Blog | California Genealogical Society

by Jennifer Dix (6/25/2023)

For more information or to register, click the hyperlinks for any event.
All times are Pacific Daylight Time.

click to sign up

Note: This Friday, June 30, is the deadline for early-bird pricing for our Salt Lake City Research Trip, scheduled October 9-14! See the event page for complete details. You can also watch the video of our virtual meetup and info session, and download a handout with more information.

Wednesday, June 28, 11 am: “Tips & Talk” at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. Come chat with volunteers about genealogy-related topics, and stay to explore the library’s many resources. This week, “Breaking Down Your Brick Walls” with CGS researchers Pat Smith and Evan Wilson, who both have experience working on tough cases. Pat is the California Genealogical Society Research Chair. Evan is a CGS board member and professional genealogist with a specialty in Southern research and genetic genealogy. Preregistration appreciated: Click here to register.

Special Interest Groups for Members
Non-members are welcome to attend one meeting free of charge.

Monday, June 26, 7 pm: DNA Skills Special Interest Group. Prerequisite: Completion of CGS DNA Series or equivalent DNA class/experience. Must have uploaded DNA test results at one of the common DNA websites. For information, contact Mark McLaren.

Wednesday, June 28, 6:30 pm: RootsMagic Special Interest Group. Helpful hints for using the RootsMagic software. Topics include review of various screens and functions of RootsMagic, with group suggestions on best usage and practice. Register at RootsMagic SIG Registration or contact Keith Montgomery for more information.

Recording available through July 24.
Tax Records: More Exciting Than You Might Think. Annette Burke Lyttle discusses how tax records can provide a rich record of our ancestors’ lives and their sometimes-changing fortunes.

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

This was the scene at the 2023 Genie Awards

by Jennifer Dix (6/19/2023)

We had a great gathering at the CGS Library on Saturday, June 10. Longtime volunteer coordinator Kathleen Beitiks presented the annual Genie Awards—this year recognizing the nearly 90 CGS members who worked so hard to make the 2022 NGS Conference a success.

Maureen Hanlon gave a fascinating presentation on San Franciscans in the Spanish-American War, and everyone enjoyed a delicious potluck. It was great to gather in person again, and we were happy to have remote friends join the event via Zoom.
(Photos by Ron Madson.)

Kathleen Beitiks holding list of awardees

Maureen Hanlon with "Splendid Little War" PowerPoint

Chris Pattillo admires food table

Sheet cake with 2023 Genie Awards writing

Woman seated with Zoom participants projected on screen

This week at CGS (June 19-26)

by Jennifer Dix (6/18/2023)

For more information or to register, click the hyperlinks for any event.
All times are Pacific Daylight Time.

Map of Alta California

Some top-notch presentations this week, including a talk by APG President Annette Burke Lyttle and a presentation by Pamela Meeds Williams on the history and culture of Alta California. Read on for details!

Wednesday, June 21, 11 a.m.: “Tips & Talk” at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. This week, Terry and Donna Colyar will discuss “Find My Past,” the British Isles record giant database. Preregistration appreciated: Click here to register.

Friday, June 23, 3:30 p.m.: Early California Settlers: A Genealogical Treasure. Paela Meeds Williams, a CGS member who is also a member of Los Californianos, talks about resources and strategies available to research early California settlers. Held in person at the CGS Library. Space limited.

Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m.: Tax Records: More Exciting Than You Might Think. Annette Burke Lyttle discusses how tax records can provide a rich record of our ancestors’ lives and their sometimes-changing fortunes. Online via Zoom. A recording of the talk will be available through July 24.

Don’t forget: Registration is now open for our Salt Lake City Research Trip, October 9-14! Early bird pricing through June 30. Visit the event page for complete details. You can also watch the video of our virtual meetup and info session, and download a handout with more information.