Report Two from NGS 2013

I had a chance to sit down with 2013 Conference Chair Stefani Evans to talk about the collaboration with local genealogical societies.

NGS 2013 Conference Chair Stefani Evans, CG

Stefani explained that "normally" the NGS Annual Conference partners with one or two large groups to serve as "local host societies" who are asked to provide more than 400 volunteer hours to help staff and run the four-day event. Since none of the local Las Vegas groups were large enough to supply that kind of woman/manpower, a new model had to be created.

Evans put out a call to several organizations and for the first time a coalition of six "hosts" was formed, representing "a really good demographic in genealogy."

Centennial Las Vegas Genealogy Society
Clark County Nevada Genealogical Society
Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas FamilySearch Library
Nevada African American Genealogy Society
Nevada State Society Daughters of the American Revolution

One positive outcome for the local societies is a new spirit of cooperation and collaboration going forward. Stefani calls it "cross-pollinating" since host members are joining each other's groups. She sees it as a positive example for groups across the country who sometimes exist in isolation from each other.

Well done, Las Vegas area societies! And thank you, Stefani Evans.


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

This Blog is Ancestor Approved!

Russ Worthington of A Worthington Weblog has honored the CGSL blog with the Ancestor Approved award. Thanks, Russ!

Leslie Ann of the Ancestors Live Here blog created the Ancestor Approved award to let her fellow genealogy bloggers know how much she appreciates and enjoys their blogs. I think it's a great idea.

I would like to pass the award and honor several genealogical societies that launched blogs in the past year and have kept them going. Blogs are easy to start but it takes commitment to persevere!

The FGS Voice blog was started by the Federation of Genealogical Societies in March 2010.

Joan Miller created the Alberta Family Histories Society Blog in March 2010.

The Johnson County, Kansas GenWeb site started the KS GenWeb: Johnson County blog in March 2010.

The African American Genealogical Society of Northern California started the AAGSNC blog in May 2010.

Mr. Geneablogger, Thomas MacEntee, started the Illinois State Genealogical Society blog in May 2010.

The Ontario Genealogical Society launched its blog in June 2010.

GSNOCC Musings was created by the Genealogical Society of North Orange County California in July 2010.

Nevada Roots - Nevada State Genealogical Society blog came online in July 2010.

The Contra Costa County Genealogical Society blog debuted in August 2010.

The Utah Genealogical Association started a blog in September 2010.

A complete listing of all genealogical society blogs can be found at Geneabloggers. (Thanks, Thomas!)

Blogs are a great way for organizations to communicate with their members and the outside world. I follow all genealogical society blogs so if I missed yours please let me know!



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

Burbank to Oakland: South Comes North For a Visit

A special meeting occurred on Thursday, September 23, 2010, when Jay Holladay and Vieve Metcalfe of the Southern California Genealogical Society paid a visit to the CGS Library. The couple were in the Bay Area for a school reunion and decided to mix in a little gen society business. It was an opportunity to meet with their NorCal counterparts, tour our library and take a look at our operation.

While Jay met with Technology Director Kathy Watson to discuss the website and facility equipment, Vieve met with CGS Librarian Laura Spurrier. Laura provided a tour of Surpass, our catalog software which our neighbors to the south are considering to replace their Access file.

Vieve Metcalfe, Laura Spurrier, Kathy Watson and Jay Holladay

Jay and Vieve are both active members of the Southern California Genealogical Society. Jay currently leads their Information Technology Team and the RootsMagic User Group. He has been a member of the SCGS board of directors since 2008 and he also serves on the Long-Range Planning Committee. Vieve presently serves as librarian, member of the Long Range Planning and Library Operations Committees, and as cataloguer for the CD collection. In the past, she has served as the Jamboree chair.

All genealogy societies face similar challenges but collaborative sessions like this are few and far between. The visit was so successful that it is likely to be repeated again as both societies plan to continue to share their experiences. Thanks, Jay and Vieve, for stopping by!


