Researching Irish Ancestors? New Opportunity for Members

written by Maureen Hanlon

CGS volunteers Maureen Hanlon and Laura Manion, who will be hosting the Irish Research class on March 12, have also launched a related opportunity for those enrolled in the class and any CGS members looking for support in finding their Irish ancestors. 

What’s the new opportunity?

A new Facebook page, "CGS Irish Ancestor Network" is available for members to join. This Facebook group is "closed", meaning that posts are visible only to its members.  

How can it help me?

Members will be able to post links, tips, tricks and questions for this online community to address and share.  A roster will be available so members can find others searching the same counties, names or related goals.  

Maureen and Laura will update content with "Tuesday Tips" and "Wednesday WebLinks".  They will also conduct and share polls about member interests and areas of research.  As the group evolves, new features and content may be added.

How do I get started?

To receive an invite, find the page (CGS Irish Ancestor Network) on Facebook and request an invite, or send a request to mhanlon@californiaancestors.org. 

Our goal is to recruit 200 members.  The good news is that we think we may have at least that many interested based on last year's Member Survey. 

We hope you’ll help us make this an amazing Irish genealogy research page.  Get started today! 

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday: 2016 Membership & Business Meeting

2016 Board of Directors

Back row (L-R):  Jim Sorenson, Karen Lemelin, Todd Armstrong, Diana Edwards
Therese Hart-Pignotti, Shannon Reese & Stewart Blandon Traiman
Front row (L-R):  Vicky Kolakowski, Lisa Gorrell, Felicia Addison,
Linda Okazaki, Kathie Jones & Maureen Hanlon

Photos courtesy of Ron Madson

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Genealogy: Education Matters

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.

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society