DuPage County Genealogical Society

March 11, 2023 - DCGS 45th Annual Conference

RESTART

REFRESH

REFOCUS

Our conference on March 11, 2023, will have a full day of program sessions onsite at the NIU Conference Center, Naperville, IL. We will offer the program sessions in three tracks, each with four sessions. You choose from 12 topics. There are topics for everyone... those just getting started or restarting, focused on British research, genetic genealogy, methodology, and organizing. The conference fee includes lunch, chances to win door prizes, and purchased raffle tickets.

Registration closed 25 February 2023

The conference fee, $60 for DCGS members, $70 for non-members, includes 12 sessions to choose from, a box lunch and chances to win door prizes. There will be great raffle items and the genealogists' favorite exhibitors.

You will receive a confirmation when payment is received. Please keep it for your records; if you do not receive a confirmation within 14 days of remitting payment, please contact us ASAP.

No refunds allowed after February 11, 2023.

Online registration closed on February 25, 2023 or when we reach capacity, whichever comes first.

Advanced online registration is required, we cannot accommodate walk-ins. You must register online, you then have the option to pay by credit card or print an invoice to remit by mail with your check. Confirmation emails are sent when payment is received. You can expect to receive the syllabus and additional details the week of March 6, 2023.

Only registered conference attendees are invited to visit our exhibitors.

COVID Policy

Revised 8 January 2023

The DuPage County Genealogical Society has followed and will continue to follow, the requirements of the State of Illinois and the DuPage County Health Department. Therefore, we will follow the guidance of the State of Illinois and recommend, but no longer require masks, proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID test for our patrons effective December 31, 2022.

Mask-wearing in our events is strongly encouraged but will be optional in the public areas and the lunchroom. Some speakers may require that their attendees wear a mask, or they will not be able to attend their session. Please see the conference day schedule for details.

As we’ve learned, this very well may change in the future. We will continue to follow the state and local guidance and adapt our procedures accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact us at webcoordinator@dcgs.org.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are very important and help the Conference run smoothly. We are looking for volunteers in several areas:

Facilitators - Introduce a speaker of their choice or of a lecture they intend to attend. Assists the speaker, if necessary, and let the speaker know when their time is almost up to help keep the speaker on schedule.
Guides - Welcome attendees during morning check-in and guide attendees to meeting rooms, lunch, and the exhibitor’s tables
Logistics - Help set up on Friday and take down on Saturday.

If you are interested in helping, please contact Rhea Hunter at webcoordinator@dcgs.org and indicate your preferences.

Program

Time	Title/Speaker	Description
7:30 a.m.	Registration Check-In Browse the Exhibitors	Java & Juice available for purchase at the Arbor Vitae cafe
9 a.m. (1A)	Where to Start –The Basics of Good Genealogy Research Jane Haldeman	Want to know about your family history but don’t know how to get started? The first steps to gathering information about your family and how to record that information are discussed. Learn about the many records and resources available and where to begin looking.
9 a.m. (1B)	DNA Testing Companies: A Newcomer’s Guide to Making an Informed Choice Karen Stanbary Mask Required	Explore the types of DNA tests and the strengths and weaknesses of the testing companies. Emphasis is on the development of an efficient targeted testing plan.
9 a.m. (1C)	Overcoming the Dead-End Doldrums Paul Milner Mask Required	All researchers at some time enter the doldrums and feel they have reached a dead end in tracing a particular line. Learn clear steps to overcome the doldrums and get around the dead end.
10 a.m.	Break	Browse the Exhibitors, mingle with fellow genealogists
10:30 a.m. (2A)	My Ancestor Was a Farmer Jane Haldeman	Many of our ancestors were farmers and they left valuable records including deeds and probate records. From 1937-1946 the Farmer’s Home Administration gave low-interest loans to small farmers, these records are in the Local Branches of the National Archives in Record Group 96. The records include family records and information about the farm. Agricultural census records, newspaper articles and obituaries, trade papers and other agricultural records can give a picture of your ancestor’s life.
10:30 a.m. (2B)	Avoiding Common Mistakes When Working with atDNA Karen Stanbary Mask Required	Examine common errors in DNA interpretation and strategies to avoid them.
10:30 a.m. (2C)	Using the Internet to Search a New Locality Paul Milner Mask Required	Learn how to identify a specific place with online maps and gazetteers. Identify sites that will assist in learning about the history, genealogical societies and guides. Plus, learn what records have been created or indexed, where they are now and how to access them. Then come up with a research process to use for any new location.
11:30 a.m.	Luncheon served on the Main floor	Serving a boxed lunch - pre-ordered. We have one dining room this year, tables are not assigned or reserved. Door prizes and raffle winners announced! After lunch please visit and support our exhibitors.
1 p.m. (3A)	Introduction to Using GED Match Jane Haldeman	Want to play in more than one DNA pool? Use utilities not available with some DNA testing companies? GEDmatch is a free DNA utilities website created by crazy DNA enthusiasts that could program. It is free, but advanced tools are available for a small fee. With GEDmatch you can match people from other testing companies, make chromosome comparisons that may not be not be available where you tested, and have access to advanced tools. This workshop will help to understand the “One-to-Many” matches, One-to-One compare, look at your matches in the Chromosome Browser.
1 p.m. (3B)	The Sonnemaker Line from Hannover to Illinois Karen Stanbary Mask Required	This case study confirms and extends the pedigree of an immigrant ancestor born in 1787 in Hannover, Germany who migrated to DuPage County, Illinois in 1841. The proof includes genetic matching with integration of a wide variety of documentary sources.
1 p.m. (3C)	Scottish Emigration to North America: Before, During and After the Rebellions Paul Milner Mask Required	Learn the reasons for emigration from Scotland to the U.S. and Canada and how it was influenced by events on both sides of the Atlantic. Learn where the emigrants settled, what records they created and what tools are available for tracing your Scottish ancestors.
2 p.m.	Break	Browse the Exhibitors, mingle with fellow genealogists
2:30 p.m. (4A)	Family Treasures in the Attic Jane Haldeman	Family letters, recipes, diaries, journals, photos, and other treasures are often passed down in the family. Many of these treasures end up in attics, basements, closets, or other repositories. What and where to look for these treasures.
2:30 p.m. (4B)	The Everleigh Sisters: A Case Study in Conflict Resolution Karen Stanbary Mask Required	Meet Minna and Ada Everleigh---Chicago's most famous pair of sisters---who fabricated many details of their lives in order to run their shady business. Learn to sort fact from fiction.
2:30 p.m. (4C)	Effective Use of GENUKI: England’s Largest Free Genealogy Website Paul Milner Mask Required	Learn how to effectively use the largest free website for British Isles research. Understand how the site is organized and to find it’s the many resources tools on the site. Plus see how to find its gems for specific local research.

