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To register for an event or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.
Questions? Email [email protected]

This week, I explored the Profiles of the Signers of the 1849 California Constitution with Family Histories (https://www.californiaancestors.org/profiles-of-the-signers-of-the-1849-california-constitution/).  My hope was to find some California ancestors in the bunch, but I did not.  What I did find, though, were a lot of familiar names!

Ord, Vallejo, Ellis to name a few. I was able to read up on a number of them and learn more about those our streets and cities were named after.

This is a work started by prior CGS teams and picked back up a couple of times, most recently by the current team and then published on our website for all to view and learn from.  Many thanks to Barbara E. Kridl, Marie Treleaven, Evan R. Wilson, Lois Elling, Stacy Hoover Haines, Chris Pattillo, Arlene Miles, and Jennifer Dix for this wonderful work.

One of my favorite features is that locations are indexed, as well as names.  For example, I found the below that included information about Racine, Wisconsin:

“Henry Tefft’s westward route took him first to Racine, Wisconsin where he resided when he was sent to California in 1849 as commissioner to establish post offices in the new territory. He lived for several months at the Nipomo Ranch with Captain Dana. That same year he represented San Luis Obispo at the Constitutional Convention.” (p. 318)

Who is your favorite Californian signer of our 1849 Constitution?

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/

To register for an event or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.
Questions? Email [email protected]

This next week, there are a few groups for you to join to get more active and exercise your body and brain with a trip or two to the CGS Library and/or attending a virtual event to learn more about what you want to learn about!

2025 CGS Annual Membership Meeting and Potluck
It’s election time again, but this time instead of political controversy, we have the honor to elect wonderful new board members who will be volunteering their time to CGS this year. There will be a short business meeting, election of new board members and, for those joining in person, a social gathering and potluck lunch.
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-cgs-annual-membership-meeting-and-potluck-registration-1093679858899

San Francisco Special Interest Group (SIG)
San Francisco has so many nuances to genealogical research that it helps to know an expert. Join this SIG to meet several! It doesn’t matter if you are new to genealogy or an old hat, find your family story in the City of Love.
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: Contact [email protected]

Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SIG)
Are you using the popular Family Tree Maker software to keep track of your genealogy findings? Are you new and looking for a program to use? Are you just wanting to know more about it? Join this great SIG for a plethora of topics this January, including a new release, and all things cemetery, including citations (which some may find more frightening than a cemetery!).
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: Register through the FTM-SIG website (http://ftm-sig.org/)

Special Event:
2025 All Ireland Genealogy Seminar
California Genealogical Society will host the first stop of the 2025 Ulster Historical Foundation US Tour. You can register for a 30-minute consultation and/or attend a day of lectures.
Consultations
When: Friday, February 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: CGS Library
Cost: $50.00 per 30-minute consultation
How to Register: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-courses/oakland
Lectures
When: Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Preservation Park, Oakland, CA
Cost: Purchase before January 15, 2025 $100 for CGS Members and $125 for non-members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-all-ireland-genealogy-seminar-with-the-ulster-historical-foundation-registration-1100184514499

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/

To register for an event or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.
Questions? Email [email protected]

Coming up on Saturday is the CGS Annual Election of Board members. We thought you may want to hear about the responsibilities that our Board members have in taking care of all of us at CGS. Please see the snippets below of each position and the duties they have. We are so grateful to those who have served CGS, those serving CGS, and those to come in 2025 and beyond! Once you have read through, please join us at the CGS Annual Membership Meeting (details are at the bottom of this post).

President
The President is the primary spokesperson for CGS who presides over, organizes, and plans the Board meetings and presides over membership meetings. He or she is a member in all CGS committees (except the Nominating Committee, who they appoint). The President contributes to the Publications committee as needed and also maintains relationships with other genealogical societies and institutions. He or she responds to complaints, participates in lease negotiations, appoints a Financial Reviewer, and makes sure that the Board runs smoothly.

Vice President (VP)
The VPs attend the Board of Director meetings and preside over any meeting where the President cannot. They are integral parts of the Society in that in addition to their own committees (they must chair at least one), they also substitute for the President and act for, and with, the President. All personnel matters are handled by the VP with assistance from the President and Volunteer Coordinator.

Treasurer
The Treasurer oversees all the financial transactions of CGS. They receive and record income, make deposits, transfer funds and pay bills. He or she must prepare monthly Board reports, year-end statements, tax returns, annual budgets, and other governmental and business-related requirements.

Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary takes notes (minutes) at the Board meetings and Annual Meeting. They coordinate the different committee reports to present to the Board and are the custodian of the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and all the other official documents of CGS. The Recording Secretary sends meeting reminders and sets an agenda for the meetings.

Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding Secretary writes thank you notes to donors and guest speakers, sends any needed get well, sympathy and other notes, and the Annual Appeal letter for the President. They also make sure that any items needed for Publications are provided and maintain the personnel roster. Other distribution duties may apply (like mailing the eNews to those without electronic access).

Investment Officer
The Investment Officer oversees the work of the Treasurer and also the Investment Committee. He or she reviews all financial reports and recommendations, participates in the lease negotiations, reviews the insurance policies and gives reports on financial matters.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is a group of people who have an interest in CGS and a commitment to help it thrive. They attend and participate in Board meetings, serve as a coordinator or Chair, represent CGS at hosted events, offer suggestions, support and ideas.

2025 CGS Annual Membership Meeting and Potluck
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-cgs-annual-membership-meeting-and-potluck-registration-1093679858899

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/