Illinois State Genealogical Society - 2024 Conference Topics

When we take a DNA test, most people first look at the ethnicity estimate. For many of us, the results can be rather unexpected. During this session, we will talk about how ethnicity estimates are determined, what they are really telling us, and explore how they can (and cannot) be used for genealogy. Ethnicity estimates often don’t live up to the hype they are given by the media and the DNA testing companies. Because they are poorly explained and over-marketed, consumers often write off the entire DNA test because they disagree with the ethnicity estimate given to them by major testing companies. I feel it is very important to understand what the ethnicity estimate is really telling us and why we shouldn’t read as much into it as many consumers do.

DNA Workshop ($25 additional fee Registration Required)

Topic: Your DNA Match List: The "Secret Sauce" for Genealogical Success

DNA is a powerful tool for genealogy. During this session we will explore how DNA works and why our match list is the key to unlocking your DNA results. We will use case studies to illustrate how to identify your matches, and how the match list can be used to find previously unknown ancestors and confirm that your traditional research is correct.

Riding the Rails: Discovering the Hobos and Vagabonds in Your Family History

Speaker: Amber Oldenburg

Following the completion of the transcontinental railroad, an army of itinerant laborers descended upon America, supplying the manpower and muscle that helped fuel our country’s industrial growth. Your ancestor may have been one of these men. This presentation will cover the history of hobos and records that you can use to tell their stories. Hobos, tramps, and vagabonds, collectively known as itinerant workers, constituted a population of close to 100,000 people. They comprised a grouping of individuals who traveled and worked across the Midwest, Great Plains, and Mountain West between the years 1870 and 1940. This presentation will introduce the audience to the history of this subculture using documents like tramp ledgers, letters, and diaries and assist them in locating the hobos in their families and telling their stories.

Midwest Archives: Worthy of More than Just a Flyover

The Midwest encompasses eleven states and nearly seventy million people with an innumerable amount of archives. From federal, state, local, and university archives the large number of places to find records can be overwhelming to the family historian. This session will explore the vast number of archives found within the Midwest while highlighting select records found within these archives.

Researching The Great Lakes States

Speaker: Maureen Brady

SpeaThe Territory Northwest of the Ohio River was created in 1787 and lasted until 1800. From it, five states were formed: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. This presentation will review the history of the "Old Northwest" and suggest research strategies for the territorial period, as well as for each of the subsequent states.

Uncovering Genealogical Gems in I&M Canal Records

Speaker: Debra Dudek

Learn about the new and exciting genealogical breakthroughs found in local and state collections of Illinois & Michigan Canal records, which include an amazing collection of tickets, correspondence, census records, and passenger lists for hired men and local families living and working around this famous waterway.

Navigating Our Roots: The Impact of Illinois Waterways on Family Histories

Speaker: Suzanne Hoffman

This lecture will focus on the importance of Illinois’ Strategic location and waterway network in historical, economic, migration patterns, urban development, and genealogical impact.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) & Genealogy

Speaker: Dan Jungclas

Let's look into Artificial Intelligence (AI), what it is, what to expect from it and how it can be and is used in Genealogical Research.

Finding Your Roots in Illinois: Illinois Resources

Tracing & Researching Your Roots in Illinois? Ket's take a look at the abundance of resources for researching your family history & ancestors in Illinois!

What's Coming Down the Line: The Railroad in the American Mind

Speaker: Mike Matejka

Illinois is the nation's railroad crossroads. This not only shaped the state's economy and communities but created an industry with a cultural allure. The speeding locomotive was a real-life representation of progress, and people gathered trackside to marvel at the big city opulence represented by an Illinois-built Pullman car. Railroads not only accelerated Illinois' economic development and populatoin growth, but also became icons that influenced American culture. The national land-based transportation network radically changed the economy, how people traveled, and how corporate structure evolved. Rail workers were seen as heroic as they faced an extremely dangerous occupation. The railroad became a cultural symbol, reflected in advertising, cinema, and children's toys.

The National Road – America's First Highway

Speaker: Kimberly Nagy

The National Road was one of the major migration routes for settlers traveling to the Midwest. Many of our ancestors who settled in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois traveled on the National Road for part of their journey. Evidence of their migration can be found along the extent of the road.