Illinois State Genealogical Society

Dana serves as the Executive Director of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center in Madison, Wisconsin. She oversees the daily operation of the center and is active in outreach activities and educational programming. After being bitten by the genealogy bug at age 12, her passion for family history led her to a Scandinavian Studies degree from UW-Madison where she learned to speak, read and write Norwegian. She has served on the board of directors for the Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society since 2009 and is a member of several Norwegian cultural and genealogical organizations including Sons of Norway, Vesterheim, Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study, Dane County Area Genealogical Society, and International Society of Online Genetic Genealogists.

Amber Oldenburg

Amber is a genealogist, lecturer, and social media manager with a degree in Family History Research from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she currently serves as an online instructor in their Family History Research program. She specializes in Midwest and Great Lakes states research.

Maureen Brady

Maureen has forty years experience with family history research, pursuing her Chicago, the trans-Allegheny U.S., Scottish, Quebecois, Irish and Swedish ancestors. Maureen has made numerous presentations to genealogical societies, libraries, conferences and workshops throughout the U.S., including presenting webinars for the Brigham Young University Library. In addition to various genealogical societies, Maureen is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and a life member of the Chicago and Ohio genealogical societies.

Debra Dudek

Debra M. Dudek is Head of Adult and Teen Services at the Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook, IL. She holds a post graduate certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Ms. Dudek is the Book Review Editor of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, a board member of the Illinois State Historical Society, Chapter Librarian of the Chicago Chapter NSDAR, and is the author of the World War I Research Guide: Tracing American Military and Non-Combatant Ancestors – Includes a Guide to Canadian Military Research.

Suzanne Hoffman

After 25 years of research, Suzanne Hoffman still finds her Illinois-born husband's pioneer line a great deal easier to pursue than her mainly Lithuanian and Russian conquest of missing and unreadable documents. She's a graduate of the University of Chicago - Executive Management Program and Smith College, with a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. She volunteers at the Wilmette FamilySearch Center, is the Vice President of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the current secretary of the Illinois State Genealogical Society.

Dan Jungclas
Like many, my interest in family history and genealogy was trigged by a life event. One thing would lead to another and before I knew it incredible discoveries were being made. Since all of my ancestors emigrated from Germany, I am particularly knowledgeable about German-American research. Before I knew it, I was translating German church records (written in German script) and have become quite proficient at it. I look forward to helping you in your journey, answering your many questions so that you can enjoy an adventure that will be unforgettable!

Mike Matejka

Mike shares history from a popular, accessible viewpoint. He is on the board of the Historic Pullman Foundation, Illinois Labor History Society and the McLean County Museum of History. He's curated 5 exhibits at the McLean County Museum, two on railroad related topics, and has written extensively for magazines and other publications and written two books, "Fiery Struggle" on Illinois fire fighter unionization and "Bloomington's C&A Shops: Our Lives Remembered" (with Greg Koos). He is currently completing another book with the University of Illinois Press. He lives in Normal, Illinois and serves on multiple community committees

Kimberly Nagy

Kimberly Ormsby Nagy, MD PLCGS has been an avid genealogist for over 45 years. In 2016 she retired from a career as a trauma surgeon where she was involved in lecturing to medical students and residents in addition to treating patients. She is now in her “second career” as a genealogist and perpetual volunteer. She is a self-proclaimed Lineage Group “junkie”, holding memberships in numerous lineage groups where she serves on several boards. Her favorite position is that of Registrar – preparing and approving applications for membership. She uses her skills in genealogy, medicine, and speaking to help others join lineage societies, and to learn about various aspects of research.