California Genealogical Society blog: Japanese American genealogy

Showing posts with label Japanese American genealogy. Show all posts

03 March 2019

"Finding Your Japanese Roots" with Linda Okazaki: March 10

Posted by Jennifer Dix

Linda Harms Okazaki

The current U.S. population comprises nearly 1.5 million persons of Japanese descent, and their rich and complex history informs the story of America. On Sunday, March 10, CGS past president Linda Harms Okazaki returns with her presentation, “Finding Your Japanese Roots in the US & in Japan.” Linda is a fourth-generation Californian married to a man of Japanese descent. She has been researching her husband's and children's ancestry since 2012, documenting family in the internment camps and in Japan. She helps organize the annual Nikkei Pilgrimage for CGS and is a charter member of the Nikkei Genealogical Society. Linda currently serves at the past president of the California Genealogical Society and is a board member of the Nichi Bei Foundation. Her column, “Finding Your Nikkei Roots,” is published bimonthly in the NichiBei Weekly.

Bring a lunch and come early
for socializing!

This seminar, which runs 1-4 p.m., is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced researchers. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch and come early (noon), in order to meet other seminar participants and discuss their Japanese-American history.

The first half of the seminar will focus on background and research in the United States and covers topics including:

- the political climate and pertinent U.S. laws

- internment camps

- post WWII experience

- repatriation and redress

The second half of the seminar will concern research in Japan:

   - finding your koseki
   - understanding ohaka and kakocho
   - visiting relatives, cemeteries and temples

To register, go to our EventBrite listing.

27 September 2017

Finding Your Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan

Posted by Linda Okazaki

Are you a Nikkei who is ready to document your family history? Do you want to find those WRA camp files, Enemy Alien files, or other records from WWII? Do you wonder if Obāchan was a picture bride? Or if Ojīchan was arrested and sent to a Department of Justice camp? Are you a genealogist who wants to know about different record groups? Or are you helping a Japanese American friend with their genealogy? Come learn how to find your Japanese roots.

Please join California Genealogical Society president, Linda Harms Okazaki, as she presents:

Finding Your Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan

When?

Saturday, October 28, 2017
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m

Where?
California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

Cost?
$40 for non-members (non-refundable)
Free for CGS members

How?
Register on Eventbrite

Part I of the three-hour seminar will be a brief overview of Japanese culture, history and language as it pertains to family history. Records available through the National Archives, USCIS, Ancestry.com, and FamilySearch.org will be covered.

Topics will include:

the early political climate in the U.S. and laws of the time
internment camps
post WWII experiences, repatriation, resettlement, and redress

The second half of the seminar will focus on documenting your ancestors in Japan, from using the information in the American records to finding your koseki, understanding ohaka and kakocho, plus visiting relatives, cemeteries and temples.

This seminar is suitable for all levels of research experience.

Limited to thirty participants; the fee may be applied towards membership on the day of the class.

Please visit our Eventbrite page to register for this seminar. Preregistration is required. Confirmations and a parking permit will be sent to the first thirty registrants.

Participants are invited to come early and meet others who share an interest in Japanese research. Use our computers, browse in our library, or bring a bagged lunch and meet at the library before the session. The library is open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

21 February 2017

On Our Shelves: The American Genealogist

Posted by Shannon Reese

by Nancy Cork

I love periodicals: the thrill of opening a new publication not knowing what delights it may contain never gets old!

Each week at the library, as I check in the new magazines, journals and newsletters, I sneak a few moments to leaf through some of the periodicals, noting articles that relate to my area of family research, and relishing the curious titles that pique my interest.

This week, I want to share with our California Genealogical Society (CGS) community an article I found that is special for another reason: it was written by one of our own members.

Darcie Hind Posz

In the journal The American Genealogist, CGS member and certified genealogist Darcie Hind Posz writes of a family’s path from Japan to Hawaii, which movingly includes the bombing of Hiroshima and the internment camps of World War II. Darcie’s two-part article is a compelling, beautifully written and documented read. She won the American Society of Genealogists Scholar Award in October 2015 with this article.

Want to read it? Here’s what you need to know.

“Tanaka and Ishihara Families of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, and Papaaloa, Hilo, Hawaii” by Darcie Hind Posz, CG

The American Genealogist, April 2016 Vol. 88, No. 2, and continued in July 2016 Vol. 88, No. 3 Library call number: CS42 .A44

This is just one of the many treasures waiting for you to discover in our genealogy library. So, the next time you are visiting our library, take a moment and treat yourself to a scholarly delight…because it’s on our shelves!

27 July 2016

Find Your Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan: September 10, 2016

Posted by Linda Okazaki

Are you a Nikkei who is ready to document your family history? Do you want to find those WRA camp files, Enemy Alien files or other records from WWII? Do you wonder if Obāchan was a picture bride? Or if Ojīchan was arrested and sent to a Department of Justice camp? Are you a genealogist who wants to know about different record groups? Or are you helping a Japanese American friend with their genealogy? Come learn how to find your Japanese roots.

Please join California Genealogical Society president, Linda Harms Okazaki, as she presents:

Finding Your Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan

When?

Saturday, September 10, 2016
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m

Where?
California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

Cost?
$30 for non-members (non-refundable)
Free for CGS members

How?
Register on Eventbrite

Topics will include:

the early political climate in the U.S. and laws of the time
internment camps
post WWII experiences, repatriation, resettlement, and redress

13 April 2016

Wordless Wednesday

Posted by Linda Okazaki

Angel Island Genealogical Resources

Presented by Grant Din on 19 March 2016

Kay Speaks, Grant Din, Linda Harms Okazaki