During America’s great canal building boom, it was said that all you needed to build a canal was a pick, a shovel, a wheelbarrow, and an Irishman. Far from being lazy, unwashed, and underskilled, these new immigrants labored long hours, built churches, and created communities in and around the growing city of Chicago. Learn how to track down records on early Irish immigrant ancestors living and working in the Illinois and Michigan Canal zone located in Cook, DuPage, Will, and LaSalle counties from 1830-1850.

This event is hosted by CAGGNI (Computer Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois).

Presenter: Debra M. Dudek is the Adult and Teen Services Manager at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook.