California Genealogical Society blog: genealogy education

Showing posts with label genealogy education. Show all posts

04 October 2017

Judy G. Russell Event: A Smashing Success!

Posted by Shannon Reese

If you weren't able to make it, then check out the photos and see what you missed. Come to our next big event - make plans now to attend our upcoming Blaine Bettinger, aka The Genetic Genealogist, event in March 2018. It should be available on our Eventbrite site by mid-October.

What happened
Judy G. Russell, aka The Legal Genealogist, was the featured guest lecturer for our September 23rd all-day seminar at the David Brower Center in Berkeley. It was a wonderful genealogy event! If you're not familiar with her, then check out one of her recent posts which highlighted our genealogical collections and resources at our genealogy library.

The California Genealogical Society (CGS) had tons of committed volunteers, thanks to Volunteer Coordinator Kathleen Beitiks. Add in a great venue, delicious food, a friendly vibe and a speaker with so much to talk about and we got genealogy magic that day. Many attendees commented on how much they enjoyed the day. The great photos you see were shot by member Ron Madson---thank you Ron!

A special thank you goes to Mary Mettler, a long-term member of CGS and a member of La Puerta de Oro–San Francisco Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) of San Francisco, California. Mary's commitment to genealogy and her generosity (helping to underwrite the event) benefitted all who attended.

See you at the next event!

15 September 2017

You're Invited! Judy G. Russell's Sept 23rd genealogy seminar in Berkeley

Posted by Shannon Reese

Maybe you won't feel like jumping for joy, but some of us do! Only 21 tickets are left for the event on Saturday, September 23rd (Doors open at 9 am - lectures begin at 9:45 am and last through 4 pm). It's sure to be a wonderful day of genealogy with the incomparable Judy G. Russell!

Judy's an engrossing and down-to-earth lecturer that really knows how to educate and entertain a crowd. The California Genealogical Society is really excited that the event is only a week away!

What do you get for your money?
4 great classes, including the ABC's of DNA, buffet-style lunch and assorted beverages throughout the day. Ticket prices are $115 for members and $140 for non-members.

The seminar is being held in the ADA accessible, Goldman Theater at the David Brower Center in downtown Berkeley. This beautifully finished theater features natural bamboo walls and plush raised theatrical seating. Key features include a hi-definition digital video and custom designed sound reinforcement by Meyer Sound.

Added bonus: it's 1 block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station or use The David Brower Center's on-site parking garage (only $17/per day)

Schedule
9:45 Facts, Photos and Fair Use: Copyright Law for Genealogists
Understanding what is and isn't copyrighted and what genealogists can and can't use is the key to staying out of trouble and to protecting our own work. Learn about what copyright is, and what it isn’t.

11:00 Martha Benschura – Enemy Alien
Not all our ancestors were naturalized. The ones who didn’t suddenly became suspect when war divided their native countries from their new residences, creating the kinds of records genealogists love.

12:00 LUNCH

1:00 Rogues, Rascals and Rapscallions: The Family Black Sheep
Playing detective in court records can unmask those black sheep every family has – and it’s fun! Learn to understand the criminal process in both federal and state courts and how to find the records to put meat on the bones of the skeletons in your family’s closet.

2:15 ABCs of DNA

New to the idea that DNA can help with genealogy? Learn about the three major test types - YDNA, mitochondrial (mtDNA) and the new autosomal DNA testing - and see what each offers to the genealogist.

What else?

There is a door prize, donated by the Southern California Genealogical Society and Family Research Library for a free Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 2018 registration.
We'll also have one auction item, a library card catalog---pretty cool, huh?

Sign-up today. We can't wait to see you there!

02 August 2017

Summer School at Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh I & II

Posted by Linda Okazaki

This past July was the latest GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh). Over two weeks (GRIP I & II), our members and many other genealogists from around the country had a blast learning the latest in the genealogy field!

Check out the photos and plan to attend yourself in 2018.

Back row: Vicky Kolakowski, Harold Henderson,
and James Russell. Front row: Sandra Benward,
Linda Okazaki and Vanessa Crews.
Photo by Debbie Deal

Grip Instructor Melissa Johnson, CG, with
CGS attendees Kathryn Doyle and James Russell
Photo by Michelle Novak

26 June 2017

Want to get started using your DNA results for genealogy?

Posted by Shannon Reese

You’re not alone. Almost daily we read about some breakthrough or connection being made using someone’s DNA. Sometimes it’s helping us see connections that either didn’t occur to us or seems unlikely, but nonetheless the thread is there.

The ABC’s of DNA
Some of you may already be a fan or you might be unfamiliar with her, either way Judy G. Russell, aka The Legal Genealogist, is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of genealogy and law and is presenting an all-day seminar at the David Brower Center in Berkeley on September 23rd. It’s conveniently located in downtown close to the BART and with ample parking nearby. Early-bird pricing available through July 5th.

