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Glimpses into Elgin History through Archived Family Letters

Join Kevin O'Connor as he discusses his book, "Two Floors Above Grief," based on a collection of letters exchanged among family members from the 1930s through the 1970s. Please Register

Kevin O'Connor grew up in Elgin, where his family owned the O'Connor Funeral Home from 1930 to 1984. His book, "Two Floors Above Grief," is based on a collection of letters exchanged among family members from the 1930s through the 1970s. He will talk about how he organized the 700 pages of letters and used them to authenticate the characters' stories, the significance of the house where the family lived, and other locations and events significant to Elgin's history.

"Two Floors Above Grief" is based in part on a collection of letters of correspondence between O'Connor's parents (Bill and Marion O'Connor), uncle and aunt (Lawrence and Mildred O'Connor), and himself. The letters are dated from the 1930s through the 1970s. Many of the letters were written in Elgin.

O’Connor will explain how he organized the approximately 700 pages of letters and used them to authenticate the characters' stories, the significance of the house where the family lived, and other locations and events in Elgin. He will focus on those letters and commentary that have significance to Elgin's history.

The building next door to 364 Division St. was the original home of the Borden Family. The first owner of 364 Division Street, built in 1886, was part of the Borden family. The book contains letters that reference stories such as the demolition of City Hall on Chicago Street, political and financial scandals, the early history of St. Edward HS, and references to EHS during O'Connor's parents' high school years (1930-34).

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