A Visit to the California Statewide Museum Collections Center

by Kathryn M. Doyle

California State Park Archives
4940 Lang Avenue
McClellan, California 95652

Earlier this year I accepted an invitation to tour the Statewide Museum Collections Center in McClellan, California. I tagged along with California Genealogical Society President Linda Okazaki and Tynan Peterson and visited the sprawling facility located about seven miles northeast of Sacramento. The day began with specific goals: execute research plans, tour the vast warehouse, and enjoy genealogy camaraderie. We accomplished all three.

California State Parks Archive Exhibit Hall and Lobby

The main entrance opens to the archives exhibit hall where artifacts representing California’s diverse heritage are on display. The images and objects highlight the “professions that identify, study, and care for them.”

Visitors check in at the reception area of the main lobby to obtain a badge and locker. (Handbags, backpacks, food/drinks are not permitted beyond the lobby.) Researchers may bring laptops, scanners, cameras, and phones into the research room. No pens are allowed, but the archive provides pencils and paper. Protective gloves may be required when handling fragile materials.

Researchers must request materials in advance and preschedule a time to use the facility by contacting the archives by phone or email. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. The research room is closed during lunch and on all state holidays.

Linda in the research room.

A Little History 

Officially, California has required the preservation of historically significant materials since its inception. An 1850 law mandated the preservation of “all public records, registers, maps, books, papers, rolls, documents, and other writings... which may be interesting, or valuable… to the government or people of the state.” The California State Archives is the repository of state records with permanent retention value.

By 2001, the state parks decided that more of their materials should be preserved and a separate California State Parks Archive was approved. Under the auspices of Victoria Yturralde, archivists visited parks throughout the Golden State to collect historically important materials.

Artifacts were housed in various places around Sacramento until suitable quarters could be located. The Museum Collections Center opened at the former McClellan Air Force Base, now McClellan Park, in 2013.

            

Cameras are not permitted beyond the research area so I don’t have images to share. But you can get a sampling from KQED’s The Treasures Living in the California State Parks Warehouse.

“There’s no point in saving the material if no one ever gets to see it.” 

—Archivist Lola Aguilar

Linda Okazaki and Archivist Lola Aguilar

While it remains a goal to process all holdings, to date only twenty physical collections from the California State Parks Archives have been fully described and catalogued at the Online Catalog of California (OAC). According to Archivist Lola Aguilar, these represent only about 5% of the total. The creation of Finding Aids for historical parks are the highest priority. 

The Photographic Archives consists of more than 350,000 images in various formats, "covering a broad range of California subjects." 

The California Genealogical Society will be hosting a field trip to the collection on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, for a limited number of attendees. Register now.

© 2017 by California Genealogical Society

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

Going to Salt Lake City? Getting More from FamilySearch may be just the ticket.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the Family History Library (we’ve got a research trip for April 28th-May 4th) in Salt Lake City or not, this class is helpful to anyone looking to get the most research bang out of the Familysearch.org website. Interested? Join us Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at our genealogy library in uptown Oakland for this interesting class.

What’s covered?

• How to use the library catalog, the Family Search wiki, and the historical records, especially the un-indexed records.
• A quick tour of the FamilySearch website
• How to order microfilms and have sent to your local Family History Center for viewing

Planning a trip to the Family History Library?

Lisa says, “The library catalog is the most important aspect to understand.  If you do, then you’ll know what’s available at the library specific to your area of research. The second ‘must-do’ is for you to make a list of the books, films, and microfiche now.  This way your time will be better spent once at the library.”

Not taking a trip to the Family History Library?

You still get a lot out of this class because many of the films you find in the catalog can be ordered and viewed at your local Family History Center.

Details on what you’ll learn in the class include:

• The FamilySearch Wiki:  a wonderful resource that allows you to learn about the geographic area you are researching and what types of record sets you can find related to it.
• Un-indexed record sets: make up a majority of the images available on FamilySearch. Because they are not indexed, they are a little tricky to use.
• Lisa will cover the most efficient ways to maneuver throughout the record sets.  Record sets include land, probate, tax, and other records.

What’s the class format?

• The class will be a mix of lecture slides and live demonstrations on FamilySearch.org.
• Laptops/tablets are optional, but can be helpful for following along in class.
• A practice exercise will be given for home use.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited so please register early. CGS members enjoy free admission. 

