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Debra Dudek

Genealogist   Author   Librarian

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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. 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, an executive board member of the Illinois State Historical Society, website coordinator for the Chicago Chapter NSDAR, and is the author of the World War I Research Guide: Tracing American Military and Non-Combatant Ancestors.

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

3rd Edition Guide Cover 2024 kindle
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Upcoming Events

  • Maleficarum and Misfortune- Records and Resources for Tracing Accused Witches (Virtual)
    Maleficarum and Misfortune- Records and Resources for Tracing Accused Witches (Virtual)
    Wed, Dec 11
    Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
    Dec 11, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CST
    Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
    Dec 11, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CST
    Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
    For over two centuries, individuals accused of witchcraft did not live by the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” – if you made it to trial, the law heavily presumed guilt.
    Share
  • Anna and Her Brothers - Finding Relations When No Family Stories Exist (Virtual)
    Anna and Her Brothers - Finding Relations When No Family Stories Exist (Virtual)
    Wed, Jan 15
    Carol Stream Public Library
    Jan 15, 2025, 6:30 PM CST
    Carol Stream Public Library
    Jan 15, 2025, 6:30 PM CST
    Carol Stream Public Library
    This presentation examines a combination of family stories, photographs and both direct and indirect evidence to rebuild the journey of an immigrant Czech family in Ohio and Nebraska.
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  • Mixers and Shakers - Tracing your Saloon, Tavern, and Bar Keeping Ancestors Before Prohibition (Virtual)
    Mixers and Shakers - Tracing your Saloon, Tavern, and Bar Keeping Ancestors Before Prohibition (Virtual)
    Thu, Jan 16
    Urbana Free Library
    Jan 16, 2025, 6:00 PM CST
    Urbana Free Library
    Jan 16, 2025, 6:00 PM CST
    Urbana Free Library
    Our ancestor's need for a good drink can provide new details and narratives for your genealogy research.
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  • A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (In-Person)
    A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (In-Person)
    Tue, Feb 04
    Hinsdale Public Library
    Feb 04, 2025, 7:00 PM CST
    Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E Maple St, Hinsdale, IL 60521, USA
    Feb 04, 2025, 7:00 PM CST
    Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E Maple St, Hinsdale, IL 60521, USA
    Learn how to navigate the site, browse resources effectively, and find the hidden gems on this fantastic database.
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  • A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (Virtual)
    A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (Virtual)
    Sat, Feb 08
    Idaho Genealogical Society
    Feb 08, 2025, 1:00 PM CST
    Idaho Genealogical Society
    Feb 08, 2025, 1:00 PM CST
    Idaho Genealogical Society
    Learn how to navigate the site, browse resources effectively, and find the hidden gems on this fantastic database.
    Share
  • Every Girl Pulling for Victory – Suffrage and Service during the Great War (Hybrid)
    Every Girl Pulling for Victory – Suffrage and Service during the Great War (Hybrid)
    Thu, Mar 20
    Elmhurst Public Library
    Mar 20, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
    Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA
    Mar 20, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
    Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA
    This lecture examines how the suffrage movement motivated women to perform military and volunteer service during the Great War and how to find local, state, and national suffrage records to tie these stories of service together.
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  • Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations (Virtual)
    Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations (Virtual)
    Fri, Apr 25
    Nebraska State Genealogical Society
    Apr 25, 2025, 3:30 PM CDT
    Nebraska State Genealogical Society
    Apr 25, 2025, 3:30 PM CDT
    Nebraska State Genealogical Society
    Widen your search for birth dates and locations as well as naturalizations from a variety of underutilized resources such as military rosters, consulate applications, voter registrations, cancelled passports, frakturs and much more.
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  • Tracing Female Ancestors in WWI Military and Non-Combatant Records (Virtual)
    Tracing Female Ancestors in WWI Military and Non-Combatant Records (Virtual)
    Sat, Apr 26
    Nebraska State Genealogical Society
    Apr 26, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Nebraska State Genealogical Society
    Apr 26, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Nebraska State Genealogical Society
    Women 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.
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  • Northern Illinois Genealogical Conference
    Northern Illinois Genealogical Conference
    Sat, Jul 12
    Mc Henry County College
    Jul 12, 2025, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Mc Henry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, USA
    Jul 12, 2025, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Mc Henry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, USA
    The McHenry County Genealogical Society will host its regional conference on Saturday, July 12 with four excellent speakers!
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  • Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations (Virtual)
    Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations (Virtual)
    Sun, Aug 17
    Polish Genealogical Society of America
    Aug 17, 2025, 2:00 PM CDT
    Polish Genealogical Society of America
    Aug 17, 2025, 2:00 PM CDT
    Polish Genealogical Society of America
    Widen your search for birth dates and locations as well as naturalizations from a variety of underutilized resources such as military rosters, consulate applications, voter registrations, cancelled passports, frakturs and much more.
    Share
  • World War I Genealogy – Where Do I Start? (Virtual)
    World War I Genealogy – Where Do I Start? (Virtual)
    Thu, Aug 21
    Florida State Genealogical Society
    Aug 21, 2025, 7:00 PM CDT
    Florida State Genealogical Society
    Aug 21, 2025, 7:00 PM CDT
    Florida State Genealogical Society
    Using a fail-proof method of record gathering, you can begin to compile details of your ancestors service quickly and easily, even if your ancestor’s official military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire.
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  • Discovering Witches: The Real Records and Manuscripts Seen in Movies, Books, and TV Shows (Hybrid)
    Discovering Witches: The Real Records and Manuscripts Seen in Movies, Books, and TV Shows (Hybrid)
    Sat, Oct 11
    South Suburban Genealogical Society
    Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 AM CDT
    South Suburban Genealogical Society, 3000 W 170th Pl #106, Hazel Crest, IL 60429, USA
    Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 AM CDT
    South Suburban Genealogical Society, 3000 W 170th Pl #106, Hazel Crest, IL 60429, USA
    We'll uncover the real records and printed resources seen in your favorite shows, what the writers used as inspiration, and how to access historical resources for free from home.
    Share
  • Tracing your World War I Illinois Ancestors (Virtual)
    Tracing your World War I Illinois Ancestors (Virtual)
    Mon, Nov 03
    Illinois State Genealogical Society SIG
    Nov 03, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Illinois State Genealogical Society SIG
    Nov 03, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Illinois State Genealogical Society SIG
    Using a fail-proof method of record gathering, you can begin to construct a large amount of information even if your Illinois ancestor’s official military records were destroyed in the NRPC fire.
    Share

