Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting
• Other Speciality

Laura Kovarik has been involved in genealogy for more than thirty years. Her experience includes leadership, educational, and committee positions with genealogical societies at the international, state, and local levels. Laura has been providing educational opportunities for genealogists for almost twenty years through conferences, webinars, and special interest groups.  Her writing has appeared in Fox Tales and The Quarterly. Laura works as a professional genealogist offering presentations and workshops. She recently completed the Fundamentals of Collection Management through the Center for Collection Care at Beloit College. 

Areas of concentration include Norwegian research, newspapers, and incorporating ephemera into genealogical research. Laura also assists with organizing and digitizing family archives.  Laura has written several books and articles using material from her family archive.

Laura offers the following services:

- Family Collection Organization and Documentation

- Presentations and workshops, on-site or virtual

- Research

- Guided Research and Tutoring

- Organizational assistance including scanning and photo restoration (on-site assistance may be available)

Geographic Specialties

Midwest, Norway

Publications/Media
"A Bar Tab and Tributes." The Quarterly, Spring 2023. Illinois State Genealogical Society, Springfield, IL.

"Shall We Dance? A Workingman's Social Life in Nineteenth Century Chicago." The Quarterly, Winter 2021. Illinois State Genealogical Society, Springfield, IL.

"Here Comes the 1950 Census. What We'll Learn. How to Prepare." The Quarterly, Summer 2021. Illinois State Genealogical Society, Springfield, IL.

Lectures
Family Tree Dx: Including Medical Information in Your Family Tree

They Lived Where? Tips for Researching Location

Look Beyond the Lede: Online Newspaper Research

Mining for Memories - How to get the most out of an interview (in-person only)

It is Hard to be Humble: The Joys of Norwegian Research - Researching in the US and Norway including how patronymic names can help you.

Sanborn Maps: A New Direction for Your Research - Why every genealogist should use Sanborn maps.

You Aren't Alone - Next Steps for Beginners.

The Old College Try: Using College Archives in Genealogical Research

What Are You Looking For? Developing Genealogy Guideposts for Your Searches

Presentations and workshops can be tailored for your organization's needs. Please contact Laura for more information.

Repositories
Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL

Illinois Regional Archives Depository System sites

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL

Additional Northern Illinois locations
 

Affiliations
Association of Professional Genealogists, Long-Range Planning Committee, member, current.

Illinois State Genealogical Society: Website Committee Chair, 2021-2024
    Long Range Planning Committee Chair, 2019-2022,
    Immediate Past President, 2019-2021,
    President - 2017-2019,
    Recording Secretary 2015-2017,
    Education chair, 2017-2021,
    Local Host Chair, 2016 FGS conference 

Fox Valley Genealogical Society
    Current: Director
    Previous Positions Held: President, Secretary, Director; conference committee 17 years.

National Genealogical Society, member

Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library - member

Kankakee Valley Genealogical Society - member

French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan - member

Degrees
MUP (Environmental and Land Use Planning)

BA (Historic Preservation)