Summer Thursday Evenings at the Library

In case you missed it: our library is open till 8 p.m. on Thursdays in July and August! More time for research, and we offer FREE classes by a variety of our members.

Talks kicked off last week with Robert Jackson speaking on "Discovering Your German Roots." This is a 3-part series, with classes continuing July 18 & 25. Check the listing for more details.

On August 1, Stewart Blandón Traiman discusses "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Genealogy."

Maureen Hanlon offers tips on research using "Historical Newspapers" on August 8. 


August 15: Therese Hart-Pignotti and Dawn Kosmakos lead a DNA roundtable.


August 22: Keith Montgomery talks about using Genome Mate Pro to keep track of your DNA information.


August 29: Jane Lindsey presents "Beyond the Search Boxes on FamilySearch."

The classes are all free, but size is limited; please follow the link to register your attendance.

Parking is free after 6 p.m. in downtown Oakland, and North Oakland is hopping with new restaurants within blocks. Grab a friend and come on down!

All our events can be found listed on the CGS Facebook page

or on our website:

or at EventBrite.com (search for California Genealogical Society)

Copyright © 2019 by California Genealogical Society

July Membership Meeting: DNA Testing for Genealogy with Pam Miller

by Diana Edwards, Membership Chair

Diana Edwards and members at the July Meeting 

Twenty-one members of CGS had a great time at the recent July Membership Meeting. We ate lunch together and chatted about everything from summer travel to genealogical trials and triumphs. It was a good way to get to know some of our newer members.

Next, we sat in a circle in the Learning Center and shared experiences with DNA testing and family research. We asked lots of questions, and shared some fascinating stories of how DNA testing has helped some of our members to follow elusive genealogical trails.  

Fortunately, Pam Miller had returned from her 3,000 mile road trip just in time to come and host the meeting, and was able to answer many of our questions. She has been using DNA in her research for some time. We also were lucky to have Judy Bodycote, a retired scientist with a real, in-depth knowledge of the different types of DNA and how the different tests can be used in our research.

The meeting was scheduled from 1pm-3pm, but the conversations were still going strong at 4pm!

Would you like to learn more about this fascinating topic?  

Pam will be facilitating another DNA conversation at our Thursday Summer Evening program, on August 21, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Come on down!

Copyright © 2014 by Ellen Fernandez-Sacco, California Genealogical Society and Library.

We're back... Announcing Extended Summer Hours & Discussion Schedule

Summer Night on Berkeley Pier. Photo: Ellen Fernandez-Sacco

For our fifth year, the California Genealogical Society will offer extended summer research hours, specially designed for our working members and patrons.

Starting mid-June and continuing every Thursday through August, the library will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. Library hours for the other two days were are open each week will remain the same: Friday and Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) 

We’re bringing back our popular weekly informal discussions. Participants with all levels of research experience are welcome to network and join the conversations here on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Discussion schedule:

June 12: Open- no discussion group planned; Research assistance will be available.

June 19: Using FamilySearch.org facilitated by Jane Lindsey 

June 26: Got Questions? Bring your questions to discuss with our Research team

July   3:  NO EVENING HOURS  

July  10: Help finding information online for your genealogical research

July  17: What to do before beginning your foreign research

July  24: New England research questions  Facilitator: Jane Lindsey 

July  31: Got Questions? Bring questions to discuss with our Research team

August 7: San Francisco Researchers, bring your questions to an informal discussion on available  resources.  Facilitator: Sandra Britt-Huber    

August 14: German discussion group. Facilitator: Lisa Gorrell

August 21: DNA testing for genealogy. Facilitator: Pam Miller

August 28: Got Questions? Bring questions to discuss with our Research team

There is no need to RSVP or register – just come to take advantage of the many resources in the library. Non-members are welcome, and the library charges a $5.00 user fee for non-members. The user fee will be waived for those who arrive after 5:00 p.m. for the discussion sessions. 

If you plan to drive, the lot in the rear of the building has a reduced rate after 3:00 p.m., and the metered spaces in Oakland are free after 6:00 p.m. (but they fill up fast!) Traveling by BART is easier – get off at the 19th Street station. Group discussions will end by 8:00 p.m. to allow for everyone to walk to BART together before dark.

Come & spend a summer evening with us!

