Genealogy: Members Reconnect at our Library

by Jane Lindsey

Standing: Gibran Rath.  Seated around the table, left to right:  Arlene Miles,
Pat Bonderud, Georgia Lupinsky, Susan Logas, Kristi Wessenberg,
Nancy Cork & Shirley Hoye

I forgot how much fun our genealogy library can be!  A few weeks ago, I was on desk duty. On Thursdays there are always lots of volunteers working on various projects at the library, such as caring for our books and periodicals, our manuscript collection and the new vertical files.  There was a ton of energy buzzing about the library.  This Thursday however, was a little different from most.  It became a day that showed me how important visiting our library is to connect fellow genealogists.

Reconnecting

Many of you know that I've been contacting long-term and life members to thank them for their support of the California Genealogical Society (CGS).  Susan Logas was one of them. 

Susan, who lives in San Francisco, had not been to the library in years.  I contacted Arlene Miles and Gibran Rath who also live in San Francisco.  They arranged to pick her up and carpool to the library that day.  

After reconnecting with Susan over the phone, I was really excited to meet her for the first time.  She had joined CGS in 1974, and is a Life Member.  I was expecting someone advanced in years, but she is five years younger than me!  It was so nice to finally meet her!  She may even be interested in volunteering. 

There were three other patrons who came in that day:

• A man who was just beginning his Chinese and African American research in Louisiana. Linda Okazaki happened to be there and had a wealth of information to share with him.
• A woman looking for her family in San Francisco.  She found lots of resources and planned to return the next day.  The huge bonus is that she also joined the society!
• And new member Beau Mitchum, a cousin of Rick Sherman was there helping Georgia Lupinsky and me identify photos in the Sherman manuscript files.  He also used these files to find family information on his Allen line. 

This is why I volunteer at CGS!  To work with other genealogists (I learn something new every time I am there) and to meet new people to show them what a great resource we have at CGS.

Haven't been to the library in a while?  Come in and see how the library's resources and other volunteers can help you!

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday: Vertical Files Grand Opening

If you missed the Vertical Files Grand Opening hosted by Pat Bonderud and Linda Darby this past Saturday, then enjoy these photos from that wonderful day.

What's the vertical file collection?  
Approximately 2,000 files of newspaper clippings, newsletters, correspondence, reproduced records, compiled family charts, research notes and many other interesting items. You never know what you’ll find in this eclectic collection. The contents of these files have been contributed by members and non-members over our 100+ year history. 

How do I search it?
We have an online Vertical File database that includes: a title (usually a surname), brief description of the contents, timeframe, and geographic location for each file.

Happy hunting!

Arlene Miles, our newest board member, cuts the ribbon
and opens the vertical file to everyone.
Photo: Ron Madson

Our vertical file curators: Pat Bonderud & Linda Darby
Photo: Shannon Reese

L to R: Linda Okazaki, Arlene Miles, Linda Darby & Pat Bonderud
Photo: Ron Madson

Linda Darby
Photo: Ron Madson

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Genealogical Treasures Revealed September 10th: Come see what you’ve been missing!

by Linda Darby

Come to the Library to check out our Vertical Files Grand Opening hosted by Pat Bonderud and Linda Darby, September 10th, from 12pm to 12:30pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Our 2,000 files include newspaper clippings, newsletters, correspondence, reproduced records, compiled family charts, research notes and other interesting items. You never know what you'll find in this eclectic collection.

Photos by Maureen Hanlon

Both members and non-members have contributed the contents of these files over our 100-year history. 

To make your search easier, we have an online Vertical File database index that includes: a title (usually a surname), brief description of the contents, time frame, and geographic location for each file. A few examples include:

•    1856 Ogle County, Illinois marriage certificate for Philo Wood and Almira McKinnery.

•    1925 Iowa Adjutant General's Certificate regarding James Strain's (of Crawfordville, Iowa) military service in the Civil War.

•    1911 statement by Mrs. E. J. Grady of New Jersey regarding Alexander Desnoyers, her grandfather, who had resided in Quebec.

•    O’Bryant surname:  Research material including marriage and death certificates, charts and photographs from Kenneth G. Felton of Castro Valley, Calif. in his quest to find M. A. Bruer who married James Ira Nelson in Dec. 1891.

