If there is one thing I try to stress to people, it is to learn the history surrounding where your ancestors came from. Is there a historical reason they left their homeland? Is there a historical reason your ancestors headed to a new area? History is very important and helps in learning and understanding your ancestors and their behaviors. I have one line in my family tree that has been in the Chicago area, and for most part, the rest of my more recent ancestry is from central Illinois. I stumbled upon a fairly widely known story, and thought we would share it with you just in case you had never heard of it.
Learn the history surrounding where your ancestors came from. It helps to know the whys and wheres. It will help you build and understand their story.
150 years ago was the Great Chicago Fire. Legend has it, though there is no proof, that the O'Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern that started the whole thing. What is known is that on October 8, 1871 Catherine O’Leary went out to feed the horses and put them up for the night. A neighbor came over to inform them later, after they were already in bed, that the barn roof was on fire. But within ten minutes, because it was dry and windy, two blocks were on fire. By October 10th five square miles had burned. 17,000 buildings burned to the ground and 300 people had died.
Some history, Chicago was mostly built of wood structures. That fall had been hot and dry, and they were experiencing a drought. Fires were normal but with the drought this fire spread quickly. While the firefighters were trying to put out the fire the waterworks burned down and therefore cut off the water to the fire hydrants. With no way to fight the fire the fire jumped the south branch of the Chicago river and burned central Chicago. It then went on to jump the river again and burned the near north side. For almost 24 hours the fire went unchecked.
Newspapers.com is one place you can go to look up stories of individuals and families during historic moments.
Do you have any ancestors that lived in Chicago during this time? Newspapers.com is one place you can go to look up stories of individuals and families during historic moments in time. Here is one such story. The Schultze family was awoken at 2am by neighbors telling them the city was on fire. While they lived on the outskirts of town they saw the fire heading their way. The Father dug a big hole in the front yard and put in the silver, linen, dishes, bedding, and some furniture. Their 8 year old daughter, Emma, recalled her mom layering her with petticoats and dresses. Holding as much as they all could carry, they headed to a friend's house. After several days they returned to their house which was burnt to the ground. They were among the 100,000 left homeless after the fire.
Did your ancestors write down a story for future generations?
Do you have any ancestors who lived during the Chicago fire? Maybe an ancestor that lived during another catastrophe? Did they write down a story for future generations? Did they maybe talk to a newspaper? While the Chicago Tribune could not publish on October 9th and 10th,they were able to publish on the 11th when they described what happened.
Have you written, or are you writing, your story for future generations?
History is so important. Knowing what was happening in the local area, state, country and worldwide can give us great insight of what our ancestors were going through. It can help us understand moves, job changes, deaths and so much more. Just imagine what people, 100 years from now, will think when reading newspaper articles about the years 2020 and 2021. Something to think about, have you written down any of your stories for future generations?
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If you need any help finding your ancestors, just let us know.