Copyright © 2014 by Ellen Fernandez-Sacco, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Summer Evening Hours Begin Thursday, June 14, 2012

For the third year in a row, the California Genealogical Society will offer summer extended research hours, designed especially for our working members and patrons.

Starting mid-June and continuing every Thursday through August, the library will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Library hours on the two other open days each week will remain the same: Friday (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.).

We're also bringing back the popular weekly informal discussions. Participants of all levels of research experience are welcome to network and join the conversation from 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Discussion schedule:

June 14 – Open house and dessert bar
June 21 – Using Census Records and the 1940 Census, Jeff Vaillant
June 28 – Stump the Panel, Research team
July 5 – Genealogical Sleuthing: Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's Home, Steve Harris
July 12 – Searching for Living People, Jane Lindsey
July 19 – German discussion group**, Robert Jackson and Jane Lindsey
July 26 – Stump the Panel, Research team
August 2 – Creative Ways to Share Your Genealogy, Cathy Paris and Craig Siulinski
August 9 – Using Social Media to Further Your Genealogy, Kathryn Doyle
August 16 – Genealogical Sleuthing: Finding Your Female Ancestors, Ellen Fernandes Sacco and Nicka Smith
August 23 – Stump the Panel, Research team
August 30 – Genealogical Gadgets, Tim Cox

**Special offer: Come early on July 19, 2012, and meet with Robert Jackson who will do 20 minute consultations on German research problems. Email Jane Lindsey your name and phone number to make an appointment.

This year we will kick off our evening hours with a special open house event on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. Details are still being worked out but I'm told a dessert bar is part of the plan!

There is no need to RSVP or register – just show up and take advantage of the many resources in the library. Non-members are welcome, but the library charges a $5.00 user’s fee for non-members. The user’s fee will be waived for those who arrive after 5:00 p.m. for the discussion sessions.

If you plan to drive, the lot in the rear of the building has a reduced rate after 3:00 p.m., and the metered spaces in Oakland are free after 6:00 p.m. (but they fill up fast.) Traveling by BART is easier – get off at the 19th Street station. Group discussions will end by 8:15 p.m. to allow for everyone to walk to BART together before dark.


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

What You Missed: Summer Thursday Night Discussions

Did you make it into the library this summer for our extended Thursday hours? Tim Cox and Jane Lindsey cooked up the idea last year and it has proved to be wildly successful. We've gotten lots of positive feedback from members who enjoyed coming to do research on a day they didn''t have to pack up and leave at 4:00 p.m. Some even came in at 9:00 a.m. and stayed until 8:30 p.m. closing!

Kim Cotton led "Social Networking: Facebook, RSS, Twitter and Blogs" on 6/16.

Jane and Tim also scheduled specific discussions for 6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. every Thursday in June, July and August. Topics included everything from ethnic research to software and subscription databases.

Cathy Paris led "Creative Ways to Share and Write Your Family History Research" on 7/28.

A special "thank-you" to all of our member facilitators who led Thursday night discussions this summer: Judy Bodycote, Kim Cotton, Tim Cox, Gloria Hanson, Steve Harris, Sally Houston, Douglas Joe, Lorna Jones, Jane Lindsey, John Moore, Cathy Paris and Lavinia Schwarz.

Tim tells me we had a grand total of 147 attendees at the thirteen discussions – many attended more than one session. Thanks to you all for making our summer program a success!


Photographs courtesy of Jane Lindsey (6/16/11) and Jeremy Frankel (7/28/2011), Oakland, California.

Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Summer Evening Hours – Discussion Topics 2011

Tim Cox sent the schedule of discussion topics for Thursday evenings this summer at the library. These discussion groups are planned for 6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. and they are open to members and to the public. Participants of all levels of research experience are welcome to network and join the conversation.

June 2, 2011 – Using Ancestry.com; Footnote.com; and AmericanAncestors.org
Helpful tips will be shared to more effectively use these free and subscription sites.

June 9, 2011 – Genealogy Gadgets: Digital Cameras, Flash Drives, Portable Scanners, etc.
What kind of technology are you using to help you capture the information as you find it? Discussion will focus on what is new on the market and what works well for genealogists.

June 16, 2011 – Social Networking: Facebook, RSS, Twitter and Blogs
Overwhelmed with all of the ways to communicate and network with other genealogists? We'll talk about the various ways to network and how to stay up to date with blogs.