•    Mesa surname: Death certificate and obituary for Frank Mesa (1835-1910); photo of daughter, Lucy M. Mesa (1875-1944) with vital information; Lucy Mesa’s death certificate and wedding announcement; and death certificate for Harry Durand Wilkinson (1876-1946)

•    Miller surname:  Marriage records of the Miller family, 7 pages. Includes the Miller family Bible records, plus marriage certificates for Clement H. Miller & Alice W. Davis, and Samuel Miller born 1801.

•    The History of the Bibber Family at Harpswell, Maine by Rev. Chas. N. Sinnett, Fayette, Iowa [1913].

Please Register for this FREE Event. We hope to see you there!

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

A Remembrance: Dr. Eugene Peck

Dr. Eugene Peck
photo by Kathryn Doyle

Dr. Eugene Peck was a Life-Member of the California Genealogical Society, a beloved volunteer who donated time and resources with much generosity for more than thirty-five years.

“Gene” grew up near Springfield, Ohio. He attended medical school at Ohio State University and subsequently was a well-known pediatrician at Kaiser in Oakland. Gene retired from medicine in his sixties and enjoyed tending his roses; he had over 100 varieties in his garden and he even volunteered for a time at the Horticultural Center in Golden Gate Park. Gene also loved the arts.

Gene developed lifelong friendships in our library. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the Library and Manuscripts Committees. He came to the library every Thursday for many years and one of his great pleasures was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with his friend, Anne Robinson.

Dr. Eugene Peck & Anne Robinson
photo by Kathryn Doyle 

Fellow long-serving volunteer, Dick Rees, tells us the following story about Gene and Gertrude Stein:

“During World War II, Gene was stationed in Europe; when the war ended, he decided to stay on for a while. He had sent a note to Gertrude Stein about something memorable she had written, and Miss Stein not only replied, but invited Gene to visit her “when you come to Paris.”

Gertrude Stein and Picasso's Portrait of her, 1922 | © Christine/Flickrcommons

So one day, not too long after receiving the invitation, Gene paid a call at the Stein/Toklas flat in Paris. The first thing he noticed was that the hallway and other rooms were lined with paintings, stacked along the baseboards, some facing out and some facing the wall. Gertrude didn’t care much for art, but she did care for artists and she bought their works in quantity!

Gene’s visit with Gertrude was quite pleasant, with the exception of Alice B. who was sitting in a dark corner of the salon. Every once in a while she would make some sarcastic or cutting remark, addressed to Gertrude, but clearly designed to intimidate Gene. He said, “She certainly didn’t want me there.”

As those of us who were privileged to know him can state, Gene was not one to be easily intimidated, and the visit passed without bodily harm to any one.”

Fellow genealogists will miss Dr. Eugene Peck.  Arlene Miles recalled that “his warm and compassionate understanding of people were traits I noticed from the very first time we met.” Under Gene’s guidance, Arlene took on the role of Periodicals Manager while he moved on to our extensive Manuscripts collection, where he “dug right in, reading, transcribing, and summarizing them so they could be made available to the public.”

Pat Bonderud, described Gene as “very gentlemanly, a kind man.” Gene was personable and progressive, as well as an intellectual who especially enjoyed researching the Tooker family of Ohio.

No service is planned. He will be buried alongside his grandmother, in South Charleston, Ohio, near Springfield.

Memorial gifts in his name may be sent to the California Genealogical Society, 2201 Broadway, LLS, Oakland CA, 94612-3031.

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

What You Missed: April 2013 Membership Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony

Members gathered on Saturday, April 13, 2013, for a special celebration of volunteerism and creativity. Volunteer Coordinator Linda Okazaki and Membership Coordinator Diana Edwards unveiled a new meeting format and started a new tradition to honor long-standing volunteers. It was a success by every measure.

Linda Okazaki and Diana Edwards added festive touches.

Most of the members in attendance arrived early at 12:00 p.m. with lunch in hand to share company and lively conversation in the Sherman Room. Beverages were provided by the board of directors.

Members shared lunch and lively conversation.

