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.
Upcoming Meetings
Explore U.S. Church Records: Find Family
February 11, 2021 – Jacquie Shattner
via Zoom (REGISTER HERE)
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.
Jacquie has volunteered at the local Family History Center for 15 years, and teaches genealogy at local high schools, and area libraries. She is active in several genealogy societies. She is a retired school secretary, allowing her free time to pursue new information.
Family History Research in Illinois & Wisconsin
March 11, 2021 – Maureen Brady
The families who came to Illinois and Wisconsin came from varied ethnic backgrounds and created a varied landscape of urban and rural environments. The records that were created by, and about, they reflect that variety, both in type and availability. This presentation will first examine the similarities between Illinois and Wisconsin family history resources and then look at the unique records of each state, including ethnic, religious, and governmental archives and repositories. The discussion will also include a brief review of the history of this part of the “Old Northwest”, and how that history has impacted the records that were created.
Maureen Brady, a former school librarian, and computer educator have more than thirty years’ experience with family history research. She has traced her own Scottish roots back to the end of the 17th century and beyond, and has also pursued the Chicago area, the trans-Allegheny U.S., Quebec, Irish and Swedish research. Maureen has made numerous presentations to Illinois and Wisconsin genealogical societies, libraries, conferences, and workshops, including presenting at the 2002 National Genealogical Society Conference in the States and the 2016 & 2017 Central Florida Family History Conference.
March 11, 2021 – Maureen Brady
The families who came to Illinois and Wisconsin came from varied ethnic backgrounds and created a varied landscape of urban and rural environments. The records that were created by, and about, they reflect that variety, both in type and availability. This presentation will first examine the similarities between Illinois and Wisconsin family history resources and then look at the unique records of each state, including ethnic, religious, and governmental archives and repositories. The discussion will also include a brief review of the history of this part of the “Old Northwest”, and how that history has impacted the records that were created.
Maureen Brady, a former school librarian, and computer educator have more than thirty years’ experience with family history research. She has traced her own Scottish roots back to the end of the 17th century and beyond, and has also pursued the Chicago area, the trans-Allegheny U.S., Quebec, Irish and Swedish research. Maureen has made numerous presentations to Illinois and Wisconsin genealogical societies, libraries, conferences, and workshops, including presenting at the 2002 National Genealogical Society Conference in the States and the 2016 & 2017 Central Florida Family History Conference.
Allied with the Allies
April 8, 2021 – Debra Dudek
Debra will examine the abundant resources, service files, and information for service men and women who served in Canadian, UK, Australian, and French forces during World War 1. The lecture will also examine Red Cross records and resources in the US and abroad.
Debra M. Dudek is Head of Adult and Teen Services at the Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook, IL. Ms. Dudek specializes in British genealogy, World War I research, and emerging technology topics. An alumna of Olivet College (Olivet, Michigan) and the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland). Ms. Dudek holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a Masters in Information and Library Studies, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Paleographic & Heraldic Studies.
April 8, 2021 – Debra Dudek
Debra will examine the abundant resources, service files, and information for service men and women who served in Canadian, UK, Australian, and French forces during World War 1. The lecture will also examine Red Cross records and resources in the US and abroad.
Debra M. Dudek is Head of Adult and Teen Services at the Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook, IL. Ms. Dudek specializes in British genealogy, World War I research, and emerging technology topics. An alumna of Olivet College (Olivet, Michigan) and the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland). Ms. Dudek holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a Masters in Information and Library Studies, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Paleographic & Heraldic Studies.
Voting Records: Genealogy’s Best Kept Secret
May 13, 2021 – Pam Vestal
Looking for a date of birth or death? When and where your ancestor became a citizen? Where he disappeared to or where he came from? Voting records may have the answer. These often-overlooked gems can be packed with genealogical information, and you won't believe what they can tell us about our ancestors!
Pam Vestal is a full-time genealogist and lecturer in Oregon whose research extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest, with clients all over the U.S. and research that reaches beyond our borders. From family histories to house histories, she tailors her work to the unique needs of each client, but as a professional writer, she specializes in digging into the genealogical facts to tell the ancestors' stories.
May 13, 2021 – Pam Vestal
Looking for a date of birth or death? When and where your ancestor became a citizen? Where he disappeared to or where he came from? Voting records may have the answer. These often-overlooked gems can be packed with genealogical information, and you won't believe what they can tell us about our ancestors!
