Wordless Wednesday

Field Trip to the San Francisco Public Library and

Tour by City Archivist Susan Goldstein and Staff

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Photographs by Kathryn M. Doyle.

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

On the Road Again: Practical Tips for Successful On-Site Research

Thursday, August 15, 2013

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612

A research trip to one's ancestral home can be extremely rewarding, but also may present many challenges. Join Pam Brett for an evening class on successful on-site research. Pam will share practical tips on how to plan an on-site research trip, to achieve your research goals and to bring home new understanding of the lives of your ancestors.

Register online.

This class is limited to thirty participants and is a free benefit of membership. Non-members fee is $20.00 (non-refundable) and can be applied towards membership 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.

Pam Brett has been interested in genealogy for nearly forty years since she began filling in the family tree of her first-born child’s baby book. Raising two daughters and working as a public health social worker left little free time until 1999 when she began her family research in earnest.

Brett's ancestors were mobile which led to research in thirty-one states and the District of Columbia. She loves doing on-site research in the States "where there are many challenges but the rewards are priceless."


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

eNews July 2013, volume 7, number 7

The July 2013 eNews, volume 7, number 6, 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 Stover and Mishler families of member volunteer Anna Junglas.

Cecelia Stover and Benjamin James [seated], Alice Stover and William Mishler [standing] 

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

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

California ancestor photograph courtesy of Anna Junglas.

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

The California Nugget, Spring 2013, Volume V, Issue 1

The Spring 2013 edition of The California Nugget has been sent to the printer and will soon begin arriving in members' mailboxes. Editor Jane Hufft and Production Editor Lois Elling have created another great issue. Here is Jane Hufft's letter from the editor:

Dear Readers,

Yes, it has been a race against time to have this issue of The California Nugget arrive in your mailboxes while it is still officially spring! We do hope you will enjoy the articles and information we have gathered for our CGS readers and friends.

The reissue of Kathleen C. Beals’ Index to San Francisco Marriage Returns 1850 – 1858 is one of many projects underway at the society. This new edition will once again make this important data available to researchers. We asked Kathleen about the history of the Index, which she recounts in her article that begins on the front cover. Data from the nineteenth century, compiled in the twentieth, is newly available in the twenty-first.

This issue is especially rich in family history. Linda Harms Okazaki tells the story of her research into the Okazaki family’s internment during WWII and what she discovered as she traced the ordeal: forced removal from home and possessions, separation from family members and community, loss of identity and dignity.

An ancestor’s diary is a treasure for a family historian. Lisa Gorrell places a series of diary entries into the context of her ancestor’s life, illuminating courtship in the 19th century, and letting us know how Amos Gorrell chose his future wife and made important personal decisions.

Lavinia Grace Schwarz has meticulously traced the history of her most elusive ancestor, Laura Evelyn Duggan Gilbert Christie, in the hopes that someone, somewhere, has a photograph of her. In the meantime, Lavinia’s sketch of Laura’s complicated life is not to be missed.

While CGS currently has over a thousand members, the special page honoring Member Anniversaries celebrates the long-term commitment to the society demonstrated by those who have been members from twenty- five to fifty years. In the fall issue, we will celebrate another group, those who have been members for twenty to twenty-four years.
Jane Hufft
Editor

TABLE of CONTENTS

Twenty-First Century Genealogy

Compiling the San Francisco Marriage Returns Index by Kathleen C. Beals

California Ancestors
Ancestral Footsteps: The Okazaki Family by Linda Harms Okazaki
The Courtship and Marriage of Amos Gorrell, Jr. and Catherine E. Sayre in Ross County, Ohio by Lisa Gorrell
Laura Evelyn Duggan Gilbert Christie by Lavinia Grace Schwarz
1883 Pensioners List: Millidge, Charles to Philps, Oren 

For Our Readers
The Borkenhagen Files: Born in San Francisco compiled by Carol Horn

At the Society
Research Trip to the Allen County Public Library: Registration Flier 
Save the Dates!
Member Anniversaries Twenty-five to Fifty Years
Index 
Do You Have a WWI Ancestor?

The California Nugget, the magazine of the California Genealogical Society, is published twice a year. Its purpose is to share the unique genealogical material in the CGS library, add to the body of family history information about Californians, offer guidance and timely information to family researchers, and to provide a forum for members to share their expertise and findings. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the society. The magazine is distributed free to members and is available to non-members for $5.00 an issue, plus postage.