One of the courses she’ll present is a wonderful primer class on DNA: ABC’s of DNA. Don't know which test to take? Not sure about the differences? This is your opportunity to hear one of the best introductory DNA lectures around. It's a don't-miss experience, capping off a day of lectures from one of the most sought after genealogists in the field.

This lecture is a great way to get started on the genetic genealogy bandwagon. You’ll add some skills to your genealogy toolbox, and learn which test to take in order to add to your genetic family tree.

Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist

It’s not just DNA --- you get a full day of genealogy
We'll start off the day with a lecture about Facts, Photos and Fair Use: Copyright Law for Genealogists. It’s another incredibly important topic to understand before you begin writing, publishing, or presenting. Every genealogist should know about copyright law.

After a beverage break (coffee, tea, juice), our second morning lecture will be about Martha Benschura - Enemy Alien . Did you ever wonder why someone would have been considered an Enemy Alien? Do you have Enemy Aliens in your family tree? If you do, how do you find out more?

Our catered buffet lunch by Greenleaf Platters will be a perfect time to catch up with old friends or to collaborate with colleagues.

Judy will really liven up the afternoon with her lectures on Rogues, Rascals and Rapscallions: The Family Black Sheep. Have you got one? Must of us have them in our families, and describing their adventures can really liven up your family’s history tales!

Then last, but most definitely not least, is the eye-opening ABC’s of DNA.

Join us and enjoy a full day of genealogy, see some old and hopefully meet some new friends, and feel the excitement as we welcome The Legal Genealogist to town. Tickets are selling fast, so don't wait. We hope to see you there!

28 April 2017

Life Story Writing, Enriching Your Family History

Posted by Shannon Reese

Ready to begin writing your family history? Then join us May 27^th from 1pm - 3pm at the California Genealogical Society’s Library in Uptown Oakland.

What’s it about?

Member Craig Siulinski will lead an engaging presentation that describes how writing your autobiography excerpts can enhance and enrich your family’s history. Free to members. Register here.

What to expect

In addition to participating in a few exercises that jog the mind and memory, attendees will write a short piece on one life story theme. Writing tips will be discussed and every participant will receive an eBook.

The main goal of this presentation is for participants to appreciate how genealogists writing their own autobiography excerpts can supplement and enrich their family histories.

Come be a part of this fun learning experience---register today!

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Craig Siulinski is a teacher and writer as well as an avid genealogist. He holds a Master of Science degree in Education from Cal State University East Bay, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Maine. Craig teaches K-12 education and is currently a Learning Specialist at Stanbridge Academy in San Mateo.

Documenting family stories and researching genealogy have been Craig’s passions since 2007. His first blog called August Legacy, is dedicated to his maternal grandfather, Auguste "Gus" Albert.

He has led classes and workshops to encourage others to use blogs for sharing their own family histories. In 2014, Craig created Sharing Legacies to help others tell and preserve their family stories for generations to come.

25 January 2017

Annual Appeal: We're Almost There...

Posted by Shannon Reese

Ready to put us over the top?

The Annual Appeal for the California Genealogical Society so far has raised 88% percent — $13,170 — of its $15,000 goal. We only need $1,830 to meet our goal for this year. Can we all come together and make it happen by Feb 1st? We’re very close to meeting our numbers for 2016 (thank you all). However, we still need your help to reach 100%.

Treasurer Kathie Jones said, "So far, 133 members have given a little over $13,000. I'm so happy to see that each year we're able to exceed our previous year's goal. In 2015 our goal was $12,500, which we accomplished, and I'm hopeful that we'll do the same for 2016's Annual Appeal. Our average donation this year is now $99 per person, a definite increase from the previous year. Thank you CGS members!”

Where does the money go?

Membership fees only cover 40% of our operating expenses; most of the rest comes from special events and tax-deductible donations from members like you. Kathie says, "The cost of real estate in the San Francisco Bay area continues to be our number one expense for the society---meaning our rent consumes about 70% of our budget."

Our library, with thousands of volumes, is one of the premiere genealogy libraries on the West Coast, and is one of the main reasons that many of you joined the society. Our member survey results showed that The California Nugget, our biannual genealogical magazine, is another huge draw for our members.

What’s on tap for this year?

Member Lisa Gorrell will lead our 17^th annual genealogy research trip to Salt Lake City in April and on September 23^rd we will play host to the incredible Judy G. Russell, also known as The Legal Genealogist.

We hope you’ll consider one or both of these enjoyable genealogical experiences. Both will help us raise needed funds for the society and library. We also have an interesting and constantly evolving slate of classes for you to choose from in 2017.

Genealogy community

In addition to the library, resources, trips, events and classes---it's the people that make The California Genealogical Society the valuable resource that it has become. Without your devotion of time and resources, we wouldn't be a leader in genealogy.

Thank you for all that you have done and will do for us in the future. Our future looks bright because of members and donors like you.

Please donate today.

You make our success possible.

Thank you.