eNews November 2012, volume 6, number 11

The November 2012 eNews, volume 6, 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 we honor Thad Tracy, great-grandfather of California Genealogical Society board member and corresponding secretary, Karen Lemelin.

Thad Tracy (1865-1902)

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

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

Photograph courtesy of Karen Lemelin.

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

Wordless Wednesday

NEHGS Comes West

Friday, October 26, 2012

Hs Lordships, Berkeley, California

Photographs by Kathryn Doyle.


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

An Idea You Should Steal: "My Favorite Ancestor" Presentations at Your Genealogical Society Meetings

California Genealogical Society President Jeffrey Vaillant had a great idea I think you should steal.

When the incoming board of directors had their first meeting this past February, Jeff added a new item to the agenda: "My Favorite Ancestor." After "old business" and before we move on to new agenda items, one director gives a short, two-three minute presentation about an ancestor. Jeff makes the next assignment so the presenter will have a month to prepare.

So far each presentation has included a a photo or two to pass around. Some have recited a short life synopsis, some have focused on a good story, and some have talked about some aspect of the research itself.

It has been such a successful idea it is spreading to other committee meetings at our society. Last month our Publications/Marketing chair, Shannon Reese, brought along some photos and the obituary he wrote for his grandmother, who died this past year.

One added benefit is that the photos are also being used in the "California Ancestors" feature in our monthly eNews. You can take a look at the photos on our California Ancestors photo board on Pinterest.

It goes without saying that genealogists love to share their family history. This has been a good way to put some of the focus back on our research.

If you think this is an idea worth stealing, or you are already doing something similar, please let me know by leaving a comment.


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

Workshop: Platting and Locating Lands from Metes and Bounds Deeds

Saturday, December 8, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2 

Oakland, CA 94612

Using deeds and other land records to assist with researching family history can help us gain a better understanding of the family, the land, and the community. Unfortunately, land records are often overlooked by beginners and by more experienced researchers.

Pam Miller is coming to the rescue! Pam knows how the art of surveying land has changed over time and she is back with a new workshop to help you navigate this rich record set. She will simplify the "metes and bounds" terminology seen in early deeds.

This hands-on workshop will help you:

• understand the terminology written in deeds prior to the mid-1900s
• decipher old deeds and extract the critical information
• create a hand-drawn map of an actual property
• use some of the online land platting tools
• locate old properties on current maps

Supplies:
Please bring a calculator and pencils with erasers. Pam will furnish graph paper, rulers, and protractors. Laptops are encouraged, but not required.

If you have an old deed, please bring it for the hands-on exercise.

Register online.

The class is limited to twelve 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 workshop. 

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

Pam Miller, a native of Dallas, Texas, attended Stanford University where she earned a B.A. in Linguistics and an M.A. in Spanish. She was employed as an educator in the Bay Area for twenty-eight years, teaching Spanish and computer science. Pam grew up "walking the family lands" with her parents, inheriting her family's love of maps and developing a severe case of what she calls "Tara Syndrome." She has been a member of CGS since 2005.


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

November Membership Meeting: Fun Tools for Genealogists to Help You Work Smarter

Tim Cox

Saturday, November 10, 2012

1:00 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library

2201 Broadway, Suite LL2

Oakland, CA 94612

Genealogists are always looking for ways to be more productive while researching, especially when digitally storing the information collected. But with technology constantly changing, how do we keep up with the new software, websites, tools and devices?

Join Tim Cox for a discussion about  using smart phones, tablets, and other tools to help you work smarter, be more productive, and allow you to easily share your information with others. Tim's talk will begin after a short membership meeting which starts promptly at 1:00 p.m.

Tim Cox has been a family historian and genealogist for more than twenty years. He is a member of numerous genealogical societies across the country, and is currently the Education and Events coordinator for the California Genealogical Society and Library.

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