MCIGS 2021 Virtual Summer Conference
Saturday, July 10, 2021
9:00 am-3:00 pm
9:00 am-3:00 pm
Conference Registration
Registration begins April 1, 2021 and ends on June 26, 2021.
The syllabus, information on how to access Zoom, and use the "chat" feature will be emailed to registered attendees 2 weeks prior to the conference. Session links will be emailed the day before, on July 9, 2021. The sharing of links is prohibited due to space and ethical considerations.
- MCIGS Members = Free!
- Non-members = $25
- MCIGS 2021 membership = $20 (join today and register for the conference for free)
The syllabus, information on how to access Zoom, and use the "chat" feature will be emailed to registered attendees 2 weeks prior to the conference. Session links will be emailed the day before, on July 9, 2021. The sharing of links is prohibited due to space and ethical considerations.
Featuring: "The Genealogy Squad" Facebook Group
Speakers
George G. Morgan, President of AHA! Seminars, Inc., is an avid genealogist. His interest began at age nine when his paternal grandmother and aunt divulged family historical facts extending back before the American Revolution and shared a wealth of original documents. Since that time, George's genealogical research has expanded to include all the branches of his family tree and he has investigated leads in materials in all sorts of places. Libraries, archives, courthouses, and cemeteries are among his favorite haunts, but he will leave no stone unturned, even to the point of tracking down the original 1914 newspapers containing his great-grandparents' obituaries in a records retention facility owned by a county board of education. He is a master in working with and understanding all types of genealogical record types in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. With the advent of electronic research materials, he has become a recognized expert in using software programs, databases, Internet resources, online databases, Internet genealogical mailing lists and message boards, search engines, directories, subscription databases, social media, and all the major online genealogical services around the world. He is also an active genetic genealogical researcher.
George is the author of fourteen landmark genealogy books, is a highly popular speaker at national and international genealogical conferences. He is co-host with partner Drew Smith of The Genealogy Guys Podcast at http://genealogyguys.com, the longest-running genealogy podcast, enjoyed by thousands of listeners around the world. His company also produces the Genealogy Connection podcast, hosted by Drew Smith, which presents interviews with genealogy speakers, authors, and other genealogy professionals. Its episodes alternate weeks with episodes of The Genealogy Guys Podcast. George is the primary author of The Genealogy Guys Blog.
George is the author of fourteen landmark genealogy books, is a highly popular speaker at national and international genealogical conferences. He is co-host with partner Drew Smith of The Genealogy Guys Podcast at http://genealogyguys.com, the longest-running genealogy podcast, enjoyed by thousands of listeners around the world. His company also produces the Genealogy Connection podcast, hosted by Drew Smith, which presents interviews with genealogy speakers, authors, and other genealogy professionals. Its episodes alternate weeks with episodes of The Genealogy Guys Podcast. George is the primary author of The Genealogy Guys Blog.
Drew Smith has been a librarian in the Academic Services department at the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa Library since 2007. Between 1994 and 2007, he was an instructor for the USF School of Library and Information Science (now the School of Information), where he taught undergraduate-level courses in library/Internet research skills and website design, and graduate-level courses in genealogical librarianship and indexing/abstracting. Prior to 1994, Drew worked for academic computing departments at USF and at Clemson University in South Carolina.
As a child, he developed an interest in genealogy, and he began to engage in serious family history research in 1992 after the death of his favorite aunt. He soon became a volunteer in the America Online (AOL) Genealogy Forum, and within a few years was writing genealogy articles and editing various publications and has authored several genealogy books.
Drew is the immediate Past President of the Florida Genealogical Society of Tampa, having served in that position for nine years. He served as a Director of the Federation of Genealogical Societies from 2008 to 2013, and as Secretary of the Association of Professional Genealogists from 2010 to 2011. In 1996, Drew founded the mailing list GENEALIB for genealogy librarians, and continues to administer it for more than 1,100 subscribers. He is also the administrator for the RootsMagic mailing list, and an administrator for numerous genealogy-related groups on Facebook.
Drew regularly speaks at conferences and meetings of national, state, and local genealogy societies, especially on topics linking genealogy and technology. Together with George G. Morgan, Drew has been the co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast since September 2005. Beginning in 2016, he hosts the Genealogy Connections Podcast, which alternates weeks with The Genealogy Guys Podcast.
As a child, he developed an interest in genealogy, and he began to engage in serious family history research in 1992 after the death of his favorite aunt. He soon became a volunteer in the America Online (AOL) Genealogy Forum, and within a few years was writing genealogy articles and editing various publications and has authored several genealogy books.
