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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

Upcoming Events

  • Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations (Virtual)
    Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations (Virtual)
    Sat, Apr 20
    Ventura County Genealogical Society
    Apr 20, 2024, 3:00 PM CDT
    Ventura County Genealogical Society
    Apr 20, 2024, 3:00 PM CDT
    Ventura County 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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  • Mixers and Shakers - Tracing your Saloon, Tavern, and Bar Keeping Ancestors Before Prohibition (In-Person)
    Mixers and Shakers - Tracing your Saloon, Tavern, and Bar Keeping Ancestors Before Prohibition (In-Person)
    Tue, Apr 30
    Schaumburg Township District Library
    Apr 30, 2024, 7:00 PM CDT
    Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
    Apr 30, 2024, 7:00 PM CDT
    Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
    Our ancestor's need for a good drink can provide new details and narratives for your genealogy research.
    Share
  • A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (Virtual)
    A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (Virtual)
    Sat, May 04
    Northwest Suburban Genealogy Society
    May 04, 2024, 10:00 AM CDT
    Northwest Suburban Genealogy Society
    May 04, 2024, 10:00 AM CDT
    Northwest Suburban Genealogy Society
    Learn how to navigate the site, browse resources effectively, and find the hidden gems on this fantastic database.
    Share
  • Mixers and Shakers - Tracing Your Bootlegging, Shimmy-Shaking, & Repeal-Seeking Ancestors During Prohibition (In-Person)
    Mixers and Shakers - Tracing Your Bootlegging, Shimmy-Shaking, & Repeal-Seeking Ancestors During Prohibition (In-Person)
    Tue, May 07
    Schaumburg Township District Library
    May 07, 2024, 7:00 PM CDT
    Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
    May 07, 2024, 7:00 PM CDT
    Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
    Our ancestor's need for a good drink can provide new details and narratives for your genealogy research.
    Share
  • Adventures with Lost Postcards: Using eBay, Etsy, Craigslist, & CardCow to Break Down Brick Walls (In-Person)
    Adventures with Lost Postcards: Using eBay, Etsy, Craigslist, & CardCow to Break Down Brick Walls (In-Person)
    Sat, May 11
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM CDT
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM CDT
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA
    Online 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.
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  • Maleficarum and Misfortune- Records and Resources for Tracing Accused Witches (In-Person)
    Maleficarum and Misfortune- Records and Resources for Tracing Accused Witches (In-Person)
    Sat, May 11
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDT
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDT
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA
    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.
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  • The War of 1812 - Researching 'Second Revolution' Ancestors (In-Person)
    The War of 1812 - Researching 'Second Revolution' Ancestors (In-Person)
    Sat, May 11
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM
    Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA
    Discover 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.
    Share
  • Maleficarum and Misfortune- Records and Resources for Tracing Accused Witches (Hybrid)
    Maleficarum and Misfortune- Records and Resources for Tracing Accused Witches (Hybrid)
    Sat, May 18
    The Community Church
    May 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT
    The Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USA
    May 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT
    The Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USA
    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
  •  Victorian Mourning Customs - Lifting the Veil off Inherited Family Treasures (Hybrid)
     Victorian Mourning Customs - Lifting the Veil off Inherited Family Treasures (Hybrid)
    Sat, May 18
    The Community Church
    May 18, 2024, 1:00 PM CDT
    The Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USA
    May 18, 2024, 1:00 PM CDT
    The Community Church, 5714 Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071, USA
    Take 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.
    Share
  •  Mixers and Shakers - Tracing Your Bootlegging, Shimmy-Shaking, & Repeal-Seeking Ancestors During Prohibition (Virtual)
     Mixers and Shakers - Tracing Your Bootlegging, Shimmy-Shaking, & Repeal-Seeking Ancestors During Prohibition (Virtual)
