Blog

Happy December!

To register or for more information, click the link for each event. All times are Pacific Time.

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 11:00 am: “Tips & Talk” at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. This week: “Orientation to Scanning Options at OFSC”—Hands on help from OFSC Volunteers. Discover what devices OFSC has to assist you in saving photos, recordings, videos, scrapbooks, and more. These memories can be uploaded to your FamilySearch family tree and Ancestry.com (among other websites and programs). They can be shared with your family and friends through emails and social media. They can be used to create books about your family. Stay and do some scanning or make an appointment to use the equipment on another day.

Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 AM. Monthly Board Meeting. Hybrid; in person and via Zoom. On the agenda: Officers’ reports, Focus 2025, Annual report, Nominations Committee report.

Library hours: Thursday and Friday 10 AM-2 PM and Saturday 10 AM-4 PM

Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
Special Interest Groups: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/
Calendar: Google calendar

At a recent get-together to honor outgoing OFSC directors Bruce and Barbara McLeod, a group of CGS volunteers grabbed the opportunity for a photo together. Pictured from left: Maureen Hanlon, Lavinia Schwarz, Roger Prince, Jennifer Dix, and Jane Lindsey.

CGS has long had a friendly working relationship with the Oakland FamilySearch Center. Other CGS members who regularly volunteer their time are Lisa Gorrell, Steve Harris, Karla Henderlong, Jacqueline Henderson, Susan O’Brien, Diane Richards, Diane Roth, and Bob Trapp. They meet with library patrons and share their knowledge to assist them in their research.

Many CGS members also present a classes for the “Tips and Talk” joint series. Beginning in the new year, you can look forward to hearing Roger Prince on Scotland, Linda Okazaki on Immigration, Jane Lindsey on French Canadian records, Evan Wilson discussing the 10 Million Names Project, and much more. Stay tuned!

Things keep moving and improving at the CGS library. With substantial help from Ron Madson, Linda Darby, and Laura’s husband Phil, Manuscripts Committee co-chairs Laura Jones and Janet Netz recently managed to move the Manuscripts Collection from what they genially call “the toilet room” to its new home, the closet off the classroom, at the beginning of November. This move was necessary given the receipt of several new sizable collections over the last year or two and the expectation of another substantial collection to come.

This move has allowed Laura and Janet to consolidate and organize the Manuscript Collection, to shelve new collections, and to have space for future donations of collections.

The shelves going into the classroom closet:

Linda and Laura moved the materials from the toilet room to the classroom to empty the shelves for the move from the “toilet room” to the classroom closet:

The “toilet room” (look familiar?):

Laura and Janet with the manuscripts installed in their new home:

Congrats to the Manuscript Committee on the move, and thanks to all the volunteers who made this happen!