Drew is the immediate Past President of the Florida Genealogical Society of Tampa, having served in that position for nine years. He served as a Director of the Federation of Genealogical Societies from 2008 to 2013, and as Secretary of the Association of Professional Genealogists from 2010 to 2011. In 1996, Drew founded the mailing list GENEALIB for genealogy librarians, and continues to administer it for more than 1,100 subscribers. He is also the administrator for the RootsMagic mailing list, and an administrator for numerous genealogy-related groups on Facebook.
Drew regularly speaks at conferences and meetings of national, state, and local genealogy societies, especially on topics linking genealogy and technology. Together with George G. Morgan, Drew has been the co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast since September 2005. Beginning in 2016, he hosts the Genealogy Connections Podcast, which alternates weeks with The Genealogy Guys Podcast.
Cyndi Ingle, Cyndi Ingle is the creator and innovator behind the award-winning and globally recognized CyndisList.com, a free categorized list of more than 337,000 links for genealogical research. In its 25 years online Cyndi’s List has consistently remained in the top tiers for genealogical research tools online. It helps millions of visitors worldwide and has been featured in the various forms of media including radio and TV as well as many magazine publications.
Cyndi, a genealogist for more than 39 years, has an expertise in using technology for genealogy. Additionally, her many active years in genealogy have also resulted in a specialty for research in the United States with particular focus on homesteaders, the Civil War, the Plains States, the Midwest, the Old Northwest, and beyond. Cyndi's favorite topics bring together traditional methodology with organization, computers, software, and the Internet.
During the past 25 years she has served in several capacities for local, national, and professional genealogical organizations including the board of directors for the National Genealogical Society. Cyndi is an internationally-known guest lecturer, speaking at more than 200 genealogical society meetings, conferences, seminars, and webinars (http://www.CyndisList.com/speaking-calendar/). She is the coordinator for the technology course at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP).
Cyndi, a genealogist for more than 39 years, has an expertise in using technology for genealogy. Additionally, her many active years in genealogy have also resulted in a specialty for research in the United States with particular focus on homesteaders, the Civil War, the Plains States, the Midwest, the Old Northwest, and beyond. Cyndi's favorite topics bring together traditional methodology with organization, computers, software, and the Internet.
During the past 25 years she has served in several capacities for local, national, and professional genealogical organizations including the board of directors for the National Genealogical Society. Cyndi is an internationally-known guest lecturer, speaking at more than 200 genealogical society meetings, conferences, seminars, and webinars (http://www.CyndisList.com/speaking-calendar/). She is the coordinator for the technology course at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP).
Cari A. Taplin, CG is related to Roy Rogers. Or at least that’s what her family told her. As a result, finding her true heritage has been her focus since the year 2000. She is a native of Wood County, Ohio but now lives in Longmont, Colorado. Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for state, local, and national societies. She currently serves as the Secretary for the Association for Professional Genealogists (APG) and as the President of the Lone Star Chapter of APG. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking services. Cari currently works for Ancestry ProGenealogists. Cari’s personal research focuses on midwestern and Great Lakes states. When she’s not working on her genealogy, she is a wife, and a mother of two young adults.
Session Descriptions
George Morgan
New Ways to Research Our Roots
We've come a long, long way in the last several decades in our genealogical research work. We started with writing letters and sending away for individual records, and now we are using the Internet, DNA, and social networking applications to collaborate with other researchers.
This session takes the attendees from our beginnings to the future of genealogical research, and it concentrates on the products, services, technology, and initiatives that are advancing our research each day. Learn about new research resources available today and trends into the future with books, records, digitization, DNA, and more.
Bring ‘Em Back to Life: Developing an Ancestor Profile
In the course of our genealogical research, we often become engrossed in the collection of information snippets, failing to put them into a logical perspective. We lose sight of the fact that the people we're tracing participated in the life of their historical times, led complex lives, and interacted with one another.
Organizing the information we collect into a biographical profile can help you begin to recognize character traits and decision patterns. And the profile also provides an invaluable, portable research tool that avoids your taking voluminous amounts of notes with you on research trips.
This seminar presents a methodology and a structured model for taking the details you collect about your ancestor and creating a biographical profile. We will discuss:
Colonial and Early American Land Records
Land and property records are among the most numerous documentary evidence for genealogists. Deeds, tax lists, liens, and scores of related records can tell you when your ancestor bought and sold land, where the property was located, its sale value, and more. The transfer of property from a deceased person to another may provide the only evidence of the exact date of death.
This seminar presents an introduction to land records from earliest colonial times and how they were transferred or sold from the monarch to the people over more than two centuries.