    Tue, May 21
    Virtual Genealogical Association
    May 21, 2024, 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual Genealogical Association
    May 21, 2024, 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual Genealogical Association
    Our ancestor's need for a good drink can provide new details and narratives for your genealogy research.
    Share
  • Discovering Witches: The Real Records and Manuscripts Seen in Movies, Books, and TV Shows (In-Person) (1)
    Discovering Witches: The Real Records and Manuscripts Seen in Movies, Books, and TV Shows (In-Person) (1)
    Tue, Jun 11
    New Lenox Public Library
    Jun 11, 2024, 6:00 PM
    New Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Pkwy, New Lenox, IL 60451, USA
    Jun 11, 2024, 6:00 PM
    New Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Pkwy, New Lenox, IL 60451, 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
  • A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (Virtual)
    A Beginners Guide to Fold3 Library Edition (Virtual)
    Wed, Jul 10
    Pikes Peak Genealogical Society
    Jul 10, 2024, 8:00 PM CDT
    Pikes Peak Genealogical Society
    Jul 10, 2024, 8:00 PM CDT
    Pikes Peak Genealogical Society
    Learn how to navigate the site, browse resources effectively, and find the hidden gems on this fantastic database.
    Share
  • Mixers and Shakers - Tracing your Saloon, Tavern, and Bar Keeping Ancestors Before Prohibition (Virtual) (1)
    Mixers and Shakers - Tracing your Saloon, Tavern, and Bar Keeping Ancestors Before Prohibition (Virtual) (1)
    Tue, Jul 23
    Central Massachusetts Genealogical Society
    Jul 23, 2024, 6:00 PM CDT
    Central Massachusetts Genealogical Society
    Jul 23, 2024, 6:00 PM CDT
    Central Massachusetts Genealogical Society
    Our ancestor's need for a good drink can provide new details and narratives for your genealogy research.
    Share
  • Steeped in Secrecy: The Boston Tea Party, 250 Years Later (Virtual)
    Steeped in Secrecy: The Boston Tea Party, 250 Years Later (Virtual)
    Wed, Aug 28
    Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
    Aug 28, 2024, 6:30 PM
    Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
    Aug 28, 2024, 6:30 PM
    Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
    Learn 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).
    Share
  • The War of 1812 - Researching 'Second Revolution' Ancestors (Virtual)
    The War of 1812 - Researching 'Second Revolution' Ancestors (Virtual)
    Mon, Sep 16
    Zion Genealogical Society (IL)
    Sep 16, 2024, 7:00 PM
    Zion Genealogical Society (IL)
    Sep 16, 2024, 7:00 PM
    Zion Genealogical Society (IL)
    Discover 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.
    Share
  •  World War I – Strange, Interesting, and Unusual Facts They Didn’t Teach You in History Class (Virtual)
     World War I – Strange, Interesting, and Unusual Facts They Didn’t Teach You in History Class (Virtual)
    Thu, Oct 17
    Peters Township Public Library
    Oct 17, 2024, 5:30 PM CDT
    Peters Township Public Library
    Oct 17, 2024, 5:30 PM CDT
    Peters Township Public Library
    From women snipers and doughnut lassies, to service dogs and high explosives, this program presents Great War topics in an approachable way.
    Share
  • Researching your Irish Ancestors Online (Virtual)
    Researching your Irish Ancestors Online (Virtual)
    Sat, Nov 02
    Castle Rock Colorado Genealogical Society
    Nov 02, 2024, 11:00 AM CDT
    Castle Rock Colorado Genealogical Society
    Nov 02, 2024, 11:00 AM CDT
    Castle Rock Colorado Genealogical Society
    Learn online tools and resources to unpuzzle your Irish heritage. This lecture will introduce you to a variety of online sites, new search strategies, and what steps to take to further your research objectives online and abroad.
    Share
  • World War I Genealogy – Where Do I Start? (Virtual)
    World War I Genealogy – Where Do I Start? (Virtual)
    Thu, Nov 21
    Peters Township Public Library
    Nov 21, 2024, 5:30 PM CST
    Peters Township Public Library
    Nov 21, 2024, 5:30 PM CST
    Peters Township Public Library
    Using a fail-proof method of record gathering, you can begin to construct a large amount of information even if your ancestor’s official military records were destroyed in the NRPC fire.
    Share

Free Webinars


 The Hunter of Tallulah - The Truth and Legend of an Indian War Ancestor

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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

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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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