Wordless Wednesday: SCGS Genealogy Jamboree 2017

Front row: Tim Foley, Diana Edwards & Lisa Gorrell
Back row: Lavinia Schwarz & Ron Madson

Copyright © 2017 by California Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday: California Genealogical Society at Jamboree 2016

Collaborating with Seattle Genealogists

Lavinia Schwarz, Nicka Smith, Jim Sorenson, Diana Edwards

World Round Table Consultations with Janis Hirohama

ProGen Luncheon with Janice Sellers

Lavinia Schwarz, Jan Brandt, Cyndi Ingle, Linda Okazaki, Susanne Mori, Melinda Yamane Crawford, Diana Edwards

Newest CGS Member, Melinda Yamane Crawford

Oakland Hometown Pride with CGS Members

DNA Luncheon with Pam Brigham, Jan Brandt, Deborah Yegerlehner Sweeney, and Jacqi Stevens

Natalie Levinson and Lavinia Schwarz

Nikkei Researchers Janis Hirohama, Susanne Mori, Linda Okazaki, Melinda Yamane Crawford, Jim Russull

 "Everything You Wanted to Know About African-American Genealogy but Were Afraid to Ask" with Nicka Smith

Natalie Levinson, Sita Likuski, Lavinia Schwarz

Diana Edwards and Nicka Smith

CGS Members
Back Row: Pam Brigham, Jan Brandt, Lavinia Schwarz, Pat Burrow, Jacqi Stevens
Middle Row: Brenda Shank, Laura Lee Karp, Natalie Levinson, Susanne Mori, Janis Hirohama, Linda Okazaki
Front Row: Tracy Zimmerman, Diana Edwards, Kim Cotton, Janice Sellers
Missing: Ron Arons, David Burde, Sita Likuski, Gena Philibert-Ortega
Jim Russell, Nicka Smith, Jim Sorenson

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday: Jamboree 2015

   SCGS Jamboree 2015

 


          Copyright © 2015 by 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.

SCGS Jamboree 2012 – Another Great Event

The 43rd annual Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree is in the history books and all agree it was a fantastic event with something for genealogy enthusiasts of every stripe.

California Genealogical Society members participated at every level: as speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.

Several CGS board members attended Friday's Society Workshop – four lectures on society management sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the California State Genealogical Alliance. The workshop speakers included our member Cath Trindle CG, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, George G. Morgan, and Josh Taylor. What was totally unexpected was Dardashti's use of the California Genealogical Society's website and blog as examples in her talk about publicity. She had only good things to say about our efforts. Thank you, Schelly!

Slide from Schelly Dardashti's talk "Publicity is the Society's Friend."

Another surprise that morning was from my blogger friend, Kim von Aspern-Parker, who joined CGS on her mobile phone while we were waiting for a lecture to begin.

Kim von Aspern-Parker affixing her new CGS member ribbon to her name tag.

It was mostly about fun Friday evening when Jamboree hosted their first Hollywood GALA sponsored by Ancestry.com. President Jeff Vaillant took the podium to announce the winner of our special membership raffle prize — Shelia Farmer. Jeff and SCGS President Alice Fairhurst also announced the new Memorandum of Understanding between our two societies. I'll have lots more to say about that next month.

CGS President Jeff Vaillant and SCGS President Alice Fairhurst at the Gala.

Three of my favorite people (and CGS members) Amy Coffin, Elizabeth O'Neal and Sheri Fenley, in their  Gala attire.

All day Saturday, the California Genealogical Society had a table outside the exhibit hall in the Jamboree "society row." It was the second year that the Southern California Genealogical Society made free tables available to non-profit groups and we were thrilled to take them up on the offer!

A special thank-you to Amy Coffin, Kim Cotton, Sheri Fenley, Laura Lee Karp, Debbie Mascot, Mary Mettler, Jim Sorenson, and Jeff Vaillant for setting up and staffing the table, and for the prep work to obtain the necessary permits and bring our materials down. It was a team effort and everything went smoothly. We sold several copies of Raking the Ashes and lots of our Insider's Guide to California Genealogy.

Members who made it for our group photo: Teresa Fraser, Duncan Tanner, Amy Coffin, Jim Sorenson, Denise Levenick, Sheri Fenley, Elizabeth O'Neal, Cath Trindle, Sandra Benward, Kathryn Doyle and Natalie Levinson.

We tried to get everyone together for a group photo of CGS members but there were too many other things going on. Other members in attendance were: Ron Arons, Patricia Burrow, Kim Cotton, Shelia Farmer, Paul Hawthorn, Laura Lee Karp, Lisa Lee, Sita Levy Likuski, Thomas MacEntee, Debbie Mascot, Mary Metter, Cheryl Palmer, and Kim von Aspern-Parker. If I missed anyone, please leave a comment so I can add your name.