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

Chinese-American Family History Workshop Saturday, July 27, 2013

Paper son Leong Wing Ding,  age 6, Case 3116/7-3, arrived 20 Dec 1930 at Port of San Francisco. Interrogation by immigration inspectors of Wing and his mother and sister lasted three days. His personal case file had forty-four pages of documents, including these photographs.

Saturday, July 27, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

Getting Started: Basic Research Techniques and Setting Research Goals

Join researchers Christine DeVillier, Kay Speaks and Doug Joe for a Chinese-American family history research workshop. The class is geared towards those newly beginning their Chinese-American research. No Chinese language skills required.

Schedule:
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Beginning Chinese Genealogy: Basic Training, Doug Joe
Learn the steps you need to start your Chinese family heritage research. Discussion will include: surnames, phonetic spellings, Chinese characters, multiple ancestors' names, the family interview, heirloom archeology, and gravestone inscriptions.

11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Beginning Chinese Genealogy: Internet Resources, Christine DeVilliers
This talk will cover both popular and lesser known English and Chinese online resources. A full list of internet resources and tools will be provided.

12:10 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch - Bring your own lunch and join us for informal discussions.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Passenger Lists: Annotations and Markings, Kay Speaks
Immigration records, known as “passenger arrival” records, provide valuable genealogical information. After April 1, 1924, immigrants in the U.S. who wanted to travel abroad could apply for a reentry permit. These permits required their original port of entry, ship and date of arrival. The immigrant’s provided information was verified against the original passenger list. Verification clerks would annotate the permit request on the original passenger list. Bring copies of your passenger lists if you have any.

2:10 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Open discussion, technique review, hands on research, review. Bring copies of your personal research records for sharing and review as possible research tools. You are welcome to stay later until the library is closed.

Register online.

Please note:

• Class is limited to twenty participants. Fee for both days, $20.
• No walk-ins.
• Priority will be given to first time attendees. (Attendees who attended our previous Chinese-American workshop may be wait-listed.
• Bring your wireless laptop and copies of your family records. if you would like the instructors to provide feedback.

Christine DeVillier has been practicing genealogical research as an avocation for more than ten years. She is of multiple ethnicities: Chinese, German, Danish, English, Tahitian, and possibly other European ancestry. This background, and her on-going active research into all facets of her ancestry, has presented her with numerous rich opportunities for her to explore the international dimensions of her ancestors. These opportunities have broadened her research skills with a wide range of techniques. Culturally, Christine identifies Chinese-American, having grown up in a bilingual Taishan (Hoisanwah)/English speaking household. Christine’s research into her Chinese ancestry culminated in a visit to both of her Chinese grandparents' villages in China in 2010, during which she learned more family history, and has uncovered even more since.

Kay Speaks, a California native, is first generation Chinese American on her paternal side, Irish on her maternal side. She began her genealogy journey over thirteen years ago while trying to solve a family murder mystery never talked about by her Chinese elders. Through her research, she finally “meets” her Chinese grandfather, a paper son, and discovers he was so much more than the photo that hung on her parent’s wall--his silent stories waiting discovery. Along the way, Speaks’ Leong family great-grandparents, grandparents, parents and other extended family have become part of her genealogical written stories and award winning poetry. Her Chinese adventures includes the serendipity of ancestors found, solving the 1928 murder mystery cited in case law today. Speaks teaches and lectures on genealogy research techniques, methodology and other research topics, writes articles for various society newsletters, co-teaches a software genealogy class, as well as organizes genealogy workshops and seminars for the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society located in the East Bay of San Francisco and for other organizations in the area.

Doug Joe is a second-generation Chinese American “baby boomer” whose elders initially landed in the U.S. at the end of the 19th century. He has been able to trace and document several hundred years of his heritage without Chinese language skills. Doug Joe lives and works in Modesto, California but enjoys helping others worldwide in their search for their Chinese roots. His mantra is, "You can study your Chinese family history without knowing the Chinese language."

Photograph courtesy of Kay Speaks.

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

Steve Morse's One-Step Webpages: Genealogy Search Tools Update

Saturday August 17, 2013
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

Genealogists who work smart use Steve Morse's One-Step Website. The site started as aid for finding passengers in the Ellis Island database. Shortly afterward it was expanded to help with searching the 1930 census. Over the years it has continued to evolve and today includes about 200 web-based tools divided into sixteen separate categories ranging from genealogical searches to astronomical calculations to last-minute bidding on eBay.

