Lisa Gorrell: Meet a Genealogist & Salt Lake City Expert

It's time to introduce you to Lisa Gorrell, our second trip leader for the upcoming 16th Annual Salt Lake City Research trip (April 24th-May 1st). 

Lisa gave me her answers about what got her interested in genealogy and why you should consider going on our research trip.  I hope you enjoy getting to know Lisa and journey along with her to Salt Lake City!

Why did you start researching your genealogy?

I started being interested in genealogy when I was pregnant with my first child.  Although I had always been interested in whom my grandparents and cousins were, it wasn’t until after my first daughter was born that I felt compelled to begin researching my ancestry.

As fate would have it, the woman who watched her when I returned to work was a genealogist who faithfully went every year for a week to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. I wondered, “What could someone possibly do in a library for 14 hours a day?”

She took me to the Sutro Library in San Francisco and set me down to look at the 1920 census. Once I found my grandfather’s family, I was hooked. I now love doing genealogy research.

What did you need to learn?

I love to learn new things, so I joined a local genealogical society and attended their evening lectures when I could. I read everything I could get my hands on, starting with reading The Source and The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy from cover to cover. Trying to research in new records was a learning process as well.

One of the most helpful things I finally learned to do was ask for help from seasoned genealogists at the society. It’s amazing how much many of the members know.  They helped me avoid needless hours of dead-ends by pointing me in the right direction. 

These days, I try to attend at least one genealogical institute for a week of learning per year, as well as many advanced lectures that I can.

What were some of your first experiences with the California Genealogical Society?

I had originally joined to have home access to Heritage Quest. Later, I attended my first annual meeting and met some really nice people who made me want to volunteer. I have been a member since 2004. I enjoy working with Events teaching classes, helping patrons at desk duty once a month, and working on the board as Recording Secretary.

As one of the leaders of the upcoming research trip to The Family History Library in Salt Lake City (SLC), what can a researcher gain by attending? 

So many!  First let’s start with why we’re qualified to help you:  Jim Sorenson and I have a wealth of experience using the resources at the Family History Library. I have researched there more than a dozen times, researching in American, Canadian, German, English, and Swedish records.

Both Jim and I will be available to assist you during the open hours of the library by answering questions, and helping you with unfamiliar records, the computer or microfilm machines.  If you need foreign language experts at the library, we know who can help with minor translations of documents you may find.  We also want to keep you on track with your research and hope you also have a little fun while doing it!  

The library has books, microfilm, microfiche, maps, and family histories, some of which are only available there. The only way to access many of their digitized records are on the library's computers that also have access to the major subscription databases.

Helpful hint: Please check the library catalog at FamilySearch to be certain that the library has records for the areas you are researching. Although the library has millions of records, they do not have records from every place in the world.

Want another good reason to go on a research trip with a group of genealogists? It’s the comradery you get being with other like-minded researchers. There is nothing more fun than to have someone be as thrilled as you are when you find something exciting or important about your family. You can also bounce off ideas with someone for the next research track you decide to venture down.

Have you had a personal "a-ha/brick wall break-through moment" while researching in Salt Lake City?  If so, would you describe? 

It was my first foray into more “intermediate” kind of records.  I couldn’t find the parents of Ellis Lancaster who lived in Shelby County, Kentucky.  One of the problems was that I found a second Ellis Lancaster, oh boy...

The leader of the trip suggested I look at land records.  Land records were a bit scary for me at that time, but it really paid off.  Ellis’ father had no probate or will records, however, all of his land was sold and these records named his children.  “I now had the parents of Ellis!  Plus I wasn’t afraid of land records anymore. I now knew that these records could give me the information that can help me or anyone else break a brick wall.”

Any last thoughts on genealogy?

I can’t imagine life without genealogy. There is not enough time in the day to get all I want to get done.

Another huge plus for a research trip to the Family HistoryLibrary in Salt Lake City---you get to leave all of your daily chores at home and spend the majority of your day just focused on genealogy.  You can get so much done. That is so worth it!

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Lisa Gorrell on the upcoming 15th Annual FHL Research Tour to SLC!

