Blog

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

In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share how small the world is and how I think everything happens for a reason.  My parents met when my mom was 18, and my dad was 22 and just home from the Navy.  Mom lived in Sacramento and went out with her friends to cruise the strip.  Dad was out with his friends doing the same, but 150 miles away from his home.  Dad “mooned” Mom’s car, and that was it.  They married 2 months later.

On the other side of the country, 300 years before, Dad’s many-times great-grandfather bought some books from Mom’s many-times great-grandfather’s estate.

I love small reminders of small worlds and a lot of love.

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

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 previously wrote about the California Digital Newspaper Collection (https://cdnc.ucr.edu/) drama here: https://www.californiaancestors.org/emergency-california-digital-newspapers-collection/

We’ve now received an update from Daryle Williams, Professor and Dean:

Last year, more than 1,000 private donors joined the Office of the Governor and the State Legislature to support the CNDC in its moment of profound need. Individual gifts alone exceeded $145,000!

These donations have been essential to the ongoing work of preservation and access. With the financial support of our donors, in combination with an ongoing General Fund allocation to sustain the California Newspaper Project, we have secured staffing, restored vendor support and site reliability, purchased new hardware, enhanced cybersecurity, and completed an urgent backup of data at risk of permanent loss. A large collection of microfilm reels, some at imminent risk of deterioration, has been transferred to the University of California library system for proper cataloguing and storage.

Additional accomplishments include restoring relations with the National Digital Newspaper Program. We have responded to inquiries from select county libraries and historical associations across the State who were dismayed that the project appeared to be on the brink of going dark. Finally, we have made steady progress in exploring new partnerships with other California institutions that share a commitment to open-access resources documenting the life, history, and culture of the Golden State.

While the past few months have included some unwelcome and unearned frustrations among long-time friends and site users, the future of the California Digital Newspaper Collection is looking bright.

I thank you — our community of genealogists, local historians, academic researchers, librarians, and fellow Californians  — for patiently and passionately supporting the project during a rough patch.

As we look towards significant new investments in data backup and cybersecurity, you are invited to remain at our side, working towards stability, sustainability, and growth. I extend a warm invitation to make an additional gift (or perhaps your first!).

Give Now

Thank you once again for your engagement and commitment to preserving our shared rights to a free press.

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

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 received a note from CGS member and volunteer, Grant Din, about an event.  I’ve known of Mr. Din for much of my genealogy journey and referred several genealogy cohorts to him through the years, because to me, he is THE resource for West Coast Asian immigration.  Now that I receive emails directly from him, I will admit to being a bit starstruck, and if THE Grant Din wants me to highlight a genealogy event, well, gosh darn it, I will highlight that event.

I started to do a cut-and-paste of his words, but then I clicked the link and think that the whole Albany project should be highlighted, too.  CGS has been part of this event in the past, too, so it won’t be anything new to some of you, but I think it’s well-worth another highlight.  Journeys to Albany: Paths to Belonging is the title of the project and through it, there are several events.  The opening was this past weekend with a party and panel discussion.  If you were there, I’d love to hear about it!

From now until April 23, 2026 there will be an exhibit at the Albany Community Center in the Foyer featuring photos, documents, and  memorabilia surrounding the journeys that people made from all over the world to Albany, California.  This is a community project sponsored by the City of Albany’s Creative Justice art program and has been in the works for 18 months.  Plan an afternoon to visit the exhibit and hit a restaurant on Solano Avenue (I hear that no matter which one you choose, you will be choosing wisely).

Alongside the exhibit, there are also some highlighted events, including one for genealogy on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  CGS volunteers will return to Albany again to help residents learn about their family history in free mini-consultations at the Albany Public Library as part of the Journeys to Albany: Path to Belonging project. There will be a brief intro to the resources of the library from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. by THE Grant Din and then for 90 minutes our volunteers (YOU?!?!?) will work one-on-one with individuals and their families for about 15 minutes each to help answer questions and get them started in their own research. We gave this workshop last September and had a great response.

We are seeking volunteers and so if you also would like to get an email directly from Grant Din and be star-struck, please volunteer alongside him!  Email Grant at [email protected] if you’d like to help.

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