As a historical society, we receive many interesting requests via emails and phone calls. One recent phone call that came in recently was from a Chicago Tribune feature writer who was working on an introductory piece on genealogy. Much of the research we do here for our Historic Home Program and general queries includes an aspect of genealogical research. We were happy to oblige.
“Genealogy is like a puzzle,” Marty Acks, president of the Downers Grove Historical Society, shared in the article published on October 11, 2026. 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 family stories.
See the story in the Chicago Tribune (subscription required) here.
