Genealogy Buddies - They Keep Coming Back

Paula Stuart-Warren of Paula's Genealogical Eclectica wrote recently about the advantages of having a genealogy buddy – someone to help you with organization, or help you solve a research problem, or proof something you've written. She advises you "ask your buddy to go to the library to help you do research."

Three CGS members started doing that a long time ago.

Pat Morgan, Twila Graves and Virginia Kysh

Pat Morgan, Twila Graves and Virginia Kysh are genealogy buddies who come to the California Genealogical Society Library together once a month – every month – for a full day of research. The three friends met at the Antioch Family History Center where they are all volunteers.


And what is it that keeps them coming back? It's the excellent New England resources at CGS. It's a message that bears repeating – there is so much more than "California" in the CGS Library.


Please come and see for yourself – and be sure to say "hi" to Pat, Twila and Virginia if you see them!



Photograph courtesy of Jane Knowles Lindsey, 10/6/2010, Oakland, California.


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

Yelp: Genealogy!

I've experimented with a variety of online calendars and social media sites to promote California Genealogical Society events with varying success. The newest trend in social networking is "checking in" with GPS-enabled smart phones and applications such as Foursquare, Yelp, and Facebook Places. So, yes, I've created CGSL pages on all of the above – just in case.

One benefit – besides the free publicity – is the periodic emailed statistics report on the activity on the sites. Imagine my surprise when I got this month's breakdown of the page views on Yelp:

The bar graph shows 767 page views in October! The CGSL business page on Yelp was viewed an average of 25 times a day during Family History Month. I really can't explain the numbers except that we did do a lot of promoting of our classes and workshops.

Our First Free Saturday Intro to Genealogy class has been a fixture on Yelp since July 2007 and it does seem to be translating to increased attendance at the classes, especially among younger genealogists. It's not just beginners either. We're noticing experienced researchers who are taking advantage of the free day and are coming in to check us out. I'm proud to report that our volunteer teachers are great at making everyone feel welcome. They are taking the time to learn the experience level of their students so they can tailor the material and make sure everyone learns something.

Yelp.com markets itself "Real people, real reviews." It's primarily a place for ordinary people to write about their experiences at restaurants and the businesses they frequent. So far we only have two reviews but they're both 5 stars and one reviewer has since become an active member.

Mary Beth Frederick taught the first Saturday in October class and she sent this feedback from one of her Yelping students:

You mentioned that I might be a bit advanced for the class, but I wanted to assure you that it was one of the best things that I have done. Not only did I learn some interesting information, but I made use of the links provided by you in the workshop. After posting pictures on deadfred.com I was contacted within 72 hours by a distant cousin!

I know that I could have found the links another way, but I might not have used them because I wouldn't have trusted them. But I felt that the ones that were provided had most likely been tested and I would have a better chance of not going to a bogus website.

After several conversations with my cousin, I have been able to get the names on pictures that my grandfather left me and start making more connections. Thanks again!

So if you haven't checked it out yet, take a look at Yelp.com and see what "genealogy" venues and reviews have been posted in your neighborhood.



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

eNews November 2010, volume 4, number 11

The November 2010 issue of the eNews, volume 4, number 11,  has been published and emailed to members and friends. As always, the eNews features timely information about the California Genealogical Society and our upcoming events. Each edition also includes Suggested Links From the Blogosphere and a photo feature: California Ancestors.

This month's photograph was submitted by Ron Davis of his homesteading ancestors –  the family of Martin Enos DAVIS, of Amidon, North Dakota. 

Past issues of the eNews are available at the eNewsARCHIVE.

The December 2010 issue will be emailed on November 30, 2010. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.


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

Workshop: Heating Up Your Research with Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Saturday, December 11, 2010
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, California 94612

Join Dr. Melinda Kashuba for this informative workshop and learn how to use Sanborn fire insurance maps in your family history research.

Tracing urban ancestors can be challenging because of the mobility of city residents and the ever-changing nature of cities. Maps assist genealogists in not only locating physical addresses but also providing context for the lives of their family. Maps can provide details about the places where an ancestor lived, worked, worshiped, attended school, shopped, and recreated.

There are a number of map resources available to the researcher to help flesh out an urban ancestor’s life. The lecture portion of the workshop is designed to introduce you to fire insurance maps and what they can tell us about individual properties, neighborhoods as well as the development of cities during the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States and Canada. The workshop includes a participatory component where you will become familiar with the symbols used on fire insurance maps and have an opportunity to study examples of this phenomenal information source.

The workshop is FREE for CGS members but is limited to twenty people. Non-members fee is $20.00 (non-refundable) and can be applied towards membership on the day of the workshop. Preregistration is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted.

Register online.

Melinda Kashuba holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a popular lecturer and author of Walking with Your Ancestors: a Genealogist’s Guide to Using Maps and Geography (Family Tree Books, 2005) plus numerous articles in genealogical magazines and other publications. Her specialties include nineteenth and twentieth century American records and maps. She performs genealogical research for clients and can be reached at TKashuba@aol.com.


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

On The Road to San Joaquin County

Thursday, November 18, 2010
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cesar Chavez Central Library
605 North El Dorado Street
Stockton, CA 95202


REI

Stone Creek Shopping Center
5757 Pacific Avenue (cross street is Robinhood Drive)
Stockton, CA 95207

It's time for another roadshow!

This time, California Genealogical Society members are invited to join with members of the San Joaquin Genealogical Society for networking and two presentations.

PROGRAM

1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.   Have You Been to the California Genealogical Society Library?
Past-President Jane Lindsey will present an overview of the outstanding resources at the CGS Library and share information about upcoming events and programs.

1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Break. Refreshments will be served!

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Some Brick Walls Are of Our Own Making
Lavinia Schwarz’s spell-binding talk will help you look at your own brick walls with new openness, ideas, strategies and historical insight.

"On the Road" get-togethers are a fun way to meet members in the target locale and are designed to help link neighbors who share an interest in genealogy. The programs are open to the public. If you live in the San Joaquin County, please join us!

The society gratefully acknowledges the assistance of famous geneablogger, Sheri Fenley. True to her blog name, The Educated Genealogist, Sheri made the arrangements for the program. She is a member of both societies as well as editor of the San Joaquin Genealogical Society newsletter.

Update! The venue has changed for this event. New location:

REI Meeting Room
Stone Creek Shopping Center
5757 Pacific Avenue (cross street is Robinhood Drive)

Stockton, CA 95207

GPS Coordinates [Hey, this is REI, after all!]
38° .124' N
121° 19.023' W
WGS84

The meeting room is located in the rear of the store, upstairs.

RSVP online.


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