Report from FGS Conference 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The California Genealogical Society had a table at the recent Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) annual conference held August 21-24, 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. FGS makes it easy for even distant genealogy societies to have a presence in the exhibit hall as part of their Society Showcase. Thank you, Polly Kimmett and FGS, for the opportunity!

Door prize winner Diane Coleman is our newest member!

This year, participating societies were asked to provide door prizes. Attendees placed their tickets at the tables of their choice for a chance to win. The California Genealogical Society gave away a membership and three of our publications: The Insider's Guide to California Research, A Most Dreadful Earthquake, and Raking the Ashes: Genealogical Strategies for Pre-1906 San Francisco Research. Our winner, and newest member, is Patricia Coleman of Birmingham, Alabama.

Members Sandi Benward and Linda Darby stopped by our table for a photograph.

Only a few members were in attendance. Sandi Benward, Linda Darby, and Amy Coffin stopped by to visit.

Far-flung member Amy Coffin blogs for one of next year's host societies, Texas State Genealogical Society.

Next year's FGS Conference will be held August 22-30, 2014 in San Antonio Texas. FGS also announced their 2015 conference will be held in conjunction with RootsTech in Salt Lake City.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit FGS.org.

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

Wordless Wednesday

San Francisco History Expo

Old San Francisco Mint

March 2-3, 2013

Photographs by Kathryn Doyle, San Francisco, CA, 3/3/2013.


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

Wordless Wednesday

NEHGS Comes West

Friday, October 26, 2012

Hs Lordships, Berkeley, California

Photographs by Kathryn Doyle.


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

Wordless Wednesday

14th Annual Family History Day at the California State Archives

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Save the date for next year's event: Saturday, October 12, 2013.


Photographs by Jeff Vaillant and Kathryn Doyle, Sacramento, CA.

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

SCGS Jamboree 2012 – Another Great Event

The 43rd annual Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree is in the history books and all agree it was a fantastic event with something for genealogy enthusiasts of every stripe.

California Genealogical Society members participated at every level: as speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.

Several CGS board members attended Friday's Society Workshop – four lectures on society management sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the California State Genealogical Alliance. The workshop speakers included our member Cath Trindle CG, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, George G. Morgan, and Josh Taylor. What was totally unexpected was Dardashti's use of the California Genealogical Society's website and blog as examples in her talk about publicity. She had only good things to say about our efforts. Thank you, Schelly!

Slide from Schelly Dardashti's talk "Publicity is the Society's Friend."

Another surprise that morning was from my blogger friend, Kim von Aspern-Parker, who joined CGS on her mobile phone while we were waiting for a lecture to begin.

Kim von Aspern-Parker affixing her new CGS member ribbon to her name tag.

It was mostly about fun Friday evening when Jamboree hosted their first Hollywood GALA sponsored by Ancestry.com. President Jeff Vaillant took the podium to announce the winner of our special membership raffle prize — Shelia Farmer. Jeff and SCGS President Alice Fairhurst also announced the new Memorandum of Understanding between our two societies. I'll have lots more to say about that next month.

CGS President Jeff Vaillant and SCGS President Alice Fairhurst at the Gala.

Three of my favorite people (and CGS members) Amy Coffin, Elizabeth O'Neal and Sheri Fenley, in their  Gala attire.

All day Saturday, the California Genealogical Society had a table outside the exhibit hall in the Jamboree "society row." It was the second year that the Southern California Genealogical Society made free tables available to non-profit groups and we were thrilled to take them up on the offer!

A special thank-you to Amy Coffin, Kim Cotton, Sheri Fenley, Laura Lee Karp, Debbie Mascot, Mary Mettler, Jim Sorenson, and Jeff Vaillant for setting up and staffing the table, and for the prep work to obtain the necessary permits and bring our materials down. It was a team effort and everything went smoothly. We sold several copies of Raking the Ashes and lots of our Insider's Guide to California Genealogy.

Members who made it for our group photo: Teresa Fraser, Duncan Tanner, Amy Coffin, Jim Sorenson, Denise Levenick, Sheri Fenley, Elizabeth O'Neal, Cath Trindle, Sandra Benward, Kathryn Doyle and Natalie Levinson.

We tried to get everyone together for a group photo of CGS members but there were too many other things going on. Other members in attendance were: Ron Arons, Patricia Burrow, Kim Cotton, Shelia Farmer, Paul Hawthorn, Laura Lee Karp, Lisa Lee, Sita Levy Likuski, Thomas MacEntee, Debbie Mascot, Mary Metter, Cheryl Palmer, and Kim von Aspern-Parker. If I missed anyone, please leave a comment so I can add your name.

