NWSGS SIG Meetings

Learn how to create a new family tree in RootsMagic and begin entering information about your ancestors. This session will cover adding individuals and families, recording names, dates, places, and relationships, and organizing your research as your tree grows. We will also review basic tips for documenting sources and avoiding common data-entry mistakes.

ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot — same genealogy question, four different answers, live on screen. See which tool actually earns a spot in your research toolkit.

Explore the often-overlooked history of Irish migration to Barbados and other Caribbean islands, including indentured servants, political prisoners, soldiers, merchants, and voluntary settlers. We’ll discuss the lives they built, their influence on Caribbean communities, and the records available for tracing Irish ancestors in the region.

The meeting will be held the second Wednesday of each month and held at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL in the Shackley Room.

Learn how to add photographs, certificates, obituaries, census records, and other documents to your RootsMagic family tree. This session will cover attaching media files to individuals, families, events, and sources, adding captions and descriptions, organizing your media collection, and keeping file links working when information is moved or backed up.

Learn how to add photographs, certificates, obituaries, census records, and other documents to your RootsMagic family tree. This session will cover attaching media files to individuals, families, events, and sources, adding captions and descriptions, organizing your media collection, and keeping file links working when information is moved or backed up.

That illegible handwriting or foreign-language record you've been avoiding? Bring it. See how AI can crack it open — and how to check its work.

The meeting will be held the second Wednesday of each month and held at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL in the Shackley Room.

Learn how to use RootsMagic to create a family history book that brings together your research, photographs, reports, charts, and stories. This session will cover selecting and arranging content, adding titles and narrative sections, customizing the book’s appearance, and preparing the finished project for printing or sharing electronically.

Learn how to use RootsMagic to create a family history book that brings together your research, photographs, reports, charts, and stories. This session will cover selecting and arranging content, adding titles and narrative sections, customizing the book’s appearance, and preparing the finished project for printing or sharing electronically.

Learn how to create and customize reports in RootsMagic to review, organize, and share your family history research. This session will cover commonly used reports, including family group sheets, pedigree charts, narrative reports, and individual summaries. We will also discuss selecting the people and information to include, adjusting report options, and saving, printing, or sharing completed reports.

Learn how to create and customize reports in RootsMagic to review, organize, and share your family history research. This session will cover commonly used reports, including family group sheets, pedigree charts, narrative reports, and individual summaries. We will also discuss selecting the people and information to include, adjusting report options, and saving, printing, or sharing completed reports.

To be Determined

To be Determined

Learn how to document your genealogy research by creating clear and consistent source citations in RootsMagic. This session will cover adding sources, using citation templates, recording details for specific records, attaching citations to facts and events, and reviewing your work for completeness. We will also discuss practical ways to make source documentation easier and more useful for future research.

Learn how to document your genealogy research by creating clear and consistent source citations in RootsMagic. This session will cover adding sources, using citation templates, recording details for specific records, attaching citations to facts and events, and reviewing your work for completeness. We will also discuss practical ways to make source documentation easier and more useful for future research.

Learn how RootsMagic can help you organize and document information from your DNA research. This session will cover recording DNA tests, connecting test results to individuals in your family tree, tracking DNA matches and relationships, and adding notes, sources, and supporting evidence. We will also discuss how DNA findings can be combined with traditional genealogical research to help confirm family connections and identify new research opportunities.

Learn how RootsMagic can help you organize and document information from your DNA research. This session will cover recording DNA tests, connecting test results to individuals in your family tree, tracking DNA matches and relationships, and adding notes, sources, and supporting evidence. We will also discuss how DNA findings can be combined with traditional genealogical research to help confirm family connections and identify new research opportunities.

Join us for an open discussion of new and emerging topics related to RootsMagic. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, share recent discoveries, demonstrate useful features, and suggest subjects for future SIG meetings. This informal session will provide an opportunity to learn from one another, troubleshoot challenges, and explore new ways to use RootsMagic in our genealogy research.

Join us for an open discussion of new and emerging topics related to RootsMagic. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, share recent discoveries, demonstrate useful features, and suggest subjects for future SIG meetings. This informal session will provide an opportunity to learn from one another, troubleshoot challenges, and explore new ways to use RootsMagic in our genealogy research.