June 23, 2011 – Using Google and other Search Engines
Is Google really the best search engine? There are other search engines that you may not be aware of. We'll discuss Google and the others.

June 30, 2011 – Help with Researching New Netherlands and New York
Our discussion will be focused on research in New Netherlands and current day New York.

July 7, 2011 – Research Problems and Possible Solutions (Session 1 of 2)
Have a research problem you've been working on for a while and can't seem to solve it? Bring your problem and let the group discuss options you may be able to employ.

July 14, 2011 – Census Research
Love it or not, the U.S. Federal Population Schedule is really a genealogist's best friend. Our group will discuss the various kinds of census records including agricultural, deaf/dumb/blind, veterans, mortality and state censuses.

July 21, 2011 – Ethnic Groups: Chinese; Hispanic/Latino; French-Canadian; German; Scandinavian
Join some experienced researchers who may be able to give some advice on your next steps in your research for any of these ethnic groups.

July 28, 2011 – Creative Ways to Share Your Research and Writing Family Histories
Ready to write your family history but need some help with deciding on the best way to share it or publish it? Come see what the group has to offer. You just might get that resolution to your dilemma.

August 4, 2011 – Genealogy Databases: RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, The Master Genealogist, Ancestral Quest, Reunion
Bring your questions and ask the group for advice on how to perform tasks, run reports, create charts, or overcome obstacles you are experiencing with any of these popular databases or join us to learn more about each them.

August 11, 2011 – Online newspapers
Millions of pages of the world's newspapers are now accessible online, but there is no one place to find them all. Join us for discussions on what is available and how to find it. You may learn some techniques to find your ancestors in the paper.

August 18, 2011 – Getting the Most from FamilySearch.org Including Mexican Research
Having problems with the new look of FamilySearch? We'll talk about it and discover some easy ways to it work for you and learn how to find the recently uploaded Mexican records database.

August 25, 2011 – Research Problems and Possible Solutions (Session 2 of 2)
Have a research problem you've been working on for a while and can't seem to solve it? Bring your problem and let the group discuss options you may be able to employ.

BYO dinner or buy something nearby. If you plan to drive, metered spaces in Oakland are free after 6:00 p.m. but they fill up fast. Traveling in by BART is easier – get off at the 19th Street station. Group discussions will end by 8:15 p.m. to allow for everyone to walk to BART together before dark.


Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Summer Evening Hours Start Thursday, June 2, 2011

Events coordinator Tim Cox and Jane Lindsey are excited to announce summer extended research hours at the library designed especially for our working members and patrons.

Starting June 2, 2011, and continuing every Thursday through August, the California Genealogical Society Library will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Hours on the two other open days will remain the same: Friday (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

In addition, informal discussions are planned from 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Participants of all levels of research experience are welcome to network and join the conversation. Topics will include:

• Using Ancestry.com, Footnote.com, and AmericanAncestors.org
• Research problems and possible solutions
• Getting the most from FamilySearch.org
• Help with researching New Netherlands and New York
• Online newspapers
• Genealogy gadgets: digital cameras, flash drives, portable scanners, etc.
• Using Google, Mocavo, and other search engines
• Census research
• Writing family histories and other creative ways to share your research
• Ethnic research: Chinese, French-Canadian, German, Hispanic/Latino
• Social networking: blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and RSS
• Genealogy software: RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, The Master Genealogist, Ancestral Quest, Reunion

Dates and facilitators will be announced in May. Please check back or watch the calendar for updates.

Non-members are welcome. There is a $5.00 library user’s fee for non-members. The user’s fee will be waived for those who arrive after 5:00 p.m. for the discussion sessions.

BYO dinner or buy something nearby. If you plan to drive, metered spaces in Oakland are free after 6:00 p.m. but they fill up fast. Traveling by BART is easier – get off at the 19th Street station. Group discussions will end by 8:15 p.m. to allow for everyone to walk to BART together before dark.

We would love your feedback. Do these topics appeal to you? Will extended summer hours entice you to spend some time with us?

Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

RootsMagic Special Interest Group Starts October 19, 2010

The last and best attended session of the Thursday evening discussion groups this summer was the August 26 meeting on RootsMagic. Tim Cox reports that nine members (and one non-member) participated after he advertised the session on the RootsMagic Users Mailing List.

