Detailed descriptions of selected programs

Marty Acks

Marty Acks has been researching his family history since 1999 after having caught the bug from his mom and dad. He volunteers at WikiTree where he contributes to the global family tree. Leads a Porterfield surname study (maternal grandmother), assists other members and monitors activity as a WikiTree Ranger. 

An Introduction to WikiTree, the Free Global Family Tree

WikiTree is a free community of genealogists dedicated to growing an accurate single family tree using DNA and traditional genealogical sources. In this program, you will learn the key features of WikiTree, be shown how you can easily get started on the site and learn numerous tips and techniques to get the most out of your time on WikiTree.  

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Michelle Bray Wilson

Michelle Bray Wilson has been active in the genealogy community for over 10 years.  She speaks throughout the Midwest, most frequently on DNA, French Canada, ancient ancestry, and creating family history books. Michelle’s lectured for Franco Fete in Minneapolis, for UW’s Early Music Festival in Madison, and at conferences for Chicago Public Library, DuPage and Lake County, and other local societies. She is a former president of CAGGNI, the Computer Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois, and is currently Registrar at a local DAR chapter. An engineer by training, Michelle consults for the medical device manufacturing industry, and has recently begun accepting a limited number of clients in the genealogy space.

Michelle's Upcoming Lectures

Working Your DNA: Part 1 (Lecture/Workshop)  

Tuesday, January 22, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Aspen Branch Library in Vernon Hills. 

This INVITATION ONLY opportunity, limited to 15, currently has two remaining slots. Bring your laptop / tablet and passwords for your kits at Ancestry, FTDNA, 23 or MyHeritage. You will be working your kits during the session. You will learn the method Search Angels and DNA Detectives use to place unknowns into familial context. Part 2, to be announced at a later date, will explore methods for verifying and extending lineages beyond the 3x great-grandparent level for those who have completed Part 1. Contact Michelle at the CAGGNI FB Group to snag your seat. 

DAR and Lineage Societies - Developing a Qualifying Lineage

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 431 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL.

I Did A DNA Test - Now What? 

Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m., BIGWILL (British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois) Community Church, 5714 Broadway St, Richmond, IL.

Have you recently tested your DNA with Ancestry, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA or My Heritage? Now that your results are in, how can you make the most of them?  We’ll review the basics of autosomal DNA and the best practices that will help your testing company deliver the best experience for you. You will gain a firm understanding of your autosomal DNA results and how you can use them to enhance, and perhaps correct or extend, your family tree.

Searching for French-Canadians 

Saturday, September 7, 9:30 am, Naperville Library - Nichols Library Community Room, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL  

Selected Programs by Michelle Bray Wilson

Genes for the Genealogist

Curious about DNA? Happily, DNA for the genealogist is straightforward to understand. We’ll break down the SNPs from the STRs, the haplogroups from the haplotypes, and learn how these DNA patterns are used to prove inheritance and determine deep ancestry. Learn the secrets of DNA and put this powerful complement to paper-trail research in your tool kit. Michelle presented Genes for the Genealogist at North Suburban Genealogical Society in 2015 and an abbreviated version, "Genomic Genealogy," in fall of 2015 at the Ansel Brainerd Cook chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Libertyville. A longer version of the program, focusing on autosomal DNA, including three lectures and a case study, were presented in 2017 at Lake County Genealogy Society's annual genealogy workshop.

Searching for French-Canadians

The French-Canadian record is extraordinarily complete and well-indexed.  If you have any French-Canadian ancestors, you are in luck ! Learn the tricks that will have you uncovering vast swaths of your pedigree in the space of a single weekend. 

The history of the French-Canadians during the Nouvelle France period ending in 1760 provides additional context to this engaging presentation.  Variations on this program were presented in 2012 at the Madison Early Music Festival, Franco-Fete in Minneapolis, Lake County Genealogical Society, and Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society.  

Creating a Coffee-Table Style Family History Book

Michelle has created two print-on-demand family history books.  The books are in full color, and chock full of photos, documents, newspaper clips, genealogy charts and other family artifacts.  Learn how to put together a beautifully formatted book, how to print copies at a very reasonable price, and how to publish and make your book available to others. First presented to the A.B. Cook Chapter of the D.A.R in 2018.

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Caron Primas Brennan

All programs are 1 to 1 ½ hours long and geared to the beginning and intermediate researcher.  An internet connection (preferably wireless) is required along with a projector.  Caron brings her own laptop or uses yours.  Handouts are available for each program.

