Wordless Wednesday

Angel Island Family History Day Views

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Photographs courtesy of Judy Bodycote.


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

Introducing Marie Treleaven

I am excited and honored to introduce a partner to the blog! Marie Treleaven has agreed to write a series of spotlight articles about the committees of the California Genealogical Society. Most of our volunteers do their work as part of a committee with a designated chairperson who submits monthly reports to the board of directors. Look for Marie's first article later this week.

Marie Treleaven

My name is Marie Treleaven and I am a new member as well as being fairly new to genealogy. I assist Kathryn Doyle with the newsletter, press releases and now this blog.

I am an archaeologist, former college professor, and recently a nonprofit researcher and administrator. Like thousands of others I am not a native Californian; my roots are in New York and New Jersey. I find family history research as exciting as an archaeological dig and even more fulfilling personally. I was glad to find the California Genealogical Society. Just having so many people who share the same interest is exciting and stimulating. Back in April I went on the trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and it was an eye-opener. I can’t wait to go back. 

My assignment with this blog is to bring the perspective of a brand-new member to different elements of the CGS. I know I will learn a lot and I hope that all of you, no matter if you are an old-hand or a newbie, will find something that you did not know before or maybe had not thought of in a long time.

Welcome, Marie!


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

Angel Island Family History Day is Here!

There's no need to worry, Angel Island is a state park so it's not affected by the government shut-down. Ferry service to Angel Island provided by Blue and Gold Fleet.

Grant Din has put together a fantastic program:

10:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Free open house of the Immigration barracks by State Park interpreters and staff – at your leisure. You are also encouraged to visit the grounds from the barracks to the bay, including the footprint of the Administration Building, the Immigrant Heritage Wall, Chinese immigrant memorial, and dock where immigrants first stepped ashore. The pier that formerly extended into the bay was torn down in the 1960s.

12:30 p.m.
Family History Panel at the historic World War II mess hall will explore Angel Island and family history research about families that traveled through the facility. Introduction by Michael McKechnie, executive director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation.

Moderator: Grant Din, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation staff, grandson of four Angel Island grandparents and avid family history researcher for over thirty years.

Panelists: Maria Sakovich, public historian, independent scholar and author of Angel Island Immigration Station Reconsidered: Non-Asian Encounters with the Immigration Laws, 1910-1940 (MA thesis) and several related articles; Kay Speaks, expert genealogist and member of the Livermore-Amador Valley Genealogical Society; and Rosalyn Tonai, executive director of the National Japanese American Historical Society whose mother’s family journeyed through Angel Island in the 1930s.

There will be handouts and time for questions.

2:30 p.m.
Formal ending of the program but panelists will be available for questions. Attendees can continue to
make self-guided visits to the Immigration Station.

Several genealogical and historical organizations will have information display tables in Room 105 in the nearby immigration barracks.

Special thanks to the staff and volunteers of Angel Island State Park who make this event possible!

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

Ancestry Day San Francisco 2013 Flier

Flier by Debbie Mascot. Thank you, Debbie!

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

eNews October 2013, volume 7, number 10

The October 2013 eNews, volume 7, number 10, 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."

This month we honor the Robinson family of California Nugget Production Editor Lois Elling.

Lois' father Herman Robinson and his sister Alice posing in front of the family car in 1918 Los Angeles. 

Past issues of the eNews are available at the eNews archive.

The November 2013 issue will be emailed on October 31, 2013. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.

California ancestor photograph courtesy of Lois Elling.

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