Kathryn and newest member (and raffle winner) Shelia Farmer.

It was great spending time with so many of our members. Hope to see you all at next year's Jamboree June 7—9, 2013.

Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Heading South for Jamboree 2012

Members of the California Genealogical Society are making plans for this year's Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree, Friday-Sunday, June 8-10, 2012, at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport. The theme for the 43rd annual event is Lights, Camera, Ancestors! Spotlight on Family History.

As they did last year, co-chairs Paula Hinkel and Leo Myers offered a FREE one-day exhibit table to genealogical societies, historical societies, and other nonprofit organizations. We had one of the hall tables last year and it worked well for us. We're thrilled to have snagged a table for this year on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

We will be selling our newest publications, Raking the Ashes and the Insider's Guide to California Genealogy and we could use some help! If you can give us a couple of hours of your time, please email me.

And thank you to the Southern California Genealogical Society for giving us the opportunity to exhibit at your wonderful event. We believe in collaboration, and we are glad you do, too!

Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Quick Report from Jamboree 2011

The California Genealogical Society and Library is well-represented this year at the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree.

Our far-flung member Thomas MacEntee is presenting several talks and moderating two blogger panels. Amy Coffin, Elyse Doerflinger and I are participating in the Blogger Summits I and II.  Other member speakers include Cath Trindle and Ron Arons.

Ron Arons at his table in the exhibit hall

CGSL has a table in "Society Row" on Saturday. The table is just outside the exhibit hall and was offered free of charge by organizers. Thank you, SCGS!

Two blogger buddies and CGSL members at our table: Sheri Fenley and Elizabeth O'Neal.

Thanks to Kim Cotton, Sheri Fenley, Lisa Gorell, Laura Lee Karp, Virginia Kysh, Mary Mettler, Elizabeth O'Neal, Carolyn Sakkis, Jim Sorenson and Geri Willinger for staffing the table!

Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Society Row at Jamboree – Can You Help?

It's that time of year again! The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree returns Friday through Sunday, June 10 - 12, 2011, at the Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center.

The generous folks at SCGS know how difficult it is for societies to afford the fees and provide the manpower to have an exhibit booth for the full three days of the conference. This year Paula and Leo have made an incredible offer to genealogical societies and we have taken them up on it!

Jamboree's new feature this year is Society Row. The California Genealogical Society will have a 6' table in the Convention Center main foyer on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at no cost! Thank you, Southern Cal! Our table will be staffed throughout the day 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Members are needed to help starting at 7:00 a.m. for set up.

For detailed information about schedule, speakers, genealogy exhibitors and more, visit the Jamboree blog and be sure to download the Jamboree App. The full thirty page Jamboree Magazine is available for download from the SCGS website.

Attention members: please email me if you are attending and can help at the table.


Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Wordless Wednesday

California Genealogical Society Table

SCGS Jamboree Exhibit Hall

June 11-13, 2010

Photographs courtesy of Tim Cox and Kathryn Doyle, Burbank, California.

Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Jamboree Panel: Blogger Summit 2

I'm on the panel Blogger Summit 2 at the Jamboree. Here's the view from the stage.

Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Well-Represented at the SCGS Jamboree

The 41st Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree begins today (through Sunday, June 13, 2010) in Burbank and many California Genealogical Society members have traveled south for the annual event.

Events Coordinator Tim Cox unfurled the new banner at Table 114 in the Exhibit Hall. Be sure to stop by and see us.

Several members' names appear on the list of speakers.

Ron Arons presents Researching Criminal Relatives, Saturday 5:00 p.m. Ron can be found at Table 105 in the Exhibit Hall

Elyse Doerflinger leads a Mini-course Workshop: Using Your Computer, Video Camera and YouTube Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Elyse will also be a panelist on Blogger Summit Part 1: From Novice to Reader to Blogger in Sixty Minutes.

Lisa Lee is presenting two talks: Search & Reward Notices: Hidden Information About Former Slaves, Saturday 3:30 p.m. and City Directories – Full of Hidden Information, Sunday 2:00 p.m.

Thomas MacEntee is going non-stop this weekend. He's leading three mini-course workshops, moderating two blogging summits and presenting a talk.

His schedule: Google Docs for Beginners, Friday 4:00 p.m.; Blogger Summit Part 1: From Novice to Reader to Blogger in Sixty Minutes, Saturday 10 a.m. followed by Blogger Summit Part 2: Now that You're a Genealogy Blogger, Saturday 11:30 a.m.; Twitter – It's Not Just "What I Had For Breakfast" Anymore, Saturday, 5:00 p.m.; Blogger for Beginners, Saturday 2:00 p.m. and WordPress For Beginners, Saturday, 3:00 p.m. Whew!

