Upcoming General Meetings - ONLINE
Our general meetings are free and open to the public. We typically meet on the second Thursday of each month at McHenry County College in Building A, Room A215. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, we are currently unable to meet in person. Therefore, we will be holding our general meetings online using Zoom until further notice. Please register to attend our meeting and you will receive a link to attend online. You will need a computer with an Internet connection, or a mobile device with the Zoom app installed. You do not need to create an account with Zoom to attend our meetings.
Try-it Illinois: An Overview
October 8, 2020 – Tina Beaird
During October and November, the state of Illinois makes available hundreds of paid databases. This trial is to give libraries and residents the opportunity to try these resources to test which might be useful to add a paid subscription. With hundreds available it can be overwhelming. Tina Beaird will showcase those most useful for genealogy and history research. Come and learn how to make the most of this 2-month opportunity and decide which products to recommend for your library.
Tina is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is the Genealogy/Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library. She lectures nationally on military research, genealogical methodology, Scottish records, and archival preservation.
October 8, 2020 – Tina Beaird
During October and November, the state of Illinois makes available hundreds of paid databases. This trial is to give libraries and residents the opportunity to try these resources to test which might be useful to add a paid subscription. With hundreds available it can be overwhelming. Tina Beaird will showcase those most useful for genealogy and history research. Come and learn how to make the most of this 2-month opportunity and decide which products to recommend for your library.
Tina is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is the Genealogy/Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library. She lectures nationally on military research, genealogical methodology, Scottish records, and archival preservation.
Previous Meetings
Comparing the Genealogy Big Four:
Ancestry, FamilySearch, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage
September 10, 2020 - Caron Primas Brennan
Everyone has heard of Ancestry, but there are some other big databases for genealogy research. They all share search capabilities as well as have their own unique merits. Learn “the good, the bad and the ugly” about the Big Four – Ancestry, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage. Learning about these databases will help you target your research. All of them have Library editions (free access) in addition to their subscriptions.
Caron belongs to several local and regional genealogy groups as well as being a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is currently Society Liaison for the Illinois State Genealogical Society; Facilitator for the Chicago Region of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and Web Master for the Chicago Genealogical Society. She also blogs as Your Cousin Caron.
Ancestry, FamilySearch, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage
September 10, 2020 - Caron Primas Brennan
Everyone has heard of Ancestry, but there are some other big databases for genealogy research. They all share search capabilities as well as have their own unique merits. Learn “the good, the bad and the ugly” about the Big Four – Ancestry, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage. Learning about these databases will help you target your research. All of them have Library editions (free access) in addition to their subscriptions.
Caron belongs to several local and regional genealogy groups as well as being a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is currently Society Liaison for the Illinois State Genealogical Society; Facilitator for the Chicago Region of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and Web Master for the Chicago Genealogical Society. She also blogs as Your Cousin Caron.
The Amazing Genealogical Information Available on Social Media*
August 13, 2020 – Bob Allen
Handout available for Members
Some of the most popular social media websites, with over 100 million registered users, include Facebook (and its associated Facebook Messenger), YouTube, WeChat, Instagram, QQ, QZone, Weibo, Twitter, Tumblr, Telegram, Baidu Tieba, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, LINE, Snapchat, Pinterest, Viber and VK, reddit, bbm and more.
Bob has been conducting genealogy research for over 30 years and has been able to identify a number ofancestral lines going back to the US Colonies, the Middle Ages and the Roman Empire.
August 13, 2020 – Bob Allen
Handout available for Members
Some of the most popular social media websites, with over 100 million registered users, include Facebook (and its associated Facebook Messenger), YouTube, WeChat, Instagram, QQ, QZone, Weibo, Twitter, Tumblr, Telegram, Baidu Tieba, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, LINE, Snapchat, Pinterest, Viber and VK, reddit, bbm and more.
Bob has been conducting genealogy research for over 30 years and has been able to identify a number ofancestral lines going back to the US Colonies, the Middle Ages and the Roman Empire.
City Directories: No Town Too Small, No Clue Too Little
July 9, 2020 - Thomas MacEntee
Recorded webinar available for Members
Participants will learn the history of city directories, how important they were to even the smallest town, and how to extract every possible clue for your genealogy research. We’ll cover digital/online directories, how to deal with numbering grid and street name changes, what those “weird codes” mean and more.
Thomas has been involved with genealogy and family history for close to 20 years and for the past two years has dedicated himself professionally to various aspects of the genealogy industry.
July 9, 2020 - Thomas MacEntee
Recorded webinar available for Members
Participants will learn the history of city directories, how important they were to even the smallest town, and how to extract every possible clue for your genealogy research. We’ll cover digital/online directories, how to deal with numbering grid and street name changes, what those “weird codes” mean and more.