The California Genealogical Society is pleased to welcome Dr. Morse back for an update. The first half of the presentation will describe the range of One-Step tools available and will give highlights of each one. The second half of the lecture will cover several lesser-known but extremely useful One-Step tools.

Register online.

This class is limited to thirty participants and is a free benefit of membership. Non-members fee is $20.00 (non-refundable) and can be applied towards membership 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. 

Stephen Morse is the creator of the One-Step Website for which he has received both the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Contribution Award from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society, first-ever Excellence Award from the Association of Professional Genealogists, and two awards that he cannot pronounce from Polish genealogical societies.

In his other life Morse is a computer professional with a doctorate degree in electrical engineering. He has held various research, development, and teaching positions, authored numerous technical papers, written four textbooks, and holds four patents. He is best known as the architect of the Intel 8086 (the granddaddy of today's Pentium processor), which sparked the PC revolution thirty years ago.



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

San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar: July 2013 Published

July 2013 events have been published on the San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar – a collection of local genealogical society classes, workshops, and meetings within a 75 mile radius of San Francisco.

Many societies take a break in the summer months so the July calendar is light with only thirty-eight classes and events at various venues around the Bay Area, sponsored by thirty-five societies, archives, and libraries. 

If you would like to add your group's events to the calendar, please email the information by the 15th of each month for publication on or before the 25th. (Please include "SFBA Calendar" in the subject line.)

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

Wordless Wednesday

Members at IGHR 2013

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research

Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

President Jeff Vaillant, Dr. Thomas Jones, and Corresponding Secretary Lisa Gorrell.

Photograph courtesy of Jeff Vaillant.

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

Members United at Jamboree #SCGS2013

Lots of our members are here in Burbank for the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree.

We gathered for a group photo but I know several members are missing. We're having a great time!

L. to R. Nicka Smith, Lavinia Schwarz, Diana Edwards, Susi Pentico, Vicky Kolakowski, Gene Pennington, Kim Cotton, Denise Richmond (front), Nancy Schlegel, Janice Brandt, Cheryl Palmer, Linda Darby, Karl Weiler, Mary Mettler, Kathryn Doyle, and Jim Sorenson.

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

July Membership Meeting: Newspaper Preservation and Digital Access in The Americas and Europe

Saturday, July 13, 2013
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

If you were unable to join the festivities at the April membership meeting, your next chance is coming in July. Members are invited to bring a bag lunch to the Sherman Room at noon, Saturday, July 13, 2013, for a chance to catch up with friends and get to know new members. Come and mingle with members who share your enthusiasm for genealogy!

Our own Henry Snyder has graciously volunteered to make a short presentation to members on Newspaper Preservation and Digital Access in The Americas and Europe.

There has been a concerted effort in recent years to preserve and make accessible newspapers. The U.S. had the United States Newspaper program. But there are similar programs in most of Europe and elsewhere. The same basic steps are involved: inventory, preservation, microfilming and digitization. I will discuss a number of these programs and how to find information about them and how to access them.

Membership Coordinator Diana Edwards noted, "This will give members who do not know Henry an opportunity to enjoy his wit and warmth and to learn of a National Treasure who is a member of our very own Society!" Dr. Snyder will present his talk at 1:00 p.m.

Henry L. Snyder is the Former Director of The Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research (CBSR) at the University of California, Riverside, where he led the California Newspaper Project from 1990 through 2009. The project led to the California Digital Newspaper Collection: A Freely Accessible Repository of Digitized California Newspapers from 1846 to the Present. A specialist in British history, Dr. Snyder earned his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007. Henry serves as the California Genealogical Society's Library Committee Chair and is a member of our board of directors. He holds the same positions for The Book Club of California.

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

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Books for Sale

Publications by the California Genealogical Society

Photograph by Kathryn M. Doyle, 3/12/2013, Oakland, California.

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

eNews June 2013, volume 7, number 6

The June 2013 eNews, volume 7, number 6, 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 James Beatty, fourth great-grandfather and favorite ancestor of volunteer and former director, Sandra Jones Fryer.

James Beatty born abt. 1800, County Tyrone, Ireland; died 19 May 1883, Brooklyn, New York 

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

The July 2013 issue will be emailed on June 30, 2013. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.

California ancestor photograph courtesy of Sandy Fryer.

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

Meet the Authors: Gena Philibert Ortega and Jean Wilcox Hibben, CG

Monday, July 22, 2013
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

The California Genealogical Society is pleased to welcome genealogists and authors, Jean Wilcox Hibben, CG, and Gena Philibert Ortega.

