Mad about Maps Genealogy Seminar with Melinda Kashuba - Saturday, September 14, 2013

Portion of an 1895 panoramic map of Stockton, California from Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division

Saturday, Sept 14, 2013

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library

2201 Broadway, Suite LL2

Oakland, California 94612

Maps assist genealogists in not only locating physical addresses but also providing context for the lives of their family. Maps provide details about the places where an ancestor lived, worked, worshiped, attended school, shopped, and recreated. Dr. Melinda Kashuba is back with three talks to show how maps and online map tools can help you flesh out an ancestor’s life.

Using Maps for Urban Research
This lecture is designed to introduce different types of historical city maps that are useful in locating urban ancestors, their homes, and workplaces.

Locating Foreign Maps for Genealogical Research
Ready. Set. Jump into research abroad. This lecture will teach you how to locate maps that detail your ancestors’ lives in the home country.

Online Mapping Tools and Apps
New tools available on the Internet can help you document your ancestor’s life, a genealogy research vacation or help solve research problems. Google Earth, Crowd Map, Click2Map, and others will be showcased in this fun lecture that shows you how to create customized maps.

Register online

This in-house seminar is limited to thirty participants. The fee is $20.00 for members. Non-member fee is $40.00 (non-refundable). Non-members who attend can receive a $20 discount on a new membership only on the day of the class.

Preregistration is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Registration confirmations will be sent to the first thirty registrants. Additional names will be collected and placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

Dr. Melinda Kashuba holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a professor of geography at Shasta College and a professional genealogist. Dr. Kashuba is a popular lecturer and the author of Walking with Your Ancestors: a Genealogist’s Guide to Using Maps and Geography (Family Tree Books, 2005) and numerous articles. Her research specialties include nineteenth and twentieth century American records and maps. She performs genealogical research for clients and lives with her family in Northern California.

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

Wordless Wednesday

Using DNA to Solve Your Genealogical Mysteries

Preservation Park, Oakland, California

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Photographs by Kathryn Doyle and Jane Lindsey, Oakland, California.


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

Using DNA to Solve Your Genealogical Mysteries

Saturday, April 27, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Nile Hall
Preservation Park
668 Thirteenth Street
Oakland, CA 94612

Do you have more questions than answers about how DNA can help with your genealogy research Are you eager to let DNA help you overcome a brick-wall?

Join the California Genealogical Society for a day of DNA and learn how to connect with living cousins around the world.

Schedule

9:00 a.m. Registration, coffee /tea

9:30 – 10:30 Crash Course in DNA, Katherine Borges
Katherine will describe the types of tests and what they reveal, where to get them, what to do with the results.

10:45 - 11:45 Hoskins Y-DNA Case Study, Tony Hoskins
Tony will talk about what happens when your DNA does not match while sharing the twists and turns his DNA research has taken.

11:45 - 1:15 Network during lunch. Visit a local restaurant or order a boxed lunch when you register.

1:15 - 2:45 How Are CGS Members Using DNA?
Ken Haughton will discuss mutations found in his research and how he is using them to break down some of his brick walls. Pam Miller will show how DNA has provided the final irrefutable evidence in proving lineage.

3:00 - 3:30 Panel discussion – questions from the audience.

Register online.

Download the seminar flier.

Katherine Borges

Katherine Hope Borges is co-founder and director of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG), which promotes and educates about genetic genealogy. ISOGG has grown to over 8,000 members in 70 countries. Through ISOGG, Katherine has increased professional standards in the practice, research, and discussion of relevant issues in DNA testing, interpretation, and ethics. She organized a speakers bureau and has given many presentations on genetic genealogy to groups across the United States and in the United Kingdom. She administers several surname, regional, and haplogroup DNA projects. 

Tony Hoskins

Tony Hoskins manages and heads the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library. A frequent lecturer in the Bay Area, he is also the Sonoma County Archivist managing the Sonoma County Archives at Los Guilicos that houses many of the county's original land, probate, tax, naturalization, vital, and court records. Tony’s interest in genetic genealogy began three years ago when he compared his DNA to that of a fifth cousin and found they did not match. He discovered it was his line that was the problem.


Photograph of Katherine Borges used with permission of Dick Eastman.


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

French-Canadian Seminar and Panel Discussion

Dr. Robert Jackson

Saturday, March 23, 2013

10:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library

2201 Broadway, Suite LL2

Oakland, California 94612

Dr. Robert Jackson, a retired Harvard history professor and businessman, will give participants an overview of the history of Quebec, providing historical perspective to French Canadian research. Come hear him discuss major French Canadian resources and online resources for your genealogy research. He will also offer suggestions for U.S. research to trace your ancestor back to Quebec.