The discussion was very informal and allowed everyone to ask questions about the application. RootsMagic4 is so robust with so many easy-to-use features that none of us have mastered all of them. There were lots of "ah ha!" moments and comments like: "That's so easy! and "That's how to do it!" Because of our different experience levels, we had the opportunity to learn some new tips and tricks and some shortcuts. We all left with some new knowledge and I think we may have convinced a couple of version 3 users to upgrade to version 4.

The meeting was so successful that the group decided to form an official RootsMagic Special Interest Group and have monthly meetings at CGS. Tim Cox submitted a formal request which has been approved by the Board of Directors.

The RootsMagic Special Interest Group will meet on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. beginning October 19, 2010. All meetings are FREE and open to the public. Registration is not required. Guests are welcome, as are all levels of experience from beginning to expert.

Chris Pattillo and Tim Cox will be the facilitators and they plan to start each session with an open discussion about any issues members may be experiencing with RootsMagic4. They will always have a live database to work with. If you are interested in more information about topics, parking or transportation, please email Tim Cox.

Photograph courtesy of Jane Knowles Lindsey, 8/26/10, Oakland, California.


Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Evening Discussion Group

German Research

August, 19, 2010

Photograph courtesy of Jane Knowles Lindsey, Oakland, California.

Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Wordless Wednesday

 Thursday Evening Discussion: NewEnglandAncestors.org

Tom Gesner, Facilitator

July 29, 2010

Photographs courtesy of Tim Cox, Oakland, California.


Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Thursdays in July and August: An Experiment with Evening Hours!

Events coordinators Tim Cox and Jane Lindsey are excited to announce summer extended research hours at the library designed especially for working members and patrons.

Starting July 8, 2010 and continuing every Thursday through August, the California Genealogical Society Library will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Hours on the two other open days will remain the same: Friday (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ) and Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

In addition, informal evening discussions are planned from 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Participants of all levels of research experience are welcome to network and join the conversation. Topics are as follows:

July 8, 2010 – New Tools on Familysearch.org 
Discuss and learn about the site improvements including Record Search Pilot, Indexing, the Wiki, online tutorials and more.

July 15, 2010 – Blogging
Share your favorite gen blogs and discuss how and why blogging can help genealogists. If you have a secret desire to be a blogger, come and ask questions. You’ll get a better understanding of how to get started and how to maintain your blog.

July 22, 2010 – French-Canadian Research
Have documents you can’t translate? Members of the society’s French-Canadian Special Interest Group will share their tips and expertise. Facilitator: Mary Beth Frederick.

July 29, 2010 – Using NewEnglandAncestors.org 
Helpful tips will be shared to more effectively use this subscription site. Facilitator: Tom Gesner.
RSVP for Using NewEnglandAncestors.org

August 5, 2010 – Whippersnappers 2.0
Born in the 70s or 80s? This session is for you! This is an invitation to our younger members and friends to get together and share ideas on how the society can be more helpful to your research. Hint: if you remember disco you're too old for this meeting. Facilitators: Jennifer Jones Regan and Gabrielle Kojder.
RSVP for Whippersnappers 2.0.

August 12, 2010 – Hispanic/Latino Research
Share ideas for effective research in Spanish-speaking countries. Discuss the Spanish record extraction process. Bring your questions and your favorite resources. Facilitator: Ellen Fernandez-Sacco.
RSVP for Hispanic/Latino Research.

August 19, 2010 – German Research
Have you been putting off your German research? Join a discussion about resources, which sites are best and how to find towns in Germany. Experienced researchers will help you gain the confidence you need to get started. Facilitator: Jane Knowles Lindsey.
RSVP for German Research.

August 26, 2010 – Using Roots Magic
Bring your questions and ask the group for advice on how to perform tasks, run reports, create charts, or overcome obstacles you are experiencing with RootsMagic4. Power users will be there to help solve your dilemmas. Facilitator: Tim Cox.
RSVP for Using Roots Magic.

Details are still being worked out and facilitators are being identified for each discussion session.

BYO dinner or buy something nearby. If you plan to drive, metered spaces in Oakland are free after 6:00 p.m. but they fill up fast. Traveling in by BART is easier – get off at the 19th Street station. Group discussions will end by 8:15 p.m. to allow for everyone to walk to BART together before dark.

We would love your feedback. Do any of these topics appeal to you? Will extended summer hours entice you to spend some time with us?


 Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library