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
Thu, Jan 09Tinley Moraine GenealogistsJan 09, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CSTTinley Moraine Genealogists
Wed, Jan 15Carol Stream Public LibraryJan 15, 2025, 6:30 PM CSTCarol Stream Public Library
Thu, Jan 16Urbana Free LibraryJan 16, 2025, 6:00 PM CSTUrbana Free Library
Tue, Jan 28Central Massachusetts Genealogical SocietyJan 28, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CSTCentral Massachusetts Genealogical Society
Tue, Feb 04Hinsdale Public LibraryFeb 04, 2025, 7:00 PM CSTHinsdale Public Library, 20 E Maple St, Hinsdale, IL 60521, USA- Sat, Feb 08Idaho Genealogical SocietyFeb 08, 2025, 1:00 PM CSTIdaho Genealogical Society
Tue, Mar 11Manhattan- Elwood Public LibraryMar 11, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDTManhattan- Elwood Public Library , 240 Whitson St, Manhattan, IL 60442, USA
Sat, Mar 15Arlington Heights Memorial LibraryMar 15, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM CDTArlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USAMar 15, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM CDTArlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USALearn about the genealogical breakthroughs found in Illinois & Michigan Canal records, which include an amazing collection of newly discovered tickets and passenger lists for men hired to build this famous waterway.
Thu, Mar 20Elmhurst Public LibraryMar 20, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CDTElmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USAMar 20, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CDTElmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USAThis 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.- Thu, Apr 17Chicago Ridge Public LibraryApr 17, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTChicago Ridge Public Library , 10400 Oxford Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415, USA
Fri, Apr 25Nebraska State Genealogical SocietyApr 25, 2025, 3:30 PM CDTNebraska State Genealogical Society
Sat, Apr 26Nebraska State Genealogical SocietyApr 26, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM CDTNebraska State Genealogical SocietyApr 26, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM CDTNebraska State Genealogical SocietyWomen 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.
Wed, Apr 30White Oak Library District: Crest HillApr 30, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTWhite Oak Library District: Crest Hill, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403, USAApr 30, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTWhite Oak Library District: Crest Hill, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403, USAWe'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.
Thu, May 15Chicago Ridge Public LibraryMay 15, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTChicago Ridge Public Library , 10400 Oxford Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415, USAMay 15, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTChicago Ridge Public Library , 10400 Oxford Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415, USANot all your research online can be conducted with Ancestry.com! There are many free and budget friendly resources which can assist you in conducting genealogy research on the web. This program covers exciting and evolving websites from across the United States and parts of Europe.
Mon, Jun 23Helen Plum LibraryJun 23, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTHelen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148, USAJun 23, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTHelen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148, USAWiden your search for birth dates and locations as well as naturalizations from a variety of underutilized resources. Using newly digitized and available archival records, this lecture will help you locate even more birth dates (or close estimates), birth places, and naturalizations.
Sat, Jul 12Mc Henry County CollegeJul 12, 2025, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMMc Henry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, USA- Sun, Aug 17Polish Genealogical Society of AmericaAug 17, 2025, 2:00 PM CDTPolish Genealogical Society of AmericaAug 17, 2025, 2:00 PM CDTPolish Genealogical Society of AmericaWiden 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.
Thu, Aug 21Florida State Genealogical SocietyAug 21, 2025, 7:00 PM CDTFlorida State Genealogical SocietyAug 21, 2025, 7:00 PM CDTFlorida State Genealogical SocietyUsing 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.
Free Webinars
What’s the Buzz About BillionGraves?
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
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.