Elisabeth: The Story of a German Immigrant is based on Jean's genealogical research of her great-grandmother who left her homeland and five children to escape an abusive husband. The novel details Elisabeth's efforts to reunite her family in mid-late19th century Chicago and New York.

Elisabeth: The Story of a German Immigrant
2012 by Jean Wilcox Hibben

eBook, Lulu Press

ISBN: 9781300172055

Gena's From the Family Kitchen is a three-part keepsake that will help you celebrate your family recipes and record the precious memories they hold. The book will show you how to uncover historical recipes and food traditions which offer insight into your ancestors' everyday lives.

From the Family Kitchen: Discover Your Food Heritage and Preserve Favorite Recipes

2012 by Gena Philibert Ortega

Hardcover, F+W Media, Inc.

ISBN: 1440318271 

Please register online.

The book event is free and open to public but seating is limited so pre-registration is requested. Please arrive early.

Gena's book will be available for purchase and autograph by the author. Jean's e-book is available in iOS format from iTunes and as a Nook Book from Barnes and Noble. Please note that the e-book is set up for single downloads that cannot be copied from one device to another.

Jean and Gena's visit to CGS is part of a statewide book tour. For more information visit Gena and Jean Genealogy Tour blog.

Jean Wilcox Hibben, certified genealogist and national speaker, is a retired college professor with MA (Speech Communication) and PhD (Folklore) degrees. She serves in leadership positions for several genealogical groups including, Director of the Corona, California Family History Center; president of both the Corona Genealogical Society and Southern Calif. Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists; board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists; and secretary of the Genealogical Speakers Guild. She is also an occasional volunteer at the National Archives, Pacific Region, Riverside.


Gena Philibert Ortega holds two Master’s degrees, one in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Women’s Studies) and in Religion. She serves as vice-president of the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and lectures on various subjects involving genealogy. Gena previously published two other works: Putting the Pieces Together and Cemeteries of the Eastern Sierra. She writes extensively for genealogy newsletters, magazines and blogs.

Jean Wilcox Hibben photo by Pam McComb-Podmostko ©2009.

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

May 2013 Volunteer Update and Help Wanted Notices

Volunteer Coordinator Linda Okazaki sent this update and request.

Volunteers at the California Genealogical Society continue to inspire me. Our members donate hundreds of hours each month in order to keep our society running smoothly. For those of you whose committee work occurs outside of the library, please remember to submit your monthly hours to your board liaison. An electronic time sheet is will be ready in a few months. Until then, document your hours the old fashioned way! 

Numerous positions are available at CGS and your help is always welcome. There is a task for everyone; small jobs or big, weekly, monthly or just one time. Like to travel now that you are retired? Busy with children and a full time job? Come find a task that fits your schedule and lifestyle. Email Linda Okazaki if you’d like to join our team.

Help Wanted

Publications and Marketing Committee

• assistance with writing, editing and proof reading

Events Committee

• help with 2nd Saturdays and/or Thursday summer evenings
• assistance with event registration
• participation in special events

Finance Committee

• let us know if you have special skills in this area

Book Repair Committee

• come learn how to preserve our books and documents (meets 2nd Tuesdays)

Library Committee

• process periodicals
• assist with eBay used book sales

Desk Duty Committee

• substitutes and trainees are always needed to keep our library open to patrons

Membership Committee

• assistance with welcoming new members and planning membership events

Volunteer Committee

• help identify potential volunteers and orient individuals to their tasks

Technology Committee

• assistance with database management
• one person to manage our master calendar (can be done remotely)

Facilities Committee

• help keep our brick and mortar society up and running 

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

Wordless Wednesday

Field Trip to Sacramento 

California State Library and State Archives

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Photographs courtesy of Jane Lindsey and Lorna Wallace,


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

Field Trip to the San Francisco Main Public Library

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m..

San Francisco Main Public Library
100 Larkin Street

100 Larkin St.

San Francisco, 94102

For members only!

Join Past-president Jane Lindsey for a tour of the areas of genealogical interest at the San Francisco Main Public Library. Attendees will gather at 11:00 a.m. outside The San Francisco History Center on the sixth floor and split into two groups for a tour led by San Francisco City Archivist Susan Goldstein and library staff.

BART will be the transportation of choice. Travel to the Civic Center Station and walk towards the large blue medallion painted on the wall, then up the stairs or escalator. The library is across the street.

After the tour, members will gather to learn about the online catalog and the many San Francisco records the library has recently digitized through Archive.org and FamilySearch.org and how to access them.

Register online.

