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.
KCGS Sponsored: Holiday Social and Year In Review
Join us for special holiday gathering as we share light refreshments and recap the KCGS year. As a bit of entertainment, we are holding a “Research Resource Exchange”. Bring materials that you no longer need or use to share and exchange with fellow researchers.
Note: Meeting time is 2pm
Presentation method: In-person only at the Lawrence J. Martin Heritage Center, 315 E Shannon St, Elburn. All are welcome to attend.
KCGS Sponsored: Comparing DNA Ethnicity Estimates
Presented by Richard Hill
Learn the reasons why DNA ethnicity tests often yield unexpected results. See why siblings can have surprisingly different ethnicities and why Native American ancestry is rarely found. Compare one person’s ethnicity reports from all the major DNA tests and learn why one test or another might be your best choice for ethnicity purposes.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
TCPL Sponsored: The National Road–America’s First Highway
Presented by Kimberly Nagy
The National Road extended from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois. It was built in the early 19th century to aid settlers in their westward migration. Many of our midwestern ancestors traveled on, and settled near, the national road.
Kimberly Nagy MD AG® has been researching ancestry for over forty years. She has extensive experience with Lineage Society applications and loves to lecture – both of these are reflected in her work as a Professional Genealogist.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Registration with Town and Country Library required.
Register27 February 2025
KCGS Sponsored: The Hunter of Tallulah – The Truth and Legend of an Indian War Ancestor
Presented by: Debra Dudek of Fountaindale Library
Adam P. Vandiver was small of stature but his exploits measured to giant proportions. Vandiver was an extreme mountain man, veteran of the War of 1812 Indian Wars, and boasted to have over 30 children with three wives, though albeit, not at the same time. In a story pieced together by historical and genealogical records, you can learn how to sort fact from fiction when researching a larger-than-life ancestor.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
13 March 2025
TCPL Sponsored: Pathway to Spicy Stories—An Overview of Court Records
Court records in their infinite variety are a treasure trove for genealogists because they are not just legal documents. They are pathways into the stories of our ancestors’ lives, often leading to clues we might otherwise miss. While vital statistics like birth, marriage, and death dates and places are important, it is the stories we uncover that add the extra spice. Attend this humorous attempt to give an overview of the various documents found in an American court!
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Registration with TCPL required.
27 March 2025
KCGS Sponsored: The Underground Railroad in Kane County, Illinois
Presented by: Zachary Bishop of Aurora University
Don’t miss this interesting presentation with Zachary Bishop from Aurora University. Zach will cover some history of the Underground Railroad (UGRR), including specifics of how Kane County was involved, and tips, techniques and resources on how to conduct research on our ancestors with UGRR connections.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual–co-sponsored with Batavia Public Library. Registration with the library required.
24 April 2025
KCGS Sponsored: Researching in FamilySearch Centers
Presented by: Barbara Garza of the DeKalb FamilySearch Center
Learn how to research well at a FamilySearch Center, taking advantage of all their in-person benefits. Barbara is a behind-the-scenes expert as the manager of the DeKalb FamilySearch Center in Sycamore, Illinois.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
22 May 2025
KCGS Sponsored: AI & Genealogy: The Evolving Role of Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy
Presented by: Eric Vavra
AI became a trendy buzzword that caught the attention of many in late 2022, but AI has been used by genealogy companies for years. The important and ongoing rapid change is the rollout of numerous useful AI tools for genealogists to directly use to enhance their research experience and improve results. This presentation will provide an overview of the latest genealogy specific AI offerings, as well as general AI tools that can be leveraged for genealogy. Also discussed will be practical usage considerations and current limitations along with the expected evolution of capabilities in the near future.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
26 June 2025
KCGS Sponsored: From Questions to Conclusions: AI’s Role in Modern Genealogical Research
Presented by: Diana Elder of Family Locket
Learn how AI is transforming each step of the genealogical research process. We’ll discuss AI-assisted methods for creating focused research objectives, analyzing complex timelines, and conducting thorough locality studies. Attendees will learn how AI tools can help generate comprehensive research plans, efficiently log findings, and even assist in writing polished research reports. Using a case study, the session will provide practical examples of integrating AI into your existing research workflow for more efficient and thorough family history investigations.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
24 July 2025
KCGS Sponsored: Roundtable Discussion of AI Developments and Uses for Genealogy
Presented by: Mark and Laura Chaplin
Meeting details forthcoming
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
28 August 2025
KCGS Sponsored: To Be Announced
Presentation method: To be determined.
25 September 2025
KCGS Sponsored: The Widow Won, the Barkeep Lost: Using Historical Context and the FAN Club to Enrich Your Family Stories
Presented by: Candace Marx
On 16 May 1890, Arthur Bell bought a keg of beer from a saloon in Yorkville, Illinois. What happened next would forever change the fate of two families. This case study will demonstrate how to bring your family legends to life by adding historical, social, and cultural context. Numerous examples will help prove that researching your ancestors’ friends, associates and neighbors (the FAN club) can reveal new clues and bring fresh points-of-view to old stories. Helpful and unique reference materials, including books and websites, will also be discussed.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
23 October 2025
KCGS Sponsored: Writing the Story When They Left No Stories
Presented by: Mary Kircher Roddy
You’ve spent years (or decades) working on your genealogy. Now it’s finally time to take all that data and put it together into a story that your relatives – yes, even your spouse and children! – will want to read. Mary Roddy will show you how to take your data and “fluff it up” with the kinds of details that draw your reader into the story of their ancestors’ lives.
Presentation method: Hybrid in-person and virtual. Members will receive Zoom meeting invitation.
07 December 2025
KCGS Sponsored: Holiday Social and Year in Review
Meeting details forthcoming
Presentation method: To be determined
