This is a list of the programs presented at our General Meetings. The General Meetings are held at the Naperville Municipal Center and are open to the public.
Producing a high-quality, reliable genealogy for your family requires thoughtfulness and thoroughness during the research process. Testing our work against recognized standards helps achieve our goals. This introduction to the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) looks at the development of modern…
Want to see first-hand how to break through that persistent “brick wall” in genealogy? Using actual research problems submitted by FVGS Member webinar attendees, professional genealogist Thomas MacEntee will walk participants through a step-by-step research methodology process to find clues…
This event is co-sponsored by the Naperville Public Library. Learn three basic steps of being a family historian: finding information, attaching it to your ancestors and storing it so you can find it again. Get organized and get connected as…
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper.” The National Archives in Chicago hold Federal records from agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin dating from the 1800’s including Territorial Papers, Farming and Agriculture,…
Consider a different perspective. Give your research a boost. Maximize your research results with a change from traditional research methods while maintaining high standards. Tools like eBay, social media, the Internet, and other resources can prove to be very beneficial!…
Gathering and scanning family photos is an important step in building a Family Photo Archive, but what’s next? Learn best practices from a professional photo organizer for organizing your photos, following industry standards, to ensure your photos are safe and…
Court records, in their infinite variety, are a treasure trove for genealogists because they are not just legal documents. They are pathways into the stories of our ancestors’ lives, often leading to clues we might otherwise miss. While vital statistics…
Her husband, Henry O. Wagoner, was a well-known abolitionist but almost nothing was known about Susan's family. Join us as we traverse the United States and beyond in search of clues. In 2006, Anita Boyd began researching her family history…
Family photos are an important part of preserving family stories. They help us remember, and be remembered. Therefore, scanning your photos at high resolution and high quality is an important project. Learn from a professional photo organizer: How to choose…
The acquiring of Cook County Vital Records has changed quite a bit in the past few years, at both the Cook County web site, and on FamilySearch.org. Dan Niemiec, genealogy columnist, will explain the process of getting your copies of…