Are you considering attending the CGS trip to Salt Lake City? We’re pleased to present a brief interview with Lisa Gorrell, currently CGS' Recording Secretary, on this upcoming adventure.  The FHL is an incredible archive, with 2.4 million reels of microfilm, 727,000 microfiche, 346,000 books, 4,500 periodicals and over 3700 electronic resources. Embark on your family history research and explore new sources while accompanied by other CGS members!

The 15th Annual Family History Library Research Tour to Salt Lake City will happen April 26-May 3 2015. Lisa Gorrell is one of the leaders for this year’s visit, together with Jim Sorenson, Board Member & Chair of the CGS Research Committee. 

Lisa S. Gorrell

Why did you agree to become one of the leaders for this year’s trip? How do you see your role? 

This is Jane Lindsey's last year to lead the group and she asked me if I would like to lead to group in the future. This year I am learning the "ropes" by completing all of the behind the scenes duties. I will also be available during the trip for research help. 

Lisa, can you tell us what each level of genealogy researcher (beginner, intermediate, advanced) can gain from going to Salt Lake with CGS?:

Researchers of all levels will benefit from accompanying us on the trip. We will have expert researchers to assist individuals with research problems before and during the trip. Anyone can sign up for a pre-consultation meeting before the trip and there will be times to have consultations at the library. Also, the library has resources for all levels of researchers: books, microfilms, microfiche, computers, and classes taught during the week. The British floor and International floor have research assistants who can help translate foreign language records.

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip to SLC?

I always have fun on a trip to Salt Lake City. The thrill of finding new information about my ancestors, the conversations with fellow participants, and the walks through Temple Square with the lovely flowers blooming are all highlights of past trips I have made. 

If you’re interested in attending our SLC trip, you can learn more & register online: 

http://tinyurl.com/SLCFlier

Questions? 

Call CGS at (510) 663-1358 or email Lisa: lgorrell@CaliforniaAncestors.org

Copyright © 2014 by Ellen Fernandez-Sacco California Genealogical Society and Library.

The Search is on!- Researching at the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Pt. 2

Our series by Daniel Spelce continues with his exploration of the collections and various resources at the main Family History Library, and a wonderful find. The FHL has an incredible collection of materials- 2.4 million rolls of microfilm, 727,000 microfiche, 346,000 books, serials and other formats, 4,500 periodicals and 3,725 electronic resources, mostly for individuals born before 1930. Planning a trip with CGS enables one to go with fellow members and embark on your family history research.

Jane Lindsey presents an orientation to CGS researchers. Photo: Daniel Spelce

This morning provided orientation and introduction to the library, its collections and resources. Jane Knowles Lindsey, seen in the photo above, to the left, is our trip organizer. We gathered in one of the computer lab classrooms for a walk through of the FamilySearch.org online program.

Wall display of traditional Native American arts, FHL stairwell. Photo: Daniel Spelce

One of the benefits of genealogy and family history research is that the activity fosters a realization that our wandering ethnic tethers ultimately connect in a shared common ancestry, allowing us deeper occasions to appreciate one another’s humanity and rootedness in the rest of nature. This beautiful wall display in the first floor-second floor stairwell of the Family History Library recognizes the vibrancy, elegance, and wisdom of indigenous Americans.

Nancy Petersen (left) and the CGS group on the 3rd Floor, FHL. Photo: Daniel Spelce

Throughout the day the FHL fills with people, from the door opening in the morning to the key turning to lock it closed for the night. Many of us in the CGS group worked on the third floor, using the exceptional collection of books usually beyond our reach. Nancy Peterson works at the end of the table, near a window, in the lower left foreground of the photo (dressed in green). She’s joining Jane as genealogical sage for our week here. She and Jane have been co-leading these trips to the FHL since the 1980s.

Among my favorite Pete Seeger ditties, one sings out “Just when I thought all was lost…” Today passed with difficulty for me. After the morning orientations and lunch I felt ready for some discovery, some breakthroughs that would make me want to get up and shake a leg and call out with elation. Alas, the hours pressed swiftly past, quietly, intently, as I sought out the birth date, birth place, death date, place of death, and (just maybe) a cause of death for my great grandmother, Emma Buck Spelce, who died before reaching her 25th birthday. After searching, searching, searching, and scrolling through the FamilySearch.org catalog (serving as the FHL online catalog) imagining varying possibilities for finding evidence or record of Emma’s birth and death, I noticed the sun was throwing longer shadows. I leaned back in my chair to draw in a refreshing breath of air. 