Free Webinars


What’s the Buzz About BillionGraves?

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June 2023

BillionGraves is contending to be the top cemetery search site on the web.  Toting a hot new app and an easy interface, BillionGraves is making cemetery transcription projects and research information more accessible to tech-friendly users. Get a look at this site as a researcher, transcriber, and in-the-field data gatherer.

Webinar for personal use only.  Please contact speaker for society or group viewing options.

 

Aliens in the Army
World War I Military Naturalizations

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March 2023

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.  Find out how you can research your WWI ancestor's military service and personal path to citizenship.
 

Webinar for personal use only.  Please contact speaker for society or group viewing options.

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Recently Published Works

Articles and Book Reviews

Spring 2023

Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly

Book Review - Searching for Charles: The Untold Legacy of an Immigrant by Stephen Watts.  This book is an excellent example of how genealogists can tie together a compelling and rich narrative by using personal papers, archival manuscripts, and in-depth social history research.

June 2022

National Genealogical Society Quarterly 

Book Review: American Merchant Seamen of the Early Nineteenth Century by Anne Morddel

This is an essential book for anyone with ancestors who sailed the seas, regardless of  age, race, income, or religion. The author provides a concise yet robust list of  records and methodologies in accessing North American and European records from the time period.

Spring 2022

Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly

Amazing Discovery: The Only Known Copy of the 1845 Will County Census

What once was thought lost has been found: The only known copy of the 1845 Illinois Census of Will County. The census was found rolled up in an underwear drawer in the home of a local historian.  A note found with the census stated it had been discovered by a workman when Will County was demolishing its historic 1887 courthouse in the 1960s.  The census was compiled at the time Irish immigrants and other laborers in Will County were digging the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which connected Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. 

Get in Touch

Debra M. Dudek

Lockport, Illinois

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