About Us

The Chicago Genealogical Society exists to collect, preserve and perpetuate the records of our ancestors and to stimulate an interest in all of the people who contributed in any way, however great or small, in establishing Chicago and its surrounding areas.

The Chicago Genealogical Society (CGS) Calendar runs July to June.  Board members are elected at the Annual Meeting each June.

CGS Board meetings are open to members and are held virtually the 2nd Thursday of the month. Contact us for details.

CGS Board Members July 2025 - June 2026

As per the recent changes to the constitution and by-laws, the elected directors elected at the June General Meeting have elected the following directors to serve as officers for the new fiscal year:

Julie Benson, President
Stephanie Pierce Carbonetti, First Vice-President and Program Chair
Barbara Rykaczewski, Second Vice-President, Membership Chair
Stephanie Jones, Treasurer, Mail Distribution
Grace Horner, Recording Secretary

The following are the additional directors and the standing committees & work groups they chair:

Scott Burgh, Advocacy, co-chair Funeral Home Records
Joan M. Billingham, Conference Exhibits
David von Ehrlicher, Cemeteries
Grace A. Horner, Newsletter Editor
Gary Koche, Quarterly Editor
Thomas Mackowiak, Hospitality and Nominating
Marsha Peterson-Maass, Publicity and Social Media, Ancestor Certificates
Barry Love, Director, Outreach
Terri O'Connell, Director, Technology
Steven Wright, Co-chair Funeral Home Records, Archivist