Kathryn and newest member (and raffle winner) Shelia Farmer.

It was great spending time with so many of our members. Hope to see you all at next year's Jamboree June 7—9, 2013.

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

Wordless Wednesday

San Francisco History Expo

Old Mint

March 3-4, 2012

 

Photographs courtesy of Judy Bodycote, Linda Darby, and Jane Lindsey.


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

What You Missed: Ancestry Day - San Francisco

By any measure, Ancestry Day – San Francisco was a huge success! More than 900 family historians attended the full-day conference at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on Saturday, November 5, 2011. The event, co-sponsored by the California Genealogical Society and Ancestry.com, featured four tracks of four classes each, consultations, an Ancestry.com computer area with experts to answer questions, and California Genealogical Society tables with books and membership displays.

The sixteen classes were presented by fifteen speakers, half of whom were CGS members. A special “thank you” to: 

• Ron Arons 
• Susan Goss Johnston 
• Melinda Kashuba, Ph.D
• Lisa B. Lee, PLCGS
• Craig Manson
• Lavinia Schwarz 
• Janice Sellers
• Cath Madden Trindle, CG 

Ancestry.com set up video cameras and "live-streamed" four of their lectures. Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings reported on the Videos from Ancestry Day at San Francisco 2011 which were also posted by Nick Cifuentes on the Ancestry.com Blog in Ancestry Day in San Francisco 2011.

Here are the links to the four talks now available on YouTube:

Five Quick Tips for Digging UP Answers at Ancestry.com with Jeanie Croasmun

How to Find Civil War Roots on Ancestry.com with Anne Mitchell “Ancestry Anne”

Emigration & Immigration Records Online with Crista Cowan “Barefoot Genealogist”

Find them Fast: Secrets to Searching Your Family History on Ancestry.com with Laura Dansbury


Raking the Ashes author Nancy Peterson was on hand to sign and sell books. We sold out of sixty copies in just two hours! Ancestry Day was also the launch of the society's newest publication – Insider's Guide to California Genealogy.

First sale of our new Insider's Guide to California Genealogy.

More than 300 attendees signed up for 15-minute consultations. Linda Okazaki did an outstanding job of matching questions to member volunteers with the right expertise. She and her staff kept things running smoothly and efficiently.

Thirty-eight genealogists provided more than 300 consultations.

CGS member and blogger, Jennifer Regan of the Rainy Day Genealogy Readings blog, spent the entire day providing consultations. She reflects on the experience in Defining Research, Part Two: The Internet vs. Research Skill.

Several members of the African-American Genealogical Society of Northern California who are also CGS members served as volunteer consultants. Nicka Smith reported on both Black Family History Day and Ancestry Day and included some great photos in her article, AAGSNC Teams Up With Local Societies for Fall Genealogy Events. 

One of our member speakers, Janice M. Sellers, blogs at Ancestral Discoveries. She wore several hats at Ancestry Day San Francisco.


Denise Richmond and Sandra Gardner Benward are CGS members and officers at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society where they are both contributors to their blog. Sandi wrote Ancestry Day Comes to San Francisco.

Ruth Hinman of Genealogy is Ruthless without Me blog wrote three reports!

San Francisco Ancestry Day November 5, 2011

Ancestry Day in San Francisco Blog 2 Gordon Atkinson

Another Reason to Attend Genealogy Conferences and Seminars...SWAG and Prizes

Thank you to Karen Ober and the Ancestry.com staff – it was a pleasure co-sponsoring the event with you.

The Ancestry Day planning committee (Jane Lindsey, Tim Cox, Linda Okazaki and Kathryn Doyle) thanks all the volunteers who made our event a huge success. The professionalism of our speakers, consultants, and hard-working staff volunteers was truly appreciated. 


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

Wordless Wednesday

California Genealogical Society Table 

Family History Day at the State Archives

Sacramento, California

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Directors Craig Manson, Diana Wild and President Stephen Harris

To view many photos from the event, see Last Book of Photo Memories at the Family History Day at the State Archives blog.

Photograph courtesy of Steve Harris.

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

Society Showcase at FGS Conference in Springfield

The California Genealogical Society sponsored a table recently at the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) annual conference in Springfield, Illinois. FGS made it easy for even distant genealogy societies to have a presence in the exhibit hall at Society Showcase on Thursday, September 8, 2011, in the Prairie Capital Convention Center. Exhibitors were encouraged to "bring display items and giveaways, such as membership brochures, sample publications, bookmarks, and event fliers." The FGS Conference blog published the full list of participating societies.

