DuPage County Genealogical Society upcoming events

Unlocking the Treasures Within Midwest Archives and Repositories by Tina Beaird (16 September 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Midwest is blessed with a series of top-notch repositories, museums and archives. Tina will highlight some of types of materials available and the best places to research your Midwest ancestors including Allen County Public Library, Ohio History Connection, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Newberry Library, Mid-Continent Public Library and the Indiana Historical Society.

Explore U.S. Church Records: Find Family with Jacquie Schattner (26 September 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Church records contain surprises, not just baptisms, marriages and deaths. They provide clues to much more, including town of origin and immigration information, how active families were in their church, and their financial situation. Churches predate government and often have information on under-represented people: women, minorities, immigrants and young children. Learn how to identify your ancestor‘s place of worship, access surviving records and solve problems such as maiden names and overseas birthplaces. Find new and exciting information in church records!

This event will only be virtual. A Zoom link and a handout will be emailed to all registrants prior to the program.

https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/event/explore-us-church-records-159675

Co-sponsored by the DuPage County Genealogical Society and the Wheaton Public Library.

Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors with Cynthia Grostick (10 October 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Do you have colonial ancestors from the states that make up what we call New England? If so, then this is the class for you. Learn about the wealth of resources available on both sides of the pond to help in researching your colonial ancestors.

This event will only be virtual. A Zoom link and a handout will be emailed to all registrants prior to the program.

https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/event/researching-colonial-new-england-159673

Co-sponsored by the DuPage County Genealogical Society and the Wheaton Public Library.

Discovering Witches: The Real Records and Manuscripts Seen in Movies, Books and TV Shows by Debra Dudek (21 October 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Witches are iconic figures in popular culture. They appear in some of your favoritesilver screen and streaming media shows alongside archaic books and strange texts. In this program, we'll uncover the real records and printed resources seen in your favorite shows, what the writers used as inspiration, and how to access historical resources for free from home. Whether you're a hardcore fan or an armchair historian, bring your curiosity and your questions to this program!

Eastern European Genealogy for Beginners with Alexander Tolksdorf (24 October 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

This presentation will focus on providing the beginner the basic background information to start investigating their ancestors across Eastern Europe. It will focus on early modern to modern history of Eastern Europe, major record sets and repositories available by country, and US and European research strategies to maximize success.

This event will only be virtual. A Zoom link and a handout will be emailed to all registrants prior to the program.

https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/event/eastern-european-genealogy-beginners-159671

Co-sponsored by the DuPage County Genealogical Society and the Wheaton Public Library.

The Hunt for German Ancestors with Dana Palmer (14 November 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Ever want to know more about your German heritage? Learn tips to be successful in finding your family in Germany, even if you don't speak German.

This event will only be virtual. A Zoom link and a handout will be emailed to all registrants prior to the program.

https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/event/hunt-german-ancestors-159672

Co-sponsored by the DuPage County Genealogical Society and the Wheaton Public Library.

Israel Blackburn: A Journey from Enslaved Person to Founder of Downers Grove by Marty Acks (18 November 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Israel Blackburn was born into slavery in 1818 in Kentucky. By 1865, he was serving in the U.S. Colored Infantry in Kentucky. Blackburn moved his family north to Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago, shortly after the war. He became a respected member of the community and within a few years, in 1873, was one of the 38 founding signers of the Incorporation Papers for the new Village of Downers Grove. In this presentation, you learn the unique story of Israel’s life. This story will be told by following the large amount of archival material found from both traditional and unexpected sources.

No OMPF? No Problem! By Sara Cochran (20 January 2027)

Thu, 21 Jan 2027 01:00:00 GMT

Researching 20th Century veterans is especially difficult as a fire destroyed millions of Official Military Personnel Files in 1973. This class will look at other ways to find the stories of the WWI, WII, Korea, and peacetime veterans in our families.

Become a Pro Using Family Tree by Dana Palmer (17 February 2027)

Thu, 18 Feb 2027 01:00:00 GMT

FamilySearch's Family Tree can be a powerful tool when used properly. Come learn how to be successful and connect with your relatives!

Save the Date - Annual Conference (27 February 2027)

Sat, 27 Feb 2027 13:30:00 GMT

Save the Date

DCGS Annual Conference
February 27, 2027

Registration to open September 2026

Early Migration to Illinois by Sue Devick (21 April 2027)

Thu, 22 Apr 2027 00:00:00 GMT

What triggered white settlers to migrate to “Indian Country” in Illinois in the first half of the nineteenth century? Who exactly were the Potawatomi and the white settlers, and what factors affected their ability to cohabitate in northern Illinois, including DuPage County? How is genealogy impacted by the massive population change that occurred in this area, and what was the effect of the Potawatomi presence?

A Tale of Two Immigrants by Caron Brennan (19 May 2027)

Thu, 20 May 2027 00:00:00 GMT

A Tale of Two Immigrants explores the journeys of two immigrants whose paths to a new life could not have been more different. As a third-generation descendant, the presenter uncovers the contrasting stories of her great-grandfathers—both of German descent, yet shaped by distinct circumstances, challenges, and choices. Through research and personal discovery, she retraces their steps across continents and generations, revealing how their experiences shaped her family’s history. This presentation weaves together immigration, perseverance, and genealogical research into a personal narrative of identity and heritage.

DuPage County Genealogical Society upcoming events

Unlocking the Treasures Within Midwest Archives and Repositories by Tina Beaird (16 September 2026)

Explore U.S. Church Records: Find Family with Jacquie Schattner (26 September 2026)

Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors with Cynthia Grostick (10 October 2026)

Discovering Witches: The Real Records and Manuscripts Seen in Movies, Books and TV Shows by Debra Dudek (21 October 2026)

Eastern European Genealogy for Beginners with Alexander Tolksdorf (24 October 2026)

The Hunt for German Ancestors with Dana Palmer (14 November 2026)

Israel Blackburn: A Journey from Enslaved Person to Founder of Downers Grove by Marty Acks (18 November 2026)

No OMPF? No Problem! By Sara Cochran (20 January 2027)

Become a Pro Using Family Tree by Dana Palmer (17 February 2027)

Save the Date - Annual Conference (27 February 2027)

Save the Date

DCGS Annual Conference February 27, 2027

Registration to open September 2026

Early Migration to Illinois by Sue Devick (21 April 2027)

A Tale of Two Immigrants by Caron Brennan (19 May 2027)

DCGS Annual Conference
February 27, 2027