March 1, 2025 - DCGS 47th Annual Conference
 | "Unlock Your Past" on March 1, 2025 with a full day of program sessions onsite at the NIU Conference Center in Naperville, Illinois. You choose from 12 topics including DNA/genetic genealogy, methodology tactics, cemeteries, organization tips, and German research. There are topics for everyone, beginners to advanced. We tailored a track specifically for beginners with primers on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and FindMyPast The Attendee conference fee includes lunch, syllabus, and chances to win door prizes. There are additional opportunities to win through purchased raffle tickets. |
Early Bird deadline is February 1, 2025
The Attendee early bird conference fee, $60 for DCGS members, $70 for non-members, includes 12 sessions to choose from, a hot buffet lunch, pdf handouts, and chances to win door prizes. There will be great raffle items and several genealogists' favorite exhibitors. After February 1, the regular conference rate for members and non-members will be $75.
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 at conference@dcgs.org.
No refunds allowed after February 1, 2025.
Online registration closes on February 15, 2025 or when we reach capacity, whichever comes first.
Advanced online registration is required, we cannot accommodate walk-ins. When you register online, you'll 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 February 24th, 2025.
Only registered conference attendees are invited to visit our exhibitors.
Public Health 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.
Mask-wearing in our events is 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:
- Planning - Join the Conference Planning Committee to help with planning and coordinating the upcoming conference.
- Facilitators - Introduce a speaker of their choice or of a lecture they intend to attend. Assist 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 indicate your interest when you register or contact Rhea Hunter at webcoordinator@dcgs.org and indicate your preferences.
Program
Speakers
Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, CG
Teresa Steinkamp McMillin is a Certified Genealogist ®. She participated in the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, National Genealogical Society's Home Study Course, and has her B.S. Computer Science from the University of Illinois-Urbana. Teresa specializes in Cook County Genealogy, including Chicago, Midwest United States, German genealogy, and German script.
Laura Street Chaplin
Although raised in southeastern Iowa, Laura has moved all around the Midwest. Laura and her husband became interested in family history during college (around 1978) when a professor asserted we all had immigrant ancestors. This novel thought made them wonder who theirs might be. And then came the mini-series "Roots". Like thousands of others they became hooked on genealogy! Through the years Laura's family had so much fun and found so many interesting stories that sharing their experiences and expertise with friends and family became second nature. Laura became known as the family historian on several family branches. For several years she was employed by midwestern Catholic parishes, variously as parish musician, choir director, liturgist, and pastoral associate. Laura holds a BA from the University of North Iowa (in Interior Design, of all things!) and an MPS (Master of Pastoral Studies) from Loyola University - New Orleans.
A long-time dream came true with the launch of Willowtree Research Genealogy Services in 2013. In 2014, Laura completed the Boston University "Certificate in Genealogical Research" program. She was employed as the History and Genealogy Manager at a local library and oversaw the opening of the Lawrence J Martin Heritage Center. Along the way, Laura served on several genealogical boards, including as a Director and Newsletter Editor for the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Since retiring in 2020, Laura has excitedly devoted more time to her genealogy business as she believes it's rewarding to help others enjoy the excitement and tremendous fulfillment of learning about their own family heritage.
Maureen Brady
Maureen Brady, a former school librarian and computer educator, has almost forty years experience with family history research. She has traced her Scottish roots back to the end of the 17th century and beyond, and has also pursued Chicago and the Midwest, the trans-Allegheny U.S., Quebec, Irish and Swedish research. Maureen has made numerous presentations to genealogical societies, libraries, conferences and workshops throughout the U. S., as well as presenting for the Brigham Young University Library family history webinar series.
She is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, as well as a life member of the Aberdeen and Northeast Scotland Family History Society, the Chicago Genealogical Society, the Ohio Genealogy Society and the McHenry County (Illinois) Genealogical Society. She is active in the British Interest Group of Wisconsin & Illinois (BIGWILL), the Chicago Scots Genealogical Group, the Lake County (Illinois) Genealogical Society, the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society and the Kentucky Genealogical Society.
Jenny Warner
Jenny Warner has 42 years genealogical experience. Her mother started Jenny and her sister early, learning about where their family came from and how to research family history. She holds offices in many local lineage groups and genealogical societies, including, President of DuPage County Genealogical Society since 2017, State Treasurer of Minnesota State Society Daughters of the American Revolution since 2023, and Treasurer of Genealogy Speakers Guild since 2020.
Luncheon
A hot buffet lunch is included in most tickets.
If you have dietary restrictions that aren't met by this menu, please note them in your registration.
Conference Exhibitors Note: The list will be updated as Exhibitors register.
ArkivDigital , www.arkivdigital.com
- CAGGNI, Computer Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois, https://caggni.org/
- Chicago & North Western Railroad Historical Society, https://cnwhs.org/wp1/
- Chicago Genealogical Society, www.chicagogenealogy.org
- Fun Stuff for Genealogists, https://www.funstuffforgenealogists.com/
- Fountaindale Public Library, https://www.fountaindale.org/
- Fox Valley Genealogical Society, https://www.ilfvgs.org
- Michiana History Publications, https://www.ebay.com/str/Michiana-History-Publications, michianahistory@gmail.com
- Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library, www.nagcnl.org
Only registered conference attendees are invited to visit our Exhibitors.
If you wish to register as an exhibitor, select one of the Exhibitor ticket options when you register.
If you have questions, email webdcgs60187@gmail.com.
Raffle Prizes check back for updates
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Door Prizes The final list will be available at the door prize tables.
- CAGGNI, 1-year membership
Exclusive Deals
- TBA
Details and access information will be posted in the Bonus Content Section of Syllabus
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.