“On The Road” Once Again

by Chris Patillo and Jane Lindsey

In 2009-10 CGS offered a series of programs in nearby counties in order to provide services to our members who live a bit further away from the Library. Programs were presented in San Joaquin, Sacramento and Santa Clara counties plus the City of Fremont. 

Our objective was to make it easy for members and guests who live outside Alameda-San Francisco-Contra Costa to have the benefit of the programs that those of us who live near Oakland enjoy regularly. It was also a way for these members to meet others who live nearby who share an interest in genealogy.

We think it is time for round two and would like to hear from members who would be interested in either hosting or attending such an event in your area. Topics covered in the 2009-10 series included:  

• An overview of the outstanding resources at the CGS Library and information about upcoming events. 
• Small group discussions of special interest genealogy topics.  
• A talk by CGS Member Lavinia Schwarz titled “Some Brick Walls Are of Our Own Making” – a spell-binding talk that helped attendees look at their own brick walls with new openness, ideas, strategies and historical insight.

This series is tentatively being planned for Spring of 2017. If you are interested, please contact Chris Pattillo or Jane Lindsey. 

Photos by Jane Lindsey

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

The California Nugget: Passing the Genealogy Baton

The California Nugget, our genealogy journal, is getting a new editor.  After many years of wonderful work and tireless dedication as its editor, Jane Hufft has decided its time to pass the baton onto someone else.  Who’s that someone?  Janice M. Sellers.  

  

Why she's the right choice for us

Janice already edits three genealogy publications: ZichronNote, journal of the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society (SFBAJGS); The Baobab Tree, journal of the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California (AAGSNC); and the CSGA Newsletter, from the California State Genealogical Alliance (CSGA).  Drawing on this wealth of experience, society members should feel confident that she will produce a genealogy journal that will continue the high standards of quality and interesting stories we’ve all come to love.

In addition to her editing credits, she’s a professional genealogist who specializes in Jewish, black, dual citizenship, and newspaper research.

What’s her philosophy on genealogy?

Janice said, “I am passionate about genealogy.  I love researching my own family and everyone else's.”

She also offered, “I love to find the stories behind people and learn as much as I can about why they did what they did.  By looking at the historical context around the people I research, I’m able to help a client understand who came before them.  Once you know what was happening in your ancestor’s world, their actions begin to make more sense.”

Her extensive genealogy background

Janice is the vice president, as well as the programming and publicity director, for SFBAJGS.  She’s a board member of AAGSNC and CSGA.  She has been on the staff of the Oakland FamilySearch Library since 2000.  In addition, Janice has been researching her own family for more than 40 years.

She’s also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy, Genealogical Speakers Guild, and California Genealogical Society.  Janice is active as a volunteer in the genealogy community and has taught many classes here at the California Genealogical Society & Library. 

Before becoming a professional genealogist, she worked in publishing for many years as an editor, indexer, translator, and compositor.

On a fun note

Way back when, Janice was in the USC Marching Band (according to her, “The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe”) for five years.  While in the band, she had the joy of performing at two Super Bowl halftime shows and one World Series game, and can still be seen in the movie "The Naked Gun".  She says, “Being in the band was one of the best experiences of my life.”

What does Janice like to do outside of genealogy?

When not involved in genealogy or publishing, she loves music, singing, cooking, needlework, gardening, historical reenactment, painting small miniatures, and taking care of her birds and cats.

Help her make a successful start as the next California Nugget editor!

Do you have a story, idea, or concept you’d like to have published?  Send her an e-mail and get the conversation started.  Who knows, you just might be in an upcoming issue of the Nugget!

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Meet Arlene Miles: Genealogist, Board Member & Library Manager

Photo by Kathryn Doyle

If you haven’t met Arlene Georgia Schroeder-Miles, a long-time volunteer here at the California Genealogical Society & Library, then let me introduce you.  A native New Yorker, she’s been a San Franciscan since 1984, when she and her husband, Ted Miles, moved out west...and has put a smile on everyone’s face ever since.

How she serves the society

Arlene is now serving as both our current Library Manager and newly confirmed board member, representing the concerns of the library committee.  Our highly regarded former librarian and board member, Henry Snyder, appointed her. 

As the Library Manager, Arlene manages a group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining and growing our stellar collection of books, manuscripts and vertical files.

