To register for an event or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.
Questions? Email [email protected]
When distributing the events for August and September, there was something super exciting in there. But they said I couldn’t say anything until after August 1.
CGS peeps, it was killing me. I even made it not my first post after August 1 so you wouldn’t hear it from me first and don’t think for a moment that was easy for me. I am good with bad secrets (as in: I know all the blacksheep in the family and only told about half their stories), but with good secrets? Well. It’s just hard.
So here we go… BOSTON! A Boston trip next February!!! Details are below. I’m super sad as I lost the majority of my New England ancestors to my mom’s DNA test (a story for another time), so I’m not sure I’ll go, but if I can regroup my tree and explore some other lines, I may be on the list!
2026 CGS Research Trip to Boston, Massachusetts
CGS returns to Boston for a week of research led by Matthew Blaine Berry, CG. The Charlesmark Hotel is 1 minute from the Boston Public Library, 6 minutes from American Ancestors, and 15 minutes from the Massachusetts Historical Society.
The trip, led by Matt Berry, includes:
• A seven-night stay at the Charlesmark Hotel
• Orientation and tour of the Massachusetts Historical Society
• Orientation and tour of American Ancestors
• Six days of uninterrupted research at your choice of top Boston research facilities
• Pre-trip meeting and consultation
• Research assistance by Matt Berry
• Daily continental breakfast (pastry and coffee)
• Two group dinners at local restaurants
When: Sunday, February 1, 2026-Sunday, February 8, 2026
Where: Boston, MA
Cost: $1,399 single occupancy (airfare and local transportation not included). See the cancellation and refund policy below. For CGS members only.
How to Register: Deadline October 31, 2025 and limited to 15 of you! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-cgs-boston-research-trip-registration-1415983146709
More details…
• You’ll be staying at the beautiful Charlesmark Boutique Hotel (655 Boylston Street). Boston, MA 02116. There are only double and queen rooms available at this hotel.
• To pay, you can use your credit card through the registration site or write a check to CGS (info on the registration site).
• American Ancestors membership is recommended. Non-members will pay $20 daily user fee. 3-month membership in American Ancestors is $34.95.
• Do you want to stay longer? Additional nights at the Charlesmark Hotel can be arranged before and after the event at the reduced group rate. Maybe visit Plymouth Rock (let me know if you stood there expecting to feel awed, and then realized it was actually quite small, and then kind of felt stupid for thinking it was a big deal, but you still made the awe-face just in case). Maybe visit the Plymouth Plantation and talk with your ancestors. Although I’m no longer related, I had a 30-minute conversation with my 10th great-grandfather where he told me all about my 9th great-grandfather and his brothers and sisters. They. Stay. In. Character.
• Whatever you decide, if you go, have great fun in beautiful Boston. I’ll be here waiting for you to send me something to post in the Blog!
Learn more:
On CGS Website: link when available (watch the registration site)
Charlesmark Hotel: https://www.charlesmarkhotel.com/
American Ancestors: https://www.americanancestors.org/
Massachusetts Historical Society Video: About the Massachusetts Historical Society (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhfcwZ-w_kU)
Boston Public Library: https://www.bpl.org/genealogy/
Cancellation fee and schedule: All cancellations must be made in writing. Your registration fee will be refunded, less an administrative fee of $100, if cancellation is received by 31 December 2025. If a cancellation notice is received after 31 December, no refund will be given. (It is suggested that you obtain trip insurance if you feel cancellation is possible.)
The California Genealogical Society shall not be held liable for any loss or damage to property. Additionally, CGS will not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury caused by strikes, weather, illness, or any other cause beyond its reasonable control.
Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
Special Interest Groups: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/
Calendar view: https://www.californiaancestors.org/cgs_calendar/
Tips & Talk: Oakland FamilySearch Center Family History Classes: https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/oakland_california/classes
AUG
2025