(10/13/2020)
Usually we have a cake and celebration, but this past Saturday we had to present the Genie Awards via Zoom. (See our previous post for details on this year’s honorees.) Here’s a screenshot showing our All-Stars: Arlene Miles, Rich Kehoe, John Ralls, Chris Pattillo, Theresa Murphy, Stewart Traiman, and Shannon Reese! We appreciate you! Your genie lamps are in the mail!
Copyright © 2020 by California Genealogical Society
(10/11/2020)
Our Events:
October 10: Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group
Conferences:
October 12-14: Virtual British Institute
October 14: “The Kitchen: Culinary Inspirations from the Past” New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Fall Benefit
October 14-17: Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Conference
October 17: 15th Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar
October 17: Virtual Conference with Judy Russell, The Legal Genealogist (Mid Atlantic German Society)
October 17: Fall Seminar with Fritz Juengling (North San Diego County Genealogical Seminar)
October 17: Virtual Fall DNA Seminar with Blaine Bettinger (Seattle Genealogical Society)
October 13: “Using Railroad Records” by Kim Harrison
October 14: “Finding Unknown Fathers or Grandfathers by DNA” by Sara Allen
“Reconstruction On Hilton Head Island & Beaufort County (1862-1877)” (Heritage Library History & Ancestry Research Center)
October 13:
“Researching Your Chicago Ancestors” (Schaumburg IL Township District Library)
“Intro to African American Genealogy” (New York Public Library)
“Identifying Unknown Ancestors with DNA” (Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia)
October 14:
“German Naming Conventions and Other Oddities” (Doña Ana County NM Genealogical Society)
“Walk a Mile in Their Shoes: Using Maps to Understand Our Ancestors’ Journeys” (Rogue Valley OR Genealogical Society)
October 15:
“A Thousand Thirsty Beaches: Smuggling Alcohol from Cuba to the South during Prohibition” (Alabama Department of Archives)
“The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors” (Florida State Genealogical Society)
“Dethorning Interviews, Cold Calls, and First Contact” (Utah Genealogical Society)
October 16:
“Don’t Leave Any Stones Unturned! Finding Collections Anywhere and Everywhere” (Wisconsin State Genealogical Society)
“Fantastic Canal Records and Where to Find Them: NY Repositories” (New York Genealogical & Biographical Society)
“Using DNA to Identify Enslaved Ancestors” (Houston Public Library)
October 17:
“German Genealogy” (New York Chapter of Palatines to America German Genealogy Society)
“Tracing Your Irish Ancestors”(Irish Genealogical Society International)
October 18:
“Past the Cemetery Gate with the Gravestone Girls” (Portsmouth NH Public Library)
See our post “Genealogy Learning in the Time of Coronavirus” for links to classes archived online at Ancestry, FamilySearch, RootsTech, and more.
Be well, stay safe, and happy learning!
(10/9/2020)
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| Marriage record pictured on the DORIS website |
Another fight is brewing between New York City repositories and the genealogists and others who depend on their records for research. As explained by “The Legal Genealogist” Judy Russell, the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) wants to impose a licensing fee for the use of tons and tons of genealogically-relevant materials. The public comment period closes October 23, so time is limited.
It may seem like there’s little we can do as individuals, but the more people who speak out against obstacles to public records access, the more likely we are be heard. Late last year, we wrote about USCIS plans to raise their fees by “astronomical” amounts. Despite thousands of comments lodged in protest, and concern raised by U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, the Department of Homeland Security vowed to go ahead with the fee hikes, scheduled to begin on October 2. However, they were halted by a preliminary court injunction just days before the deadline.
The public can send comments by email, sign a petition by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, or virtually attend the hearing on October 23. For more details on the proposed DORIS rules, and a guide to actions you can take, visit Judy Russell’s blog:
https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2020/10/07/heads-up-on-nyc-records-access/
Copyright © 2020 by California Genealogical Society
