This blog is for and about the California Genealogical Society. We hope you will join us on our genealogy journey!
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Spaces are filling fast for the 2011 Salt Lake City Research Tour. Although final payment isn't due until April 15, 2011, plan to send a deposit ASAP to hold your place.
Payment can be made online via PayPal or you download the information flier and snail mail a check.
Once you have signed up, appointments can be made in person or by phone to discuss your research plan. Email Jane Knowles Lindsey if you have any questions.
I first published this "top ten" list of reasons to go to Salt Lake City with the California Genealogical Society three years ago – but they still hold true today.
#10 - The Family History Library is vast and going alone for the first time can be intimidating. Come with two experienced leaders who will save you hours of time learning what is where and how best to use the overwhelming number of resources.
#9. - Arrangements for hotel, breakfast, shuttles and three dinners have already been made for you. Accommodations are at the Shilo Inn - three blocks from the Family History Library and the rooms have free wireless internet.
#8. - Spend time with like-minded individuals. No one will roll their eyes when you start rattling on about your great-great whoever. Where else can you spend a week with other people who are just as nutty about genealogy as you are?
#7. - You will finally have time to organize your papers. Catch an early flight and throw everything into an extra suitcase. Spend Sunday afternoon in your hotel room without distractions and get ready for a week of research. (Believe me, we have all done this!)
#6. - Take advantage of advanced assistance. Jane and Nancy will review your research goals and objectives and make suggestions before you even go to Salt Lake.
#5. - The tour is a perfect blend of togetherness and alone time. Three dinners are planned with the group (don't miss Saturday night at Lamb's) and the other evenings are free to do with as you please. Groups meet informally in the library lobby for lunch and you can choose to join them, explore on your own or stay and work through lunch.
#4. - Nancy Peterson, CG has donated her time and expertise to assist you. Nancy is the CGS Research Director and has taught numerous genealogy classes. Private appointments with her during the week are included in the price.
#3 - Jane Lindsey is a mother hen who logs miles and miles running up and down the library stairs making sure we are all finding what we need. She has been researching in Salt Lake City for over twenty years and has led all of the CGS tours.
#2 - The company is fantastic. I've made friends that I only see once a year but we pick up just where we left off. And there is always someone in the group who has the experience in an area that you don't.
And the number ONE reason to go to Salt Lake City with the California Genealogical Society?
It is the perfect way to get away from life's distractions and responsibilities – except to your ancestors.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
California Genealogical Society and Library works with FamilySearch to provide free online access to the records of funeral homes in the San Francisco area. These records are among the few collections that date back prior to 1906 and the San Francisco earthquake and are great substitutes for death records for that time period.
A half dozen or so San Franciscans interested in genealogy gathered at Dr. Edward Stephen Clark's office at 16 Geary. They pooled their knowledge of family history research and shared the materials they'd separately gathered. In fact, they held the first meeting of what would become the California Genealogical Society, the state's first organization of family history researchers.
Friday, February 18, 2011,
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612
In celebration of Black History Month, the California Genealogical Society presents a special program by one of our newest members, Anita Wills. Her two talks on African-American history and research are free and open to the public.
1:00 p.m. African Americans in California
Anita will discuss the history and background of African-American settlers in California prior to and after the Civil War.
2:30 p.m. Mining Gold: Finding My Ancestor in Gold Country
Anita presents the story of her ancestor, William Penn Martin – a soldier, gold miner, and inventor. Martin was born in Pennsylvania and may have remained there had it not been for the Civil War. He joined the United States Colored Troops shortly after the war broke out. His unit traveled to Texas, where he mustered out. Family lore has it that he joined the Texas Rangers and went to California to mine gold. Wills will share some of his fascinating adventures.
Writer, author and speaker Anita Willis has been a genealogy researcher for over thirty years, specializing in free persons of color in Colonial Pennsylvania and Virginia. She is the author of two books: Pieces of the Quilt: The Mosaic of An African American Family and Notes and Documents of Free Persons of Color. Anita is a new member of CGS and hosts Anita Talks Genealogy, on Blog Talk Radio. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Monacan Indian Nation in Amherst County, Virginia, she is currently working on her third book, Minqua: People of the Welsh Mountains.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
The February 2011 issue of the eNews, volume 5, number 2, has been published and emailed to members and friends. As always, the eNews features timely information about the California Genealogical Society and our upcoming events. Each edition also includes Suggested Links From the Blogosphere and a photo feature: California Ancestors.
In this month's edition, member Kay Speaks shares four generations of her family photos and sends greetings:
