gravy? There are as many pasta sauces as there are bloodlines in Italy, and everyone’s sugo is the best. The gravy that my wife now lovingly prepares descends from la famiglia Basile of Sora, a mountain town southeast of Roma. Like most Roman sauces, …

  August may be fast approaching, but there’s still time to fulfill your summer bucket list. For all current and former residents of Pullman and environs, that means marking your calendars for the 22nd Annual Pullman Reunion Picnic. Scheduled for noon on Saturday, Aug. 4, in Arcade Park, the event serves as an ideal opportunity to reminisce with family and friends and to reconnect with your family’s history. Due to Pullman’s admirable preservation efforts, the area has been largely unchanged since its original construction in the 1880s. Langley Avenue has always been home to many apartment buildings and has seen …

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have come and gone, and many friends and family members posted photos honoring their parents, as did I. As a genealogist, I can tell from the photos people posted just how well they have preserved their photo collections. Some people have 20 clear sharp images of themselves with their father or mother over a range of years. Some people have one blurry old polaroid that could have used a flash bulb! Also, in recent weeks, a cousin of mine had a fire at their home that started at the neighbors. Fortunately, no one was injured. …

  When shopping for a mortgage, the Loan Estimate is going to be your shopping tool. It’s a treasure trove that reveals a wide range of costs and other valuable information. The Loan Estimate or LE replaced the Good Faith Estimate or GFE a few years ago when the Fed put into place some new rules. The GFE showed the rates and closing cost but did not show other important aspects the loan. The LE is a 3-page document that clearly and simply shows the following: Loan Amount Interest Rate Monthly Payment Type of loan and amortization If there are …

  I envy the first Italian Americans: those brave souls who catapulted themselves into the unknown and stared down countless hardships to create a better life for their families in a strange, new land. They brought with them little more than the shirts on their backs and the culture that shaped them, but that was more than enough. Settling with their paesani in ethnic enclaves, they reconstructed that culture from the ground up, celebrating La Vita Italiana in their homes, businesses, places of worship and wherever else they gathered. Family recipes were prepared by heart in their kitchens, canzoni popolari …