North Suburban Genealogical Society

North Suburban Genealogical Society http://nsgsil.org Our meetings are the second Saturday of the month on Zoom. Its purposes are:
1. To promote an interest in genealogy.
2.

The North Suburban Genealogical Society (NSGS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1975. To encourage and instruct members in careful, documented genealogical research.
3. To publish genealogical and historical information.

11/23/2025

Joseph Plumb Martin enlisted in the Connecticut militia in 1776, at age 15. After his tour of duty ended, at age 16 he joined the Connecticut Continental Line. He was eventually promoted to corporal and then to sergeant. Martin served honorably, but it is not his wartime service that has made him well-known in Revolutionary War history, but rather something he did in 1830, at age 70.

That year he anonymously published a memoir of his wartime experiences titled A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents that Occurred within his own Observation (such ponderous titles were the norm at that time), a book that historians now regard as one of the best primary sources for information about the lives of common soldiers in the war.

Despite how highly it is regarded today, Martin’s book was not a success during his life. Published in Maine it appears that few copies were printed or sold, and it was soon forgotten to history. But in the 1950s a first edition of the book was discovered and donated to the Morristown National Historical Park. Scholars and researchers soon recognized its value and importance and in 1962 it was republished as Private Yankee Doodle. It has remained in print ever since.

Joseph Plumb Martin was born on November 21, 1760, two hundred sixty-five years ago today. He died at his home in Maine in 1850, at age 89.

The photos are of the rediscovered first edition of the book and of a portrait of Martin and his wife.

11/22/2025

Got a frustrating ancestry research problem? Follow these six timeless tips from genealogy experts to work through brick walls and build your family tree.

11/21/2025

You don't have to travel far to find valuable genealogy resources. You may be able to find some at your local library. Here are some research tips to help.

11/21/2025

Subscribe to our monthly genealogy podcast or click on the descriptions below to follow along as we talk all things family history.

11/21/2025

How do you handle shocking news about your DNA? One woman shares how she worked through the complex emotions of discovering she was conceived via a s***m donor.

11/13/2025

Through The Trees Blog and The GU272 Descendants Association invite you to join us this Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM Eastern on Zoom for the second episode of our 2025 Fall Genealogy Lecture Series. See the invitation here: https://rb.gy/s6oz9g

Hosted by genealogist Shannon S. Christmas, this season's second episode will feature Meaghan Alston, Sarah Carrier, and Nancy Kaiser of the Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who will present "Family History Research in Records of Enslavement at Wilson Library," a panel discussion of the enslaved genealogy research resources available within one of the nation's most unique repositories.

Space is limited. Register now: https://forms.gle/taxEHjVprB4FSRss5

11/13/2025

Just getting started in your quest to discover your family history? Check out our tips for finding great stories in your ancestry!

Join us today at the Wilmette Public Library to hear members share their ancestors veterans stories!
11/08/2025

Join us today at the Wilmette Public Library to hear members share their ancestors veterans stories!

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The North Suburban Genealogical Society (NSGS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1975. Its purposes are: 1. To promote an interest in genealogy. 2. To encourage and instruct members in careful, documented genealogical research. 3. To publish genealogical and historical information.