Craig Manson and Kathryn Doyle are also panelists on Blogger Summit Part 2: Now That You're a Genealogy Blogger, Satuday 11:30 p.m.

Cath Trindle is presenting three talks: How Much Proof is Enough?, Saturday 2:00 p.m.; Women of the West, Saturday 5:00 p.m. and California Sources Online and Off, Sunday, 2:00 p.m.


Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Are You Heading South for the Jamboree?

It's almost time again! The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree returns Friday through Sunday, June 11 - 13, 2010, at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

The California Genealogical Society has Table 114 in the Exhibit Hall. Members are needed to help staff the table. Tim Cox has created an online form so members can let us know if they are going.

For detailed information about schedule, speakers, genealogy exhibitors and more, visit the Jamboree blog.

Attention members: Let us know if you are going!


Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Tim's Report from Jamboree 2009

Tim Cox sent this report from last month's Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree:

I planned my vacation around this year’s 40th Anniversary Jamboree, June 26-28, 2009. It was my first genealogy conference and I was so excited I decided to arrive a day early and to stay an extra night to catch up on my rest before heading home. Wise move on my part, I really needed it!

Before going, I followed the Jamboree blog that Paula Hinkel publishes – she and Leo Myers co-chair the event. One blog post was a call for volunteers to introduce the seminar speakers. I'd heard that classes fill up quickly so I figured if I was arriving early to introduce the speaker, I’d be guaranteed a seat. I responded with a list of the classes I wanted to attend and received confirmation for fifteen. WHEW!! I had my classes confirmed and would be introducing some of my genealogy idols! WOW! This was going to be so much fun!

Friday morning I arrived at the exhibit hall, found table #114 – among the sea of tables all draped with black linen – and sat down and looked around the huge room. The California Genealogical Society table was placed against one wall. To our right was the Immigrant Genealogical Society; to our left was lecturer Tony Burroughs who was a sharing with the National Institute of Genealogical Studies. Directly across was Ancesty.com and Family Roots Publishing with Leland Meitzler and Bill Dollarhide – a perfect high-traffic area.

Then it happened! Genealogy celebraties were coming in to set up their tables: Maureen Taylor, Lisa Louise Cooke, Leland Meitzler, Bill Dollarhide, Arlene Eakle, George G. Morgan, Dick Eastman, Dear Myrtle, Drew Smith. One by one they walked by. I was in heaven but I was way too nervous to say anything so I just took photos. It was still early and the exhibit hall was not open yet. I was in awe! These are accomplished genealogists! I’m in the company of these people. Call 911!

Luckily I snapped out of it so we could set up our table. We had membership brochures, fliers of some upcoming events and research trips, assorted candy, and books for sale. We also debuted the Tip of the Iceberg poster.

Tim Cox and the "Tip of the Iceberg" at Jamboree.

Diagonally from our table was the New England Historic Genealogical Society. It was really weird to see Chris Child and Michael Leclerc in person because we had their photos on the fliers for the upcoming "NEHGS Comes West" weekend at CGS in October.

Over the three days these CGS members rotated shifts to cover the table: Carolyn Steinberg, Kathryn Doyle, Ron Filion, Pamela Storm, Marston Watson, Geri Willinger, and Arlene Folker. I’m so glad they shared part of their weekend with me.

Introducing the speakers turned out to be a lot of fun. I was surprised to learn that there was more than just a short bio – they gave us a page and a half of ads to read, in addition to the speaker’s bio! I finally started asking the audience to participate and evidently they loved it. I found out I received several great reviews on the evaluation cards.

As it turned out, I didn’t do all the introductions I was assigned because some SCGS board members wanted to do some. That freed me up to shop, mingle, and visit. I realized after the first day that there was no way I could sit in class all day and not be able to network.

I attended the two Jamboee dinners. Friday night I enjoyed listening to Tukufu Zuberi from the PBS series: History Detectives. Saturday night's speaker was David Rencher who discussed the comical side of genealogy.

In all, the conference had over 1,500 attendees, from as far away as Tel Aviv. I was in awe at how well it was planned, managed and executed! Leo Myers and Paula Hinkel and the Southern California Genealogical Society really know how to put on a great event.