Current program offerings:

Genealogy Basics for Beginners

Target audience is folks interested in learning more about genealogy or just getting started.  Covers information needed to get started, basic forms and organization tips, overview of top web sites and other resources used by genealogists.

Research Your Family History Using the Internet

Ready to start your genealogy research on-line but do not know where to go except Ancestry.com? Caron Primas Brennan will show you the basics as well as some other little known, and perhaps unusual genealogy resources and internet sites to help you in your research.

How I Use DNA In My Genealogy Research

In this presentation, I talk about “why” and “how” of DNA testing in genealogy research.  Using case studies and examples, I explain how I have incorporated DNA testing into my research.  Disclaimer:  This is NOT a primer on the science of DNA, although some basic information is included.  The audience does not have be knowledgeable about DNA testing to learn from this presentation.

Family Search.org Primer

This seminar is an overview of the free FamilySearch.org web site to see what is has to offer genealogy researchers.  Will include a review of the research opportunities as well as the newer areas for sharing family trees and pictures.  We will also look at the genealogy programs that have been certified to share/interact with FamilySearch.

Looking For European Roots *NEW*

If you are ready to "cross the pond" in your research, this presentation will provide ideas of where to find records for European records.  Includes the well-known sites like FamilySearch and Find My Past, and also lesser known sites.

 Newspapers as Genealogical Resource *NEW*

Learn how to find and use newspapers to find information about your ancestors as well as the times they lived in. Some of the items to be found in newspapers includes obituaries, marriage and engagement announcements, birth announcements, legal cases, and ship passage information. We will learn how to find newspapers on line and in libraries and archives and cite your sources.

Fold 3.com

A more in-depth tour focusing on www.Fold3.com. We review of available documents and resources, many military and governmental, digitized from the National Archives, Library of Congress, and other institutions, not previously available on-line. Also includes a tour of the tools available on the site and how to use resources found on the site. 

Uff Da!  Researching My Norwegian Roots

Caron will share what she has learned through researching her own elusive Norwegian great-grandparents and discovering cousins in Scandinavia.  She will discuss things to know, lessons learned, research locations and guides, and other helpful hints.

Ancestry.com Primer

This presentation will look at the Ancestry.com site, including the Ancestry Trees, and review what is has to offer beginners as well as more advanced genealogy researchers.  It will also discuss what is available through the free site and the paid subscription. Whether you are just starting out and want to host a tree at Ancestry, or have been researching for years but want more information on-line, this is the session for you.

What's New on the Internet for Genealogists?

There are new genealogy sites on the Internet every day.  This fast-paced presentation is a review of popular, new, little known, and perhaps unusual genealogy resources on the internet to help you in your research.

Where did I Put Great-Grandpa?  Organizing for Genealogists

Organizing your genealogy information so that you can find what you want when you want it can be a daunting task.  Get tips on how to keep records in digital and print-based formats.

Travels with My Sister: Genealogical Journeys

Part travelogue, part how-to for traveling to do genealogical research.

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David Fleer

David Fleer is a retired management consultant in software quality and testing. He has been researching his ancestors, on and off, since 2001. During his last trip to Germany in 2015, he was introduced to the Archion project, to which he has become a regular subscriber.

Finding Your German Ancestors on Archion.de

Archion.de is the product of the Evangelische Kirche Deutschland (EKD) and 11 regional church organizations. Its objective is to preserve the church books of the entire German Evangelical Church. This presentation describes how and when to use Archion and the challenges that it presents the researcher.

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Janis Minor Forté, B.A., M.A.

Lecturer, Author, Writer, Publisher, Janis is the first place winner of the 2013 ISFHW&E Excellence-in-Writing Competition and other awards and citations. She is a member of several societies, including the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE), the Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS), the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago (AAGHSC) and others. Her presentation specialties include methodology, skill building techniques and case studies. She is skilled in both on-site and online research.

Getting Started: Approaching the Past

A workshop for beginning genealogy and family history study.

Getting Around Burned Counties: Methods and Strategies

Like a fireman approaches a burning building. This workshop presents techniques to resolve issues of “the burned county syndrome.”

Un-Puzzling Birthing History

Using 19th century records to verify birthing – a case study.

Using Non-Traditional Sources to Identify the Slave Holder and Reconnect Slave Era Families

Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership and Reconstructing Slave Era Families

Creating and Sustaining Your Family Newsletter

A lecture designed to address implementation strategies in developing a family newsletter.

