Wisconsin STate Genealogical Society

Gene-A-Rama 2026! Downs & Ups In Genealogy: The Insults & Joys In Our Efforts

Presenters & Session Topics

Dr. David Mc Donald, “The Preacher Genealogist”, has a genealogy practice, Old Northwest Research, located in Madison. He is a past editor of the WSGS Newsletter, and has lectured across the country and internationally on matters of genealogy research, methodology, localities and religions. A retired Protestant minister, Dave has been actively engaged in genealogical matters since the Bicentennial era of the 1970s. Together with Billie Stone Fogarty, he is the founder of the Genealogy Symposium, a state archives-based institute next planned for Madison in the summer of 2027. He has been the president of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Board for Certification of Genealogists, and has served as a director of the National Genealogical Society. 

Karla Leppen is a native of Marshfield, WI now living in eastern Portage County. Karla has been doing genealogical research for almost 40 years.  A retired IT professional, her skills in analysis and problem solving have carried through to her genealogical pursuits.  Since 2021 she has been certified by the National Institute of Genealogical Studies in Basic Level American Records and Methodology.  Her special areas of interest are Norwegian and Central European ancestry.  

Diana Elder is an Accredited Genealogist professional, lecturer, and author with over twenty-three years of research experience and hold credentials for genealogy research and lecturing through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). A lifelong learner and educator, she combines her passion for teaching and genealogy in numerous ways. She wrote the bestselling book Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-authored the companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. 

Natalie Kruse was employed at the Marshfield Public Library in Marshfield, Wisconsin for almost 30 years, Natalie has assisted hundreds of patrons seeking answers to their family lineage but never had success with her own until a breakthrough in 2009 uncovered details of her Icelandic family going back at least 29 generations. In 2022, Natalie found herself traversing the rough and windswept terrain of an ancient heath in Iceland to stand in front of a cairn erected by her 3X Great-Grandfather who had marked the spot where a miracle of his survival occurred.

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History of North Wood County Historical Society In a Nutshell
Established initially as the Marshfield Historical Society in 1952, the members voted in 1956 to change the name to the North Wood County Historical Society and widen its scope to the ‘collection and preservation of material pertaining to the history of Wisconsin and Wood County, and particularly of the Marshfield Area.’

The Society met in various venues throughout Marshfield and by 1960 had collected many local, historic artifacts. The Society recognized a need for a permanent ‘home’ for the collected historic material, which became more apparent when in Sept. 1965 approximately 40 artifacts owned by the Society, and stored in a vacant downtown room, were inadvertently auctioned off by another local organization.

June 11, 1972 the first Historical Museum, built in Praschak Park on the south end of Marshfield, was dedicated, opened, and quickly outgrown. Toward the end of 1975, with the help of community funding, the North Wood County Historical Society purchased the home of former Wisconsin Governor William H. Upham, and helped get it established on the National Registry of Historic Places. 

 Finally, Sunday, June 25, 1978, the building officially opened to the public as a house museum and now serves as the center for the North Wood County Historical Society exhibits, activities, and local history research.

Mission Statement
The North Wood County Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing area history for present and future generations.

 Goals

Collect area historical artifacts

Preserve history through archives and stories

Connect people to area history through research and education

Celebrate history and community through collaboration, tours, and events

Engage volunteers and increase support of the society

Presentation Descriptions
Dave Mc Donald- "Downs & Ups in Genealogy: The Insults & Joys in Our Efforts."  
After a time, genealogists--committed genealogists--move from "ancestor collector" to "researcher." Along the way, we pick up favorite forebears and research targets... from whom we must separate ourselves when better, more thorough, more thoughtful research disproves an earlier conclusion. We'll talk discarded forebears and the serendipity of unquestioned luck that help form new, better-reasoned conclusions along the researching way.

Karla Leppen- Timelines as a Genealogical Tool 
This presentation provides basic concepts of timelines and their use in genealogical research.

Dave Mc Donald- Effective use of Church Records
Covers the types of records typically found in varied Christian Church contexts, including where the records may be held, and which traditions have likely kept good records for genealogy... And ones which did not. 

Karla Leppen- Land Records and Genealogy  
Land records can be very useful in answering questions about our ancestors’ lives which basic genealogical sources, censuses and vital records, cannot resolve.  Utilizing these records can provide you with another source for solving your genealogical questions.

Dave Mc Donald- “Hail, Mary”
Help Me Find a Parking Space: Courthouse Research On-Site. What to look for, which offices to seek, and the What? and Why? of online access, or non-access to courthouse records in Wisconsin.

Dave Mc Donald- Using Presidential Libraries 
The Presidential Library system of the National Archives, along with libraries maintained by state governments (Lincoln) or private foundations (Hayes) are fantastic resources for genealogists, too often overlooked. We'll consider what resources are available in these holdings.

Diana Elder- AI in Genealogical Research: A Practical Approach 
See how AI works in real genealogy research through hands-on examples. We’ll learn how AI can assist with common research tasks, such as creating timelines and source citations, logging research, and preparing reports. You’ll see examples of AI tools in action and learn what they excel at (and where they fall short). Leave with practical tips and specific examples you can use in your own family history research.

Natalie Kruse- Iceland Legacy: A Family Saga of Love, Loss and Longevity 
Natalie Kruse has always loved a good story. During her childhood growing up in a small town in Northwest Iowa, she read countless mystery books, gothic novels and Shakespearean tragedies which were set in exotic lands where unshared family secrets lay at the heart of each plot. She could never have envisioned a more surreal and exciting story than her own family history which had been lost to her family for over three generations. Employed at the Marshfield Public Library in Marshfield, Wisconsin for almost 30 years, Natalie has assisted hundreds of patrons seeking answers to their family lineage but never had success with her own until a breakthrough in 2009 uncovered details of her Icelandic family going back at least 29 generations. In 2022, Natalie found herself traversing the rough and windswept terrain of an ancient heath in Iceland to stand in front of a cairn erected by her 3X Great-Grandfather who had marked the spot where a miracle of his survival occurred.

Dave Mc Donald- National Conference: NGS coming to Madison 2027
The National Genealogical Society will hold its annual conference in Fort Wayne in 2026... And WSGS will be assisting with the NGS Conference, helping host the Conference in Madison in May 2027. The Conference can be a fantastic networking and learning experience for genealogists of all ages and skills. We'll talk about what you can expect as a researcher and learner at any national conference... And most especially that in Madison next year.