Registration will be opening soon for the 2021 ISGS Virtual Fall Conference! We have four wonderful speakers this year, and a new format for attendees- there's no need to choose one speaker over the other, as ALL lectures will be pre-recorded and available ON-DEMAND anytime during the conference!
Here's your first SNEAK PEEK at this year's fantastic speakers!
Ginger Frere
The Fall Conference will begin after the ISGS Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, October 17th. To honor the 150th Anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, Chicago historian Ginger Frere will present a LIVE keynote lecture- "The Night Chicago Burned!" What happened that fateful night? Hear the story of the Great Fire and learn about the devastation it wrought.
Ginger will also present"Researching Pre-Fire Chicago!" Think there's no way to research Chicago before 1871? Find out about some of the "hot items" which survived!
Ginger Frere, MLIS, is a professional researcher who provides a variety of research services to authors, historians, film makers and individuals interested in genealogy. Her primary research interests include Chicago history and the creation of online tools for students and genealogists. She has worked on projects such as ChicagoAncestors.org, a History Comic on the Chicago Fire, and a Newberry Digital Collection on “Chicago After the Great Fire” for teachers and students. Prior to becoming a full-time researcher, Ginger was a reference librarian at Chicago’s famed Newberry Library where she is now a Scholar-in-Residence.
Lauren Peightel
ISGS is excited to welcome back Lauren Peightel, one of our popular speakers from last year's conference! Lauren will be presenting "Exploring Historical Dimensions for Effective Storytelling:" As we dig into the past, we can become caught up in the specifics of a person’s life, often losing sight of the human experience and the lessons we can learn by applying empathy to our ancestors and their communities. We’ll explore a variety of stories a history can tell by starting our research in a completely new method that inspires different resources and ideas of understanding the past. From an introduction in theory and practice, to real examples and practical application, to captivating and creative storytelling, walk away with the tools and inspiration to apply this method to your own stories.
Lauren will also be presenting a workshop based on her "Historical Dimensions" lecture, where you can collaborate with Lauren and other attendees to bring your family stories to life! The Fall Conference workshops will be limited attendance, so keep an eye on the ISGS Conference page for registration details coming soon!
ISGS is happy to welcome back Jay Fonkert, who spoke at our 2017 Fall Conference in Moline! Jay will present "Why Were They There? Merging Evidence to Explain Migration." Finding where your ancestors came from is one thing. Figuring out why they settled where they did is another. Your ancestors might have traveled in a group, followed friends, or set out for a hot job location. Learn to use a variety of sources to understand why they were where they were.
David McDonald
Last (but certainly not least!), ISGS is thrilled to welcome Dr. David McDonald, past President of the Association of Professional Genealogists and past Board Member of ISGS! David will be presenting a series of lectures focusing on early Illinois migration and records, and creating an effective research plan:
"Illinois Migration & Settlement Patterns:" From its earliest days as territory, through its developing years as a state, Illinois has had distinct settlement patterns that define its politics, its cuisine, its history and even its sports loyalties. We’ll examine the settlement of Illinois from the colonial era through the First World War, and the impacts on us as researchers and residents of the Land of Lincoln.
"Before the Vital Records:" Research in Illinois prior to the establishment of birth and death record requirements (December 1877) requires genealogists to approach census, land, marriage, religious records and courthouse holdings with diligence and care to establish the links and build family records. We’ll evaluate their utility, their accessibility, and their role in building a solid base for your genealogy research.
"1880 and After…:" The 1880 Census is a watershed year for genealogists, with the tables containing far more information of use and interest to genealogists. We will look at the expanding array of vital records, population schedules, and immigration into the state from the last third of the nineteenth century onward as a way of breaking through research puzzles that vex even experienced hands.
David will also be presenting an exclusive, limited-attendance workshop- "Effective Research Plans and Achievable Goals!" This collaborative workshop will draw on the attendees' "hive mind" and helpful advice from experienced genealogist David McDonald to help you create an effective researching plan and create achievable goals!
Dr. David McDonald has more than four decades’ research experience and has been a professional genealogist since his high school days in suburban Chicago. He has lectured at various national and state genealogy conferences, and has coordinated and instructed four courses at SLIG, IGHR, ISBGFH and GRIP. He has presented multiple online lectures for the Society of Genealogists in London and is a sometime panelist for DearMyrtle’s online genealogy chat. As a learner, he has taken courses at SLIG, IGHR, and Gen-Fed, and attended his first ISGS state conference at Springfield in 1982. Dr. McDonald is president of APG, past president of BCG and formerly served as a director for NGS and ISGS.
Dave’s research focuses on American migration patterns, the upper Midwest, New England, English & Germanic research. He has lectured and taught on methodology, religious records and research in various states. He belongs to several national lineage societies, and has written for the NGSQ, NGS Magazine, a number of state society journals and local society publications.
An Illinois native, Dave lives near Madison, Wisconsin. His earliest ancestors arrived in Illinois in the late 1810s, and six of his great-grandparents were born in, or raised in, central or southern Illinois. A June research trip had him finding the graves of five generations of mitochondrial forebears in a 75-mile stretch from Springfield to Fayette County. He has an undergraduate degree in American history with a specialty in federal-era (pre-1850) research. He also holds graduate and doctoral degrees in theology.
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Dave’s research focuses on American migration patterns, the upper Midwest, New England, English & Germanic research. He has lectured and taught on methodology, religious records and research in various states. He belongs to several national lineage societies, and has written for the NGSQ, NGS Magazine, a number of state society journals and local society publications.
An Illinois native, Dave lives near Madison, Wisconsin. His earliest ancestors arrived in Illinois in the late 1810s, and six of his great-grandparents were born in, or raised in, central or southern Illinois. A June research trip had him finding the graves of five generations of mitochondrial forebears in a 75-mile stretch from Springfield to Fayette County. He has an undergraduate degree in American history with a specialty in federal-era (pre-1850) research. He also holds graduate and doctoral degrees in theology.
Conference registration opens in mid-September- keep an eye on the ISGS Blog and Facebook page for updates!
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