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]

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, a number of CGS volunteers consulted with attendees at the Wakamatsu Colony Pilgrimage organized by the Nichi Bei Foundation.

Left to right, they are Sue Logas, Ken and Cindy Brennan, Grant Din, Linda Harms Okazaki, Melinda Yamane Crawford, Joanna Shear, Mary Sayles, and Carolyn WIlliams.

If you are not familiar with the Wakamatsu Farm, it’s an historic farm in Placerville, CA and is the original site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony that was established in June 1869.  It’s not only the site of the first Japanese colony in the US, but also the birthplace of the first Japanese American.

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]

Local Meet-ups

Members gather together in homes, public libraries, cafes and even community rooms in condominium units. A facilitator leads the discussion as members share research topics, common interests, new resources discovered in an informal setting. Friendships have developed along with partnerships in resources and a better understanding of the many benefits available to CGS members.  Each session is limited in number. Use the appropriate link below to register for the gathering you want to attend.  Additional location details will be provided two days before the gathering.

Oakland Family Search Center, Thursday, November 13, 10:30-12- Oakland RSVP
Walnut Creek Library, Thursday, November 20, 10:30 to 12 p.m.-  WC RSVP
Danville Member’s Home, Thursday, December 4, 10:30 to 12 p.m.  Danville RSVP
Lafayette Member’s Home, Monday, January 12, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Lamorinda RSVP

Introduction to Genealogy for 2025

In these 4-week sessions the CGS experts will help you get started with your research or reboot your research.  The classes may be taken in any order, and participation in one class is not required to attend others in the series. See below for dates and topics:

• Jan 4, May 3, Sep 6Genealogy Basics Overview
• Feb 1, Jun 7, Oct 4Using the Census
• Mar 1, Jul 5, Nov 1 Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, and Death)
• Apr 5, Aug 2, Dec 6 Organizing Your Family History Work

When: Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free!
How to Register (Note: Separate registration required for each session: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-intro-to-genealogy-1st-saturday-free-overview-and-focused-topics-registration-1114289041519

Special Events:

Info Session & Virtual Meetup for the 2026 CGS Boston Research Trip

CGS returns to Boston for a week of research led by Matthew Blaine Berry, CG. You’ll have the opportunity to visit American Ancestors, the Massachusetts Historical Society and Boston Public Library and more. All while hanging out and having fun with fellow CGS members.

This information meeting will tell you about the opportunities available to you when researching in person rather than online. During this meeting, we will also cover the logistics of the trip – air travel, ground travel, eateries, library hours, what to bring, security, etc.

Come and learn how the Research Trip to Boston will benefit you. Also, get the chance to ask the organizers any questions you have and connect with others who may be interested in going.

When: Wednesday, November 5, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual meeting
Cost: Free to members
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/info-session-virtual-meetup-for-the-2026-cgs-boston-research-trip-registration-1854443062119

CGS Members: Projects w/A Life of their Own

Years ago, Cindy Thomson began researching her ancestors who immigrated to Hawaii from Korea in 1904 to work on sugar plantations. After expanding her research to include Japanese, Chinese, German and Portuguese aunties and uncles who married into her family and also had plantation ancestors, she was riveted by the similar and different ways that they experienced Hawaii. To better understand these experiences, she started (and couldn’t stop) reading about Hawaiian history, plantation management, labor unrest, immigration law, and the 16 different racial and ethnic groups who worked on the plantations. This is a story of how historical and cultural context – including interactions between as well as within different immigrant groups – can enrich family history and connect your ancestors to a world beyond family.

When: Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to all
How to Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cgs-members-projects-that-took-on-a-life-of-their-own-registration-1721765560139

2026 CGS Research Trip to Boston, Massachusetts

CGS returns to Boston for a week of research led by Matthew Blaine Berry, CG. The Charlesmark Hotel is 1 minute from the Boston Public Library, 6 minutes from American Ancestors, and 15 minutes from the Massachusetts Historical Society.

The trip, led by Matt Berry, includes:

• A seven-night stay at the Charlesmark Hotel
• Orientation and tour of the Massachusetts Historical Society
• Orientation and tour of American Ancestors
• Six days of uninterrupted research at your choice of top Boston research facilities
• Pre-trip meeting and consultation
• Research assistance by Matt Berry
• Daily continental breakfast (pastry and coffee)
• Two group dinners at local restaurants

When: Sunday, February 1, 2026-Sunday, February 8, 2026
Where: Boston, MA
Cost: $1,399 single occupancy (airfare not included).
How to Register: Deadline November 21, 2025. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-cgs-boston-research-trip-registration-1415983146709

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/
Recordings for Members: https://www.californiaancestors.org/videos_for_cgs_members/
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’ve been hyping the CGS trip to Boston since I learned about it.  I wish I could go. I already have my vacation planned for 2026 or I would have tried to make this happen.  But since I cannot, I shall live vicariously through all of you!

There have been a couple of great add-ons:

• The deadline has been extended to November 21, 2025. More time to get your ducks in a row.
• There is an INFORMATION SESSION!

Info Session & Virtual Meetup for the 2026 CGS Boston Research Trip

Wednesday, November 5
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. virtual meeting
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/info-session-virtual-meetup-for-the-2026-cgs-boston-research-trip-registration-1854443062119

CGS returns to Boston for a week of research led by Matthew Blaine Berry, CG. You’ll have the opportunity to visit American Ancestors, the Massachusetts Historical Society and Boston Public Library and more. All while hanging out and having fun with fellow CGS members.

This information meeting will tell you about the opportunities available to you when researching in person rather than online. During this meeting, we will also cover the logistics of the trip – air travel, ground travel, eateries, library hours, what to bring, security, etc.

Come and learn how the Research Trip to Boston will benefit you. Also, get the chance to ask the organizers any questions you have and connect with others who may be interested in going.

2026 CGS Research Trip to Boston, Massachusetts

CGS returns to Boston for a week of research led by Matthew Blaine Berry, CG. The Charlesmark Hotel is 1 minute from the Boston Public Library, 6 minutes from American Ancestors, and 15 minutes from the Massachusetts Historical Society.

The trip, led by Matt Berry, includes:

• A seven-night stay at the Charlesmark Hotel
• Orientation and tour of the Massachusetts Historical Society
• Orientation and tour of American Ancestors
• Six days of uninterrupted research at your choice of top Boston research facilities
• Pre-trip meeting and consultation
• Research assistance by Matt Berry
• Daily continental breakfast (pastry and coffee)
• Two group dinners at local restaurants

When: Sunday, February 1, 2026-Sunday, February 8, 2026
Where: Boston, MA
Cost: $1,399 single occupancy (airfare not included).
How to Register: Deadline November 21, 2025. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-cgs-boston-research-trip-registration-1415983146709

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