What was most interesting, though, was a personal choice I made. Instead of just passively attending classes and working at the table, I made a point of introducing myself and meeting people. I knew them already through the internet and podcasts, blogs, mailing lists, and other networking sites, I just hadn't ever met them face-to-face. This made my first conference so much better because I didn't feel alone or like I didn’t know anyone. So, if you are not sure about going to a conference because you think you don’t know anyone, you’re wrong. You know a lot of people there, you just haven’t met them face to face!

Maybe sometime in the near future I can work with someone to begin the discovery process of organizing a conference up here in Northern California. It will take us a few years to match the excellence of the Jamboree '09, but we can come pretty darn close! Anyone up for the challenge?

Fun at Jamboree!

Three exhausting but fun days at SCGS Jamboree 2009 are behind us. Tim has promised to write a report for the blog so I'll just share a few photos and express my appreciation to everyone who contributed to the CGS table in the exhibit hall.




Special kudos to Tim Cox and Carolyn Steinberg who organized every aspect of space #114 in the hall and who are already planning to make next year's CGS table even better. Heartfelt thanks also to CGS members Ron Filion, Arlene Folkers, Pamela Storm, Marston Watson and Geri Willinger for helping to staff the table.

Marston Watson and Tim Cox

Marston was a speaker at Jamboree this year. He graciously signed over his table in the hall to CGS and brought two of his Royal Families: Americans of Royal and Noble Ancestry books to sell: Volume Two - Reverend Francis Marbury and Five Generations of the Descendants Through Anne (Marbury) Hutchinson and Katherine (Marbury) Scott and Volume Three - Samuel Appleton and His Wife Judith Everard and Five Generations of Their Descendants.

Pamela Storm and Ron Filion

Pam and Ron of SFgenealogy.com brought their brochures and magnets and their expertise to the table. (And they wore their special tee shirts!)

Carolyn Steinberg, Steve Danko and Elyse Doerflinger.

Steve Danko of Steve's Genealogy Blog and Elyse Doerflinger of both Elyse's Genealogy Blog and The Graveyard Rabbit Student stopped by. They are both first-name-only geneabloggers since they have universal recognition in the gen-blog world (think Madonna). Steve will be our speaker at the July membership meeting.

Marston, Kathryn and Tim

Thanks, everyone, for a successful California Genealogical Society and Library presence at Jamboree!

See You at the SoCal Genealogy Jamboree?

Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree
Burbank Airport Marriott and Convention Center
June 27-28, 2009

The Southern California Genealogy Jamboree blog is active again as Co-Chairs Paula Hinkle and Leo Myers and members of SCGS gear up for their annual meeting in June.

The 40th Annual Jamboree will be held Friday through Sunday, June 26-28, 2009, at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. The focus of this year's Jamboree is British Isles research – English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh.

Paula has posted an impressive list of speakers, including CGS members Ron Arons, Stephen Danko, Craig Manson, Cath Trindle and Marston Watson. I'm especially looking forward to seeing old genea-blogger friends and meeting new ones at Saturday's Summit 2: Son of Blogger.

This year the California Genealogical Society and Library will be sharing a table in the Exhibit Hall with either the California State Genealogical Alliance or the Federation of Genealogical Societies. I'll be sure to keep you informed as the details are worked out. We're looking for members to help staff the table so please send me an e-mail if you can help.

For detailed information about schedule, speakers, genealogy exhibitors and more, visit the Jamboree blog.

Some Photos From Jamboree 2008

Things have been non-stop at the 39th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. The California Genealogical Society and Library table, number 710 in the Exhibit Hall, is well positioned for President Jane Lindsey to meet and greet attendees, including some familiar friends.

Ron Arons stopped by to show Jane his newly released book, The Jews of Sing Sing. Ron will be the featured speaker at the CGS Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

Jane spent some time with former NEHGS colleagues, President and CEO, D. Brenton Simons and Christopher Childs.

Jamboree Chair, Paula Hinkel came by to say hello and show off her festive costume.

The "first-ever" Genealogy Blogger Summit featured seven of the best. Pictured are Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, George G. Morgan, Steve Danko, Schelly Talalay Dardashti of Tracing the Tribe - The Jewish Genealogy Blog and Randy Seaver, author of Genea-Musings. Not shown are moderator Leland Meitzler and Dick Eastman.

Megan Smolenyak of Roots Television/ Megan's Roots World and George G. Morgan of The Genealogy Guys Podcast listen as Stephen Danko of Steve's Genealogy Blog makes a point.

Craig Manson at GeneaBlogie wrote about how Elizabeth O'Neal of Little Bytes of Life stole the show with her live-blogging of the event.

Great company! Seated: Kathryn Doyle, Dick Eastman, George Morgan, Steve Danko. Standing: Leland Meitzler, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, Randy Seaver, Craig Manson and Elizabeth O'Neal.