Pam Vestal is a full-time genealogist and lecturer in Oregon whose research extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest, with clients all over the U.S. and research that reaches beyond our borders. From family histories to house histories, she tailors her work to the unique needs of each client, but as a professional writer, she specializes in digging into the genealogical facts to tell the ancestors' stories.
40+ Sources for Finding Maiden Names
June 10, 2021 – Katherine R. Wilson
40+ possible sources to consult when searching for a female ancestor’s maiden name. Discussion will include search tips for locating these sources.
Her genealogy interests began as an 8-year-old Junior Girl Scout working towards a “My Heritage” badge, and her passion was fueled when, after college, both her mother’s and father’s relatives gave her binders containing generations’ worth of family information. Her passion for genealogy combined with practical and creative strategies keeps Katherine’s audience fully engaged and actively participating in her energetic and entertaining presentations. Participants leave with the tools necessary to do their own research, as well as the inspiration to do it!
June 10, 2021 – Katherine R. Wilson
40+ possible sources to consult when searching for a female ancestor’s maiden name. Discussion will include search tips for locating these sources.
Her genealogy interests began as an 8-year-old Junior Girl Scout working towards a “My Heritage” badge, and her passion was fueled when, after college, both her mother’s and father’s relatives gave her binders containing generations’ worth of family information. Her passion for genealogy combined with practical and creative strategies keeps Katherine’s audience fully engaged and actively participating in her energetic and entertaining presentations. Participants leave with the tools necessary to do their own research, as well as the inspiration to do it!
Previous Meetings
Warrants, Patents & Deeds, Oh My
January 14, 2021 – Dan Hubbard
ou may think that land records are the “scariest” records in genealogy but it doesn’t take much courage to find much more in them than that your ancestor owned some land. We will look at some of the treasures you can find in land records, the process of acquiring and selling land and the documents produced. We will also look at the ways that your ancestors’ land was specified-metes and bounds system and the rectangular survey system.
Daniel Hubbard is a full-time professional researcher. Inspired by family stories he began to seriously conduct family history research at about 11 years of age. Daniel combines his skills in technology, genealogy, and complex research, the organizing large amounts of information, writing, editing and book design to assist clients with their family history projects.
January 14, 2021 – Dan Hubbard
ou may think that land records are the “scariest” records in genealogy but it doesn’t take much courage to find much more in them than that your ancestor owned some land. We will look at some of the treasures you can find in land records, the process of acquiring and selling land and the documents produced. We will also look at the ways that your ancestors’ land was specified-metes and bounds system and the rectangular survey system.
Daniel Hubbard is a full-time professional researcher. Inspired by family stories he began to seriously conduct family history research at about 11 years of age. Daniel combines his skills in technology, genealogy, and complex research, the organizing large amounts of information, writing, editing and book design to assist clients with their family history projects.
Telling the Story with Maps: Maps of Early Illinois and Where to Find Them
November 12, 2020 - Ginger Frere
Maps can convey immense detail. They can provide the names of places, distances, topography,geographical features, migration routes, land ownership, boundaries and political jurisdictions. Maps allow us to see the physical relationship between places and they can help us answer questions – how did our ancestors get from one
place to another? Where might they have gotten married? Maps can help us tell a story – Here’s where our ancestors lived in relation to the Great Chicago Fire.
Ginger Frere, MLIS, MBA, is a professional researcher who provides a variety of research services to authors, professional historians, film makers and individuals interested in genealogy. Her primary research interests include Chicago history and the creation of online tools for genealogists. She was one of the driving forces behind the development of ChicagoAncestors.org. In addition to researching, Ginger is a frequent speaker in the Chicago-land area and a regular instructor in Chicago’s Newberry Library Adult Education seminar program. She is also a Newberry Scholar-in-Residence.
November 12, 2020 - Ginger Frere
Maps can convey immense detail. They can provide the names of places, distances, topography,geographical features, migration routes, land ownership, boundaries and political jurisdictions. Maps allow us to see the physical relationship between places and they can help us answer questions – how did our ancestors get from one
place to another? Where might they have gotten married? Maps can help us tell a story – Here’s where our ancestors lived in relation to the Great Chicago Fire.
Ginger Frere, MLIS, MBA, is a professional researcher who provides a variety of research services to authors, professional historians, film makers and individuals interested in genealogy. Her primary research interests include Chicago history and the creation of online tools for genealogists. She was one of the driving forces behind the development of ChicagoAncestors.org. In addition to researching, Ginger is a frequent speaker in the Chicago-land area and a regular instructor in Chicago’s Newberry Library Adult Education seminar program. She is also a Newberry Scholar-in-Residence.
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.
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.
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.