Current KCGS members will receive notification of both KCGS and Town and Country Public Library (TCPL) genealogy meetings.
Guests interested in attending any KCGS sponsored meeting encouraged to supply their name and email address to kcgsinfo@gmail.com. For TCPL programs, register with the library directly, via the provided link.
Unless otherwise specified, in-person meetings are held at the Town and Country Public Library, 320 E North St., Elburn, IL.
The start time for all events listed is 7:00 p.m. Central Time, unless otherwise noted. Meeting topics and speakers are subject to change.
28 May 2026
KCGS Sponsored: American Genealogy: Researching in the Colonial Days and New Republic (1607-1800)
Presented by: Laura Street Chaplin
Focuses on the first years of American exploration and settlement, showcases an historical overview of the time span, offers comments on cultural context for our ancestors, and even suggestions for research collections & repositories.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
25 June 2026
KCGS Sponsored: American Genealogy: Researching During Expansion, Fracture, and Reconstruction (1800-1914)
Presented by: Laura Street Chaplin
Focuses on events of the fledgling country through the War of 1812 and early American expansion, the Civil War fracture and efforts to reunite, until the onset World War I.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
23 July 2026
KCGS / BPL Sponsored: America at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors
Presented by: Scott Norrick
About 200 thousand Americans served in the Patriots’ cause in some capacity.
This presentation will provide a deep dive into discovering and researching your revolutionary ancestors covering topics such as resources, strategies, websites, libraries, and archives. Resources and documents available at the
National Archives, DAR, SAR, as well as state and local organizations will be included. It is an exciting time to jump in and learn as much as you can about your revolutionary ancestors!
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual with Batavia Public Library as host. Registration at BPL required.
27 Aug 2026
KCGS / BPL Sponsored: Family Tree DX: Including Medical Information in Your Family Tree
Presented by: Laura Kovarik
Genealogists typically collect information about names, dates, and places of ancestors. However, genealogists are in an advantageous position to collect information about medical information on their family members. This can be used now and, in the future, to guide health care. Speaker Laura Kovarik will teach you the basics of including medical information in your family tree. This program will be co-hosted by the Batavia Public Library and Kane County Genealogical Society.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual with Batavia Public Library as host. Registration at BPL required.
10 Sep 2026
TCPL Sponsored: History of Chicagoland Maps & Mapmaking
Presented by: Donald and Tanya Smith
oin Donald and Tanya Smith [whose family has been involved in land surveying & map making since 1854] for a presentation about the history of surveying in the U.S. and Illinois, especially greater Chicagoland. Hear stories about map making, the Chicago Fire, Abe Lincoln, local interesting projects, and more!
Also, check out antique & vintage maps, atlases & instruments from their unique historical collections on display during the presentation.
Registration required
24 September 2026
KCGS Sponsored: One-Step Webpages: A Potpourri of Genealogical Search Tools
Presented by: Stephen P Morse
The One-Step website started out as an aid for finding passengers in the Ellis Island database. Shortly afterwards it was expanded to help with searching in the 1930 census. Over the years it has continued to evolve and today includes about 300 web-based tools divided into 16 separate categories ranging from genealogical searches to astronomical calculations to last-minute bidding on e-bay. This presentation will describe the range of tools available and give the highlights of each one.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
10 October 2026
Family History Day with TCPL and KCGS: Part 1
10-11:30 AM CT Preserving Family Heirlooms with Tina Beaird
Learn how to preserve valuable family documents, photos, fabrics and glass for future generations through proper storage and simple preservation techniques. Attendees will also get to test-drive products and hear preservation dos and don’ts for historic and modern scrap-books. Lecture followed by a brief workshop.
In person program at Town and Country Public Library, 320 E North St, Elburn, IL. Registration required.
10 October 2026
Family History Day with TCPL and KCGS: Part 2
1-2:30 PM CT Accumulation to Collection – Caring for 3D Objects in Your Family Archive with Laura Kovarik
Genealogists often become the managers of the family archive. Family members pass on family photos, papers and even objects. Whatever objects you have been gifted – houses to jewelry, kitchenware to toys – this program will take a practical look at steps you can take to care of those objects. The steps outlined during this program are designed to help you manage, organize and create a family collection you can pass on to future generations.
The lecture will be followed by a brief workshop during which a variety of activities, ranging from identifying items to caring for them, will be offered to help you start organizing your family collection.
In person program at Town and Country Public Library, 320 E North St, Elburn, IL. Registration required.
22 October 2026
KCGS Sponsored: What is Cyndi’s List
Presented by: Jenny Warner
During this presentation, you will learn all about Cyndi’s list and how this will help you with your genealogy journey.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