Photograph courtesy of Kathy Watson, 9/23/2010, Oakland, California.


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

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

The Carnival of Genealogy (COG) is a bimonthly blog event invented by Jasia of Creative Gene in June 2006. Individual genealogy bloggers write about an assigned topic and post the articles on their blogs. Each carnival edition has a host who gathers the submissions and publishes a round-up of links to the articles. This is my submission to the 84th edition: What the Carnival of Genealogy has meant to me.

The COG was a fixture in the genealogy blogging world before I knew much about blogs or ever heard of Jasia. Ironically, I first learned about her from a print article in the July 2007 issue of Family Tree Magazine. In my first blog post, An Experiment, I reported on how Jasia's series Declining Membership in Genealogical Societies led directly to the start of this blog.

It was a few months before I found a topic that propelled me into the carnival fun. I have to admit that the COG has always presented a bit of a challenge to me as a writer of a genealogical society blog. It's the reason the CGSL blog has submitted only six articles:

43rd Carnival of Genealogy - Technology (3/4/2008)

44th Carnival A Tribute to Anne Robinson (3/18/2008)

45th Carnival Chronicling Events in a Horseless Carriage (4/4/08)

68th Carnival A Tribute to Dorothy Fowler (1927-2009) (3/15/09)

77th Carnival CGS and the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire (8/1/09)

Carnival of Genealogy 82: Breaking Into Society (10/18/09)

But that's not to say that the COG hasn't played an important part in my blog upbringing!

My favorite contributions to the COG have been the tributes to women written the last two years in March for National Women’s History Month. It has been an honor to meet so many generous, talented members of the society and writing about them is the best part of the CGSL blog. I plan to write more tributes and more frequent member spotlight articles in the future.

One edition of the Carnival of Genealogy stands out for me from all the rest – the 77th Edition Disasters hosted by Miriam Robbins Midkiff at her award-winning blog, Ancestories: The Stories of My Ancestors. Miriam did a stellar job with the submissions, organizing them into themes and introducing each with a fitting quotation. The packaging was every bit as interesting as the articles themselves. I was amazed at much time and care she had put into the presentation. Her creativity inspired me to volunteer to host a future edition of the COG on the CGSL blog.

Of course hosting on this blog meant that the the theme would have to relate somehow to CGS – a rule that keeps me focused on my niche. That led directly to the idea to start a new blog carnival devoted to genealogical societies.

Now it is time for true confessions! I took credit for a new GenSo Carnival (coming in January 2010) and Jasia was a supportive co-conspirator. Just as she graciously announced the start of the CGSL blog to the world, she offered the COG as a launching pad so I could publicize the new carnival and Carnival of Genealogy 82: Breaking Into Society was the result.

But the fact is: Jasia came up with the idea! She may not remember (I didn't) that in post #8 of Declining Memberships: Promoting Your Organization With Technology she included using blog carnivals:

This is another ideal way for a genealogical society to advertise and promote their organization. Start a carnival and rotate hosts among group members. Other carnival watchers and bloggers will find it and you'll increase your group’s exposure. It's great advertising to sponsor a carnival!

Jasia, I apologize for usurping your idea. It was all you, as always! The fourteen articles you wrote have been a road map that I have been following for almost two years. To say that you have changed my life is NOT an exaggeration. I spend a part of nearly every day working on something for the California Genealogical Society that you outlined in that series.

Thank you for creating this edition of the COG so that I could publicly acknowledge your continuing support and encouragement. In this case, imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. I know that COG means Carnival of Genealogy but I am sure that gen-bloggers everywhere will agree that it also stands for Community of Geneabloggers. I can't thank you enough for showing me the way.

Carnival of Genealogy 82: Breaking Into Society

Welcome to the 82nd Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy - Breaking Into Society.

 Poster courtesy of the footnoteMaven.

