WINNEBAGO & BOONE COUNTIES GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society exists to:

• Encourage and support genealogical researchers.
  
• Promote the discovering, collecting, indexing, and preserving of valued genealogical resources of Winnebago and Boone Counties.
  
• Encourage publication of county material and family histories.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

WBCGS holds monthly meetings that are open to the public.
Each month, one of our Members or an outside speaker makes a presentation about a specific topic related to genealogy or research.

DUE TO THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH COVID-19, ALL IN-PERSON MEETINGS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED.  
For the time being, we are continuing with online meetings using Zoom.  Meeting invitations will be sent to all WBCGS members with an email address. 
​If you’re not a member and are interested in attending, please send us an email at wbcgensociety@gmail.com. 

SUMMER BREAK -
NO JULY MEETING

AUGUST MEETING

Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
"Family History Research in Illinois and Wisconsin"
Speaker: Maureen Brady
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The families who came to Illinois and Wisconsin came from varied ethnic backgrounds and created a varied landscape of urban and rural environments. The records that were created by, and about, they reflect that variety, both in type and availability. This presentation will first examine the similarities between Illinois and Wisconsin family history resources and then look at the unique records of each state, including ethnic, religious, and governmental archives and repositories. The discussion will also include a brief review of the history of this part of the “Old Northwest”, and how that history has impacted the records that were created.

Maureen Brady, a former school librarian, and computer educator have more than thirty years’ experience with family history research. She has traced her own Scottish roots back to the end of the 17th century and beyond, and has also pursued the Chicago area, the trans-Allegheny U.S., Quebec, Irish and Swedish research. Maureen has made numerous presentations to Illinois and Wisconsin genealogical societies, libraries, conferences, and workshops, including presenting at the 2002 National Genealogical Society Conference in the States and the 2016 & 2017 Central Florida Family History Conference. Her topics include Chicago and Cook County research, Scottish research, Internet sources, and using FamilySearch® and Family History Centers. She is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and a life member of the Aberdeen and North-East Scotland Family History Society, the Chicago Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogy Society, and the McHenry County (Illinois) Genealogical Society. She is also active in the British Interest Group of Wisconsin & Illinois (BIGWILL), the Illinois St. Andrew Society’s Scottish Genealogical Group, the National Genealogical Society, the Lake County (Illinois) Genealogical Society, and the Clan Donnachaidh Society.
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SEPTEMBER MEETING

Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.
“Using Historical Newspapers”
Speaker: Laura Cubbage-Draper


Before Facebook and Twitter, the local paper was the place to get the scoop on your community. Historical newspapers are indispensable to genealogical research and to learning about your ancestors and their community. The growth of newspaper digitization has resulted in an incredible resource to team more about our family and provide clues for additional research.

Laura has been engaged in genealogical research for over 20 years. A native of New Jersey with deep Pennsylvania roots, she is a genealogical researcher, presenter, volunteer and the owner of LCD Genealogy Services.
Laura enjoys collaborating with clients and helping them to understand their unique family history. She has expertise in exhaustive genealogical research and compiling detailed written reports, both of which are essential to expanding your family tree.
Master of Science (Counseling & Higher Education Administration), Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Syracuse University

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ISGS Associate Member​

The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) was formed in 1968 through the cooperative effort and forward thinking of Illinois genealogical society representatives, who envisioned a statewide genealogical organization. ISGS is a not-for-profit, nonsectarian, educational organization.

Visit their website for more info
www.ilgensoc.org