Debra Dudek
Genealogist Author Librarian
About Debra Dudek
Genealogist Author Librarian
Debra M. Dudek is Head of Adult and Teen Services at the Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook, IL.
Ms. Dudek specializes in British genealogy, World War I research, and emerging technology topics. An alumna of Olivet College (Olivet, Michigan) and the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland). Ms. Dudek holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a Masters in Information and Library Studies, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies.
Finding Your
World War I Ancestors
Need help tracking down your World War I military ancestor? Watch this free webinar and get started with your research!
Books and Ebooks
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Upcoming Events
Sat, Jun 12SCGS Jamboree
Thu, Sep 23Indian Prairie Genealogy Group
Fri, Oct 01Texas State Genealogical Society ConferenceOct 01, 8:00 AM – Oct 02, 11:59 PMTexas State Genealogical Society ConferenceWomen were essential to the success of America’s troops in World War I. This lecture will outline a plan to locate and use a variety of local, state, and national records to discover the stories of female ancestors serving in military and volunteer roles.- Fri, Oct 01Texas State Genealogical Society Conference
- Sat, Oct 09South Suburban Genealogical Society
Wed, Nov 03McHenry Public Library District
Mon, Nov 15Ela Area Public Library
Tue, Jan 25Helen Plum Library- Thu, Mar 10Contra Costa Genealogical Society
Tue, May 10New Lenox Public Library- Tue, May 24North San Diego County Genealogical Society
- Mon, Jul 11Wabash Valley Genealogy Society
Sat, Jul 16LaSalle County Genealogy Guild
Free Webinars
Internet Archive for Genealogy Research
February 14, 2019
Super charge your genealogy research with Internet Archive! If you haven’t been on this site yet, you’re missing a lot of fantastic resources!
Webinar for personal use only. Please contact speaker for society or group viewing options.
Using Fold3 Library Edition
April 28, 2020
Learn how to navigate the site, browse resources effectively, download important documents, and find the hidden gems on this fantastic database.
Webinar for personal use only. Please contact speaker for society or group viewing options.
Recently Published Works
Articles and Book Reviews
Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly
Fall 2020
Suffrage and Service: Finding Your Suffragist Ancestor
While there are few online resources dedicated to American suffrage research, tantalizing sources can be found in newspapers, scrapbooks, personal items, digitized books, society collections, and archival materials. This article provides checklists and a case study for researching suffrage crusaders performing patriotic volunteer service during the Great War.
Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly
Fall 2020
Book Review: The World of Juliette Kinzie: Chicago Before the Fire
The World Of Juliette Kinzie by Dr. Ann Durkin Keating is a richly detailed account of one of Chicago's earliest leading matrons: an author, philanthropist, savvy business helpmate, a woman credited with helping to establish one of the city's earliest churches and for opening her home to a parade of historical figures, one of whom was Abraham Lincoln.
Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly
Spring 2020
After 180 Years: Records of the Laborers Who Built the Illinois & Michigan Canal
Hundreds of documents with names and other information about the laborers who built the Illinois & Michigan Canal have been rediscovered in the vault of the canal commission’s former headquarters, nearly 180 years after work on the waterway began. The records could prove to be a treasure trove for genealogists and historians.
National Genealogical Society Magazine
April-June 2020
Immigrant Ancestors in World War I Military Naturalizations
Non-citizens residing in the USA during World War I were drafted in the military, and with their induction into service, and the government responded by streamlining the naturalization process for these 'alien' servicemen. This article introduces readers to strategies for researching WWI immigrant ancestors and discover more about their military service and personal path to citizenship.
