If you research in Illinois, you don’t want to miss the resources held in the seven regional archive repositories of IRAD. From vital records to city directories, probate to local histories, each site has its own unique set of records. Learn tips and tricks for getting the most out of your visit, whether long-distance or on site. Come see some of the gems already gleaned from the vast resources of this amazing Illinois asset.
Genealogy and the recording of family history has always been a passion for Luana Darby. She began organizing photos, documents, and information on her grandmother’s family in 1977 and has researched for others since 1985, working as a professional genealogist since 1995. She specializes in Palatine German, US and Canadian, and western European research She frequently travels to Europe for genealogical research on site in archives located in Germany, Poland and France.
Luana has a bachelor’s degree in Family History from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. In addition to her education at BYU and SJSU, Luana is an Accredited Genealogist®.
She is a frequent lecturer at local and national conferences and institutes, including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the British Institute, RootsTech and through Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
Luana is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society. She has served as past president and director of the Utah Genealogical Association and director at the Association of Professional Genealogists. She currently serves as the Utah State Society DAR 2nd Vice Regent and has served as a past State Registrar, and as a commissioner on the ICAPGen accreditation board.
Luana worked on the research team of Relative Race, BYU TV’s reality competition show, seasons 3 and 4. She loves her ancestors and the chance to solve genealogical mysteries.
The Webinar will be recorded and available on the CGS website in the members only section for 90 days.
Registration is required via the Chicago Genealogical Society website under Events. Registration will close 1 hour prior to the event. The meet-up will take place virtually via ZOOM. All people registered will receive an email the morning of the event with log-in instructions and a link. This information is not to be shared.
Note: This webinar is FREE for CGS members. Non-Members can register for the event for $10. No refunds.
Open Mic Meet-Up - CGS Members Only Event
Join us to share your discovery or watch and listen to others share their successes. You have a research problem? Come and ask the group. Maybe someone will have a suggestion to further your research. A great opportunity to learn!
This meet-up will have a host to run the Zoom and to give the opportunity for everyone to share as time permits. If you plan to share a discovery or problem, please keep it to 5 minutes or less to allows others to also share.
**This Meet-Up is not recorded"
Picture from Library of Congress
Many family historians find Fold3 to be a bit intimidating. Since it’s indispensable in doing Military Records research and has so many other hidden gems to offer, why not develop some Fold3 Flair for yourself? Learning Fold3 will benefit you in countless ways!
Laura Street Chaplin, a seasoned genealogist with over 40 years of experience, has conducted extensive research while living throughout the Midwest, including Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. Her passion for family history began in college and evolved into a dedicated hobby, attending workshops, traveling nationwide for research, taking community college courses and lots more. Laura’s journey was propelled by her Quaker grandparents and her father, researchers who provided a head start. As a young mother she compiled a book on her mother’s family, tracing her German immigrant ancestor’s current descendants. In 2013, Laura established Willowtree Research Genealogy Services and obtained her Boston University Genealogical Research certificate, Laura leverages her wealth of knowledge and experience to assist others in discovering their family heritage, providing fulfillment and excitement along the way.
The Webinar will be recorded and available on the CGS website in the members only section.
**Special Tech Tuesday Webinar**
Unleash the power of visual analysis with LucidChart, your online companion for crafting diagrams, charts, mind maps, and illustrations. This tool transforms your research and ideas into dynamic visuals that are adaptable and shareable. In my upcoming talk, I'll guide you through the ins and outs of LucidChart, demonstrating how you can create personalized diagrams, including family trees and timelines, that resonate with your needs.
Our speaker, Jamie Lee McManus Mayhew, is a genealogist and speaker. She began researching with her mother as her first mentor over five decades ago. She started her business, California Cousins, in 2010 and began speaking to genealogy enthusiasts. She is currently the president of the Association of Professional Genealogists Writers Special Interest Group (SIG), a board member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, a FamilySearch Center leader, and a member of many societies.
