Blog

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.

Have you reserved your spot at the party? Tickets are going fast for the CGS 125th Anniversary Celebration held Sunday, October 8, noon-3 p.m., at the beautiful Lake Temescal Beach House. This festive get-together includes a buffet luncheon with California wines, live music, door prizes, and a raffle, among other the attractions! Every guest gets a souvenir wine glass. Enjoy socializing with people as passionate as you are about family history, and celebrate how the California Genealogical Society continues to thrive into the 21st century. Space is limited; get your tickets now!

Probate records from Argentina, marriage bonds from Virginia, and naturalization petitions from Wisconsin are just a few of the most recently uploaded images.

Did you know that FamilySearch puts their most recently digitized material online less than 24 hours after scanning it? And that the newest FamilySearch materials appear not in the “Catalog” but in “Images”?

Join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, for “Be A Super Sleuth! Accessing and Using Image Records.” Super genealogist Jill Morelli offer tips on how to access and use these not-yet indexed sources! Currently there are more than 5 billion image records, with more being added every day. Learn what FamilySearch has put online in the geographic area where you are researching! Treasures await!

Note that this Zoom presentation will NOT be recorded, so be sure to get your tickets now.