California Genealogical Society blog: Pam Brett

Showing posts with label Pam Brett. Show all posts

25 January 2020

February Classes and Events

Posted by Jennifer Dix

No Valentine-themed events this month, but we're still sure you'll LOVE our selection of lectures, classes, and other events.

We start off with our FREE "Intro to Genealogy" class, Saturday, February 1. This month, Dick Rees gives tips on "Using the Census."

Then it's on to more adventures:

February 8: On the Road Again: Practical Tips for Successful On-Site Research

Pam Brett discusses how a well-planned on-site research trip will increase your chances of answering your most perplexing research questions and enhance understanding of the lives of your ancestors.

February 19: Intermediate Record Series

Lisa Gorrell kicks off her popular five-week course for those ready to go beyond vital records and the census. This intermediate class will focus on court records, church records, emigration/immigration and naturalization, land and property records, and demonstrate how to find these records both on and off line.

February 22: Photo Scanning Workshop

Ron Madson leads a hands-on photo scanning class using a PC or MAC to assist you in scanning documents for use with genealogical projects.

February 25: Field Trip to California Historical Society

(CGS members only) CHS reference and outreach librarian Frances Kaplan will describe the Society's diverse holdings and share selected materials for our perusal.

AND: Planning ahead? You can still register for our May trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City!

Don't forget our Special Interest Groups!
All our events can be found listed on our website
Or at the CGS Facebook page
Or at EventBrite.com (search for "California Genealogical Society")

Copyright © 2020 by California Genealogical Society

17 January 2018

Want to Build Your Skills for Successful Family History Research?

Posted by Shannon Reese

Whether you are a beginners or an intermediate genealogist, then you should plan to join genealogy instructor, Pam Brett, for this 4-part series sponsored by the California Genealogical Society! What the course about? It's designed for family history researchers who want to build a strong foundation of genealogy research skills to avoid wasted time and unreliable family trees. Who wouldn't want to accomplish that?

Pamela Brett will cover six key family history research skills, including how to:

Know which records to look for
Find relevant records
Document the results of the search
Evaluate the sources you use and the records you find
Analyze the results of your research
Write a well-reasoned statement of your conclusions

This course will be held at the Oakland FamilySearch Library over four separate, Wednesday evening sessions. These session dates and times are:

March 07, 2018 6:00pm to 8:30pm
March 14, 2018 6:00pm to 8:30pm
March 21, 2018 6:00pm to 8:30pm
March 28, 2018 6:00pm to 8:30pm

Class details

In-class group exercises and optional homework assignments will provide participants to practice skills with a wide variety of genealogical records found in a many different places including online websites.
Class handouts will include basic strategies and cautions, as well as useful websites to use in your research.
It is strongly recommended that participants plan on attending all four classes as the skills are presented in a sequential pattern.

Registration information

This course will be held at the Oakland Family Search Library.
Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited so register early.
Register early to confirm your seat. Walk-ins will not be admitted.

About the Instructor

Pam Brett's interest in genealogy started over 40 years ago at the birth of her first child, but it wasn't until 1999 when she began serious pursuit of her family history. Most of her ancestors came to America early and moved often leading to research in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

In this series, she hopes to share skills acquired from many years of beginner's mistakes to help participants to focus their personal goals and to acquire new understanding of the lives of their ancestors.

Join Pam this March and work on strengthening your genealogy foundation. She hopes to have you in her class!

27 February 2017

Successful Family History Research? Start Here.

Posted by Shannon Reese

Member Pam Brett's new series is for beginning researchers and anyone who wants to build a foundation of research skills that can be used with all types of online and offline records and resources.

This course will be conducted in four Saturday sessions and run from March 11th until April 8th.

The classes will cover six key research skills that will help avoid pitfalls, wasted time and unreliable family trees.

Topics include: determining what records to look for, where to look, documentation, and using critical thinking skills.

The skills learned will help you evaluate, analyze, and confidently produce trees, stories, or more formal documents based on your goals. Participants will do pre and post skills surveys and have group exercises, plus optional homework assignments. Class handouts will include multiple examples of offline resources, as well as web links and sites.

Ready to start building your genealogical foundation? Register today.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

In this series, she hopes to share skills acquired from many years of beginner's mistakes to help participants to focus their personal goals and to acquire new understanding of the lives of their ancestors.

02 March 2016

Wordless Wednesday: Genealogy Research Trip to Boston

Posted by Shannon Reese

Ok, so it's not exactly Wordless Wednesday when I'm writing this much, but take a look at the great photo of our members having fun last night while out on the town in Boston.

Why are they there? Our biennial New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) research trip to Boston of course. After jumping for genealogy all day, it was Leap Day after all, a night of good food and good company was welcome.

Thank for the photos, Jane!

Left to right: Vicky Kolakowski, Diana Wild, Linda Okazaki,
Susanne Mori, Carolyn Nash, Kath Merilo, Shirley Thomson,
Jane Lindsey (trip leader), and Pam Brett

Star of the night: Two lobsters for $29!

Photos courtesy of Jane Lindsey

19 January 2016

Genealogy Class: Practical tips for a successful genealogy research trip

Posted by Shannon Reese

What to expect from the class

A genealogy fact-finding trip to one's ancestral home can be extremely rewarding, but also present many challenges. Join Pam Brett for this class on successful on-site research.

She has two goals for the class. Pam will share tips on how to plan a trip that will help you achieve your research goals, but more importantly hopes that you will gain a new understanding of the lives of your ancestors.

About the instructor

Pam has been interested in genealogy for nearly forty years---ever since she began filling in the family tree of her first-born child's baby book.

She was finally able to begin her family tree research in 1999. Luckily for the rest of us, Pam's ancestors were mobile which has led to her expertise in on-site fact-finding. She's traveled through thirty-one states and the District of Columbia.

Why does she do it? She naturally loves combing for records throughout the U.S. because as she states, "there are many challenges, but the rewards are priceless."

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

The class is from 10am-12pm on Saturday, January 30th at our library, located at 2201 Broadway, in uptown Oakland.

Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited so please register early.

Members enjoy free admission. Non-member admission fee is $30.00* and can be applied towards a new one year CGS membership the day of the class.

We hope to see you there!

03 December 2015

Talkin' Genealogy: Pennsylvania

Posted by Shannon Reese

Want to know what it's like to research at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (G.R.I.P.)?

Join experienced researchers and CGS members Pam Brett, Linda Darby and Vinnie Schwarz as they share what they learned at the 2015 advanced course there. The focus will be on research records such as church, land, vital, digitized records and sources.

They will also discuss best sources, strategies and insights to guide your Pennsylvania genealogy.

Details

Saturday, December 5th

10 A.M. to Noon.

California Genealogical Society Library

2201 Broadway, LL

Oakland, CA

This informal session will be an opportunity to ask questions and focus on networking with others with Pennsylvania ancestors.

Free for members and $25 for non-members. The fee can be applied towards a new one year CGS membership the day of the seminar.

About the Panel

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. She began researching in 1999 and since then Pam has conducted genealogy research in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Lavinia Schwarz is a popular teacher and member of our Research Team. Also a genealogist since 1999, Lavinia has traced her ancestors to France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Cuba and San Domingue (now Haiti).

04 November 2013

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

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

Saturday, December 7, 2013

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 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 encore presentation of her 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 a 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."

05 July 2013

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

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

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.