Librarian Jamie Poorman has a talent for engaging audiences of all ages in stories from Illinois's past and present. -From Illinois Humanities
I am available to present on a variety of topics, specializing in Illinois history and genealogy. Previous presentation are listed below, but please contact me to discuss anything else you have in mind. I can customize my presentations to fit the needs of the audience and the venue.
From New York to the Heartland: The Orphan Train ExperienceIn the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a remarkable and heart-wrenching chapter of American history unfolded as thousands of children embarked on a journey from the crowded streets of New York City to new lives in rural communities across the nation. This was the Orphan Train Movement, a unique initiative that left a lasting impact on the children themselves, as well as on the communities that welcomed them. The movement would last for 75 years and impact an estimated 250,000 children. We will explore the beginnings of this movement, the organizations involved and the journeys taken by the children, and then take an in-depth look at the lives of a handful of orphan train riders.
It's a Wonderful Life - From Box Office Flop to Holiday Tradition
Think
you know Frank Capra’s classic film? Go behind the scenes on an
illustrated journey through the film’s beginning – as a Christmas card! –
to mixed reviews at the box office and then to its place as a beloved
holiday classic. We’ll explore the cast, sets, technical challenges, and
more including the film’s connection to a Disney Princess and how
Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) lost a bet with Donna Reed (Mary Hatch
Bailey). Experience this classic like never before with
behind-the-scenes photos and deleted scenes.
Of Wind & Sky: Illinois Author Marguerite Henry and the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague Island
Join Jamie Poorman to explore the life and legacy
of Illinois Author and pony-lover Marguerite Henry. Henry was born in
Milwaukee in 1902 and moved to Illinois after her marriage, writing many
of her most famous works here. She published 59 books, mostly animal
tales for children. Henry was an avid library user and conducted
in-depth research before visiting the places that inspired her stories.
Her works won many awards, including the Newbery Medal.
In 1946,
Henry visited the island of Chincoteague off the coast of Virginia for
the annual “Pony Penning” week when the wild ponies from nearby
Assateague Island were rounded up, swam across the channel, and foals
auctioned off. Marguerite fell in love with a tiny foal, named Misty,
and purchased her. When Misty was old enough, she was shipped to
Illinois to live with Marguerite on her farm near Wayne. Misty lived
here in Illinois for over 10 years until returning to Chincoteague to
have foals of her own. Misty was beloved by the neighborhood children,
then the whole country. The pony was even invited to the American
Library Association conference, and national contests were held to name
her foals. In 1962, when Chincoteague Island was devastated by a
terrible storm, Misty saved the town and the ponies by raising money on a
tour of theaters along the Eastern Shore.
Henry once wrote “Some
people, by the very tone of their voices, can make a story sound
exciting. But then, when you follow up on the idea, it often turns out
to be little or nothing. With Misty, the reality was more exciting than
the promise.” You won’t want to miss this incredible story of an
Illinois author and her impact on generations of readers and an island
community nearly 1,000 miles away.
The Road was Home: Early History of Romani Americans in Central, Illinois
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, central
Illinois was often visited by the Cooper family, a traveling band of
Gypsies, who traded horses, told fortunes, and made many friends
throughout the area. The death of a young daughter, and her burial in
Marshall Cemetery, solidified the family’s relationship with the area,
and they continued to visit for many more years. The Romani families
left many traces of their visits here – not only in the tombstones in
the cemetery, but also tales of a Gypsy Queen’s blessing on the town of
Marshall, a small frame church outside Salem, a Gypsy wagon in Findlay,
and memories with those who knew them. Their travels took them over much
of central Illinois, and their family roots spread all across the
region.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, central
Illinois was often visited by the Cooper family, a traveling band of
Gypsies, who traded horses, told fortunes, and made many friends
throughout the area. The death of a young daughter, and her burial in
Marshall Cemetery, solidified the family’s relationship with the area,
and they continued to visit for many more years. The Romani families
left many traces of their visits here – not only in the tombstones in
the cemetery, but also tales of a Gypsy Queen’s blessing on the town of
Marshall, a small frame church outside Salem, a Gypsy wagon in Findlay,
and memories with those who knew them. Their travels took them over much
of central Illinois, and their family roots spread all across the
region Genealogy Education 
Breaking Down Your Brick Walls In
genealogy, a "brick wall" is an ancestor who seemingly refuses, despite
repeated attempts, to reveal their origins. No matter how hard a family
historian tries, they are unable to move past this ancestor. In this
presentation, we'll discuss the most common kinds of brick walls and
offer some tricks and alternative sources for breaking them down. 
