A family tree can lead to unexpected places—even an archive in Belgium! Downers Grove Historical Society President Marty Acks shares his interest in genealogy in the Chicago Tribune’s October 11, 2026, Primetime article, “Who are you, really? Genealogy may hold the answer.”
“Genealogy is like a puzzle,”Marty explains. His discoveries include family connections reaching back to the 1400s and an 1820s relative whose reputation as a swindler prompted newspaper advertisements offering a reward. The article also features a photograph of Marty at an archive in Bruges, Belgium, helping his wife research her paternal grandfather.
Alongside these discoveries, the article offers practical advice for anyone curious about their roots: begin with yourself, talk to older relatives, gather family documents and verify the stories you uncover.
Marty’s curiosity about the people of the past is familiar to those who know his work with the Historical Society. We’re delighted to see that enthusiasm shared with Tribune readers—and perhaps inspire others to start exploring their own family stories.
See the story in the Chicago Tribune here
