Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

ISGS is excited that our friends at the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago will be presenting their 38th Annual VIRTUAL Family History Conference on October 9th and 10th! Registration is OPEN! AAGHSC members receive a $10 conference registration discount! This is the first Virtual Family History Conference for AAGHSC, with the theme: "Genealogy 2020: Research— Retool—Reconnect." The two-day conference will be held on October 9 - 10, and includes three lectures daily.  No matter where in the world you may be, you can attend AAGHSC’s 2020 Virtual Family History Conference via GoToWebinar. Learn genealogy research skills from the comfort of your home! Each presentation will also be recorded and available for one week after our conference.  Your registration includes a digital conference syllabus as well as a private social and networking opportunity via Facebook! Programs include:   Dr. Shelley Murphy: Genealogy 101: Getting Started Methods ...

ISGS IS thrilled to present Joy Upton as one of our Fall Virtual Conference speakers! Joy Upton has taught DNA and Genealogy courses at JALC since 2012 and has presented workshops on the rapidly developing topic throughout the state, under auspices of the Illinois State Organization NSDAR. Currently she teaches classes at JALC, Carterville and Du Quoin focusing on free internet sites which are helpful for genetic-genealogy researchers.  Trained as a librarian, Ms. Upton holds an MS in Library Science. She served as librarian on the high school level and taught library courses at the college level. Upon “retirement” she devoted ever more effort to genealogical and family research. She has taught genealogy classes and participated in workshops since 1984 near wherever she lived.  After 50 years of research, she has proved she and her best friend Jeanette are related using the tools available with their DNA. She has served as President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, ...

ISGS Webinar hosted by the Kane County Genealogical Society! Join us on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7:00 PM Central for another free webinar – "Looking for European Roots". This webinar will be hosted by the Kane County Genealogical Society. The guest speaker, Caron Brennan , will provide you with ideas of where to find records for European ancestors. It includes well-known sites like FamilySearch and FindMyPast, as well as lesser known sites, many of them offer free access. CLICK HERE for the Webinar Registration Link! After you register, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Saturday, September 26, 1 pm  (DCGS and Wheaton Public Library Class, Webinar) Scottish Family History Research: In Your Own Backyard with Maureen Brady Learn the strategies of Scottish family history research, including the historical and geographical background of Scotland, language and naming patterns, record types and the comprehensive collection of r...

ISGS is excited to present Michelle Wilson  as one of our 2020 Fall Virtual Conference speakers! Michelle Wilson is a past president of CAGGNI , the Computer-Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois. She is a co-founder of CAGGNI’s DNA Special Interest Group and began her first autosomal genetic genealogy search angel case in 2009. She is also a DAR Registrar. Michelle speaks throughout the Midwest, most frequently on Genetic Genealogy, French Canadians and writing family history books. Her latest project was a two-year study of an early McHenry County settler, resulting in the book Montelona Farm with co-author Rommy Lopat. Wilson holds an MS in electrical engineering and computer science and works in the medical device industry. She is currently accepting a limited number of clients in the genealogy space. Michelle will be presenting an exciting example of using DNA in genealogical research, following the Conference's PRESENT theme- "Bio-Parents for Peg & Donna: a...

The Illinois State Genealogical Society offers its deepest condolences on the death of Past President Nancy Thomas . Nancy was the president of DCGS from 1979-1981 and 2009-2012. She received the Illinois State Genealogical Society Local Service award in 1981 for outstanding service to DCGS. in March 2018, she received the DCGS Founder's Memorial Award for steadfast commitment to the Society. Nancy was also President of the Computer Assisted Genealogical Group of Northern Illinois (CAGGNI) from 2013-2015 and chaired the first GeneaQuest Conference in 2016. Nancy was also a recent member of the ISGS "Ask Away, Write Away" Writer's group, and everyone appreciated her insight and advice, and her determination to finish her family history. Nancy will be greatly missed, and ISGS is grateful for her contributions to Illinois genealogy. © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

ISGS is happy to present our friend Dr. Dave Joens as one of our 2020 Fall Virtual Conference speakers! David Joens is the Director of the Illinois State Archives. He is a fifth generation resident of Illinois and currently lives in Springfield. Joens received a Bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Northern Illinois University, Master’s degrees in both political science and history from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and a doctorate in history from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He is the author of several articles on Illinois history and of the book From Slave to State Legislator, which is a biography of John W. E. Thomas, Illinois’ first African American State legislator. Dave will be presenting a terrific lecture following our PAST theme, "Illinois State Archives: Tools for the Genealogist." The Illinois State Archives houses Illinois state government records and, through its regional depository system, local government records...

ISGS is thrilled to have the legendary Lisa Louise Cooke as one of the speakers at our upcoming Fall Virtual Conference! Lisa Louise Cooke is the producer and host of the  GenealogyGems Podcast   and the weekly YouTube show  Elevenses with Lisa. She’s the author of five books including  TheGenealogist’s Google Toolbox 3rd Edition , and a podcast producer and instructor and columnist for  FamilyTree Magazine. Lisa will be presenting one of the lectures following our FUTURE theme: "Future Technology and Genealogy."  Envision your genealogy as technology speeds ahead into the future. Learn strategies that you can employ right now that will make the ride easier, and the results more exciting than ever. Discover the paradigm shift that will make finding the right technology for your needs easier than ever, and learn how to capitalize on how technology is changing the flow of information. Finally, explore key areas that are poised to thrust ahead in the futu...

Mark your calendars for these upcoming genealogy webinars, presented by our ISGS Associate Members! Wednesday, Sep 16, 2020, 7 pm (DCGS and DuPage County Historical Museum Program, Webinar) The Hidden Half: Women in History, Records, and YOUR Family by Liz Ross Women make up about 50% of the population, but seem to present about 85% of the difficulties for genealogists. They are almost invisible legally, they change their surname at marriage, and in old age disappear into their children’s household. Yet, often, these very things assist the genealogist in tying together the generations, and building the family both up and out. See "Events" at https://DCGS.org/ for registration information. Saturday, September 19, 1 pm (DCGS and Wheaton Public Library Class, Webinar) Naturalization: The Path to U.S. Citizenship with Teresa Steinkamp McMillan Naturalization, a process for becoming a United States citizen, has been in place since our country’s early history. Laws enacted and mo...

The ISGS September/October Newsletter is now available for members and non-members on the  ISGS website- or click the image below to read! This jam-packed issue features the latest news on our Fall Conference, including registration information, schedule, and speaker bios- plus MUCH more! Don't miss it! © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!  Click the image below for the Registration Page! The ISGS Fall Virtual Conference will feature two lecture tracks  led by fantastic speakers! As a bonus, attendees will have access to ALL lectures for 60 days after the conference! Our "Past, Present and Future" conference will feature topics on DNA case studies, the future of technology, African American and multi-cultural genealogy, and learning about the Illinois State Archives!  PLUS, we will be giving away fabulous Door Prizes throughout the conference! Conference Pricing: $25 for Members, $35 for non-members! **Members must sign in with their ISGS login and password to receive the member discount** You DON'T want to miss this jam-packed and affordable learning opportunity, right from the comfort of home! Register Today! © 2020, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society