What's your favorite genealogical society?
Do you belong to a society?
Tell us why!

Or if not, why not?

It's probably obvious that my favorite society is the California Genealogical Society and Library in Oakland, California. I've been blogging here since November 2007 so it's about time for me to host an edition of the carnival.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Jasia of Creative Gene for allowing me to use this edition of the COG to introduce a new carnival devoted exclusively to genealogical (and historical) societies which will start in January 2010.

More and more societies are starting blogs (Genealogy Blog Finder lists 77) and a carnival will be a great way for societies to share ideas and participate in some theme blogging. It's often difficult for society bloggers to join in the carnival fun - topics such as "ponies" or "bathing suit" aren't really society material!

I invite any suggestions about the new venture. Please feel free to email me or leave a comment below.

* * *

This is actually the second time that societies have been a COG theme. Number 6 – Genealogical Societies – was one of the earliest topics in August 2006. Just three short years ago Jasia had to comb the web to collect enough blog material for a carnival. How things have changed! Today we have blog posts written by nineteen twenty genea-bloggers with their thoughts on gen-society membership from all parts of the U.S. and a view from Canada and the U.K.

Janet Iles starts things off by sharing some very specific reasons why she is a member of three branches of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Why did I join our genealogical society? - Carnival of Genealogy is posted at Janet the researcher.

Dorene from Ohio tells what the Ohio Genealogical Society can offer you if you are looking for ancestors who lived in Ohio. Read My Favorite Genealogical Society: OGS at Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay.

Jasia of Creative Gene invites us to read about her experiences with two Polish genealogical societies in PGS1 and PGS2, What They Mean to Me and You. She recommends that anyone researching their roots in Poland join a Polish genealogical society: "The help they can give you is invaluable."

Charles Hansen is one of the team who writes the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society blog. He wonders "Will local genealogical societies change with the internet? Will they continue to attract new members? or die?" His answer to both questions – education. Read My Favorite Genealogical Society for the COG at his personal blog Mikkel's Hus. 
 

Apple hasn't had much success with her local society so she's considering branching out. She cites her recent experiences and tells all in Apple's Tree: Society Gal? posted at Apple's Tree.

John Gasson thinks much of his research would still be "struggling to get off the ground" without the resources of his local group. Read Why I couldn't live without the Sussex Family History Group at The Wandering Genealogist.

Greta Koehl of Greta's Genealogy Bog proclaims "The Fairfax Genealogical Society is one of the outstanding local genealogical societies in the United States – great both for newbies and for experienced and professional genealogists. It has played a major role in my genealogical education." Read why in My Favorite Genealogical Society.

Miriam Robbins Midkiff's started blogging for her favorite Eastern Washington Genealogical Society in July 2007. Since she has no ancestors from Eastern Washington, My Favorite Genealogical Society at AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors tells why a local society can have advantages over the ones in your ancestral locations.

Thomas MacEntee declares (as only Thomas can) "Just like Lays potato chips, with genealogical societies, you can't have just one!" I do believe he takes the prize for most society memberships. Tally them up at Destination: Austin Family: My Favorite Genealogical Society - Must There Be Just One?

GrannyPam says she doesn't consider herself to be a "joiner." Actions speak louder than words and Pam has shared plenty of both over the threatened closure of the Library of Michigan at Granny's Genealogy. See why she is active in her local society at What?s Your Favorite Genealogy Society?

Jessica Oswalt shares her reasons for not being a member of a genealogy society in Genealogy Societies - My Thoughts at Jessica's Genejournal. Elyse has a suggestion (below) that may fit the bill for Jessica!

Donna Pointkouski is another member of the Polish Genealogical Society of America and notes that this edition of the CoG coincides with Polish-American Heritage Month. Donna tells why she has held membership for almost twenty years in High on Societies: Genealogical Societies! posted at What's Past is Prologue.