National Hellenic Museum Tour: Reaching for the American Dream
A guided private tour for the Chicago Genealogical Society of the Museum including the exhibit, Reaching for the American Dream: An Immigration Story. The exhibit explores the Greek immigrant journey to America during the early 1900s. The tour also includes the Frank S. Kamberos Oral History Center, the Gus and Mary Stathis Library & Resource Center, and the National Hellenic Museum’s Archival Collections.
Registered attendees will meet at the National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL, at the main entrance @ 11:00am. Location information can be found on the Museum website www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org.
Both CGS members and non-members are welcome.
Cost: Free CGS members $7.00 non-members
Registration closes on November 8, 2025, at 11:00am. No refund after November 8, 2025, at 11:00am. The online payment service fee of $1.50 will be deducted from refunds.
FREE webinar for everyone!
Join us for an exciting webinar where CGS Board Member Barry Love will present "Unlock Your Family’s Story: An Introduction to Genealogical and DNA Research." This engaging talk is designed to ignite your passion for genealogy and inspire you to delve into your family history.
Barry will explore the fascinating and rewarding journey of genealogical research, highlighting how it can be both challenging and fun. You'll discover how genealogy builds knowledge and skills across various domains, from research and critical thinking to creative problem-solving and persuasive writing. The presentation will also emphasize the supportive community of fellow genealogists who can help you along the way.
Expect surprises as Barry demonstrates some tricks and traps of genealogical research through intriguing stories, including the inspirational tale of an entrepreneurial single mother of six who came the U.S. in 1870. You'll also learn about the benefits and challenges of DNA testing in genealogy.
Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, this webinar promises to provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you uncover your family's unique history. Walk away with a newfound appreciation for genealogy and the excitement to give it a try. Mark your calendars and join us for an engaging and informative session!
Barry Love serves on the board of the Chicago Genealogical Society. His passion for history and genealogy—and his desire to inspire others to explore this fascinating hobby—led him to begin giving presentations to various groups and organizations throughout Chicago before the pandemic. He also leads historical walking tours of Roscoe Village.
Note: This webinar is FREE for everyone!
Have you researched a family business or investigated the industry or profession in which your ancestor worked? If you have hit a brick wall, looking into the "professional" side of life is an overlooked but promising avenue for research. This lecture covers how to use resources you may be familiar with but from a different perspective, as well as introducing some new ones to add to your genealogical toolbox.
Our speaker, Michelle L. Spencer, owner of RomaMaryGrace, specializes in family business research, material culture, pandemics, and historic preservation. Michelle has more than thirty years of speaking, research, and writing experience. She loves traveling, researching, and collecting old things. She has co-authored more than sixty nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and her genealogical clients included the television shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. She and her husband live in Millbrook, AL. You can find her on YouTube: @romamarygrace1909 or online at romamarygrace.com.
The Webinar will be recorded and available on the CGS website in the members only section for six months.
Our speaker, Allison Lawrentz Barnhart, demonstrates how three important tools in genealogy—DNA, physical items, and the stories and memories passed down—can work together in unexpected ways. Her own research uncovered a decades-old secret kept by her late grandmother, one that shocked the whole family and disrupted long-held assumptions of their ancestry.
Allison grew up in Ashland, Ohio, and graduated from Ashland University which included a year intensive at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Along with her career as a Creative Strategist at a marketing agency OneTable Strategy, she enjoys spending her free time with her family, friends, and church community. Genealogy research has been a passion since grade-school and loves not only exploring her own family’s story, but helping others find joy in discovering their own roots. Her first book, a memoir entitled The Record Keeper: The Unfolding of a Family Secret in the Age of Genetic Genealogy was published in July 2024 by Legacy Book Press and was featured on the Ohio Genealogical Society’s podcast Ohio Roots, and in the Mar/Apr 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine. Allison is a member of the Ohio Genealogical Society as well as the Ashland County Chapter of the OGS, and resides in Ashland, Ohio with her husband and two children.
Chicago Genealogical Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Address: PO Box 1160, Chicago, IL 60690-1160