Grow Your Family Tree with Census Records Learn expert
tips and tricks for navigating census record to uncover your family
history. Discover how these valuable resources can help you piece
together your ancestral story and gain insights to the past. 
Mapping Your Family History Maps can be an incredible tool in our family history research journey.Learn about how to located maps, how to apply them to your genealogy quest, and how to glean all of the information that you can from them.
Other local & Illinois history topics include:
"Her Heart and Soul Were in Her Work" : The Life of Jayne Bartlett Kerr "A New Deal for the American People" : FDR's Recovery Programs
Once Upon a Place: Forgotten Communities of Clark County, Illinois Scoundrels, Bandits & Ne'er Do Wells in Clark County History
Fee Schedule:
Basic Presentation Fee: $250 for one hour presentation with Q&A
I can provide my own equipment if needed (laptop, projector, screen) or can use yours if available. I am very flexible.
Mileage:
No mileage fee within 25 miles of Marshall, Illinois.
Beyond 25 miles, mileage fee equal to the current IRS standard mileage rate applies. (Equal to $0.70 per mile as of 2025).
Of Wind & Sky: Illinois Author Marguerite Henry and the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague Island
Join Jamie Poorman to explore the life and legacy of Illinois Author and pony-lover Marguerite Henry. Henry was born in Milwaukee in 1902 and moved to Illinois after her marriage, writing many of her most famous works here. She published 59 books, mostly animal tales for children. Henry was an avid library user and conducted in-depth research before visiting the places that inspired her stories. Her works won many awards, including the Newbery Medal.
In 1946, Henry visited the island of Chincoteague off the coast of Virginia for the annual “Pony Penning” week when the wild ponies from nearby Assateague Island were rounded up, swam across the channel, and foals auctioned off. Marguerite fell in love with a tiny foal, named Misty, and purchased her. When Misty was old enough, she was shipped to Illinois to live with Marguerite on her farm near Wayne. Misty lived here in Illinois for over 10 years until returning to Chincoteague to have foals of her own. Misty was beloved by the neighborhood children, then the whole country. The pony was even invited to the American Library Association conference, and national contests were held to name her foals. In 1962, when Chincoteague Island was devastated by a terrible storm, Misty saved the town and the ponies by raising money on a tour of theaters along the Eastern Shore.
Henry once wrote “Some people, by the very tone of their voices, can make a story sound exciting. But then, when you follow up on the idea, it often turns out to be little or nothing. With Misty, the reality was more exciting than the promise.” You won’t want to miss this incredible story of an Illinois author and her impact on generations of readers and an island community nearly 1,000 miles away.
The Road was Home: Early History of Romani Americans in Central, Illinois
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, central Illinois was often visited by the Cooper family, a traveling band of Gypsies, who traded horses, told fortunes, and made many friends throughout the area. The death of a young daughter, and her burial in Marshall Cemetery, solidified the family’s relationship with the area, and they continued to visit for many more years. The Romani families left many traces of their visits here – not only in the tombstones in the cemetery, but also tales of a Gypsy Queen’s blessing on the town of Marshall, a small frame church outside Salem, a Gypsy wagon in Findlay, and memories with those who knew them. Their travels took them over much of central Illinois, and their family roots spread all across the region.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, central Illinois was often visited by the Cooper family, a traveling band of Gypsies, who traded horses, told fortunes, and made many friends throughout the area. The death of a young daughter, and her burial in Marshall Cemetery, solidified the family’s relationship with the area, and they continued to visit for many more years. The Romani families left many traces of their visits here – not only in the tombstones in the cemetery, but also tales of a Gypsy Queen’s blessing on the town of Marshall, a small frame church outside Salem, a Gypsy wagon in Findlay, and memories with those who knew them. Their travels took them over much of central Illinois, and their family roots spread all across the region
Mapping Your Family History
Other local & Illinois history topics include:
Fee Schedule:
Basic Presentation Fee: $250 for one hour presentation with Q&A
I can provide my own equipment if needed (laptop, projector, screen) or can use yours if available. I am very flexible.
Mileage:
No mileage fee within 25 miles of Marshall, Illinois.
Beyond 25 miles, mileage fee equal to the current IRS standard mileage rate applies. (Equal to $0.70 per mile as of 2025).
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