If you don't already have a San Francisco library card this will be a great opportunity to get one. Residents of California with identification may obtain one for free. Applications are available at the Main and must be submitted in person. Detailed information is available at the library website.

Attendees may want have lunch together. The Mint Café is located on the lower level of the library. Café Asia at the Asian Art Museum is close by.

This field trip is organized for members of the California Genealogical Society. Non-members interested in participating are encouraged to become members prior to July 1, 2013. The maximum group size is forty members.

Photographs of the San Francisco Main Public Library by Sameer Vasta, October 24, 2006, Creative Commons License.

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

San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar: June 2013 Published

June 2013 events have been published on the San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar – a collection of local genealogical society classes, workshops, and meetings within a 75 mile radius of San Francisco.

Many societies take a break in the summer months so the June calendar is a bit light with only fifty classes and events at various venues around the Bay Area, sponsored by thirty-five societies, archives, and libraries.

If you would like to add your group's events to the calendar, please email the information by the 15th of each month for publication on or before the 25th. (Please include "SFBA Calendar" in the subject line.)


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

The Legacy of Florence Walter at The Book Club of California

Jane Hufft, Bill O'Neil and I had the pleasure of attending the exhibit opening of "The Legacy of Florence Walter: Celebrating a Century" on Monday, April 29, 2013. We were invited by Henry Snyder, CGS Library Committee Chair and member of our board of directors. Henry also happens to hold the same titles at The Book Club of California where the exhibit is on display through the summer.

Florence Schwartz Walter (1884-1972)

The Legacy of Florence Walter: Celebrating a Century features forty-five exquisite book bindings by one of San Francisco’s most celebrated artists in this genre. The exhibit was curated by Kathleen Burch and John McBride.

Florence Walter was prominent in social and cultural circles in San Francisco for decades. She had a notable collection of Asian art was also a professional bookbinder, described as "one of the finest bookbinders in the French style working in the United States."

Walter joined The Book Club of California in 1913  and was the first woman elected to the board and its first woman president.

The exhibition was made possible by three of the grandchildren of Walter who donated the bindings and related ephemera to the Book Club for its Florence Walter Collection. Several members of the family were present and spoke at the opening.

The exhibition also includes examples of Walter’s work from other sources. It is the largest collection of the work of Florence Walter in an institution.
The Legacy of Florence Walter: Celebrating a Century runs through August 26, 2013.

The Book Club of California, located at 312 Sutter Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, is a non-profit organization of people who take pleasure in fine printing related to the history and literature of California and the Western states. They help further the interests of book collectors and scholars, and promote an understanding and appreciation of fine books.



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

Purchase Used Genealogy Books and Support Our Library on eBay

eBay defines itself as "the world's online marketplace – a place for buyers and sellers to come together and trade almost anything." It is now also a way to give to the California Genealogical Society and Library.

Thanks to the generosity of our members, book donations continue to add to our library's collection but with so many gifts many are duplicates. Using our book donation policy as a guide, duplicate titles in better condition than our shelved volumes are retained. The rest accumulate until the library committee organizes a used book sale, usually held in conjunction with special events like the annual meeting, NEHGS Comes West, or our recent 115th Anniversary Celebration. The used book sales are always successful and are great source of revenue to support the library.

Now our library volunteers have taken their fund-raising formula to the "online marketplace"  with eBay Giving Works – a program designed to make it easy for nonprofits to sell online. Best of all,100% of the proceeds come back to CGS.

Shirley Hoye and Arlene Miles

Selling books on eBay is a team effort. Shirley Hoye researches each book to determine the price, makes a copy of the title page, notes the book's condition and weighs it. Marcelle White, who set up the society's eBay and Giving Works accounts, photographs the books and uploads them to the site.

Marci and Arlene Miles monitor sales and ready the books for shipping. Gibran Rath, Shirley and Library Chair Henry Snyder have donated packaging materials. One of the team will box up the books, print labels and ship them. Arlene commented, "It's quite a job to synchronize but we now have one heck of a team!"

Marcelle White and Arlene Miles

Henry noted, "Thanks to Marci, we now are approaching 100 items listed for sale on eBay. Even better, in the first week or so we sold seven titles for more than $200.00."Marci added, "I'm glad to be able to make our library's overstock available via eBay to family history researchers across the country."

While books are waiting to be added to eBay they are available for browsing in the library. Members may view the selection of used books during our open hours Thursday through Saturday. Books can be be purchased from the front desk volunteers who will issue a receipt.