Randy Seaver has been blogging the Chula Vista Genealogy Café since April 2007. He has lots to say on his favorite topic in Genealogical Societies - Socialization Networks posted at Genea-Musings.

For Susan C Pentico, "Sharing is what makes societies so special." Read her thoughts Favorite Genealogical Society's Winning Praise posted at Susi's Chatty Performances on Genealogy.

Bill West has let his society membership lapse (horrors!). He explains in WHY I'M NOT IN A GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY posted at West in New England.

Sheri Fenley is an active member of several organizations. It's not surprising that The Educated Genealogist lists "journals" and "educational opportunities" among her reasons for societal membership. She also discusses "schmoozing" in her post Genealogical and Historical Society Membership.

Twice this summer Elyse Doerflinger of Elyse's Genealogy Blog gave some great advice to genealogical societies. Now she is back with more wisdom beyond her years with COG 82: A Youngster's View of Genealogy Societies.

Elizabeth O'Neal of Little Bytes of Life calls herself A Genealogical Joiner and shares more of her quest to join a local society.

And last, but by no means least, the footnoteMaven submitted A Member of Society. fM provides a definition and some self-analysis. With the latter, my dear fM, I respectfully disagree!

Addendum! A late entry has been added from M. Diane Rogers at CanadaGenealogy, or, 'Jane's Your Aunt'. In Why I Belong Diane dons her red hat (which one are you?) and answers a pertinent question "Why should I visit a genealogical society library when there are plenty of libraries around?"

* * *

That concludes this edition of the Carnival of Genealogy.

Call for Submissions!
The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Musical Instruments! Do you play a musical instrument or did one of your family members? What instrument did you or they play? If no one in the family played an instrument, tell what is your favorite instrument or band and what is your least favorite one. The deadline for submissions is November 1st. This edition of the COG will be guest hosted by Janet Iles who authors the blog, Janet the Researcher.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using the carnival submission form. Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blog carnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Last Call For Submissions to the 82nd Edition of the COG

The California Genealogical Society and Library blog is hosting the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy: Breaking Into Society.

The deadline is today so you have until midnight tonight to answer the following questions:

What's your favorite genealogical society?

Do you belong to a society?

Tell us why! Or if not, why not?

Some CGS members may not be familiar with blog carnivals – collections of articles written about a specific theme. The host blog presents the edition (think magazine) and provides links to each blog article submitted.

The Carnival of Genealogy was invented by Jasia of Creative Gene in June 2006. There are two editions published each month and the CGSL blog is honored to be hosting the 82nd edition.

As always, the footnote Maven has created a beautiful poster for this edition of the COG. She has all the details on how to submit at her blog Breaking Into Society at the COG.

You Don't Know What You Don't Know

Tim Cox has an important message that he has agreed to share with our blog readers:

Over the twenty-five years or so of my genealogy experience, I’ve joined a few societies and organizations that interested me but I never got involved with them. I was more interested in being on their mailing lists, and being just a member at large who paid dues and received the monthly or quarterly newsletter. This arrangement suited me just fine because the only two events I ever attended in the 1980s were presentations hosted by the local society I belonged to. I felt really out of place at both events because I was in my twenties and everyone else was much older and way more experienced in genealogy and in life! So I resolved to do it on my own. It would take years for me to realize you don’t know what you don’t know.

I was on top of everything in my research. I had the guides that taught me how to set up correspondence and research logs; how to interview my living relatives and where to go to find census records, wills, and all the records I would need to find my ancestors. I was all set! I purchased a brief case to carry my folders, notepads, magnifying glass (for those hard to read records Bill Dollarhide’s book said I’d come across), pencils, tape recorder for interviews, and a few other things. I was ready for anything and everything!

Then came the computer age: America-On-Line, GEnie, Prodigy and others that are the grandparents of the sites we have today. I quickly picked up on how to communicate on mailing lists and met a lot of faceless online friends. My mother was shopping one day and purchased a family tree program for me. I was between jobs at the time and living at home, so this was a mistake on her part. It took me two weeks to enter in all of the information I had on paper. That was two weeks of not looking for a job! I eventually found one but it didn’t stop me from sitting up all hours of the night chatting and emailing about my ancestors.