While casting a gaze about the large room full of busy genealogists at work, I glanced at a mother and two daughters researching their shared history together. The young family historian using a cell phone to snap photos of pictures she found in books first caught my eye. She was using her smart phone exactly how I imagined myself using one-- which led me to buy into the cell-phone century in January. Then, there her sister historian drawing maps she found in the book she was using. Their mother was none other than Sarah Ahlstrom from San Jose, who worked alongside the growing scholars amidst their inspired concentration. Refreshed from this inspiring encounter, I resumed my own research.

A pair of young family historians at the FHL. Photo: Daniel Spelce 

As the afternoon waded further into the dimming sunlight, I noticed more and more young people of middle school-, high school-, and college-age showing up at tables and computer stations. A few with parents, but most working away with relaxed, confident but dedicated rapture on their own. I reflected on my experience as a high school classroom history teacher, the thick books weighing heavy with alien names, dates and places. I thought about how so many young people wandered, mentally and physically, in search of an engaging connection with their experience, with who they are.

Soon after leaving formal classroom teaching in institutional school settings, I found myself wondering just how could one foster a love of history and writing, share the knowledge, and develop the skills and wisdom to rouse that marvelous youthful exuberance to willful, broadly satisfying embrace of self, family, neighborhood, community, and nature. The people coming to the FHL to find pieces of their family stories are not a massing of the valedictorians of the school system. These are regular folks undertaking essentially academic initiative for its own profoundly meaningful resonance with who they are and who they want to be and who they’ve been, collectively, communally, spiritually.

From a growing store of conversations, I appreciate that these academic commoners think critically, wonder sometimes deeply, and imagine possibilities. Gradually over the months since my parents died, I’ve devoted time to seeking out my family story, including both my parents and grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, whom I've known personally, and also for ancestors and relatives beyond awareness, drifting aloof in some vague, ethereal void. I’m grateful for growing to appreciate people and nature for the vast webs of connections and experience our individuality embeds us in. 

The afternoon at the library drew toward closing, a library staffer counting off the fleeting chunks of time, as clocks neared the five o’clock closing hour. At 4:30 pm, Nancy looked across the table to me, asking how I was doing. I mumbled my continuing befuddlement. Rallying my spirits she said, earnestly, “Just go find a McHenry County (Illinois) history. Just go find the McHenry County section and scan the books. See what you find. You’ve still got time.” With renewed vigor and a call number in hand to guide me, I dashed into the middle of library stacks.

Soon I stood before the collection of books about McHenry County where I think Emma Buck was born. Voilá! My racing eyes settled on the Biographical Dictionary of Tax Payers and Voters of McHenry County, 1877. Organized alphabetically by surname, I found George Buck, Emma’s father (my great grandfather), married with Elizabeth Milledge (my great, great grandmother), living on 91 acres. The entry tells the value of the real estate and describes the farming activity and more. Emma was five years old at the time. I didn’t find Emma’s birth date, but I learned about the family farm I think she was born on. Tomorrow I’ll return to copy the entry onto my flash drive and continue looking over the books in this section. Perhaps I’ll find books describing church, school, and civic involvement of Marengo (McHenry County, Illinois) area residents. I also decided I’d use my cell phone to call the McHenry County assessor, the clerk, and the recorder to ask about the nature of the birth, property, tax, and voter registration records that might be on file.

View of the Rockies from the FHL window. Photo: Daniel Spelce

Ah, now I can rest. Isn’t the afternoon sun on the Rockies a magnificent splendor?

Enjoy lifting voices up and singing,

Dan

Thinking of going to SLC with us in April 2015?  Watch our quick and fun video from a past trip---We can't wait to see you in 2015!   http://youtu.be/Jcw8IBBTliQ

Copyright © 2014 by Ellen Fernandez-Sacco, California Genealogical Society and Library.