Currently accepting clients for...

• DNA
• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting
• Other Speciality

I am Laura Street Chaplin, owner / genealogist of Willowtree Research Genealogy Services, established in 2013.  With 45 + years of both personal and professional research experience, I love working with folks to unlock and explore their family's unique lives, placing them in a wider historical context. 

I adhere to professional genealogical standards and ethics as promoted by APG (Association of Professional Genealogists), BCG (Board for Certification of Genealogists), and NGS (National Genealogical Society).

Teaching is in my blood - back at least 5 generations!  I OFFER:

• Group Presentations on a large variety of topics

• Study Groups where we all benefit from each other’s knowledge

• traditional Client Research

• Family Reunion Projects

• free 60 minute Brick Wall Consultations

• DNA Consultations to sort (or teach YOU how to sort) your DNA matches. 

So, whatever you need, I’d love to hear from you! I will do my best to help you reach your research goals - I truly care about my students and clients!

Geographic Specialities
Midwestern states

Publications/Media
110 Years of One Family: The Descendants of Heinrich & Katharine (Grau) Gerst, 1983.

Lectures
(** indicates companion Study Group available)

BASICS:
Beginning & Improving Genealogy Skills
Starting Research (with Hidden Treasures You Already Own)

DNA:
**Advancing with AncestryDNA.com
DNA #1: Beginning Genetic Genealogy
DNA #2: What Do I Do With It Now That I Have It? Working with Test Results
DNA #3: Going the Extra Mile - Additional Sites, Tools, & Techniques
Headline DNA: Helping to Solve True Crime

ETHNIC / IMMIGRATION:
Coming to America: The Immigrant Experience
Ethnic Records & International Research
Quakers, Plain and Simple

METHODOLOGY:
Collateral & Cluster Research
Introducing the GPS (Nope - Not That One!)
Issuing Citations That Help "Prove" Your Genealogy Research
What's Your Mission? (Inherited Collection, Future-Proofing, OR Attacking Your Stacks)

ORGANIZATION:
Color-Coded Organizing
Digital Files
Digitizing Those Precious Memories
Getting (& Staying) Organized
Organize Your Chaos

SOFTWARE & ONLINE SITES:
**Advancing with Ancestry.com
**FamilySearch Sleuthing
**Finessing Findmypast
**Fold3 Flair
**Handy with MyHeritage
HistoryGEO
**Look Into Lesser-Known Apps & Sites
Online Sites VERSUS Software On Your Own Computer
Pay It Forward: Learning to Index on FamilySearch
**Rootsmagic Mastery
Shaky Leaves ... YES! Shaky Trees... NO! - Best Searching on Ancestry.com

SOURCES:
Archives Research & How to Use Basic Resources Found There
Census Discoveries: The Springboard to Splashy Research
Finding & Working with Published Sources Highlighting Your Family
Pathways to Spicy Stories: An Overview of Court Records
Probing for Probate: Researching in the Probate Court
Record Vitality with Vital Records
Tiptoeing Thru Tombstones: The Basics of U.S. Cemetery Reseaerch

Repositories
Lawrence J. Martin Heritage Center (Elburn, IL)
Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN)
Midwest Genealogy Center: Mid-Continent Library (Independence, MO)
Newberry Library (Chicago, IL)

Research Time Periods

• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century

Certificates
Certificate in Genealogical Research (Boston University)

Affiliations
former History & Genealogy Manager, Lawrence J. Martin Heritage Center (Town & Country Public Library District, Elburn, IL)
Board member & Newsletter editor, Illinois State Genealogy Society Board
Board member, Kane County Genealogical Society (Illinois)

Degrees
MPS (Masters in Pastoral Studies)
BA (Housing & Interior Design; Marketing minor)