Wordless Wednesday - Annual Appeal

California Genealogical Society and Library

Preparing the Annual Appeal Letter

Mary Limosner, Gaye Lenahan and Jane Knowles Lindsey

Photograph by Kathryn Doyle, 10/23/2008.

First Saturday Beginners Classes

The California Genealogical Society offers a FREE "Intro to Genealogy" class on the first Saturday of every month, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the society's library at 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, California, in the historic Breuner Building.


Intro to Genealogy is part of the "First Saturdays Free" policy that allows open access to the library and resources to non-members and the general public on the first Saturday of every month. The library is a benefit of membership and is available to non-members for a $5.00 day fee during the rest of the month.

Vinnie Schwarz, Margaret Bowman and Kirsten Netterbled at the November 1, 2008 class.

And it is not just beginners who attend. Lavinia Schwarz sent this report: "Two members attended the November class that I taught. Neither are beginners but they were there nonetheless, with great enthusiasm. We went through the usual -- interview all the elders, forget spelling, keep track and source your evidence. I threw in my organizational favorite habits of color coding the four grandparent lines and using time-lines. We talked about names, places, dates, and events. It was fun."
The next class is set for December 6, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and will be taught by Lisa Gorrell.

The Events Committee is working on the list of volunteers who will teach the FREE First Saturday Classes in 2009. If you are interested in volunteering please e-mail Jane Knowles Lindsey. The basic outline and hand-outs are provided, all you need to add is your time, patience and expertise!

The classes are always listed on the CGS Google calendar.

Two Lectures by Steve Morse on Sunday, November 16, 2008

CGS member Jeremy Frankel sent this announcement:

The San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society will close its 2008 lecture series with two presentations by Steve Morse - DNA and Hodgepodge.

We extend a welcome to all genealogists to attend our lectures, which are always free and open to the public.

When: Sunday, November 16th, 2008
Where: Jewish Community High School, 1835 Ellis Street
Location: Auditorium on 2nd floor
Doors open at 12:30, meeting begins at 1:00 pm
Note: there is FREE secure parking in the garage on site
Note: lectures are free, as are the cookies and coffee!

After the lecture, do check out the library on the same floor.

Parking is accessed by entering the garage on Pierce Street by Eddy. Press the security buzzer and announce yourself.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Wordless Wednesday

California Genealogical Society and Library

Beginning Genealogy Series, Class Four
Census Records - Dick Rees
Saturday, November 1, 2008

Photographs courtesy of Jane Knowles Lindsey.

Volunteer Reception a Success!

Last Saturday, November 8, 2008, the California Genealogical Society transformed the usual membership meeting into a special Thanksgiving celebration to honor member volunteers. The event was a dual wine reception and book sale and filled both rooms of the society. CGS Events Coordinator Carolyn Steinberg and her committee put together a sumptuous buffet of hors d'oeuvres. About fifty volunteer members were on hand to share in the festivities.

Barbara Hill, Arlene Miles and Laura Spurrier handled every aspect of the successful book sale. Not shown is Ted Miles who did most of the heavy lifting. Thanks, Ted!


Members were able to browse among three tables of selections.


The sale netted $354 for the society.


Members of the French-Canadian Group met before the reception.

CGS Events Chair Carolyn Steinberg and her committee set up a beautiful buffet.

Carolyn Steinberg, Jane Lindsey, Nancy Servin, Chris Pattillo, Pat Smith, Lisa Gorell and Peg Stewart contributed to the delicious spread.

Stephen Harris, Bill O'Neil and Dick Rees enjoyed the day.

Events Committee member Tim Cox organized name tags for all attendees to advertise their surnames and research places of interest.

Pat Smith did double duty helping with the festivities and handling desk duty. Gaye Lenahan won the scholarship to next weekend's Got Genealogy Academy, donated by Lisa Lee.

Greg and Mary Smith went home with the software raffle prize.

Special thanks to all of our member volunteers for everything you do!

Photographs by Jane Lindsey and Kathryn Doyle.