Workshop: Scandinavian Research - June 14, 2008

When: Saturday, June 14, 2008, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Where: CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland

The second in a series of CGS Research Workshops will focus on ancestors from Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Please join our specialists: Laura Spurrier (Danish), Pat Smith (Swedish) and Gloria Hanson (Norwegian) as they examine Scandinavian research. Topics will include: border changes, census, church books and immigration information - where immigrants settled in the U.S. - and more. Handouts will be provided.

The workshop day will include a panel discussion, lunch break and informal work session so attendees can share ideas, do some computer research and consult one-on-one with Gloria, Pat and Laura. Members are encouraged to bring laptop computers; the six CGS computers may not all be available for the program.

Reservations are required; no walk-ins will be permitted. The workshop is free for CGS members but is limited to 15 people. There will be a sign-up fee of $10 for non-members. (The fee can be applied toward membership on the day of the workshop.) There is a sign-up sheet at the CGS Library desk. Please call (510) 663-1358 to reserve a space.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn new strategies and meet other members with similar research interests.

Jane's Report from Sacramento

CGS President, Jane Lindsey, shared a cup of coffee and enjoyed an afternoon with ten Sacramento area members at a meeting hosted by Janet Feil at the Belle Cooledge Branch Library yesterday, May 7, 2008. Elaine Adamson brought her cousin, Pat Procida, who became the newest member of CGS.

The group had an informal discussion about upcoming events at the society. Members had several suggestions which Jane will report to CGS:

• Sell handouts from major CGS events. Offer the syllabus to those who cannot attend the conference for a fee plus mailing costs.
  

• Create Surname and Locale sections on the CGS Web site to allow members to network with others with similar interests.

• Provide meetings summaries for members who could not attend. Jane suggested that members check the CGS blog or Steve Danko's Genealogy Blog if they miss a meeting. Steve has posted extensive reports on CGS meetings that he has attended.

Several members also expressed an interest in forming a carpool for a day of research to the CGS Library.


L. to R. (front row): Virginia Doyle, Helen Sheahan, Shirley Williams, Dorothy Romo; (back row): Jane Lindsey, Amy Dorman. Lynne Roberts, Janet Feil (hostess), Elaine Adamson, Pat Procida and Ron Davis.

Moultrie Creek Online Historical Society (MCOHS)

I've been asked to contribute to a new online adventure with two of my fellow genea-bloggers, Denise Olson, of Family Matters and Thomas MacEntee, of Destination:Austin Family. Denise has created a fictitious society - the Moultrie Creek Online Historical Society (MCOHS). Its purpose is to serve as a model and "learning center" for societies of all types to go and learn the "how-to" of bringing technology and digital services to an organization to help it grow.

Denise's vision is to create a network blog with many contributors - having "people with different backgrounds and specialties post articles that could help provide the information and support for historical, genealogical, family and veterans groups."

I look forward to participating in this exciting new project.

CGS is Going to the Jamboree!

Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree
Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel
and Convention Center
Burbank, California
June 27-28-29, 2008

CGS President Jane Lindsey is attending this year's 39th Annual SCGS Jamboree with a small contingent from the Bay Area. The society has reserved a table in the Exhibit Hall next to the California State Genealogical Alliance.

This year's theme is "Solve Your Family History Puzzle." CGS member, past-president of the Southern California Genealogical Society and Co-Chair of this year's Jamboree, Paula Hinkel, is the author of the Jamboree blog which features everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know about the schedule, events and speakers.

CGS will host a Membership Coffee at the Jamboree on Friday morning, June 27, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Members who live in the Los Angeles area are invited to join CGS President Jane Lindsey for an update on society events. Guests are welcome. CGS members, please let us know if you will be attending.

Acknowledging Our Volunteers

A message from our president, Jane Lindsey:

During this National Volunteer Week, I would like to celebrate the many volunteers we have at the California Genealogical Society and Library.

Being an all-volunteer organization, our members run the library, organize a variety of indexing projects, troubleshoot computer issues and handle mail, book orders, research requests and membership renewals. Volunteers also work from home: writing, editing, proofing and formatting our many publications; coordinating member programs and events; managing our Web sites and so much more.

Our volunteers come from many walks of life and their experience brings an added dimension to our society. Members with the financial know-how keep our books and safeguard our investments. An engineer who solved a problem with our new shelving saved us hundreds of dollars!

I would also like to thank many of our guest speakers who come and speak without charge to our society, and to acknowledge society members who generously share their expertise through lectures and workshops.

In this age of "pajama research" when many new genealogists think "everything is online," the genealogy society is sometimes regarded as passé. But it is the personal connections we make as volunteers that is the most rewarding part of belonging to a society.

The California Genealogical Society and Library has no paid staff. Our volunteers ARE our society. I so appreciate the willingness of members who not only DO the necessary jobs needed to effectively run CGS but who also freely share their genealogical expertise. Thanks to all of the members of the California Genealogical Society - we wouldn't be as strong as we are without you!

–Jane Lindsey