Register Now for 2023 Conference

Speakers

Jane G. Haldeman is a Chicago-area based professional genealogist and owner of It’s Relative, www.itsrelative.net, with more than 25 years of research experience. She lectures on a wide range of topics both locally and nationally. She was the National Co-Chair for the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2019 Conference in Washington, DC. She is a former president of the Illinois State Genealogical Society and is the author of A Genealogist’s Guide to Springfield, Illinois.

Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv., a native of northern England, professional genealogist and international lecturer. He teaches English and Scottish research tracks at SLIG, IGHR, and the British Institute. Paul is a recipient of UGA Fellow Award (2018) and the FGS David S. Fogel Jr Award (2019). He is the author of six publications providing how-to guidance for English and Scottish researchers. He is the past president of BIGWILL, and board member of the APG, FGS, and GSG. Paul focuses on British Isles resources and methodology on his blog at www.milnergenealogy.com.

Karen Stanbary, CG^®, holds the Certified Genealogist credential. She lectures nationally on the use of DNA test results in genealogical problem-solving, always within the framework of the Genealogical Proof Standard. She is a Trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists and chairs that organization’s DNA Committee.

Luncheon

A box lunch is included, with selections to accommodate most diets, selected with registration.

The lunch options:

CAPRESE CIABATTA (Vegetarian) - Sliced Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes & Fresh Basil Pesto
SOUTHWESTERN SALAD (Gluten free) - Garden Green Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Black Beans, Roasted Red Pepper, Corn & Cheddar Cheese with Avocado Dressing
TUSCAN CHICKEN - Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Red Pepper, Sauteed Red Onion, Provolone & Sundried Tomato Pesto on Herbed Focaccia Bread

Seating is limited. We CANNOT accommodate walk-ins. Registration is REQUIRED.

Conference Exhibitors Note: The list will be updated as Exhibitors register.

Arkivdigital
CAGGNI
Chicago Genealogical Society
Fountaindale Public Library
Fox Valley Genealogical Society
Fun Stuff
Illinois State Genealogical Society
Michiana History Publications
Newberry Library
Sons of the American Revolution, Fox Valley Chapter
South Suburban Genealogical & Historical Society
++ Exhibitor list is anticipated to include libraries, and genealogical societies

Only registered conference attendees are invited to visit our Exhibitors.

If you wish to register as an exhibitor, please contact webdcgs60187@gmail.com.

Raffle Prizes check back for updates

2 Ancestry Annual World Explorer subscriptions
1 Annual Fold3.com Subscriptions, Ancestry.com
1 Annual Newspapers.com Subscription, Ancestry.com
1 Ancestry DNA kit, Ancestry.com
1 Annual Membership Family Tree Webinars, Legacy Family Tree
1 My Heritage DNA kits, Myheritage.com
2 Annual My Heritage Complete Subscriptions, Myheritage.com

Door Prizes The final list will be available at the door prize tables.

DuPage County Gen Soc, 3-Gen Name Tag (5 draws)
Ancestor Stuff, Book – The Pioneers by David McCullough and 15 Gen Chart
Ancestor Stuff, Quick Sheet “Italian Genealogy and 15 Gen Chart”
Arkivdigital, 3-month subscription
Arphax, 3-month subscription to HistoryGeo.com (2 draws)
CAGGNI, 1-year membership
Carole Magnuson, Set of 2 workbooks “Family Tree Memory Keeper” and “Story of my Life” and other items
Chicago Gen Soc, Book – “Chicago Cemetery Records 1847-1863” and other items
Family Chart Masters, $40 Gift Certificate
Family Tree Tours, Travel Set Passport Wallet & Luggage Tags
Find My Past, 1-month Ultimate British & Irish Subscription, FindMyPast.com
Fountaindale Public Library, Book - Graceland Cemetery, Chicago Stories, Symbols & Secrets by Adam Selzer
Fox Valley Gen Society, 1-year Membership
Fun Stuff for Genealogists, Genealogy Goodie Bag
Genealogical Pub’l Co., German-English Genealogical Dictionary, several Quick Sheets, and at a glance tip sheets
IL State Historical Society, Book – “Illinois Place Names” and ISHS Journals – Spring 2019 & Fall 2019
Illinois State Gen Soc, 1-year Membership
Legacy.com, Legacy Family Tree Deluxe software
McHenry County Gen Soc, 1-year membership and 1 Registration to the MCGS Conference
Naper Settlement, 1 day Family admission
Newberry Library, Book “Humanities Mirror” The Newberry 1887-1987
Perrin-Wheaton DAR, Book “Songs of America”
Rita Schneider, several books
RootsMagic.com, 1 RootsMagic 7 Software + free upgrade to 8 + E-book
Swedish American Gen Soc, Book – “Swede Hollow” plus Family Pass to Swedish Museum plus 1 hour of Genealogy Research
Yankee Publishing, 1-year subscription to Family Tree Magazine

Location/Directions

Northern Illinois University, NIU-Naperville is located at 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville, IL 60563

Parking is FREE; no permits are needed.

The NIU Conference Center - Naperville is located on the south side of Diehl Road

just west of Freedom Drive and across from the Hampton Inn - Naperville.

Directions:

From I-88 (East-West Tollway): Exit at the Naperville Road/Freedom Drive exit. Then head south (right, about .3 mi.) to Diehl Road, turn right (west) onto Diehl Road. Campus is almost immediately on the left, across from the Hampton Inn.

From O’Hare Airport (Approx. 25 miles from O’Hare): Exit on I-190E. Take the I-294 S exit, exit number 1D, towards Indiana. Merge onto I-294 S (portions toll). Take the I-88 W exit towards Aurora. Merge onto East/West Tollway (portions toll). Exit at the Naperville Road/Freedom Drive exit. Then head south (right, about .3 mi.) to Diehl Road, turn right (west) onto Diehl Road. Campus is almost immediately on the left, across from the Hampton Inn.

From Chicago (East) (Approx. 29 miles from downtown Chicago): From I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, take the I-294 S/I-88 W exit, exit number 15A, on the left towards Indiana/Aurora. Merge onto East/West Tollway (portions toll). Exit at the Naperville Road/Freedom Drive exit. Then head south (right, about .3 mi.) to Diehl Road, turn right (west) onto Diehl Road. Campus is almost immediately on the left, across from the Hampton Inn.

From I-294 (Tri-State Tollway north/south): Merge onto I-88 west (East/West Tollway) towards Aurora. Exit at the Naperville Road/Freedom Drive exit. Then head south (right, about .3 mi.) to Diehl Road, turn right (west) onto Diehl Road. Campus is almost immediately on the left, across from the Hampton Inn.

From I-355 (Veterans Memorial Tollway north/south): Merge onto I-88 west (East/West Tollway) towards Aurora. Exit at the Naperville Road/Freedom Drive exit. Then head south (right, about .3 mi.) to Diehl Road, turn right (west) onto Diehl Road. Campus is almost immediately on the left, across from the Hampton Inn.

The DuPage County Genealogical Society is an incorporated, 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our focus is on providing education for genealogists and assisting in preserving and making available local records of genealogical interest. Our mailing address is P. O. Box 3, Wheaton, IL, 60187.