Blog

We are very excited that Seattle-based genealogist Jill Morelli, CG, CGL, will give a Zoom presentation for CGS on Saturday, September 30! In her talk, “Be A Super Sleuth! Accessing and Using Image Records,” Jill will share her insights about accessing the information found only in images on the FamilySearch website.

Jill is a well-known speaker, writer, and teacher. Since becoming a certified genealogist more than 20 years ago, she has published articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and many other genealogical journals. She loves teaching and speaks on a wide variety of topics, always finding new aspects of genealogy to share. She is the founder of the Certification Discussion Group and co-founder of the Applied Genealogy Institute which launched in 2021.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an engaging and informative speaker! To learn more or register for the class, click HERE.

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

The following Special Interest Groups are meeting this week:

Tuesday, September 12, 11 AM: “Tips & Talk” at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. This week: “FamilySearch Skills 1.” OFSC volunteer Denise Plaskett guides the group through the “Show Me Slides” available on the Family History Guide website. These slides start with the basics and build your skills and your confidence. This course will be given in the computer classroom and is limited to 14 hands-on students, so drop-ins are welcome but registration via Eventbrite is encouraged. Topics will be covered at the pace of the attendees. Free; held in person at the Oakland FamilySearch Center.

Wednesday, September 13, 6:30 PM: Members’ Roundtable. A forum for asking questions about one another’s genealogical research, learn from others, share research successes, and enjoy a collegial group of individuals interested in learning together. Particularly for new and remote members, this will be an opportunity to meet and feel part of the CGS community. Led by Lisa Gorrell and Jacqueline Henderson.

Friday, September 15, 10:30 AM: Mayflower Descendants SIG. Led by Robert Trapp. Focus on Mayflower ancestry and how to join The Society of California Mayflower Descendants. Discussion of ongoing research.

Saturday, September 16, 10 AM: San Francisco SIG. Sandra Huber leads this group for those interested in finding San Francisco ancestors, with discussion of where to look for records both pre and post the 1906 earthquake.

Saturday, September 16, 1 PM: Family Tree Maker SIG. Presentation, discussion, and troubleshooting for users of the popular genealogy software.Today’s meeting includes a look at the newest FTM update. Led by Ron Madson and Karen Halfon. Hybrid (held in person and on Zoom).

And don’t forget–

Get your tickets now for our gala 125th Anniversary Celebration, held Sunday, October 8 at Lake Temescal! Features a delicious buffet, California wines, live music, door prizes, and a gift basket raffle! Tickets are going fast, so don’t wait!

Click HERE to buy tickets.

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

The Oakland FamilySearch Center

CGS and the Oakland FamilySearch Center jointly sponsor the weekly “Tips & Talk” series, a fun, informal gathering where you can learn about genealogy and ask questions. During the summer, this class was held Wednesday mornings. Now we will alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and hold an evening class once a month. The new schedule: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 11 a.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 11 a.m. An evening class will be offered on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.

All presentations are held in person at the Oakland FamilySearch Center, 4766 Lincoln Avenue (“Temple Hill”). We hope that visitors will take advantage of the opportunity to explore the OFSC’s many resources and perhaps get help from a volunteer. Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is appreciated: click HERE.

The September schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, September 12: “FamilySearch Skills 1.” OFSC volunteer Denise Plaskett gives an introduction to the Family History Guide’s “Show Me Slides.” These slides start with the basics and build your skills and your confidence.
• Wednesday, September 20: “Intro to Genealogy: Getting Started Part 1 – Gathering Information.” First of a two-part class. CGS member Jane Lindsey talks about getting started in genealogy; where & how to find records at home, tips for contacting relatives, how to organize your research, and more. NOTE: Part II of this class will be October 4th.
• Wednesday, September 20 6:00 pm: “A Project That Took on a Life of Its Own: Talking Story-Immigrant Arrivals at Hawai’i Sugar Plantations, 1876-1946.” CGS member Cindy Thomson gives this talk of interest to genealogists of all levels. She relates how a simple search for her own Korean ancestors turned into a major project that grew to include over 15 ethnic groups whose ancestors immigrated to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations, and their lasting impact on plantation life and the culture of Hawaii.
• Tuesday, September 26: “FamilySearch Skills 2.” Denise Plaskett continues her class on using the Family History Guide website.