Loose Women, Policy Queens and Black Ewes

A lecture to discover the many types and locations of records of women who lived on the “other side of the law.”

Colored Confederate Pension Applications

Valuable economic, social and genealogical primary source information

Using the Records of the Freedmen’s Bureau in the Reconstruction and Enhancement of African American Family History

Heritage Book: Telling Your Story.

Methods and strategies in the development of a heritage book. A project for genealogy societies and family lineage groups.

Researching the Digital Library on American Slavery

Locating pre-emancipation documentation of individuals and community life.

Even Gangsters had to Register

WWI draft registration cards and the companion selective service records produced.

Putting Some Clothes on Charles

Using census supplemental schedules to explore and expand genealogical and social content of family history.

USCT Pension Files

A bounty of pre- and post-emancipation era family information.

Slave Tags

Governmental licensing, labeling and marketing of human souls.

Going Beyond the Population Count

An exploration of supplemental census schedules for their genealogical and social content.

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Jacquie Schattner

Seeds to Tree 

Although directed to beginning genealogical research, it is also a great review for anyone interested in finding their family’s past. Five steps to research – yourself, interviews, research, verify and share. Includes organizing information, censuses, cemeteries and libraries, free genealogical websites.

A Guide to Overseas Genealogy 

Crossing the pond is easier than you think. We'll reveiw 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.

Central Europe is Easy – Merci Napoleon! 

Explores websites both European and American to locate family in the countries where Napoleon ruled (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Northern Italy, Germany and surrounding areas). Includes links to over 40 websites.

Top 10 Tricks and Tips 

I review the top genealogical websites and how to use them most efficiently. Tricks and tips on websites such as familysearch.org, ancestry.com and even Google. Many use these websites but do not know how to get the most out of them.

Emigration & Immigration – Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Story

Your immigrant ancestors are the foundation of your roots in the US. Why did they come? What are the voyage details, including what U.S. port did they enter through? Learn how to find emigration and immigration and naturalization records, and discover the interesting details of your ancestors’ journey to their new life here. A list of over 30 websites and other resources will be included.

Exploring Church Records

Church records contain more than basic vital records. These chronicles can provide clues to much more, including town of origin and immigration information, how active families were in their church, and their financial situation. Come find out the new and exciting information about your ancestors you can learn through their church records.

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Sandra Trapp

The Allen County Public Library – What to Know Before You Go

The 2nd largest genealogical library in the U.S. offers a multitude of research resources.  This presentation will cover how to prepare for a visit to this library so that you can make the most of your research time as well as inform you of some of its materials.

Resources at the Naperville Family History Center

Learn what is available at this Latter-Day Saints facility as well as some other LDS Family History Centers. 

Using The Newberry Library for Family History Research

This library has been offering research resources since 1887 and is recognized as one of the premiere research libraries in the U.S.  Information will be provided to help you prepare for a visit, inform you of the research aids their web site offers, and provide an overview of their materials .

Local Resources

Topics covered will include local libraries, societies, educational facilities, archives, and research centers and what they may offer for your researching.

Internet Resources for English Research

The internet has opened up so many resources for family history researchers.  Find out some of the places on the internet that may offer information about your English ancestors.

18th and 19th Century English Parish Records

Parish chests have been used since mediaeval times.  Baptism, marriages, and burials weren’t the only records that the parish chest held.   Learn of resources that may provide information about your ancestors even if they weren’t the gentry.

Italian Genealogy 101

Just getting started with Italian Genealogy?  Don’t speak Italian?  This program will provide you with resources you can use to research your ancestors in Italian birth, marriage and death records even if you aren’t an Italian native.   Internet and printed resources along with examples of records and how to read them will be included as well as availability of records for Americans. 

Beginners’ Genealogy

This program will cover the first steps a researchers needs to take to get started with their family history research.  Included will be internet and printed resources for finding the four basic records for genealogical research:   vital, census, immigration and naturalization records.

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Regina Yuill

Regina has experience in researching within state courthouses, libraries and archives. She has traveled to and conducted genealogy research in Ireland and has become an expert in locating real estate records. She has published a 500 page family history book on her mother’s family line and is currently working on a second volume, this one focusing on her father’s lineage.

Preparing to Publish Your Book:  Tips and Tricks for the Writer 

Does publishing your family history book seem like a daunting task?  This talk will help you over come your fears of writing and publishing your family book. Discussion will cover how to generate ideas for your book, finding your target audience, setting up the book, finding publishing companies and how to use Microsoft Word to add special features to your book.