California Genealogical Society blog

25 May 2016

Gena Philibert-Ortega: Genealogy Double-Header

Posted by Shannon Reese

Want to “knock it out of the park” when it comes to the time you spend on genealogy? Then you won’t want to miss two classes on the same day (Saturday, July 23^rd at our library) taught by the phenomenal Gena Philibert-Ortega!

So what are the classes?

Leading off from 10am to 12pm will be The Anatomy of BMD: What You Don’t Know About Vital Records:

“Everyone knows about the "BMD" (birth, marriage, death) vital records, right? It’s one of the first records you look for in the hunt for your ancestors.

But do you know everything about those records you seek? What do you do when no records exist? This presentation looks at the history of vital records in the United States, variations of those records, and alternatives.”

Then from 1pm to 3pm is I'm in the Book: Researching Women in Directories:

“City directories are great, but what other types of directories exist that can lead you to information about female ancestors? Surprisingly there are all kinds that include church, community, genealogy, and membership organizations.

Learn more about directories, what they contain and most importantly where to find them.”

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Gena Philibert-Ortega holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Women’s Studies) and a Master’s degree in Religion.

Presenting on various subjects involving genealogy, women’s studies and social history, she has spoken to groups throughout the United States and Canada as well as virtually to audiences worldwide.

In addition to her speaking credentials, Gena is the author of hundreds of articles published in genealogy newsletters and magazines including FGS Forum, APG Quarterly, Internet Genealogy, Family Chronicle and Family Tree Magazine.

Her writings can also be found on her blogs: Gena’s Genealogy and Food. Family. Ephemera. She is also the author of three books including her latest, From The Family Kitchen (F + W Media, 2012).

Gena was a researcher for the first season of the PBS show Genealogy Roadshow (2013). Gena is the editor of the Utah Genealogical Association’s journal Crossroads. She serves as past-president for the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Her current research interests include women’s social history, and researching women’s lives using material artifacts.

We’re so excited to have Gena teach two classes on the same day for us. Reserve your seat and don’t miss a chance to spend the day with one of the leading female voices in genealogy research!

24 May 2016

Coming soon: Genealogy Summer Camps!

Posted by Shannon Reese

by Maureen Hanlon

Are you a beginner in need of a jumpstart? Or are you a more experienced genealogist who could use some insight and guidance on your more vexing roadblocks? Want to help us raise a little money for the society?

If yes to any of these questions, then you should join us on successive Thursday evenings this July and August beginning July 7 and ending on Aug 25. Our expert Genealogy Camp Counselors will be on hand to help, but you’ve got to register and reserve your spot.

Schedule your 30-minute, one-on-one campfire session today with an expert in one of the following topics: Adoption, DNA, Family Tree, French-Canadian, German, Getting Started, Irish, New York, New England and possibly more topics to come.

Who are the camp counselors? The current lineup includes Robert Jackson, Jane Lindsey, Pam Miller, Stephen Harris, Vinnie Schwarz, Therese Hart-Pignotti, Pam Brett, Ron Madson and Laura Manion.

Who knows, there may even be s’mores...Your consultation fee will support California Genealogical Society and Library’s ongoing mission.

Sign-up today and join us for a summer of fun!

20 May 2016

Got my DNA results. Now what?

Posted by Shannon Reese

written by Lisa Gorrell

Do you also have questions about your Ancestry.com DNA results?

Recently, I learned a lot by watching a new webinar on Legacy Family Tree Webinars, called “Watch Geoff Live: DNA.” You can find the webinar here.

In this video, Geoff showed how he decided whom to have tested using Ancestry DNA. He tested his grandparents for autosomal DNA and the results show matches up to the 4th-5th cousin level.

He then had a DNA expert, Diahan Southard, take him through his results page at Ancestry.com. Diahan explained each of the sections in the DNA results page: Ethnicity Estimates, DNA Matches, New Ancestor’s Discoveries, and DNA Circles.

Geoff had a genealogical question he wanted to answer. Watch the webinar to see how close he came to answering his DNA question.

You can also learn more about Geoff’s results by reading his blog post about the experience. Be sure to read the comments too because these added to my knowledge as well.

For myself, I previously hadn’t paid any attention to some of these parts of my own DNA results page because I didn’t understand their purpose. After watching the webinar, I now feel much better about how to view my results.

Unfortunately, this webinar is no longer free, but I believe it is worth the $9.95 purchase price for a download. You can also subscribe to the webinar series by purchasing either a yearly subscription at $49.95 or a monthly one at $9.95.

Once you subscribe, then you can then watch any of the other webinars in the library. There are also several additional webinars on DNA. I think it’s well worth the money if you want to know more about genealogy and DNA.

17 May 2016

Laura Spurrier publishes in NEHGS' Western Massachusetts file

Posted by Shannon Reese

Have you heard? Long-time California Genealogical Society member Laura Spurrier added one of her relatives to the New England Historic Genealogical Society's Western Massachusetts Families database. For those of you not familiar, it's quite an honor to be included.

Laura Spurrier,
photo courtesy of Kathy Watson, 2010

Laura says, “NEHGS, the oldest and possibly fussiest genealogical society in the country, decided to start a series on families in western Massachusetts who stayed put instead of migrating further. Members were invited to write about ancestors who were in Hampshire or Berkshire County in 1790.”

Laura has a long-term brick wall named Oliver Bartlett and over time has looked at many Bartlett families in the Hadley area. There seemed to be almost a dozen, many using the same given names. Church records burned and other records are sparse.

When she learned about the project, she realized she had enough data about one family: that of Daniel Bartlett, b. 1754. Ironically, he can't be proven (yet) to be Oliver's brother, and NEHGS requires proof.

Laura's article, "Daniel Bartlett, Hadley, Hampshire County”, is online on AmericanAncestors' database in the file labeled Western Massachusetts. You will need to be a current NEHGS member to access it.

The article will also appear in print as part of Volume 3 of Western Massachusetts Families in 1790, scheduled for publication sometime in 2017.

Congrats Laura!

05 May 2016

They are NextGen

Posted by Linda Okazaki

Meet Katie and Laura, two of our volunteers

In order to thrive, genealogical societies must continually attract new members. We need to embrace changing technologies, unusual resources and new volunteers. Sometimes, that means engaging the newly retired. After all, baby-boomers are retiring in droves. Not only are they our newest members, but they are usually our newest volunteers.

We also need to embrace the youngest genealogists, and not just those under 65 or even 50, but the young adults who will bring our organizations into the future.

At the California Genealogical Society, most of our steadfast volunteers are between 65-80 years old. We also have a significant number of members and volunteers well over 80. In contrast, we have far fewer younger members. That's because younger adults are busy in different ways. They may be working, raising young children, attending college, or perhaps all three. They might only be able to volunteer on Saturdays, or from home, or on summer breaks. But we can't ignore them; they are the future of genealogy, and the future of our societies.

What is your society doing to attract younger members and volunteers? Are you friendly? Do you make them feel welcome? Do you value their time constraints? Or their skills? Do you use text messaging, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to communicate? Do you remember when you were the youngest member of your society? How does your group support the next generation of genealogists?

Two of the younger members of the California Genealogical Society are Katie and Laura. They are engaging, warm, funny, and tech-savvy professional women. They are genealogists who teach classes and volunteer on our events team.

They are NextGen.

And we are so lucky to have them onboard.