Blog | California Genealogical Society

Focus on: Irish Ancestry Special Interest Group

by Debbie Mascot (3/12/2025)

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

The CGS Irish Ancestry Special Interest Group (SIG) meets quarterly, with the next meeting being in June. These member-only meetings are hybrid via Zoom or in person. They share successes, problem-solving, online learning and other resources. They have their own CGS site and Facebook page (https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/).

September will feature a noted speaker so save the date now! Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Speaker Susan McKee was born and raised in Dublin, giving her a unique perspective to Irish family research, and combining her native understanding of Irish culture with professional genealogical expertise. Now residing in Seattle, she serves as a contributing writer for Irish Roots magazine and facilitates the Irish Special interest Group at the Seattle Genealogical Society.

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

All-Ireland Genealogy Seminar

by Debbie Mascot (3/10/2025)

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

I hope you didn’t miss the All-Ireland Genealogy Seminar on March 1! It was such a well-planned, information-filled event held at Oakland’s Preservation Park (https://www.preservationpark.com). I’d never been before and I loved the charm. I highly recommend a visit. I didn’t know what to expect, so I was a bit surprised to roll up to what looked like a Victorian neighborhood, which, it turns out, it once was.

It began in the 1870s as an upscale neighborhood, but within 100 years, many were subdivided into rooming houses and deteriorated structures. They demolished all but five homes and, with the threat of a new highway, the City of Oakland swooped in and created a partnership to save the area. Now there are 16 buildings that look like Victorian homes (even though they fit 77 genealogists!) and the area has period-piece park benches and street lamps.

I arrived a little before 8:30 and parking was easy, with just some minor confusion fixed by super helpful staff. I walked across the street to Preservation Park and easily found the right Victorian-looking home. Check-in was so easy with no wait at all. I found a seat and then the coffee. We started right on time at 9:00 a.m. with CGS president, Roger Prince, delivering the opening remarks.

There were 77 tickets sold and all 77 attended. For Friday’s individual consultation, I hear that there were 24 booked and it sold out! I looked around the room and took a moment to appreciate the luxury of the day. It had been years since I’d been to a genealogy event and I was so glad that my foray back was with CGS.

Soon, Gillian Hunt and Fintan Mullen of the Ulster Historical Foundation began their presentations. There were 5 (FIVE!) presentations through the day, plus a question-and-answer session. It was an intensely-educational day with all things Irish and some prizes doled out throughout. I was delighted to go home with some Irish whiskey and a flask!

I hope you will enjoy some photos taken by CGS photographer, Ron Madson, and that you will join CGS in the next special event!

Upcoming at CGS

by Debbie Mascot (3/7/2025)

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

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, March 15, 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, March 15, 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 (ftm-sig.org)

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/
Recordings for Members: https://www.californiaancestors.org/videos_for_cgs_members/
Tips & Talk: Oakland FamilySearch Center Family History Classes: https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/oakland_california/classes