California Genealogical Society blog

09 February 2016

Genealogy: Education Matters

Posted by Shannon Reese

By Linda Okazaki

Whether you are an occasional hobbyist, a certified or professional genealogist, or something in between, genealogical education is important.

Fortunately, we have many options and opportunities for continuing education. There are webinars and podcasts, community classes and virtual classes, conferences and institutes. Each of us can benefit from an educational plan.

At the California Genealogical Society, our members have an array of interests and skill sets. Maureen Hanlon, our in-house education coordinator, has been busy planning the 2016 calendar to meet this wide-range of needs.

Many members take advantage of educational opportunities in other areas. Jane Lindsey will host a research trip to The New England Historic Genealogy Society (NEHGS) in late February. Lisa Gorrell and Jim Sorenson will take a group of researchers to Salt Lake City in late April. Interested in registering? Our Eventbrite page has all the details and booking information.

Some of our members will also attend the upcoming National Genealogy Society (NGS) conference in May, the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in June and the Federation of Genealogy Societies (FGS) conference in August.

A completely different experience is an “institute.” These are week-long intensive educational opportunities where students study one topic in depth, led by a host of genealogical experts. Earlier this month, thirteen members of the California Genealogical Society attended the 21st Annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG).

CGS Members at SLIG 2016

Our members participated in a variety of learning tracks (from beginning DNA to advanced, land records, advanced methodologies and more) for a total of 325 instructional hours, plus a host of networking opportunities. Next year, the number of tracks will be increased, including a new class by John Philip Colletta, Phd. on immigrant ancestors.

If a local class is more to your liking, please be sure to visit our Eventbrite page, or follow the Bay Area Calendar, for a monthly list of educational opportunities.

On the other hand, if you think you would like to teach a class, host a special interest group, or assist our research team, then these are some questions we'll have for you:

Do you have special research skills that you would like to share?
Are you a certified or accredited genealogist?
Have you finished the Boston University Certificate course or ProGen?
Are you a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists?

Interested in teaching? Please contact either Maureen Hanlon or Linda Okazaki to discuss. We'd love to hear from you!

Regardless of your long-term goals in family history, it’s always a good idea to keep on learning.

01 February 2016

Saturday Genealogy Field Trip: San Francisco Public Library's Amazing History Center

Posted by Shannon Reese

San Francisco Public Library. Photo by J. Ash Bowie

Prepare to be wowed.

Please join field trip coordinator, Frances Silcox, and current president Linda Harms Okazaki this Sat, Feb 6th from 10am-12pm for a members only encore tour of the areas of genealogical interest at the San Francisco Main Public Library. Register here.

Susan Goldstein, San Francisco City Archivist

Attendees will gather at 10:00 a.m. inside the main library entrance, then head straight up to The San Francisco History Center on the sixth floor. We'll tour the magnificent history room with it's amazing holdings. It will be led by San Francisco City Archivist Susan Goldstein.

Photo by Kathryn Doyle

Afterwards, we'll go downstairs for a fun classroom presentation to learn about the online catalog and the many San Francisco records the library has recently digitized through Archive.org and FamilySearch.org along with how to access them.

If you don't already have a San Francisco library card, then this will be a great opportunity to get one. Residents of California with identification may obtain one for free. Interested? Detailed information is available at the library website.

Photo by Kathryn Doyle

After all that walking and listening, you might be ready for a bite to eat. Grab someone from the tour and check out Café Asia at the Asian Art Museum.

Getting there

Remember to take BART (it's Super Bowl weekend). Come to the Civic Center Station, then exit and walk towards the large blue medallion painted on the wall. Next, go up the stairs or escalator. The library is across the street.

Date & Time

Saturday, February 6, 2016

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where

San Francisco Main Public Library

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, 94102

What

An exclusive members only event. Register here today!

Not a member, but would like to go? Join here for only $40.

We hope to see you there!

27 January 2016

Genealogy Class: So you've got French-Canadian ancestry, Eh?

Posted by Shannon Reese

Trying to hunt down that elusive French-Canadian ancestor? Then register today for our class, French-Canadian Family History. It’s this Saturday, January 30, 2016 at our library in Uptown Oakland from 1PM to 3PM.

What’s the purpose of the class?

It’s to learn how to solve the key problem facing anyone with French-Canadian ancestors: the discovery of their most recent marriage record, whether in Canada or the United States, which will usually provide access to the rest of the family tree. Also, you’ll review the main online resources for French-Canadian research.

Who were the original French-Canadians?

From a tiny population of immigrants—just 5,000 men and 1,500 women, most of whom arrived in Canada between 1660 and 1680—descends the entire French-Canadian population of more than seven million, as well as their millions of American cousins.

To have French-Canadian ancestors is to have an astonishing and ready-made family tree. From the very beginning of French settlement in Canada, in the early 1600s, the Catholic priests responsible for the spiritual lives of their parishioners maintained thorough and complete records of all vital events, including marriages, baptisms, and burials.

From these pristine and detailed documents, all of which are now available on line, we can construct impressive family trees, often consisting of over a thousand individuals reaching back to the fifteenth century in France.

About the instructor

Robert Jackson holds a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. After several years’ teaching at the college level, he pursued a professional career in banking and finance. Since retiring, he has assisted a variety of not-for-profit and community organizations. He has also been enjoying his hobbies of genealogy and tennis.

Robert lives in Berkeley, is devoted to his wife, and is very proud of his daughter, who recently graduated from Bennington College in Vermont.

The details

Member? Then you enjoy free admission.

Not a member yet? Your admission fee is $30.00* and can be applied towards a new one year CGS membership the day of the class. If you think you’ll come to more than one of our classes, then a new membership (which starts at only $40) more than pays for itself.

So what are you waiting for? Reserve your spot today and learn all about the French-Canadians!

Who's Who? 2016 Board of Directors

Posted by Shannon Reese

The California Genealogical Society is pleased to announce the installation of the following officers who were re-elected at the January 23 Board meeting:

President - Linda Okazaki

Vice President - Diana Edwards

Recording Secretary - Lisa Gorrell

Treasurer - Kathie Jones

Corresponding Secretary - Karen Lemelin

Members of the 2016 Board of Directors include:

Felicia Addison

Todd Armstrong

Stewart Blandón Traiman

Ellen Fernandez-Sacco (Past President)

Maureen Hanlon

Therese Hart-Pignotti

Vicky Kolakowski

Shannon Reese

Nicka Smith

Jim Sorenson

Henry Snyder

Congratulations to everyone!