The last hour of the seminar will be devoted to a panel discussion with time for questions from the audience. Mary Beth Frederick and Tom Gesner will assist.

Seminar Schedule:

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Brief History of Quebec and how it affected the Canadian population, including the King’s daughters (Filles du Marier), the Carignan Regiment, and the Acadians.

11:15 a.m.

-12:15 p.m. Discussion of Important Record Sets for French Canadian research, including notarial records, the Drouin Collection, the PRDH, Jette’s genealogy dictionary the Tanguay Collection, the Census and other resources. The use of “dit” names (alternate surnames) and online resources will also be covered.

12:15 -

1:00 p.m. Lunch: Bring your own lunch and network with other French Canadian researchers.

1-2 p.m. Beginning your French Canadian research in the U.S Ideas for identifying the French name will be discussed, as well as using churches with a large French Canadian population as a resource. We will look at migration patterns of French Canadians to the U.S. Marriages in VT, NH, and NY are often hard to find.2:15-
3:15 p.m. Q & A and Panel Discussion

Preregistration is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Registration confirmations will be sent to the first thirty registrants. Additional names will be collected and placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

Register online.

The class is limited to thirty participants. The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members, with the option to apply $20 to a membership that day to allow one discounts for other classes.

Registrants are encouraged to give as much information beforehand on their French Canadian ancestors as possible, including at a minimum the name and birthdate of their most recent French-Canadian ancestor as well as the names of his/her parents and their marriage date/location. Registrants should email this information at time of registration to events@california ancestors.org, with the email subject of FRENCH CANADIAN FAMILY INFORMATION.

Robert Jackson holds a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. After several years' teaching at the college level, he pursued a professional career in banking and finance. Since retiring he has assisted a variety of not-for-profit and community organizations and has enjoyed his hobbies of genealogy and tennis. He lives in Berkeley, is devoted to his wife, and is very proud of his daughter, now in her junior year at Bennington College in Vermont.


The writing assistance of Carol Corville Horn is gratefully acknowledged.

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

32nd Annual Ancestor Roundup Seminar January 28, 2013

Kitty Nevin, CGS member and Volunteer Chair of Ancestor Roundup 2013 sent this announcement:

The 32nd Annual Ancestor Roundup Genealogical Seminar will be held Saturday, January 26,  2013, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at the LDS Church, 1024 Noche Buena at Plumas Avenue, Seaside California.

Nationally known genealogist, author and college instructor Karen Clifford, AG, is keynote speaker and one of over a dozen instructors at the all-day genealogy conference.

Download the registration flier.

Download the 2013 Schedule of Classes.

The event is co-sponsored by the Commodore Sloat Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

For more information email Serita Sue Woodburn.

The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution granted a charter to the Pacific Grove Chapter on September 29, 1922. In 1934, the chapter name was changed to Commodore Sloat Chapter to commemorate the historical significance of Commodore John Drake Sloat in California history. In 2011, to reflect the historical importance of Commodore Sloat's landing in Monterey, the chapter location was changed to Monterey, California.


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

NEHGS Comes West: Friday, October 26, 2012

The wait is over! It's been three years since our last event with the New England Historic Genealogical Society. This year NEHGS President and CEO D. Brentan Simons will be here with Rhonda McClure and David Allen Lambert who will present two tracks of lectures at our full day Friday seminar. You choose the talks you want to attend. Topics will include vital records, immigration, online searching, New York state, and, of course, New England.

Choose the seminar, the dinner, or both!

Friday, October 26, 2012, 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Full Day Seminar, Continental Breakfast and Lunch
Hs Lordships Restaurant at the Berkeley Marina, 199 Seawall Drive, Berkeley, California
Rhonda McClure and David Allen Lambert will present eight lectures in two tracks.

Session 1
Option A: Beyond the Grave: Looking Past Your Ancestor’s Death Record (David)
Option B: Unique Resources in NY State Research (Rhonda)

Session 2
Option A: New Resources on AmericanAncestors.org for New England Research (David)
Option B: Researching New York City Ancestors (Rhonda)

Lunch, NEHGS and CGS updates, book sales, auction results

Session 3
Option A: Getting the Most out of New England Vital Records Online, in Print and on Film (David)
Option B: The Golden Door Has Locks – Tracing Immigrant Ancestors (Rhonda)

Session 4
Option A: Researching New England Military Records (David)
Option B: I Can’t Find It – Understanding Online Search Limitations (Rhonda)

Friday, October 26, 2012, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Optional Dinner and No-host Cocktails
Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 4th Street Berkeley, California

After dinner, a presentation by Brenton: Red Alert! Save Your Family History... NOW!