Drew Smith MLS
Before You Test: DNA Basics You Need to Know
Avoid wasting time and money by learning how DNA is inherited, which type of DNA test to take, and exactly what you can expect to get as a result.
Introduction to GEDmatch
GEDmatch is a free website that allows uploading raw DNA data from DNA testing companies so that the test data can be compared with data from tests taken at different companies. It also provides tools that may not be available at the original testing company. This presentation will focus on the basics of using GEDmatch to match relatives.
Using FamilySearch.org to Find Genealogical Records
Over the past few years, FamilySearch.org has become one of the largest online repositories of genealogical records. Learn how to search and browse, how to save and share results, and how to get help with the available resources.
Cyndi Ingle
Cyndi’s List in Practice
Sometimes overwhelming to beginners and sometimes underused by veterans, Cyndi's List is a research tool that is robust with resources helpful in everyone's research. Using specific examples for beginners, as well as more advanced researchers, we will explore the site and point out how to make the most of the categories and the links found within.
Evaluating Web Sites, Databases, and Online Records
One of the first things an online researcher needs to be able to do is ascertain what it is they are looking at. Who owns or runs this web site? Who created the material/records/databases that are found within? Where did records originate? Are you looking at original records or a derivative work? How can you know whether what you find online is accurate or reliable? We’ll discuss how to delve into web sites, their contents, and online datasets to determine the original source of the materials, and how to evaluate the material you find there.
The Path to Digital Libraries and Archives
Today every nook and cranny of the Internet is filled with hidden gems in digital library and archive collections. Often part of a special project or a larger web site, these collections aren't always easy to find and explore. We will discuss methods for locating them and, once found, methods for using them to answer specific research questions.
Cari Taplin CG℠
Using Timelines and Tables to Analyze your Research
In-depth and difficult research tasks create large amounts of data to compare and analyze. Discover analysis methods using tables and timelines to solve problems.
Topics included:
PERSIbilities: Better Research With ACPL’s Periodical Source Index
This lecture will give the audience a look into Allen County Public Library’s PERSI, its history and partnership with Find My Past, tips and techniques for getting the most out of this valuable genealogical resource, and how societies can get involved.
Piece by Piece, Page by Page: An Approach to Writing
In this program, Cari Taplin will share some of the tips and strategies she uses in her writing to help you get started on your own. The writing aspect of writing doesn’t have to be as big and daunting as some make it out to be. She hopes to eliminate some of those fears and show the audience how to break down the task into manageable pieces.
New Ways to Research Our Roots
We've come a long, long way in the last several decades in our genealogical research work. We started with writing letters and sending away for individual records, and now we are using the Internet, DNA, and social networking applications to collaborate with other researchers.
This session takes the attendees from our beginnings to the future of genealogical research, and it concentrates on the products, services, technology, and initiatives that are advancing our research each day. Learn about new research resources available today and trends into the future with books, records, digitization, DNA, and more.
Bring ‘Em Back to Life: Developing an Ancestor Profile
In the course of our genealogical research, we often become engrossed in the collection of information snippets, failing to put them into a logical perspective. We lose sight of the fact that the people we're tracing participated in the life of their historical times, led complex lives, and interacted with one another.
Organizing the information we collect into a biographical profile can help you begin to recognize character traits and decision patterns. And the profile also provides an invaluable, portable research tool that avoids your taking voluminous amounts of notes with you on research trips.
This seminar presents a methodology and a structured model for taking the details you collect about your ancestor and creating a biographical profile. We will discuss:
- Establishing your ancestor's every location,
- Learning about other people in your ancestor's life,
- Studying local, state and national history to determine what events may have influenced or motivated your ancestor,
- Studying personal events that may have influenced or motivated your ancestor, and
- Effectively organizing materials into a profile that can be used for additional research and for writing.
Colonial and Early American Land Records
Land and property records are among the most numerous documentary evidence for genealogists. Deeds, tax lists, liens, and scores of related records can tell you when your ancestor bought and sold land, where the property was located, its sale value, and more. The transfer of property from a deceased person to another may provide the only evidence of the exact date of death.
This seminar presents an introduction to land records from earliest colonial times and how they were transferred or sold from the monarch to the people over more than two centuries.
Drew Smith MLS
Before You Test: DNA Basics You Need to Know
Avoid wasting time and money by learning how DNA is inherited, which type of DNA test to take, and exactly what you can expect to get as a result.
Introduction to GEDmatch
GEDmatch is a free website that allows uploading raw DNA data from DNA testing companies so that the test data can be compared with data from tests taken at different companies. It also provides tools that may not be available at the original testing company. This presentation will focus on the basics of using GEDmatch to match relatives.
