History of the Society

The DuPage County Genealogical Society (DCGS) was founded in 1974 as the Lombard Suburban Genealogical Society. In May 1981, the Society moved its reference collection to the Wheaton Public Library (WPL) and has continued to contribute to its genealogical collection over the years, helping it to become one of the premiere genealogical research locations of the Chicago suburbs. In 2003, DCGS obtained the 501(C)(3) registration to enable it to receive tax deductible and matching-gift donations.

2024 May

The members attending the May 15, 2024 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Pam Nila
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze

2023 May

The members attending the May 17, 2023 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Vacant
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze

2023 March

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society created the Founders Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society.  In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a lifetime membership to DCGS.

For 2023, the Founders Memorial Award goes to Bill Hendron,  for his steadfast commitment to the Society over many years in the positions of Editor of The Review, member of the DCGS Board, Conference Committee, Publications Committee, his work on the Marriage Index, and his assistance in the many aspects of the Society. The Award was announced at the March Annual Conference and presented at the April Program.

2022 May

The members attending the May 18, 2022 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Gretchen Murphy
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze

2021 May

The members attending the May 19, 2021 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Julie Bartimus
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze

2020 May

The members attending the May 20, 2020 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Julie Bartimus
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2020 March

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society created the Founders Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society.  In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a lifetime membership to DCGS.

Today, the Founders Memorial Award goes to Nancy Ristau.  For her steadfast commitment to the Society over many years in the positions of Librarian, Historian, Photographer, Conference Committee Registrar and other committee responsibilities, and her assistance in the many aspects of the Society. Nancy is the in-house creator of our popular 3-Gen Name tags. 

2019 May

The members attending the May 15, 2019 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Julie Bartimus
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2018 May

The members attending the May 16, 2018 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Julie Bartimus
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Chuck Matze
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2018 March

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society created the Founders Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society.  In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a lifetime membership to DCGS.

Today, the Founders Memorial Award goes to Nancy R. Thomas.  For her steadfast commitment to the Society over many years in the positions of President from 1979 – 1981 and 2009 – 2012, a member of the Conference Committee, a member of the Publications Committee, directing the TNG DuPage Families project and  her assistance in the many aspects of the Society.

2017 May

The members attending the May 17, 2017 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018.

  • President - Jenny Warner
  • VP Programs - Julie Bartimus
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Rita Schneider
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2016 May

The members attending the May 18, 2016 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017.

  • President - Luanne Newman
  • VP Programs - Jenny Warner
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Rita Schneider
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2016 March

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society created the Founders Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society.  In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a lifetime membership to DCGS.

Today, the Founders Memorial Award goes to Dorothy F. Hansen.  For her devoted commitment to the Society over many years in the positions of Conference Committee member and annual conference Registrar, Hostess at general meetings, Chair of the Nominating Committee and her assistance in many aspects of the Society.

2015 May

The members attending the May 20, 2015 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016.

  • President - Luanne Newman
  • VP Programs - Jenny Warner
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Rita Schneider
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2015 March

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society created the Founders Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society.  In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a lifetime membership to DCGS.

Today, the Founders Memorial Award goes to Carole Carr Magnuson.  For her steadfast commitment to the Society over many years in the positions of Recording Secretary, Conference Committee Chairman, Publications Committee, Genealogy Class Presenter, General Meeting Speaker, Website Implementation, and her assistance in the many aspects of the Society.

2014 May

The members attending the May 21, 2014 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015.

  • President - Luanne Newman
  • VP Programs - Jenny Warner
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Maureen Fawkes
  • Corresponding Secretary - Rita Schneider
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2014 February

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society created the Founders Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society.  In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a lifetime membership to DCGS.

Today, the Founders Memorial Award goes to a husband and wife, Judy and Terry Gaddess, individually, for all of their volunteer work on behalf of the DuPage County Genealogical Society.  Over many years, they were called upon to take on positions, which they unselfishly performed with distinction.

Judy Gaddess has served the Society as President, Membership Chair, The Review Editor, and served on the Publications Committee and the Conference Committee. She also served as Co-Corresponding Secretary, keeping a mail log and distributing mail to the Society Officers when the Corresponding Secretary was unable to fulfill that portion of the job description. For many years Judy kept a log of the Conference attendees, handled the composition of the Conference syllabus, and manned the DCGS table at the Conference. There was no end to the jobs she did and was very unselfish with her time and efforts.  She is a true asset to the Society and its Board.

Terry Gaddess held the job of Treasurer for the Society for many years and kept the Board members on the “up and up” with expenses.  He was diligent, kept the books, and watched to see that the Annual Conference maintained a profit so that we could give back to the members of DCGS and donate genealogical books to the Wheaton Public Library. He proposed a budget at the beginning of the year and made us all stick to it!

Judy and Terry are planning a retirement move in the near future and will be missed by all of their friends on the DCGS Board and the many committees on which they served.  

2013 May

The members attending the May 15, 2013 meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society voted for the following officers for the membership year June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014.

  • President - Luanne Newman
  • VP Programs - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • VP Membership - Jean Gieraltowski
  • Treasurer - Jerry Gieraltowski
  • Recording Secretary - Carole Magnuson
  • Corresponding Secretary - Rita Schneider
  • Past President - Nancy R. Thomas

2013 February

The Board of Directors of the DuPage County Genealogical Society has created the Founders’ Memorial Award, in the name of Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, to honor members who give extraordinary service to the Society. In addition to a framed Certificate of Appreciation, the Award provides a life-time membership to DCGS.

David Beckwith was awarded the first Founders’ Memorial Award by DCGS President, Nancy R. Thomas, at the 38th Annual Conference for his many years of service to DCGS as Webmaster and for hosting the Society’s website on his own personal server. Without his unique contribution, DCGS would not have been able to reach its members with timely news, publications, and databases. As DCGS migrated to a new website, the Board felt that it was appropriate to recognize David's dedication to the Society with this award.

Past Presidents

2013 - 2017 - Luanne Newman

2009 - 2012 - Nancy R. Thomas

2007 - 2009 - Jeffrey A. Bockman
2005 - 2007 - Judy Gaddess
2001 - 2005 - Susan Montgomery
1999 - 2001 - Nancy Houston
1996 - 1999 - Jeffrey A. Bockman
1994 - 1996 - Pat Sengstock
1990 - 1994 - Tom T. Fetters
1987 - 1990 - Todd Bolen
1984 - 1987 - Tom T. Fetters
1983 - 1984 - Nancy Minor
1981 - 1983 - Marjorie Peters
1979 - 1981 - Nancy R. Thomas
1977 - 1979 - Sandra Hargreaves Leubking
1974 - 1977 - Clarence Price


The DuPage County Genealogical Society is an incorporated, 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our focus is on providing education for genealogists and assisting in preserving and making available local records of genealogical interest. Our mailing address is P. O. Box 3, Wheaton, IL, 60187.  

Copyright 2024 DuPage County Genealogical Society

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