The California Genealogical Society on Pinterest

My daughter introduced me to Pinterest late last year and my immediate reaction was a negative "Oh no, not another social networking site." I finally did take a look but I didn't see how Pinterest would be of value to the society and I felt we had already had a good mix of social media presence with Facebook, Twitter and Yelp.

Last week I took another look after noticing how many non-profits and genealogists had taken the plunge. I set up a page and some boards and did a little experimenting.

It's important that a social networking site provide unique value before it becomes part of our messaging and Pinterest provides a new service I've been thinking about for quite awhile. Every month we run a member-submitted ancestor photograph in the eNews and I've been wanting to create an online repository of the photos with links back to the archived newsletter for easy access to the original story. Our Pinterest "California Ancestors" board is exactly the solution I've been looking for.

Not all the photos have been pinned yet but I think it looks great already. Please take a look and let me know what you think!


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

Bounty Land and the War of 1812 Soldier

Saturday, May 19, 2012
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

Sociologists and historians make frequent use of the many records created by the War of 1812 soldiers' quest for bounty land. Genealogists should do the same, but few know how to make their way through these valuable records. What's the difference between an application and a warrant? Why does it matter if my soldier was in the Army or the militia? What on earth is scrip? Join Susan Goss Johnston and learn more about the treasures that can be found by courageous researchers.

Register online.

The class is limited to thirty participants and is a free benefit of membership. Non-members fee is $20.00 (non-refundable) and can be applied towards membership on the day of the class.

Preregistration is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Registration confirmations will be sent to the first thirty registrants. Additional names will be collected and placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

Susan Goss Johnston was a member of Yale University's first undergraduate class of women, earning a B.A. in physics. After graduation, she began working in medical research while studying voice at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. The natural outgrowth of this experience, mixed with two children, led to genealogy, research that didn't require grant writing! She has been involved in teaching and researching for thirty years. Sue currently teaches genealogy courses in the Community Education division of Las Positas College in Livermore, California, and is a member of the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society and co-presenter at the group's Tri-Valley TMG (The Master Genealogist) Users Group. She is a ProGen Study Group alumna, completing the program in 2011, and she is a graduate of the National Institute on Genealogical Research and the "Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis" at the Samford University's Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. Her personal research focuses on families in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region, and she specializes in military records and federal land records.

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

eNews April 2012, volume 6, number 4

The April 2012 eNews, volume 6, number 4,  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.

Member Chris Pattillo contributed this month's photograph in honor of her great-grandfather, George Vetter, posing in front of The Standard Brewery Headquarters in Chicago.

George Vetter and his beer hall in Chicago.

Past issues of the eNews are available at the eNews archive.

The May 2012 issue will be emailed on April 30, 2012. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.

Photograph courtesy of Chris Pattillo.



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

Join Us and the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project

 

The California Genealogical Society is proud of our continuing partnership with FamilySearch Indexing.

CGS has joined forces with genealogy societies around the country as part of the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project to create a free, online searchable name index of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census after images of the census are released to the public starting April 2, 2012.

The 1940 Census is attractive to both new and experienced researchers because most people in the United States can remember a relative that was living in 1940. It will do more to connect living memory with historical records and families than any other collection previously made available.
—David Rencher, Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch.

Join our members throughout California and across the U.S. (and one international indexer!) who have signed on to help. Visit The1940census.com/society and register to participate with our society. Simply select California Genealogical Society and Library on the profile screen when creating your account. Every new person indexing with our society gets us closer to milestones that qualify us for incentives provided by the sponsors of the project, so sign up today!

Steps to take:

1. Download and install the indexing software
   Watch an Overview | Get Started
2. Learn how to index the 1940 US Census
   Watch a Video | Try the 1940 Census indexing simulation
3. Let others know about the 1940 US Census Community Project
   Like the Facebook page | Follow @The1940Census on Twitter | Follow the page on Google+ | Tell friends about the1940census.com

Thank you for your help!

 

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

Revealing Grandma's Secrets: The 1940 Census

Who knew grandma was living in Kansas City in 1935 and then in San Francisco by 1940? The 1940 U.S. census tells us a wealth of unique information about our families and helps us understand what their lives were like.

The newest video by Reese & Jones features member volunteers Bill O'Neil and Lavinia Schwarz.

Directed by: Shannon Reese
Edited by: Kathleen Jones

Visit our YouTube channel: CAancestors.

If you need guidance finding your people on the unindexed 1940 census, the California Genealogical Society is here to help. Consider using our extended research service.


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