Arlene has excellent organizational and management skills. Her credentials include an Associate Degree in Library Technology from City College San Francisco.

Prior to retiring and becoming a volunteer with us, she served as an assistant librarian at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District before becoming the Records Manager at the Environmental Protection Agency.

What led her to the California Genealogical Society?

Retired and looking for something to do, she joined the California Genealogical Society in 2007 hoping to continue her genealogy research.

What was her first experience with genealogy?

“In the fourth grade, there was an assignment to draw a pedigree of three generations.  Of course I started with me...those were the instructions. I added my parents, then grandparents and found some hints that maybe there were more people in the family tree...”

What’s your perspective on genealogy?

“I have been adding bits and pieces to both our trees since joining CGS on the opening day of the library at the present location.  I like to ‘pay it forward’, by helping others to research and record their families.”

“After meeting Ted (the best thing that ever happened to me), getting married and moving west, I discovered he had a similar interest in genealogy, the rest is a history in the making...”

In addition to her volunteer work at the society, Arlene likes to collect postcards of places she visits, and enjoys the outdoors, especially walking at San Francisco’s beautiful Lands End park.

Look for her if you’re in the library.  Stop for a chat and I bet you’ll come away with a laugh and a smile.  Arlene, you’re another reason why people love the California Genealogical Society.  Thank you!

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

FGS 2016 Genealogy Conference News

by Kim Cotton, FGS delegate

Want to know what happened at this year's Federation of Genealogical Society’s conference in Springfield, Illinois?

Awards and certificates of appreciation were handed out to various volunteers and society members. Highlights include a new award category for service, named the “Lou D. Szucs Service Award” after the well-respected genealogist and first recipient, who has mentored many with a generous spirit.

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG℠ , CGL℠ was awarded the Director’s Award for her efforts for Preserve the Pensions. Judy is a cheerleader for worthy causes within genealogy and the California Genealogical Society should be proud that we’re hosting her for our fall 2017 seminar.

Due to a generous anonymous donation matched by Ancestry.com, the Preserve the Pensions campaign has reached its goal. If you’re unfamiliar, the Preserve the Pensions campaign aims to digitize the pension records from veterans of the War of 1812.  Many of our members donated independently to this worthy genealogy cause. Everyone in the genealogical community should be proud, as the resulting digitization efforts will provide an illuminating collection of documents, freely accessible, that would have been lost to future generations if not for our actions today.

Want to attend a future FGS conference?  The locations have been finalized and I encourage you to pencil them into your travel calendar. FGS conferences are open to the public and members of all member societies. If you are a board member or part of the committee leadership at a genealogy society, then you are invited to attend Focus On Societies Day, dedicated to society business topics, as well as other special conference events. Since many national speakers attend, the classes are amazing and provide an excellent alternative or addition to the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference in any given year.

Here are the upcoming locations:

• FGS 2017 National Conference - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• FGS 2018 National Conference - Ft. Wayne, Indiana
• FGS 2019 National Conference - Washington, D.C.
• FGS 2020 National Conference - Kansas City, Missouri

For more information about the conference dates and venues, or if you’re looking for ideas on society management, then definitely browse their resource-packed website.

You’re all caught up now, but if you have a question for your FGS delegate, email me.  

Hope to see you around the library or at the next genealogy conference!

   

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday: Vertical Files Grand Opening

If you missed the Vertical Files Grand Opening hosted by Pat Bonderud and Linda Darby this past Saturday, then enjoy these photos from that wonderful day.

What's the vertical file collection?  
Approximately 2,000 files of newspaper clippings, newsletters, correspondence, reproduced records, compiled family charts, research notes and many other interesting items. You never know what you’ll find in this eclectic collection. The contents of these files have been contributed by members and non-members over our 100+ year history. 

How do I search it?
We have an online Vertical File database that includes: a title (usually a surname), brief description of the contents, timeframe, and geographic location for each file.

Happy hunting!

Arlene Miles, our newest board member, cuts the ribbon
and opens the vertical file to everyone.
Photo: Ron Madson

Our vertical file curators: Pat Bonderud & Linda Darby
Photo: Shannon Reese

L to R: Linda Okazaki, Arlene Miles, Linda Darby & Pat Bonderud
Photo: Ron Madson

Linda Darby
Photo: Ron Madson

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society