genealogy

The Peoria Public Schools board is tabling a controversial $80,000 purchase of DNA genealogy testing kits for high school biology students.

A growing trend has people planning vacations to get in touch with their roots.

A treasure trove of genealogical and historical resources — along with hands-on guidance on how to access them — was revealed to a small but enthusiastic group of local residents who showed up at the Peoria Public Library last month for a free tour of its genealogy and local history department.

For years, dusty, battered volumes of records from the 19th and early 20th century have been stored in boxes in a forgotten corner of the Peoria County…