Columns

Someone asked me an innocuous question about how to find their grandfather on a passenger list. Eighteen hours later, I discovered that a LOT has changed. A few years ago, the only way to find a passenger list was via microfilm. These days, it’s easier but it’s harder! To find your ancestor’s passenger list, you need to know: Ancestor’s name in the old country Approximate age Port he arrived at in America (it’s not always New York!) Ship he came in on Date he arrived You can use the declaration of intention or petition for naturalization to get this information. …

  Beset by never-ending winter’s woes Plans thought of, yet once again discarded askance Alas, perchance I come upon hope To plan with permanence After suffering through a long drab winter, enduring an April and May that was more winter than spring, and playing catch-up through the month of June, we’ve finally arrived at midsummer. Though our summer may lack the drama of one of Shakespeare’s plays, it’s time for us to stake a claim and make this season our own. Let’s take a trip back to earlier summers in Roseland where “The Ave” (Michigan Avenue) was the center of …

  Congratulations on purchasing a home and no longer having to pay rent! Now the fun begins, though it won’t always be inexpensive. Regardless of the cost, here are some items to handle right off the bat to prevent problems down the road. Did your home inspector go into the attic? How is the insulation up there? Is it damaged or insufficient to meet your needs? If so, the Department of Energy has a wonderful guide on attic insulation. After you’ve checked out the guide, contact your accountant since occasionally there are government incentives to reinsulate your attic. While we’re …

  The Fed raised rates a quarter point in March bringing the prime rate up to 4.75 percent. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated that the economy is doing well and that the increase is in line with the Fed expectations. The Fed has stated that they are expecting to increase rates a total of three times this year, at .25 percent each time, and two times in 2019. The unemployment rate in March ticked up to 4.1 percent from 4.0 percent, which is still historically low. Meanwhile, wage inflation remained tame, allowing the Fed to stay the course with its …

  Many homes are under-marketed not as a result of insufficient advertising or lack of effort on the part of the broker. The main reason is the absence of additional details on the listing sheet, and those are missing mainly because the seller doesn’t think the buyer would be interested. Most listing sheets focus on the same standard items. What you fail to mention might just give your home a leg up over the one down the street. A lot of homeowners have “gone green” in recent years. Do you clean your home using only natural or hypoallergenic products? What …

  Since last December, www.familysearch.org has been posting Cook County vital record images that were once only available for $17 through the county itself. Recently, the push has started on marriage licenses. A few columns ago, I did an entire piece of birth certificates, and another piece on death certificates, and I dismissed marriage licenses as minimally informative. I would like to amend that perspective. The Cook County marriage license is frustrating because it never lists the parents of the bride or groom. It lists the names of the happy couple and the date they applied for their license from …

  It’s that time of year to focus on summer fun. When we think back to our younger days, a lot of places come to mind. On a hot sweaty day, some Roselandites liked to swim outside at Palmer Park while others waited in line to get into the second floor pool with the overhead doors at West Pullman Park or to swim indoors at the “Pump. And for the sports-minded kids, there was always Gately’s Stadium or the Roseland Little League Fields, not to mention any open lot or school playground with an “X” in the middle of a …

Three contemporary Italian filmmakers will present their films at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, which is underway, including Laura Bispuri, Susanna Nicchiarelli and Marco Proserpio.     “Daughter of Mine” Laura Bispuri’s “Daughter of Mine” (Figlia mia) delves into the complex world of adoption as a mother develops a curiosity and affection for the child she gave up a decade ago. Angelica (Alba Rorhwacher) was young and poor when she gave birth to Vittoria. Tina (Valeria Golino), married and financially secure, was willing and able to take the burden off Angelica’s hands. Ten years later, Vittoria emerges sheltered and protected …

On April 9, 2018, the American premiere of Francesco Lama’s documentary film “I Siciliani” will take place in New York at the Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò of New York University. Additionally, Lama will present his book “The Sicilians,” which includes the DVD, the screenplay of the movie and photos. The next day, Lama will hold a masterclass at Montclair University in New Jersey and on April 11th, there will be a meeting with the Federation of Sicilians in New Jersey. “I Siciliani” is one man’s story about exploring the people, stories and traditions of Sicily. He talks with people of …

As children, when our parents asked us to clean up our room, we would stuff everything into a toy box, drawer or closet, deferring actual tidying for another day. Many of us have a similar approach to home maintenance, putting off until tomorrow what needs to be done today. But as you gear up to list your house, it’s important to set your lands in order. The best way to do that is with a home inspection. Issues with your home will drive down the price, whether you know about them or not. A presale inspection can add thousands of …