The Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois

The Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with Central European heritage discover and document their family histories. Based in Sugar Grove, IL, CSAGSI provides comprehensive genealogical research support, historical resources, and cultural programming for people with roots in Bohemia, Slovakia, Moravia, Silesia, and Carpatho-Ruthenia. Since its founding in 1996, the organization has assembled an extensive genealogy collection featuring indexed records, obituary databases, church records, and funeral home archives that serve researchers throughout the Chicago area and beyond. The society maintains the Paul M. Nemecek Genealogy Collection at the Riverside Public Library, staffed by knowledgeable volunteers offering research assistance and guidance. CSAGSI publishes KORENY, a quarterly journal featuring genealogical articles, historical documentation, and cultural insights relevant to Czech and Slovak heritage. The organization has completed major indexing projects including the Denni Hlasatel Obituary Index, Bohemian National Cemetery burial records, and translations of historical works about Czech communities in Chicago. Members gain access to these specialized resources, quarterly publications, educational workshops, and conferences focused on genealogical research techniques and cultural preservation. With membership spanning multiple states and the Czech Republic, CSAGSI serves as a vital resource for anyone seeking to preserve and understand their Czech and Slovak American ancestry.