WINNEBAGO & BOONE COUNTIES GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society (of Illinois) exists to:

• Encourage and support genealogical researchers.
• Promote the discovering and preserving of valued genealogical resources of Winnebago and Boone County, Illinois.
• Through our website, provide resources to help genealogists with an interest in Winnebago or Boone County, Illinois.
• Offer networking opportunities with others who have similar research interests.

All in-person meetings are at the Rockford Public Library - East Branch  6685 East State St, Rockford IL

UPCOMING MEETINGS

WBCGS holds monthly meetings that are open to the public.  Meetings are the first Saturday of the month at 1:30pm. 
We do not have meetings in December, July and August.  
At each meeting, our speaker makes a presentation about a specific topic related to genealogy or a topic of local interest.

Based on the success we've had in using Zoom for our monthly meetings, we plan to continue offering Zoom meetings.  Meeting invitations will be sent to all WBCGS members with an email address prior to each meeting. Members and non-members can register for our meetings using the links below.

JANUARY MEETING

Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. CST
"Using DNA to Discover Patriot and Loyalist Ancestors"
Speaker: Kate Penney Howard
Meeting Location:
​Zoom only - No in-person meeting this month 
Zoom registration for this meeting
​
Join Genetic Genealogist Kate Penney Howard as she shows us ways that she discovered new Revolutionary War veterans using DNA and traditional genealogy.  She'll share tips to use DNA to break down Revolutionary-era brick walls and surprising things that she uncovered!  Kate is a genetic genealogist and speaker who has presented at many conferences and local libraries and societies.​

Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist, specializing in brick wall work, HighRoH, and endogamy.
She has presented at Rootstech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, Illinois Genealogical Society, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, NAAP/RTK's Untangling Our Roots, and the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Future speaking engagements include Rootstech 2025 and Ohio Genealogical Society 2025, as well as local library & genealogical society presentations.
Kate studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011, and has been pastor of North Christian Church since her ordination in 2012.​​​​

FEBRUARY MEETING

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1:30p.m. CST
"Let’s do The Nuts and Bolts of Military Records"
Speaker: Jenny Warner
Meeting Location: RPL East Branch (in-person speaker, but also available via Zoom)
​
​Zoom registration for this meeting
​
Uncover the wealth of military records available to researchers. Learn how to find, order, and interpret them to bring your ancestors’ stories to life
​
Jenny has been doing genealogy for 43 years. Her mother started she and her sister early, learning about where their family came from and how to research their family history.  She is a member of many Lineage Societies and many Genealogical Societies, holding offices in many of those groups.  
Jenny has given many presentations at public libraries and genealogical societies.  She loves sharing her knowledge of family history and helping people learn about their heritage.

MARCH MEETING

Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. CST
"Photoshop and AI"
Speaker: Bob Bertolasi
Meeting Location: RPL East Branch (in-person speaker, but also available via Zoom)
​
​Zoom registration for this meeting


After graduating from East High School, Bob served in the U.S. Air Force until 1962, later earning a degree in General Science from Rockford College with majors in Physics, Mathematics, and Psychology. His career has spanned roles at Ingersoll Milling, Kelsey Hayes Gunite Foundry and Twin Disc, and has worked in 31 countries and logged over 1.8 million air miles. Now retired, Bob joined Rock Valley College’s Center for Learning in Retirement in 2012 and is currently an instructor, committee member and media specialist.  In addition, he enjoys a lifelong interest in photography and showcasing his customized 1950 Ford at car shows.

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