Upcoming General Meetings
Our general meetings are free and open to the public. We typically meet on the second Thursday of each month. Beginning in January 2019, we will hold our general meetings at McHenry County College, Building B in Breakout Room Room B166-167.
Feel free to show up early for an opportunity to socialize or share your research challenges.
Feel free to show up early for an opportunity to socialize or share your research challenges.
Maternal Lineage – 3 Genealogy Case Studies
Larry Wood - January 10, 2019
Larry Wood is our current MCIGS Newsletter Editor and Director. He has been previously spotlighted in "CONNECTIONS" as having some impressive credentials, being a Mechanical Engineer, a published genealogy author, and former editor and writer of Federal Regulations for the USAF and HUD. He was recognized for this work in the 2001 "Who's Who in America". Larry has been published in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) periodical and has also published his 5 volume work on family genealogy. He will be speaking on his own research of maternal lineages to illustrate how important these non-paternal lines can be and how difficult they are to search. The case studies he will be presenting are each brick wall breakthroughs and should help others with ideas on how to work on difficult cases.
Larry Wood - January 10, 2019
Larry Wood is our current MCIGS Newsletter Editor and Director. He has been previously spotlighted in "CONNECTIONS" as having some impressive credentials, being a Mechanical Engineer, a published genealogy author, and former editor and writer of Federal Regulations for the USAF and HUD. He was recognized for this work in the 2001 "Who's Who in America". Larry has been published in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) periodical and has also published his 5 volume work on family genealogy. He will be speaking on his own research of maternal lineages to illustrate how important these non-paternal lines can be and how difficult they are to search. The case studies he will be presenting are each brick wall breakthroughs and should help others with ideas on how to work on difficult cases.
A Guide to Overseas Genealogy
February 14, 2019 – Jacquie Schattner
Crossing the pond is easier than you think. We'll review the history of immigrant travel into the U.S. and how to find genealogical records in most European countries. Includes a list of books and over 70 American and European websites for genealogical research. This presentation covers five areas of overseas genealogy – emigration, voyage details, immigration, naturalization and genealogical websites both American and European. 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.
February 14, 2019 – Jacquie Schattner
Crossing the pond is easier than you think. We'll review the history of immigrant travel into the U.S. and how to find genealogical records in most European countries. Includes a list of books and over 70 American and European websites for genealogical research. This presentation covers five areas of overseas genealogy – emigration, voyage details, immigration, naturalization and genealogical websites both American and European. 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.
DPLA - Digital Public Library of America for Genealogists
March 14, 2019 – Susan Mayer
This presentation will introduce genealogists to the DPLA, give instruction on how to successfully search the collections, and how this free resource can help genealogists in their research. The DPLA connects users to libraries, archives, museums and cultural heritage institutions across America without leaving home. Imagine the many things you can find about where your ancestor lived, and the social history surrounding their lives. Susan Mayer has worked at the Glenview Public Library and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library providing reference services and adult education on genealogy, business services and basic classes in library use.
March 14, 2019 – Susan Mayer
This presentation will introduce genealogists to the DPLA, give instruction on how to successfully search the collections, and how this free resource can help genealogists in their research. The DPLA connects users to libraries, archives, museums and cultural heritage institutions across America without leaving home. Imagine the many things you can find about where your ancestor lived, and the social history surrounding their lives. Susan Mayer has worked at the Glenview Public Library and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library providing reference services and adult education on genealogy, business services and basic classes in library use.
Miracles, Mysteries, & Mayhem: Online Family Trees
April 11, 2019 – Jeanne L. Bloom
We want to build on the research of others but those online family trees often contain miracles, mysteries and mayhem. Does the tree need to be pruned? Learn effective techniques to determine if branches on a tree are diseased or if they are healthy.
Jeanne Larzalere Bloom, CG® is a full-time professional researcher specializing in Chicago and Cook County research, forensic genealogy, problem solving, and multi-generational family histories. She is a Trustee and the past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
April 11, 2019 – Jeanne L. Bloom
We want to build on the research of others but those online family trees often contain miracles, mysteries and mayhem. Does the tree need to be pruned? Learn effective techniques to determine if branches on a tree are diseased or if they are healthy.
Jeanne Larzalere Bloom, CG® is a full-time professional researcher specializing in Chicago and Cook County research, forensic genealogy, problem solving, and multi-generational family histories. She is a Trustee and the past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
Library of Congress, Website, and Social Media Links
May 9, 2019 –Tina Beaird
Family History Resources at the Library of Congress. Whether you are researching in this glorious building or utilizing their amazing digital collections, The Library of Congress (LOC) offers something for every family historian. Tina will walk you through all of the different ways you can engage with the Library of Congress both through their digital resources and their dynamic social media presence, to advance your family history. Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is the Genealogy/Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library. 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.
May 9, 2019 –Tina Beaird
Family History Resources at the Library of Congress. Whether you are researching in this glorious building or utilizing their amazing digital collections, The Library of Congress (LOC) offers something for every family historian. Tina will walk you through all of the different ways you can engage with the Library of Congress both through their digital resources and their dynamic social media presence, to advance your family history. Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is the Genealogy/Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library. 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.
Genealogy Basics
June 13, 2019 – Jenny Warner
The program objective is to help the beginning genealogist understand the research process. The program will show different research areas both online and offline. The end results will assist the beginning genealogist in doing their family genealogy.
Jenny is President of DuPage County Genealogical Society, Director on the Illinois State Genealogical Society Governing Board and a member of many genealogy societies on the local, state and national levels. She is Chapter Regent of the Anan Harmon Chapter, NSDAR, and Treasurer of LGAR.
June 13, 2019 – Jenny Warner
The program objective is to help the beginning genealogist understand the research process. The program will show different research areas both online and offline. The end results will assist the beginning genealogist in doing their family genealogy.
Jenny is President of DuPage County Genealogical Society, Director on the Illinois State Genealogical Society Governing Board and a member of many genealogy societies on the local, state and national levels. She is Chapter Regent of the Anan Harmon Chapter, NSDAR, and Treasurer of LGAR.
2019 MCIGS Summer Genealogy Conference
July 13, 2019 – McHenry County College
Registration Required
McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society (MCIGS) is sponsoring an all-day conference for genealogists and family historians on Saturday, July 13, 2019. The event will take place at McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake, Illinois. The conference is ideal for all genealogists and family historians, no matter whether you are a beginning researcher or have been searching for years. There will be fabulous door prizes and a number of vendors attending with their society information, book sellers and others. Pricing and registration information will be forthcoming.
July 13, 2019 – McHenry County College
Registration Required
McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society (MCIGS) is sponsoring an all-day conference for genealogists and family historians on Saturday, July 13, 2019. The event will take place at McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake, Illinois. The conference is ideal for all genealogists and family historians, no matter whether you are a beginning researcher or have been searching for years. There will be fabulous door prizes and a number of vendors attending with their society information, book sellers and others. Pricing and registration information will be forthcoming.
You can also check out our calendar for more upcoming genealogical programs in the area.