Fast forward to 2007.

Over the years I continued researching my ancestors and I still belong to some of the same (and even joined a few new) societies and organizations. I'd also learned tips and tricks from experts in genealogy magazines and websites. I was still doing pretty well doing research on my own – just me, the internet and a couple of subscriptions. I'd read about attending local and national conferences and I guess I secretly wanted to attend one just to see what they were about and perhaps buy a few things for my library. But then I would think – who really needs to go to those things? You don’t know what you don’t know! It was while learning how to use an iPod Nano that I discovered podcasts and The Genealogy Guys. George and Drew had me hooked after just one session so I ended up downloading all of the previous episodes and listening to them all. Because of them I joined the California Genealogical Society and got involved. So involved that I want to do so much more than I really have time for.

And I have some regrets about the decisions I made in my twenties. Now I know I lost a golden opportunity to learn from others at the events I attended and at the societies I belonged to. They knew the history of the region and the state. Because I didn’t want to feel out of place I put myself at a disadvantage.

I’m willing to wager that even today there are people still thinking the same thing. They think that everything is on the internet and they don’t need to join a society or organization. You and I know that this is not true. But what can we do about it? I have a few suggestions.

1. Reach out to the youth and attempt to pull them into the joy of family history.
2. Use the networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to promote your events.
3. Establish a youth membership level.

You don’t know what you don’t know!

– Tim Cox

Looking Toward the Future

The best part of the recent Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree (for me) was meeting many of my fellow genea-bloggers face-to-face. We've been reading each others' blogs and getting to know one another on Facebook, but nothing beats real flesh-and-blood contact.

The youngest (by a few decades) of my new friends is Elyse Doerflinger, author of Elyse's Genealogy Blog and The Graveyard Rabbit Student.

Elyse and me.

Elyse has written a wonderful article Genealogy Societies Need To Look Towards the Future, which is full of sage advice and her honest opinions.

Think about what your average genealogist looks like: retired. People do not live forever (or stay in good health forever) and therefore, if societies truly want to survive, they must find ways to reach the next generation. Without reaching for the next generation, then all of their research, all of their hard work, and many of these societies are going to disappear.

Elyse goes on to inform her readers of her membership in the Youth Genealogists Association, an online genealogical "society" whose aim is "to provide opportunities and information to youth interested in their family history." It's heartening to know that there are kids out there who actually like genealogy!

I encourage our members to read Elyse's words of wisdom and let me know how they think CGS is doing. Are we providing opportunities for youth to be involved in our society? Are we reaching out to the next generation?

One thing does concern me. I checked our society website and was disappointed to find that the California Genealogical Society does not offer a student membership rate. You can be sure that I'll be bringing this up to our membership committee!

Update 7/11/09: Elyse has added a follow-up post with more suggestions and feedback. I'm happy to report that the California Genealogical Society and Library is doing several of the things that Elyse mentions!

I Heart Genealogical Society Blogs

Elizabeth O'Neal of Little Bytes of Life has honored me with the
I Heart Your Blog award. Thanks so much!

In her post, Sharing the Heart... I Mean, Love, Elizabeth gives the "rules" that accompany the honor:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link to the person who gave you the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs that you’ve nominated.

So many Genea-Bloggers have already received the distinction that I thought I would spread my blog-love to other genealogical and historical society blogs. Here is a sampling from around this country in alphabetical order:

Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe
Some of you may not know that the prolific Randy Seaver is also the president of the Chula Vista (California) Genealogical Society and writes a blog with Gary Brock for the society.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Blog
Miriam Robbins Midkiff started this Spokane society blog in July 2007. She is one of a team of writers including Donna, Charles and toppline.

