California Genealogical Society blog: Japanese Roots

17 August 2015

Japanese Genealogy

Posted by Linda Okazaki

Shichi Go San

Are you a Nikkei who is ready to document your family history? Do you want to find those WRA camp files, Enemy Alien files or other records from WWII? Do you wonder if Obāchan was a picture bride? Or if Ojīchan was arrested and sent to a Department of Justice camp? Are you a genealogist who wants to know about different record groups? Or are you helping a Japanese American friend with their genealogy? Come learn how to find your Japanese roots.

Come join California Genealogical Society president, Linda Harms Okazaki, as she presents:

Finding Your Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan

When?
Saturday, August 29, 2015
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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

Cost?
$30 for non-members (non-refundable)
Free for CGS members

How?
Register on Eventbrite

Manzanar Cemetery

Lordsburg, New Mexico

Part I of the three-hour seminar will be a brief overview of Japanese culture, history and language as it pertains to family history. Records available through the National Archives, USCIS, Ancestry.com, and FamilySearch.org will be covered.

Topics will include:

the early political climate in the U.S. and laws of the time
internment camps
post WWII experiences, repatriation, resettlement, and redress

The second half of the seminar will focus on documenting your ancestors in Japan, from using the information in the American records to finding your koseki, understanding ohaka and kakocho, plus visiting relatives, cemeteries and temples.

This seminar is suitable for all levels of research experience.

Limited to thirty participants; the fee may be applied towards membership on the day of the class.

Traditional Wedding

Please visit our Eventbrite page to register for this seminar. Preregistration is required. Confirmations and a parking permit will be sent to the first thirty registrants.

Participants are invited to come early and meet others who share an interest in Japanese research. Use our computers, browse in our library, or bring a bagged lunch and meet at the library before the session. The library is open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

01 July 2015

Japanese American Discussion Session

Posted by Linda Okazaki

The California Genealogical Society will continue to host a series of ethnic discussion groups that are free and open to the public.

Maruko Okazaki, ca. 1937, Santa Maria, California

On Thursday July 23, 2015 from 6:30-7:30 pm, CGS President Linda Okazaki will lead an informal discussion on Nikkei Genealogy. This session is free and open to the public. Please rsvp on Eventbrite. Feel free to come early, bring your dinner and meet other researchers. The library is free for those who arrive after 4pm.

Here's a brief description of the session:

Searching for your Japanese roots can be challenging but not impossible. Getting started is no different than researching any other ethnic group. Begin with yourself and work backwards, collecting birth, marriage and death records. Then venture into census, land and immigration records. For Nikkei, internment camp records and A-files are critical. All of these documents can give you clues needed to get your records in Japan.

In addition to our free discussion session, Linda will repeat the seminar "Finding Your Japanese Roots: In the U.S. and in Japan" at CGS on August 29 from 12:00-3:00 pm. Come learn how to document your unique family history! Registration is already open. This seminar has a $30 fee for non-members, which may be applied to a membership on the day of the class.