Using FamilySearch.org to Find Genealogical Records
Over the past few years, FamilySearch.org has become one of the largest online repositories of genealogical records. Learn how to search and browse, how to save and share results, and how to get help with the available resources.
Cyndi Ingle
Cyndi’s List in Practice
Sometimes overwhelming to beginners and sometimes underused by veterans, Cyndi's List is a research tool that is robust with resources helpful in everyone's research. Using specific examples for beginners, as well as more advanced researchers, we will explore the site and point out how to make the most of the categories and the links found within.
Evaluating Web Sites, Databases, and Online Records
One of the first things an online researcher needs to be able to do is ascertain what it is they are looking at. Who owns or runs this web site? Who created the material/records/databases that are found within? Where did records originate? Are you looking at original records or a derivative work? How can you know whether what you find online is accurate or reliable? We’ll discuss how to delve into web sites, their contents, and online datasets to determine the original source of the materials, and how to evaluate the material you find there.
The Path to Digital Libraries and Archives
Today every nook and cranny of the Internet is filled with hidden gems in digital library and archive collections. Often part of a special project or a larger web site, these collections aren't always easy to find and explore. We will discuss methods for locating them and, once found, methods for using them to answer specific research questions.
Cari Taplin CG℠
Using Timelines and Tables to Analyze your Research
In-depth and difficult research tasks create large amounts of data to compare and analyze. Discover analysis methods using tables and timelines to solve problems.
Topics included:
- Introduction of analysis techniques including examples of timelines and tables
- Creating a timeline
- use a variety of tools such as word processor, spreadsheets, timeline software
- finding historical timelines online to enhance yours
- timeline tips and tricks – color coding, footnotes/citations
- using timelines to separate individuals of the same/similar name
- Creating tables
- use a variety of tools such as word processor or spreadsheets
- discuss the endless variety of tables that could be created (document comparisons)
- tables for organizing research notes
- demonstration of using table to corroborate data to determine a mother’s maiden name
- Case study examples demonstrating timelines and tables
- Census compilation example
- Angeline Mitchell’s maiden name
- Sorting obituary data in a table
- Using a timeline to solve a two men, one name problem
PERSIbilities: Better Research With ACPL’s Periodical Source Index
This lecture will give the audience a look into Allen County Public Library’s PERSI, its history and partnership with Find My Past, tips and techniques for getting the most out of this valuable genealogical resource, and how societies can get involved.
- History of PERSI – A brief overview of the project, how it came to be what it is today
- How PERSI can benefit your research – Mini case studies demonstrating PERSI’s involvement in research problems
- Demonstration of how Find My Past is making PERSI more accessible
- Discussion on how societies can get involved
Piece by Piece, Page by Page: An Approach to Writing
In this program, Cari Taplin will share some of the tips and strategies she uses in her writing to help you get started on your own. The writing aspect of writing doesn’t have to be as big and daunting as some make it out to be. She hopes to eliminate some of those fears and show the audience how to break down the task into manageable pieces.
Conference Venue
This year's conference will be conducted virtually using Zoom. Registrants will receive a link to the sessions the day before the conference. Handouts will be sent via e-mail approximately 2 weeks before the conference.
Door Prizes
Attendees will be entered in a random drawing for a variety of prizes including subscriptions to genealogy databases and more! Stay tuned for an updated listing of available prizes.
Prize Contributor
1 ea - Annual World Explorer Membership Ancestry.com
1 ea - Annual Fold3.com Subscription Ancestry.com
1 ea - Ancestry.com DNA Kit Ancestry.com
1 ea - Annual Newspapers.com Publishers
Extract Subscription Ancestry.com
12 Month Ultimate British & Irish Subscription FindMyPast
1 Year Genealogy Gems Premium Membership Lisa Louise Cooke
1 Year Membership to Illinois State Genealogy
Society (ISGS) ISGS
1 ea - Legacy Family Tree Software Legacy Family Tree
1 ea - One Year Membership to
www.FamilyTreeWebinars Legacy Family Tree
1 Full Ancestry Kit Living DNA
1 ea - Roots Magic Version 7 Software download Roots Magic
1 Year MyHeritage Complete Plan MyHeritage.com
2022 MCIGS Conference Registration McHenry Cnty IL Genealogical Society
Book: Research Like a Pro, by Diana Elder,
Nicole Dyer Wells Genealogical Research
Book: Our Family: A Keepsake Album for Your
Memories, Milestones & Stories Wells Genealogical Research
Book: Irish Immigration to America Steve Szabados
Book: German Immigration to America Steve Szabados
Book: DNA and Genealogy Research Steve Szabados
Book: Find Your Czech and Slovak Ancestors Steve Szabados