Not a member? Not a problem. 

• Non-member admission fee is $30.00 and can be applied towards a new one year CGS membership (starting at $40) the day of the class.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Lisa Gorrell has been researching her family for more than twenty years. It was the birth of her daughters that began the journey connecting the past and the future generations.

What got her hooked?  One trip to San Francisco’s Sutro Library where she used the 1920 census microfilm that ultimately led her to find her grandfather’s family. Now, a yearly trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City keeps her going. 

She is currently the Recording Secretary for the California Genealogical Society, a board member with the Contra Costa Historical Society and a volunteer at their archives at the History Center in Martinez. 

Lisa loves learning and has attended several genealogy institutes in Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, and Birmingham. This is her second year as tour co-leader for the California Genealogy Society’sresearch trip to Salt Lake City.

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Genealogy Trip: Boston's Calling

Ready to go on a Genealogy Road Trip?

Sign-up today for the California Genealogical Society (CGS) and Library Research Trip to the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) library February 28 - March 6, 2016.  The deadline is soon---Sunday, February 7th---so don't delay if you want to reserve your spot.

Join Jane Lindsey, former CGS president and past NEHGS Trustee, as she leads our biennial trip to Boston, Massachusetts.  

Yes, it’s winter in Boston, but don’t worry because you’re just steps to everything you’ll want to see.

The run-down

Accommodations are at the Charlesmark Hotel which is located in the Copley Square area of downtown Boston.  The hotel is across the street from the prestigious Boston Public Library and only 2 blocks from NEHGS. 

The tour begins Monday morning with a brief orientation. Since the NEHGS library is closed on Monday, participants will have the option that day of visiting a local repository.  One idea is the Boston Public Library, an amazing research institution in it’s own right.

The cost ranges from $1355.00 for a Double Bed room and $1515.00 for a Queen room based on single occupancy (airfare not included).  Unfortunately, no two-bedded rooms exist in the hotel.  Deadline for registration and payment via credit card is February 7, 2016.  

Visit our Eventbrite page listing for full details, including cancellation and refund policy. 

A gentle reminder:  Tour participants must be members of the California Genealogical Society to attend.  You can sign-up on our website.  Also, if you are not a member of NEHGS, please consider joining for $89.95.  You'll gain access to their great website and avoid a $15 daily user fee for non–members.  

What’s the trip like?

Our current President, Linda Okazaki, has been on our research trip before and offered the following observations, 

"First of all it's walking distance to NEHGS, so I didn't have to worry about transportation there and back.  Next, I really enjoyed learning from the world-class genealogy instructors in an amazing institution.  Last, but not least, was the camaraderie of the group.  We helped each other to maximize our research efforts, plus the group dinners were a wonderful way to connect with each other." 

What does the package include?

Optional pre-trip consultation & planning with trip leader, Jane Lindsey

Optional Monday visit to a repository

Orientation and lectures at NEHGS

7 nights at the Charlesmark Hotel (located across the street from the Boston Public Library and 2 blocks from NEHGS)

Daily continental breakfast each morning at the hotel

Two group dinners (Monday and Saturday) at local restaurants

Research schedule

Sunday: Arrive in Boston.

Monday: There will be a brief morning orientation at the hotel.  

Since the NEHGS library is closed on Monday, participants will have the option of visiting the Massachusetts State Archives, Suffolk or Middlesex county court houses, the Massachusetts Historical Society or the Boston Public Library---all AMAZING resources! You can also spend the day sightseeing in Boston.

Tuesday-Saturday: The focus will be on NEHGS. The hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Extended hours on Wednesday (9:00 am to 9:00 pm).

Also, the Boston Public Library, across the street from our hotel, is open until 9:00 pm, Monday - Thursday. It has an excellent microtext department, newspaper collection, and the excellent Norman B. Leventhal Map center. 

Do you still have questions that haven't been answered here? Contact Jane Lindsey with your inquiries at jlindsey@californiaancestors.org

Talk about a ringing endorsement:  Linda Okazaki, our current president and previous trip attendee, has just signed–up for the trip again.  Join Linda, Jane and the others on a genealogy trip you’ll never forget!

Photographs courtesy of Jane Lindsey

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society