The Final Touch for a Funeral Might be at Cracker Barrel
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. 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
Upcoming Events
- Sat, May 04Northwest Suburban Genealogy SocietyMay 04, 2024, 10:00 AM CDTNorthwest Suburban Genealogy Society
- Tue, May 07Schaumburg Township District LibraryMay 07, 2024, 7:00 PM CDTSchaumburg Township District Library, 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
- Sat, May 11Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public LibraryMay 11, 2024, 10:00 AM CDTMishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USAMay 11, 2024, 10:00 AM CDTMishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USAOnline auction and resale sites don’t make finding genealogical treasures easy, but with a little persistence, you can discover lost family heirlooms for yourself or share item details with others online.
- Sat, May 11Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public LibraryMay 11, 2024, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDTMishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USAMay 11, 2024, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDTMishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USAFor 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.
- Sat, May 11Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public LibraryMay 11, 2024, 10:00 AMMishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USAMay 11, 2024, 10:00 AMMishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USADiscover the stories and service of the military men of America's 'Second Revolution'. Reaching beyond federal pension records, this lecture examines a range of resources spanning military registers, navy accounts, and prisoner of war records.
- Sat, May 18The Community ChurchMay 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDTThe Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USA
- Sat, May 18The Community ChurchMay 18, 2024, 1:00 PM CDTThe Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USAMay 18, 2024, 1:00 PM CDTThe Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USATake a glimpse into the customs and rituals of death in Victorian America. We can thank the Victorians for the 'cult of mourning' which generated a fantastic assortment of keepsakes, mementos, and paperwork.
- Tue, May 21Virtual Genealogical AssociationMay 21, 2024, 7:00 PM CDTVirtual Genealogical Association
- Fri, Jun 07Truckee Meadows Community College GenealogyJun 07, 2024, 1:30 PM CDTTruckee Meadows Community College Genealogy
- Tue, Jun 11New Lenox Public LibraryJun 11, 2024, 6:00 PMNew Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Pkwy, New Lenox, IL 60451, USA
- Wed, Jul 10Pikes Peak Genealogical SocietyJul 10, 2024, 8:00 PM CDTPikes Peak Genealogical Society
- Sun, Jul 14Evergreen Park Public LibraryJul 14, 2024, 12:00 PM CDTEvergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S Troy Ave, Evergreen Park, IL 60805, USA
- Tue, Jul 23Central Massachusetts Genealogical SocietyJul 23, 2024, 6:00 PM CDTCentral Massachusetts Genealogical Society
- Thu, Jul 25Prospect Heights Public Library DistrictJul 25, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTProspect Heights Public Library District, 12 N Elm St, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, USAJul 25, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTProspect Heights Public Library District, 12 N Elm St, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, USARemember that one time Martha Washington's will got stolen? Who knew Civil War looters, patriotic women braying for justice, and the death of a millionaire would set a precedent for protecting legal documents.
- Wed, Aug 28Winnetka-Northfield Public Library DistrictAug 28, 2024, 6:30 PMWinnetka-Northfield Public Library DistrictAug 28, 2024, 6:30 PMWinnetka-Northfield Public Library DistrictLearn about the brewing political problems tea presented in its history with Anglophile and former UK resident Claire Evans. Next, author, genealogist, librarian, and former UK resident Debra Dudek examines the history of the Boston Tea Party’s most famous partiers (and phonies).
- Mon, Sep 16Zion Genealogical Society (IL)Sep 16, 2024, 7:00 PMZion Genealogical Society (IL)
- Wed, Oct 16Naperville Public Library 95th StreetOct 16, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTNaperville Public Library 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USAOct 16, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTNaperville Public Library 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USAFor 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.
- Thu, Oct 17Peters Township Public LibraryOct 17, 2024, 5:30 PM CDTPeters Township Public Library
Free Webinars
The Hunter of Tallulah - The Truth and Legend of an Indian War Ancestor
February 2024
Adam P. Vandiver was small of stature but his exploits measured to giant proportions. Vandiver was an extreme mountain man, veteran of the War of 1812 Indian Wars, and boasted to have over 30 children with three wives, though albeit, not at the same time. In a story pieced together by historical and genealogical records, you can learn how to sort fact from fiction when researching a larger-than-life ancestor.
Webinar for personal use only. Please contact speaker for society or group viewing options.
Aliens in the Army
World War I Military Naturalizations
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.
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.