The Widow Won, the Barkeep Lost: Using Historical Context and the FAN Club to Enrich Your Family Stories - Candace Marx

The Widow Won, the Barkeep Lost: Using Historical Context and the FAN Club to Enrich Your Family Stories

by Candace Marx

On 16 May 1890, Arthur Bell bought a keg of beer from a saloon in Yorkville, Illinois. What happened next would forever change the fate of two families. This case study will demonstrate how to bring your family legends to life by adding historical, social, and cultural context. Numerous examples will help prove that researching your ancestors' friends, associates and neighbors (the FAN club) can reveal new clues and bring fresh points-of-view to old stories. Helpful and unique reference materials, including books and websites, will also be discussed.

Candace Marx studied Fine Arts with a focus in illustration at Northern Illinois University and has created numerous portraits for family and friends. She holds a certificate from Boston University's online Genealogical Research Program, has completed the ProGen Study Groups program, and the Genetic Genealogy program at Excelsior College. In 2019, she was honored with the American Society of Genealogists' Scholar Award.

Candace has volunteered at the St. Charles History Museum, transcribing Civil War-era journals of St. Charles and Fox Valley residents. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists' Chicago Chapter and an active board member of the Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS), Candace has also published several articles in the ISGS Quarterly. Candace specializes in Chicagoland records, particularly those in Kane County, as well as Cook, DuPage, and Kendall Counties. Her research expertise extends to Luxembourg ancestry in Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. She is skilled in transcribing old handwriting and enjoys helping clients identify family members in historical photographs.