The Curtiss-Reynolds Airport

The Chicagoan, Vol. 7, No. 13. Copyright The Quigley Publishing Company, a Division of QP Media, Inc.

If you're planning on travelling this summer by plane, you'll probably be leaving from either Midway or O"Hare; but at one point, you could have chartered a flight right from Glenview. In fact, in the late 1920s, it seemed that Glenview would become Chicago's major airline hub.

The area around the Chicago Municipal Airport (now Midway) was becoming surrounded by both new residential neighborhoods--which encroached on the airport's ability to expand--and new industry--which created smokey, unsafe air conditions for pilots. Seeing an opportunity, land was purchased in north Glenview to create the next major Chicago airfield and the Curtiss-Reynolds Airport opened in 1929. Curtiss-Reynolds boasted modern clubhouses, state-of-the-art lighting, a pilot training school, and the largest hangar in world at the time. Unfortunately--just nine days after the airport was dedicated--the stock market crashed, the Great Depression began and the demand for commercial aviation started to decline.  

The Curtiss-Reynolds Airport on opening day. October 20, 1929.
DN-0089767, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum.

The Curtiss-Reynolds Airport managed to stay open during the 1930s by hosting entertainment events such as National and International Air Races and commercial companies would offer sight-seeing tours over Lake Michigan. In 1937, the Navy began leasing space in Curtiss-Reynolds' Hangar One. Soon the airport became the Glenview Naval Air Station.

You can read a fun article from a September 1929 issue of The Chicagoan here. The author visits the newly built Curtiss-Reynolds Airport and learns about the burgeoning aviation business. It's really fascinating! Imagine flying for only 35¢ a mile!

And if you're interested in more of Glenview's early aviation history, visit the Genealogy & Local History Room where we have books and articles on Curtiss-Reynolds and the Naval Air Station.

Planning Your Research Trip

Genealogy research trips can be incredibly informative but require a lot of planning. It's better to be fully prepared before you begin your journey so you can get the most out of your trip. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Narrow the scope of your research. Try to focus on just one person or family. Keep a list of what information you already have and what information you're trying to obtain.
• Try to create an outline of your research goals. Decide what facts you would like to check and what records you may be looking for. 
• Familiarize yourself with the region you will be visiting. Research local libraries, historical societies, courthouses, archives, churches and colleges. Try to find out what records may be available at each location you hope to visit. 
• Contact the centers where you plan to do research. Verify their hours, location, and the scope of their collections. Learn about each facility's research policies. Will you have access to original documents or digitized copies? Can you bring in your own research notebooks and laptop? What are their policies on photocopying materials?
• Search the library or archive's online catalog and make a list of items you may want to look at. Focus on items that are unique to the area: manuscripts, family histories, local histories, photographs, local newspapers, church records, etc.
• Map out your locations and create your travel itinerary. 
• Before you go, double-check that your home library does not already have access to some of the materials you may be searching for.

These are just the basics. Here's a great 20 minute discussion presented by the Midwest Genealogy Center and FamilySearch about preparing for your trip.

The Gathering: Ireland's Family History Year

According to the latest census information, more than 35.5 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. In fact, more than an estimated 70 million people around the world claim to be of some Irish descent.  In honor of those with Irish heritage, Tourism Ireland has announced 2013 to be Ireland's Family History Year. There are plenty of talks, seminars, clan gatherings and activities scheduled to keep an Irish researcher busy. And in October, you can attend Back to Our Past--a large genealogy conference in Dublin.

Visit The Gathering and Ireland.com for more information about Irish heritage activities and other pertinent tourist information.

If you cannot make it to Ireland this year, a great Facebook page has been created in honor of the event. They have been posting great links to digitized materials and the site hosts expert Q&As where you can send in your Irish family history questions.

Have Book! Will Travel!

The Glenview Public Library's annual Summer Reading Program, Have Book. Will Travel, begins on Saturday, June 8. Remember to signup at the Reader's Services Desk to earn prizes for what you read this summer.

And to celebrate our Summer Reading theme, this blog will be be focusing on travel and genealogy this summer.

At a certain point in your genealogy research, you will realize that you cannot do all of your research online and you will actually have to venture out and visit libraries, archives, historical societies and courthouses to continue your research. These research trips can take you to different parts of your home state or to different parts of the world. Genealogy research trips can help break down your brick walls and verify information you've only seen online.

We will explore genealogy research trips this summer so you'll be prepared for your next excursion! And remember to check out all of the Summer Reading events happening at your library!

Genealogy & Local History Room

Just a reminder that the Genealogy & Local History Room is open throughout the summer. We have volunteers who keep the room open and who are willing to help you with your research.

Volunteers staff the room on:

Mondays, 9:30-12:30

Tuesdays, 10:00-2:00

Thursdays, 10:00-2:00

Please drop in and say, "hi!"

If you have an interest in genealogy or Glenview history, we have volunteer opportunities available. You can fill out an application or contact Kimberly Schlarman for more information.

The Photo Detective

This is such a fun blog! The Photo Detective by Maureen A. Taylor sponsored by Family Tree Magazine investigates mystery photos sent in by readers.

Most of us have inherited boxes of unidentified photographs. Photo historian Maureen Taylor analyzes photographs using clues such as fashion, hairstyles and background props to help identify the time period and the people in the photographs. You can submit your own mystery photos for Maureen to analyze. She discusses how photographs can be used to supplement your family research and best practices for preservation.

The Photo Detective is just an enjoyable read too. There is a lot of interesting social history there and old photographs are always fun to peruse.

NSGS June Meeting

The North Suburban Genealogical Society will be meeting on June 8 at 1pm at the Northbrook Historical Society. Nancy Thomas will be presenting a lecture titled Breaking Down a Brick Wall, or How I Found the Marriage Record of My Irish Great-Great Grandparents. Find out about breaking down brick walls and pick up some Irish research tips! 

Visit the NSGS website for more information. 

Military Records

Why not search for your ancestor's military records this Memorial Day?

Military records are important genealogical tools that can offer a wealth of information about not only the veteran but about the entire family. As well as military information, you can discover medical information, marriage, birth, and death dates, employment history, and physical descriptions. Pension records are especially interesting and can include personal family items such as letters and even pages from family bibles.

The Veteran's Service Records page on the National Archives and Records Administration site is a great place to start your search. You can search for some military records through ARC and AAD or you can request copies of military records directly from NARA. Some military records may also be available at the National Archives in Chicago.

Free Genealogy Webinars

There is always more to learn in the field of genealogy research and there are plenty of free online sources to help you keep current on the newest trends.

GeneaWebinars compiles and creates calendars and lists of free genealogy-related classes, meetings, and webinars that anyone can attend. It's the perfect way to keep up-to-date with the latest research trends and to discover new tips and tricks.

Right now, GeneaWebinars is showcasing free webinars presented by the Illinois State Genealogical Society.

"NEW TOOLS FOR FINDING OLD STUFF"

JGSI 2012 Sunday MEETINGS

Sunday, November 18th:
JGSI monthly meeting at Temple Beth Israel
12:30: Library, genealogical questions and internet help.
2:00  Program: Expert genealogist Ginger Frere of the Newberry Library and ChicagoAncestors.org will speak on"New Tools for Finding Old Stuff."

( No meeting in December)