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Ray Johnson's Genealogical & Historical Research Services

                                        

My Background

 I have been interested in genealogy and conducting genealogical research for myself and others for over 20 years.  I am currently the Chicago Area Chapter Representative for the Association of Professional Genealogists  and a former criminal investigator in DuPage County.  Prior to my career in law enforcement, I served 9 years in the U.S. Army, received my B.S. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and held the position of Manager of Information Systems at an engineering company in Westchester, Illinois

Genealogy Teaching / Lecturing

I currently teach beginning genealogy classes at the LaGrange, IL  Park District entitled, "Investigating Your Family History"  The class covers, Getting Started, U.S. Census Records, Newspaper Research, Cemetery Research, Church Records, State and County Goverment Records, Immigration and Naturalization Records, Military records, and Documenting and Organizing Your Research and many other genealogy related topics.

Check Current Class Schedule

Genealogy Articles

I am currently the Chicago Genealogy Examiner on Examiner.com.  You can read my articles by clicking the button below.  If you like what you read simply click the "Subscribe" button on my examiner page and you will be alerted by email when I publish a new article.

Genealogical Repository Experience

                                

I have easy access to many of the best genealogy related research repositories such as: The Great Lakes Region of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Chicago History Museum and Library (Formerly the Chicago Historical Society), The Newberry Library, The Harold Washington Center of the Chicago Public Libraries, The Pritzker Military Library, Irish Heritage Center, Family History Centers of the LDS, Cook County and DuPage County goverment records offices, Illinois State Archives research through IRAD facilities and many others.

Areas of Special Genealogical Interest

  • Chicago history and genealogy
  • Irish, Swedish, Italian and Polish genealogy
  • Cemetery research
  • Technology for genealogy
  • Business records used for genealogy
  • 19th & 20th century research and genealogy
  • Military records useful for genealogical research