Marcelle White and Henry Snyder

Visit the society's eBay online storefront CGSbooks4Sale at http://myworld.ebay.com/cgsbooks4sale to purchase our used books. You can even include a donation!

Or, start selling on eBay and donate a percentage of your proceeds (up to 100%) to the California Genealogical Society using eBay Giving Works at http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/california-genealogical-society/77399/.

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

Allen County Public Library Genealogy Research Tour 2013

Fort Wayne, Indiana Research Tour

Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

August 11-18, 2013

Join CGS President, Jeffrey Vaillant for the sixth California Genealogical Society research tour to the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Whether you have visited before or this is your first time, you will enjoy your week at the best public genealogy library in the United States.

Jeff will provide individualized attention in Ft. Wayne to help you with your research problems. Planning meetings can be arranged by phone or in person prior to the trip.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Seven days, double occupancy, at the Marriott Courtyard Fort Wayne
• Free shuttle service to and from airport
• Two group dinners (Monday and Saturday)
• Breakfasts each morning
• Library orientation and a lecture, TBA

Register online.

Space is limited to fifteen participants. For full information, please download the tour flier. Questions? Email Jeffrey Vaillant.

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is the home of PERSI (PERiodical Source Index), searchable on Ancestry.com or HeritageQuest. ACPL has over 513,000 rolls of microfilm and 55,000 compiled genealogy volumes, an impressive collection of state and territorial censuses, and many other resources unique to this library. Be sure to browse the Genealogy Center's online databases and search the library's online catalog.

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

Report Two from NGS 2013

I had a chance to sit down with 2013 Conference Chair Stefani Evans to talk about the collaboration with local genealogical societies.

NGS 2013 Conference Chair Stefani Evans, CG

Stefani explained that "normally" the NGS Annual Conference partners with one or two large groups to serve as "local host societies" who are asked to provide more than 400 volunteer hours to help staff and run the four-day event. Since none of the local Las Vegas groups were large enough to supply that kind of woman/manpower, a new model had to be created.

Evans put out a call to several organizations and for the first time a coalition of six "hosts" was formed, representing "a really good demographic in genealogy."

Centennial Las Vegas Genealogy Society
Clark County Nevada Genealogical Society
Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas FamilySearch Library
Nevada African American Genealogy Society
Nevada State Society Daughters of the American Revolution

One positive outcome for the local societies is a new spirit of cooperation and collaboration going forward. Stefani calls it "cross-pollinating" since host members are joining each other's groups. She sees it as a positive example for groups across the country who sometimes exist in isolation from each other.

Well done, Las Vegas area societies! And thank you, Stefani Evans.


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

First Report from NGS 2013

Every genealogy conference is jam-packed with learning opportunities and this year's National Genealogical Society Family History Conference is no exception. I've been using the handy Conference App to organize my schedule and exchange information with old friends and new acquaintances.

Marian L. Smith, chief of the historical research branch of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

The conference started Wednesday morning with a lively Opening Session. Marian L. Smith, chief of the historical research branch of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), delivered the keynote address, "People, Policy, and Records: The Importance of Historical Background. Smith told the fascinating story of her quest to solve the mystery of the origins of the Morton Allen Directory of European Passenger Ship Arrivals. She summed up her tale of dogged perseverance with this advice: "Some questions take years to answer. Be prepared to be surprised. Question your sources."

Mariachi Los Bravos

After welcoming speeches, awards, memorials, the talented Mariachi Los Bravos, from the J. D. Smith Middle School of Las Vegas, serenaded attendees from the auditorium to the exhibit hall.

Mariachi Los Bravos

On Day one I took the opportunity to hear lectures by two giants of genealogy research methodology. 

Dr. Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS    

Dr. Thomas Jones presented "Debunking Misleading Records."
 

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

Elizabeth Shown Mills' first lecture was "The Genealogical Proof Standard in Action! Case Building When No Record States an Answer!"

For members who aren't able to attend the conference, NGS contracts with JAMB-Inc to record sessions and provide CDs (price: $12) which can be ordered online. It will take about a week for the 2013 recordings to be uploaded to the website. Also available are recordings from the previous annual conferences back to 2007.



Photographs (C) 2013 by the National Genealogical Society, Inc. Used by permission of the National Genealogical Society and the photographer, Scott Stewart. [Thanks you, NGS and Scott Stewart!]

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

Wordless Wednesday

Members at the National Genealogical Society

2013 Family History Conference

Las Vegas, Nevada

Photograph courtesy of Caroline Pointer.


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