First Saturday Beginners Classes

The California Genealogical Society offers a FREE "Intro to Genealogy" class on the first Saturday of every month, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the society's library at 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, California, in the historic Breuner Building.


Intro to Genealogy is part of the "First Saturdays Free" policy that allows open access to the library and resources to non-members and the general public on the first Saturday of every month. The library is a benefit of membership and is available to non-members for a $5.00 day fee during the rest of the month.

Vinnie Schwarz, Margaret Bowman and Kirsten Netterbled at the November 1, 2008 class.

And it is not just beginners who attend. Lavinia Schwarz sent this report: "Two members attended the November class that I taught. Neither are beginners but they were there nonetheless, with great enthusiasm. We went through the usual -- interview all the elders, forget spelling, keep track and source your evidence. I threw in my organizational favorite habits of color coding the four grandparent lines and using time-lines. We talked about names, places, dates, and events. It was fun."
The next class is set for December 6, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and will be taught by Lisa Gorrell.

The Events Committee is working on the list of volunteers who will teach the FREE First Saturday Classes in 2009. If you are interested in volunteering please e-mail Jane Knowles Lindsey. The basic outline and hand-outs are provided, all you need to add is your time, patience and expertise!

The classes are always listed on the CGS Google calendar.