Saturday, October 27, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Private Consultations by appointment only
CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, California

A limited number of 20-minute consultations will be available for $25. Consultations must be paid in advance by September 24, 2012. Scheduling preference will be given to seminar attendees. Please email Leah Walczak or call 617-226-1226 or 888-286-3447.

Register by September 23, 2012 for our special "early bird" prices!

• Seminar- $60.00
• Dinner- $50.00

Starting September 24, 2012, the $15 discounts end, and prices will be $75 for the seminar and $65 for the dinner.

Download the registration flier.

Register online.

Rhonda R. McClure, NEHGS Senior Researcher, is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer specializing in New England and celebrity research as well as computerized genealogy.

David Allen Lambert, NEHGS Online Genealogist, has been with NEHGS since 1993. His specialties include New England, Atlantic Canadian, British, and military research. He is a national speaker and author.

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

A Day with the Photo Detective Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Photo credit: Erik Jacobs Photography

Wednesday, June 6, 2012
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Building
3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549

Join us for A Day with the Photo Detective. Maureen Taylor is returning to Northern California and bringing her blend of photo curation, genealogy, and history.

She's presenting four new talks:

• Hair-sterical & Mad as a Hatter: 19th Century Photos in Your Files 
• Eight Basic Steps to Preserving Your Photos 
• Google Images and Beyond: Adding Pictures to Your Family Collection 
• Kodak Moments and Technicolor Dreams: 20th-Century Photos and Films in the Family Archive

Visit our event site – A Day with the Photo Detective – for full information and the link to our registration page.

Register by May 6, 2012 for the early bird price – just $48 to attend this all-day event. The price includes lunch – sandwich & salad buffet – with vegetarian choices. After May 6, 2012, price will increase to $58.
 
Please invite your friends – you don't need to be a CGS member to attend!

In the four years since Maureen was here, she's written several more best-selling books and her most popular titles will be available for purchase at the event.

Maureen is also offering a limited number of photo consultations to seminar registrants. Consultations will take place the day before the seminar on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the California Genealogical Society Library in Oakland. They are by-appointment-only and must be scheduled in advance with Maureen Taylor. Visit CGSphoto.weebly.com for more information.

Twitter followers, the hashtag for A Day with the Photo Detective is #CGSphoto. Please track our event on Lanyard.com or let us know there that you will be attending!


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

Tracking Down Our German Ancestors with Warren Bittner, CG

CGS member, Virginia Kysh, sent word of this upcoming annual spring seminar sponsored by the Sacramento German Genealogical Society.

Saturday, April 21, 2012 
9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
(Registration 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.)

Sacramento Turn Verein
3349 J Street
Sacramento, CA

Topics will include:

• German Maps and Territories
• German Gazetteers and Levels of Jurisdiction 
• Marriage Laws and Customs
• Elusive Immigrants
• U.S. Federal Land Case Files – Key Records for German Immigrants
• Welcome to the Library – Reading to Put Your Family into Historical Context

Download the seminar flier.

Warren Bittner, CG is a genealogical researcher and lecturer, with twenty-five years of research experience. He is the owner of Ancestors Lost and Found, a small genealogical research firm and was the former German Collection Manager for the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Bittner has done extensive research in U.S., German, and Swiss records, and is an expert in late nineteenth-century New York City Research.


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

RootCellar 21st Annual Spring Genealogy Seminar March 31, 2012

CGS member Denise Richmond of the Sacramento Genealogical Society sent this notice of their upcoming Spring Seminar:

Saturday, March 31, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Doors open 8:30 a.m.)

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
11427 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Fair Oaks, California

RootCellar, the Sacramento Genealogical Society, announces their 21st annual spring seminar with George G. Morgan, author of How To Do Everything: Genealogy. The full-day event includes an optional lunch, gift basket raffle, and book-signing.

Topics include:

• The Genealogist as CSI
• Push and Pull: Reasons for Migration 
• Sidestep Genealogy 
• Bring ‘Em Back to Life: Developing an Ancestor Profile

Download the registration flier.

George G. Morgan is president of Aha! Seminars, Inc., a training company for libraries and genealogical societies since 1996. He is the author of numerous books and articles, co-host with Drew Smith of The Genealogy Guys Podcast and he has held many positions in state and and national genealogical societies.


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