“Sex, Murder, and Genealogy?”

Presented by Mike Karsen

Dora Feldman McDonald, the daughter of German Jewish immigrants, made the front page of Chicago newspapers in 1907 when she shot her lover. Dora, who was married to one of the most powerful political bosses in Chicago at the time, used murder to end this affair and her lover’s blackmail. But what ever happened to her after her dramatic acquittal the following year? Genealogist Mike Karsen uses every trick in his tool bag to set the record straight and follow her trail.

A professional speaker, Mike Karsen is a member of the Association of  Professional Genealogists (APG), the Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG), and is Past President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois. He has presented over 300 talks on genealogy topics locally, nationally, and internationally including Newberry Library and Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Mike is the author of the JewishGen website “Guide to Jewish Genealogy in Chicagoland” and has published articles on genealogy.

He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics/computer science and a master’s in operations research alongside 30 years in telecommunications management.

IN PERSON MEETING!!

“Cemetery Art Symbolism”

Presented by Laurel Mellien

The program focuses on the rich symbolism displayed in cemeteries of the Victorian Era. Headstone art during this time-period was carefully chosen by family members to properly represent the deceased. Many clues about the lives of the dearly departed can be discovered by learning the language of cemetery art symbolism.

Laurel Mellien is dedicated to the research of cemetery art symbolism. With a concentration on the Victorian Era, Mellien will guide your group through the headstones. The programs uncover the hidden symbolism of these open-air art museums and explains the history of the people laid to rest.

Laurel Mellien holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Crystal Lake Historical Society. Mellien has presented programs for libraries, historical societies, genealogical organizations, DAR Chapters, and Questers groups.

“Applying to the Sons of the American Revolution”

Presented by Bill Wheeler

Bill Wheeler is the President of the Fort Dearborn chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.  The Fort Dearborn chapter covers the city of Chicago and the majority of Cook County. Bill is also the Vice President of Membership for the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society (MCIGS).  Bill is also the former (2020 – 2022) Senior State President, Illinois Society, Children of the American Revolution.  Bill began his interest in genealogy when he inherited his father’s genealogy research in 1997.

During the day, and for the last 25 years, Bill supports technology.  Today he works for Avanade, Inc. consulting customers on how to secure their computing infrastructure and advising how to migrate their data centers to “the cloud”.  Bill holds Master’s degrees in Business Administration, and Nonprofit Management. Bill, his wife Amy, and their son Billy, live in Spring Grove, IL.

“Italian Genealogy in America”

An overview of how to read Italian records and turn them into a quick ancestor tree.

Presented by Dan Niemiec

Dan will give many tips on finding records that will help you work your way back to the correct town in Italy.
(Focus is on USA records, not Italy)

Dan Niemiec has been the genealogy columnist for Fra Noi Italian American magazine for the past 16 years and has done well over a hundred presentations to local and national genealogy groups. He specializes in Chicago and Italian research and has traced his ancestors back to the mid 1600’s in Italy. After nearly three decades of tracing his ancestors, and their descendants, he has over 89,000 known relatives.

“I Hate Conflict – Mediation Sources That Don’t Agree”

Presented by Elizabeth Williams Gomoll

This presentation uses a real-life example of a man whose name, birthplace, birth date, immigration dates all had multiple choice answer. Techniques are shared for resolving conflicting information and how professionals handle the unresolvable.

Bio: Liz is co-editor of Minnesota Genealogist, the quarterly journal of the Minnesota Genealogical Society and immediate past president of the Association for Professional Genealogists Northland Chapter. Currently, she chairs two MGS committees and is a member of several national and ethnic genealogy societies.

Red Bird Genealogy Services.
Why the name Red Bird Genealogy Services? It was inspired by a Native American legend that holds the sighting of a red bird nearby may be a visit from the spirit of a departed loved one. The essence of genealogy is the discovery and remembering of our departed family members. May you enjoy many visits from red birds.

What Do I do with it Now that I Have it?

Working With DNA Test Results

Presented by Laura Street Chaplin

Once you get your DNA test results back, how can you best understand and utilize them?  This presentation will cover lots of tips, such as: transferring raw DNA results, skeleton DNA tree, and working with other people’s tests.  PLUS learn about analysis tools like Dots SuperPower, Shared Matches, Matches spreadsheet, Known Relationships, and Quick & Dirty trees.

Owner of Willowtree Research Genealogy Services, and currently living in Sugar Grove, Illinois, Laura was raised in southeastern Iowa and has lived all around the Midwest: Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio.  She and her husband were inspired by the “Roots” miniseries in college, which began a lifelong love of research and genealogical learning, raising their three daughters tramping through graveyards – now with 6 grandkids in training!

In addition to her genealogy business doing client work and offering on-line Study Groups, Laura is a former History & Genealogy Manager at the Lawrence J. Martin Heritage Center in Elburn, IL She has been active as a genealogical presenter for several years. She is a member of the APG, GSG, Board member for the Kane County Genealogical Society, a Director on the Governing Board for the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and a member of several local societies.