Florida Genealogical Society (Tampa)
In June 2007, George Morgan outlined his board's decision to establish a society blog and eliminate their “traditional” Web page and printed newsletter.

Grand Traverse Area Genealogy Society
Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore "be-bopped" this Northern Michigan society into the 21st Century in May 2008.

Itawamba History Review: The Itawamba Historical Society

Bob Franks is publications editor of the Itawamba Historical Society and he is responsible for the beautiful photographs and content of this Itawamba County, Mississippi blog.

Moultrie Creek Online Historical Society
Denise Olson of Family Matters: Tech Support for the Family Historian created this "virtual society" blog to serve as a model and "learning center" for societies of all types to learn the "how-to" of bringing technology to an organization.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Blog
Robert Baca is an Alberquerque English teacher who teamed up with P.J. Easterly and created this state society blog in February 2008.

These are just a few of the fifty-eight Association and Society Blogs that Chris Dunham lists on the Genealogy Blog Finder, a fully searchable and up-to-date index of genealogically themed blogs. I'm sure you will find something there to love.

Picked By One of the Best

Each week several genealogy bloggers select their favorite posts from the blogosphere and link to them. It is a great way to support the genea-blogging community and is a helpful resource for readers to find new blogs and catch good reads.

The California Genealogical Society and Library blog was picked by Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings two times in the last month. His Best of the Genea-Blogs - June 22-28, 2008 featured Finding Cousins in the Library and Best of the Genea-Blogs - July 13-19, 2008 included In Case You Missed "A Day of Irish Information."

I met Randy and his lovely wife, Linda, at the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in Burbank last month. Randy is a retired aerospace engineer who easily takes the prize as the most prolific genea-blogger. Besides posting several times a day to his blogs (he authors four!), Randy is also the president of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society.

Randy always prefaces his picks with this:

Several hundred genealogy and family history bloggers write thousands of posts every week about their research, their families, and their interests. I appreciate each one of them and their efforts.

My criteria for "Best of ..." are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant. I don't list posts destined for the Carnival of Genealogy, or other meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.

Thanks, Randy, for the honor!

CGS Business Cards

I'm still working on a post about some of the lessons learned at Jamboree but I wanted to share a tool that Jane, Carolyn and I used last weekend.

As the chair of the Marketing Committee, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to promote the California Genealogical Society and Library.

My blog-mentor, Jasia, of Creative Gene, suggested the use of society business cards in her post, Two Plans for Marketing Your Group:

What you're going to do is give a dozen or so to every member in your group. Include them in initial membership or renewal packets or pass them out at meeting with the instruction to 'become an ambassador for the organization.'

Members should be encouraged to pass out these cards to anyone they have a casual conversation with when they're at the library doing genealogy research, chatting with someone at the bus stop, or even leave one with a tip for their favorite waitress. The point is to use these cards like a mini brochure for the organization. Ask group members to talk up the group whenever they get the chance... and pass out those business cards!

The card above is a generic one, created for use by anyone at the society. In addition, inexpensive personal cards are on order (from VistaPrint) for some board members and a few others with specialized jobs at the society. The cards proved indispensable at Jamboree.

Jasia admonishes:

Remember, genealogy is a people-based hobby if ever there was one. Word of mouth advertising by your members is a very personal and powerful resource. Use it!

If you are a member of CGS and you would like to have some cards to use to promote the society, please e-mail me or leave a comment.

Roots Central - Free Advertising for Non-profit Genealogical Organizations

Roots Television announced a new public service and free advertising outlet for genealogical societies and organizations. Roots Central is a slide show of "upcoming events, speaking schedules, new projects, and anything else of genealogical interest."