Thomas has been involved with genealogy and family history for close to 20 years and for the past two years has dedicated himself professionally to various aspects of the genealogy industry.
Internet Archive - Zoom Webinar
May 14, 2020 - Tina Beaird
Recorded webinar available for Members
Internet Archive has become a must-visit site for genealogy and history, but how do you know you’re getting the most out of your search? Tina will help you navigate Internet Archive by showing you how to effectively use their advanced features, highlight some featured collections and explain the WayBack Machine. Each of these features will help you get the most out of your user experience.
Tina Beaird lectures nationally on military research, genealogical methodology, Scottish records, and archival preservation. She is a governing board director of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, the Northern Illinois Historical League and the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board.
Tina volunteers her time with several local historical and genealogical societies scanning and indexing historic records. Occasionally, Tina finds time to research her own family tree, which she has been pursuing for over 25 years.
May 14, 2020 - Tina Beaird
Recorded webinar available for Members
Internet Archive has become a must-visit site for genealogy and history, but how do you know you’re getting the most out of your search? Tina will help you navigate Internet Archive by showing you how to effectively use their advanced features, highlight some featured collections and explain the WayBack Machine. Each of these features will help you get the most out of your user experience.
Tina Beaird lectures nationally on military research, genealogical methodology, Scottish records, and archival preservation. She is a governing board director of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, the Northern Illinois Historical League and the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board.
Tina volunteers her time with several local historical and genealogical societies scanning and indexing historic records. Occasionally, Tina finds time to research her own family tree, which she has been pursuing for over 25 years.
United States Church Records - MEETING CANCELED
April 9, 2020 - Jacquie Schattner
Church records contain surprises, not just baptisms, marriages and deaths. They provide clues to much more, including town of origin and immigration information, how active families were in their church, and their financial situation. Churches predate government, and often have information on under-represented people; women, minorities, immigrants, and young children. Learn how to identify your ancestor’s place of worship, access surviving records and solve problems such as maiden names and overseas birthplaces. Find new and exciting information in church records!
Jacquie has been actively researching her family’s ancestors since 1996. She volunteered at the local Family History Center for 15 years, teaches genealogy at local high schools, and area libraries. She is active in several genealogy societies. Jacquie received her B.S. degree from the University of Illinois. She is a retired school secretary, allowing her free time to pursue new information.
April 9, 2020 - Jacquie Schattner
Church records contain surprises, not just baptisms, marriages and deaths. They provide clues to much more, including town of origin and immigration information, how active families were in their church, and their financial situation. Churches predate government, and often have information on under-represented people; women, minorities, immigrants, and young children. Learn how to identify your ancestor’s place of worship, access surviving records and solve problems such as maiden names and overseas birthplaces. Find new and exciting information in church records!
Jacquie has been actively researching her family’s ancestors since 1996. She volunteered at the local Family History Center for 15 years, teaches genealogy at local high schools, and area libraries. She is active in several genealogy societies. Jacquie received her B.S. degree from the University of Illinois. She is a retired school secretary, allowing her free time to pursue new information.
Blogs
March 12, 2020 – Carolyn Guntur
The program objective is to cover the most useful genealogy blogs, where to find them, and how to start one to share family stories. Q & A time will be included.
Carolyn Guntur is a Certified Photo Organizer and Genealogist who enjoys blogging on a regular basis. You can find her at organizingphotos.net and searchingscandinavia.com.
March 12, 2020 – Carolyn Guntur
The program objective is to cover the most useful genealogy blogs, where to find them, and how to start one to share family stories. Q & A time will be included.
Carolyn Guntur is a Certified Photo Organizer and Genealogist who enjoys blogging on a regular basis. You can find her at organizingphotos.net and searchingscandinavia.com.
Quaker Family History Research
Feb 13, 2020 –Maureen Brady
This presentation will focus on the types of records kept by the Society of Friends and how to access those records online, through the Family History Centers and various other libraries and archives.
Maureen Brady is a former school librarian and computer educator. She has over 35 years’ experience with family history research, is a professional genealogist, and owner of Bare Roots Genealogical Services. Maureen has made numerous presentations to genealogical societies, libraries, conferences and workshops. She is a volunteer at the Crystal Lake, IL Family History Center and is a member of many genealogical and family history societies in the U.S. and Scotland.
Feb 13, 2020 –Maureen Brady
This presentation will focus on the types of records kept by the Society of Friends and how to access those records online, through the Family History Centers and various other libraries and archives.
Maureen Brady is a former school librarian and computer educator. She has over 35 years’ experience with family history research, is a professional genealogist, and owner of Bare Roots Genealogical Services. Maureen has made numerous presentations to genealogical societies, libraries, conferences and workshops. She is a volunteer at the Crystal Lake, IL Family History Center and is a member of many genealogical and family history societies in the U.S. and Scotland.