California Nugget Editor Jane Hufft and I staffed the table which we shared with fellow CGS member Denise Richmond who was representing the RootCellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. Denise handles publicity for RootCellar and she is one of the authors of the excellent Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society Blog with teammates Sandra Gardner Benward and Ron Setzer. Denise is also the blogger behind the conference blog for the upcoming Family History Day at the California State Archives on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Jane Hufft and Denise Richmond

We had lots of information fliers and brochures highlighting the best of our California societies. Both Denise and I took advantage of the U.S. Post Office flat rate boxes to mail materials ahead of our arrival. Jane brought sample copies of our periodical as well as her submission guidelines for the Nugget. I think she talked to at least two potential authors who were intrigued with the idea of writing about their California ancestors.

Staffing the next table over and representing Fox Valley Illinois Genealogical Society was their president, Jane Haldeman, co-owner of It's Relative. Jane and I "met" years ago via a Rootweb mail list and exchanged information about our BRIGGS of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It's one of my "brick wall" lines so I'm not exactly sure how Jane and I are related but I'm optimistic that someday I'll figure it out. It was great to finally meet "cousin" Jane in person and to attend one of her lectures.

Genealogist quilters Pat Richley and Jane Hufft

The CGS contingent had one significant meeting that occurred just outside the convention center. Jane and I ran into DearMyrtle herself – Pat Richley. Jane had been wanting to meet Pat since they share a love of quilting. I'm still not exactly sure how it happened but in just a few minutes a cash transaction had taken place, fabric was exchanged and information was provided about the 1812 Preserve the Pensions Quilt Project.

It was a whirlwind few days but CGS was well-represented in Springfield.


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

Wordless Wednesday

CGS Table in the Exhibit Hall at the California Family History Expo

October 8-9, 2010

Photographs courtesy of Tim Cox, Pleasanton, California.

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

California Family History Expo - October 8-9, 2010

The California Genealogical Society and Library will be a local sponsor of the upcoming California Family History Expo at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, California, Friday and Saturday, October 8-9, 2010.

Come join us for two days of Genealogy! Learn about all aspects of researching your family history from our expert speakers. Try out the latest in genealogical tools in our Exhibit Hall. Whether you are new to tracing your family tree or are a professional genealogist, spend time with us learning the tech to trace your roots!

CGS will have Booth #57 in the Exhibit Hall and adjoining Booth #56 has been assigned to local Bay Area genealogical societies to share.

I'll have more information in the coming days about Expo and about the CGS members who will be speaking.


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

Wordless Wednesday

California Genealogical Society Table

SCGS Jamboree Exhibit Hall

June 11-13, 2010

Photographs courtesy of Tim Cox and Kathryn Doyle, Burbank, California.

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

Well-Represented at the SCGS Jamboree

The 41st Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree begins today (through Sunday, June 13, 2010) in Burbank and many California Genealogical Society members have traveled south for the annual event.

Events Coordinator Tim Cox unfurled the new banner at Table 114 in the Exhibit Hall. Be sure to stop by and see us.

Several members' names appear on the list of speakers.

Ron Arons presents Researching Criminal Relatives, Saturday 5:00 p.m. Ron can be found at Table 105 in the Exhibit Hall

Elyse Doerflinger leads a Mini-course Workshop: Using Your Computer, Video Camera and YouTube Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Elyse will also be a panelist on Blogger Summit Part 1: From Novice to Reader to Blogger in Sixty Minutes.

Lisa Lee is presenting two talks: Search & Reward Notices: Hidden Information About Former Slaves, Saturday 3:30 p.m. and City Directories – Full of Hidden Information, Sunday 2:00 p.m.

Thomas MacEntee is going non-stop this weekend. He's leading three mini-course workshops, moderating two blogging summits and presenting a talk.

His schedule: Google Docs for Beginners, Friday 4:00 p.m.; Blogger Summit Part 1: From Novice to Reader to Blogger in Sixty Minutes, Saturday 10 a.m. followed by Blogger Summit Part 2: Now that You're a Genealogy Blogger, Saturday 11:30 a.m.; Twitter – It's Not Just "What I Had For Breakfast" Anymore, Saturday, 5:00 p.m.; Blogger for Beginners, Saturday 2:00 p.m. and WordPress For Beginners, Saturday, 3:00 p.m. Whew!

Craig Manson and Kathryn Doyle are also panelists on Blogger Summit Part 2: Now That You're a Genealogy Blogger, Satuday 11:30 p.m.

Cath Trindle is presenting three talks: How Much Proof is Enough?, Saturday 2:00 p.m.; Women of the West, Saturday 5:00 p.m. and California Sources Online and Off, Sunday, 2:00 p.m.


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