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.
Free Downloadable World War I Research Checklist
Need help tracking down your World War I era ancestor? Download this free checklist and get started with your research!
Upcoming Events
- Thu, Mar 11Mount Prospect Public LibraryMar 11, 7:00 PMMount Prospect Public LibraryWebinar program hosted by the Mount Prospect Public Library Can’t find it on Ancestry? Learn all about Internet Archive and its amazing collection of city directories, county histories, gazetteers, yearbooks, and family genealogies. If you haven’t been on this site yet, you’re missing a lot of fan
- Sat, Mar 13North Shore Chapter NSDAR
- Thu, Apr 08McHenry County IL Genealogical SocietyApr 08, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTMcHenry County IL Genealogical SocietyExamine the abundant resources, service files, and information for service men and women who served in Canadian, UK, Australian, and French forces during World War I. The lecture will also examine Red Cross records and resources in the US and abroad.
- Thu, Apr 15Elgin (Illinois) Genealogical Society
- Sat, Apr 17Appleton Public Library
- Fri, May 07Heartland Family History ConferenceMay 07, 8:00 AM CDT – May 08, 8:00 PM CDTHeartland Family History ConferenceWiden 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.
- Fri, May 07Heartland Family History Conference
- Tue, May 11Schaumburg Township District Library
- Thu, May 13The Grove Interpretative Center
- Thu, May 20Downers Grove Public LibraryMay 20, 6:30 PMDowners Grove Public LibraryWebinar program hosted by the Downers Grove Public Library. Can’t find it on Ancestry? Learn all about Internet Archive and its amazing collection of city directories, county histories, gazetteers, yearbooks, and family genealogies. If you haven’t been on this site yet, you’re missing a lot of fan
- Tue, Jun 08Lake County IL Genealogical Society
- Sat, Jun 12SCGS Jamboree
- Thu, Jun 17Williamson County Genealogical Society
- Thu, Jul 15Larimer County Genealogical Society of Colo
- Mon, Jul 26Plainfield Public Library
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.