After the celebratory cake was cut and dessert finished, the festivities moved to the classroom for the program and a few words of welcome by President Jeff Vaillant. Director Tom Gesner updated members on several changes in the library, including new computers, shelving, and display racks. Tom also announced three special events planned for the fall.

Pat Bonderud accepting her "Certificate of Recognition" from President Jeff Vaillant.

Next up was the volunteer recognition part of the program. Linda Okazaki gave some statistics, "Of our more than 1000 members, 170 have contributed their time in some way to the society. Ninety-three current members are scheduled to work in 2013 and fourteen new volunteers have joined our team since January."

Honorees Marston Watson (representing his wife, Kathy), Gloria Hanson, Pat Bonderud, Barbara Hill, and Dick Rees. Honorees not in attendance: Lois Elling, Ken Haughton, Lorna Jones.

Eight individuals who have held membership for more than two decades and who continue to serve the California Genealogical Society as active volunteers were presented with certificates of recognition.

• Kathy Watson, a member for twenty years since 1993, has held a variety of roles and currently serves as chair of both the Computer and Technology Committees. Kathy was unable to attend so her husband Marston, a past board member, accepted on her behalf.
• Lois Elling, also a member for twenty years since 1993, creates every layout of the California Nugget and has designed the society's bookmarks, business cards, and branding graphics.
• Gloria Hanson, a member for twenty-one years since 1992, has held a variety of positions including Desk Duty. Gloria is well known in the society for her extensive knowledge of Norwegian genealogy. She currently volunteers in the library as a copy cataloger.
• Pat Bonderud, a member for twenty-three years since 1989, helped with the architectural design of the media room and layout of the library. Pat partners with Linda Darby as Special Projects Co-chair. The two have organized the manuscript collection and vertical files.
• Lorna Jones, a member for twenty-nine years since 1984, has worked in a variety of positions in the library. For several years she led the French-Canadian Special Interest Group.
• Barbara Hill, a member for thirty-two years since 1981, volunteers on the Library Committee and handles library acquisitions. Barbara performs monthly desk duty on Saturdays.
• Dick Rees, a member for thirty-three years since 1980, has worn many hats for the society. These days he does special project work, teaches some introductory genealogy classes, and serves on the Book Repair Committee. 
• Kenneth Haughton, a member for thirty-five years since 1978, is our member of longest standing who continues to actively serve the society. Ken served on the board of directors and was CFO for many years. He is currently an advisor to the Investment Committee.

Diana Edwards introduced the last part of the program: Preserving Your Genealogical Work Through Publishing. Displayed around the room were charts, books, articles, and other materials created by members – wonderful family treasures that will be cherished by family members for years to come.

Tim Cox served as master of ceremonies and guide as he went around the room and introduced each item on display. Tim introduced the authors/creators and described their work.

After the program members were able to browse and examine the displayed items more closely. Past-president Steve Harris gave tours of his city directory library.

Linda Okazaki proclaimed the day "a smashing success."


Photographs courtesy of Ron Madson. More of Ron's photos from the day are posted at Wordless Wednesday.

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

More Organizing in the Library: the CGS Vertical Files

It's hard to keep up with all of the volunteer projects that go on in the California Genealogical Society Library. Maintaining our collection is an endless task and volunteers step up to keep things organized and ready for our patrons.

One of the library's gems is our Manuscript Collection. Volunteers Pat Bonderud and Linda Darby catalogued and organized ninety linear feet of loose papers, research, and family history material donated to the society over the past 114 years. The manuscript collection is now being maintained by volunteers Georgia Lupinsky and Virginia Turner. The thirty-page inventory in pdf format entitled CGS Manuscript Collection can be downloaded from the society website on the Searchable Databases page.

Pat Bonderud and Linda Darby

Now Pat and Linda have turned their attention to another neglected collection in the library – the vertical files. The vertical files contain small items: clippings, reprints, and other miscellaneous materials. Over the years the two vertical file cabinets became a bit of a "catch all" for holdings that don't fit anywhere else in the library. Most are surname files.

Bonderud and Darby are examining the contents of each and every file. They are curating and creating brief descriptions of the files, including surnames, time frame, and location.

It is painstaking work that they hope to complete in the next few months.

Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.