CGS submitted this graphic for inclusion on the site. Roots Central is updated every Tuesday, and submissions are due each Friday by noon Pacific time. Director of Operations, Samantha Butterworth, says that the CGS contribution should be up on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

CGS Annual Membership Meeting - 1/12/2008

The Annual Membership Meeting of the California Genealogical Society will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., at the CGS Library (2201 Broadway at 22nd, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA). Please join CGS President, Jane Lindsey, for a quick review of the society's accomplishments in 2007 and a look forward to what's in store for 2008, our 110th year of helping people find their roots.

This important session will include Colleen Huntley's power point presentation on the history of the society, an update on our Web site and blog, brief committee reports, approval of the society budget and election of new board members. There will be time for questions and answers.

The annual meeting is always well attended so arrive early to get a front seat, see old friends and meet some new ones. Light refreshments will be available before the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

The Universe of Immigration Records, 1882-1954

The San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society presents The Universe of Immigration Records 1882-1954 by noted immigration historian Marian Smith, at its membership meeting on Sunday, January 13, 2008. Dr. Smith's presentation will focus on records of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS, now USCIS) found at the National Archives and in Agency custody. It will begin with an overview of all types of records created and maintained over time, and how these records are distributed between the two agencies. Her talk will also cover the services and records becoming available through the new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Genealogy Program. A question and answer session will address the particular interests and concerns of researchers.

CGS Research Director, Nancy Peterson advises: "One should get there early as seating is somewhat limited. With respect to naturalization and immigration records, Marian is the smartest person in the country. You can check out some of her articles on the NARA Web site."

Time and Place:
Jewish Community High School
1835 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Lecture begins promply at 1:00. Admission free.
Free parking: enter parking garage from Pierce Street.

Marian Smith is the Senior Historian at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. She regularly lectures at national and international genealogy conferences on the history and uses of immigration and naturalization records held in the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

The San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society (SFBAJGS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development, preservation and distribution of Jewish genealogical knowledge and material, and the sharing of techniques and tools with others who may be searching their Jewish Roots. The SFBAJGS functions through the voluntary efforts of its members, all of whom are encouraged to participate. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors, according to a set of published bylaws. The SFBAJGS is a member of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) and Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS).

An Experiment

I often find myself looking back and retracing my steps to remember exactly how I got to where I am. It's something I do when researching my family genealogy and what I am doing now as I write this first blog entry. For me, the journey into the blogosphere started with a special report in the July 2007 Family Tree Magazine about shrinking membership in genealogical societies by Diane Haddad. Diane quoted Jasia, a "marketing expert who blogged at CreativeGene about societies after hers shrunk by half in three years." Off I went to learn from the master and to read her series of 17 posts: "Declining Membership in Genealogical Societies." Then I attended the 2007 FGS Annual Conference Meeting at the Crossroads of America in Fort Wayne, Indiana with a group from CGS. The keynote address was Societies Going Virtual by David E. Rencher and his conclusion was "Go Virtual or Perish!" I figured it was time to give this a try.

About me

Welcome to the California Genealogical Society and Library Blog - a Web log for and about the society - its members, programs and events.


I'm Kathryn Doyle and I am the writer and editor of this blog and of the California Genealogical Society and Library electronic newsletter – the CGSL eNews.

I am a great believer in genealogical society membership. I belong to three county societies in Pennsylvania where my forebears lived (Blair, Indiana and Huntingdon) and to the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast, Northern Ireland – my Doyles left County Tyrone at the time of the famine. I also hold membership in the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS), host of the annual Jamboree, in the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and in CGS, my local society here in Oakland, California.


Membership in the California Genealogical Society has given me more than just the "genealogical" benefits I had expected. Since I don't have California ancestry, I originally joined CGS for the surprisingly large Pennsylvania collection at the library. As I met other members I learned how much more you get from a local society. The volunteers at CGS are an amazing group of smart, talented, giving individuals and I value their friendship. The camaraderie is infectious - as I hope you will learn reading the California Genealogical Society and Library blog.

I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Feel free to email me or leave a comment at the end of any post.

Updated 10/18/2009 for the 82nd Carnival of Genealogy.