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]

According to Miriam-Webster, a meet-cute is a “scene in romantic fiction in which two people meet for the first time, typically under unusual, humorous, or cute circumstances, and go on to form a future romantic couple.”   At CGS we define it as a way to talk to others about genealogy without getting that blank stare we get from some of our family members when we talk about how exciting it is that we found proof that third great aunt Martha was married to the second cousin, once removed of John Lennon.

Over the course of this year, CGS volunteers have been having gatherings around the Bay.  Members sit in homes around a coffee table or at coffee shops around a… well, coffee table.  There are four sessions coming up over the next few months and we invite you to check them out.

RSVP Required
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 RSV

Sources:
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Meet-cute. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 26, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meet-cute

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.

• Walnut Creek- November 20, 2025 10:30 a.m.

If interested in one of these or another Regional Gathering in your area, please contact Kim Farnham-Flom ([email protected]).

DNA Skills
Description: Develop your understanding of DNA and genealogy and review new developments.  This group will also delve into research problems and case studies.  Must have DNA test results uploaded at one of the common DNA websites and have completed the CGS DNA Series or equivalent.
When: Monday, October 27, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register:  Contact Mark McLaren at mailto:[email protected] for approval.

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:

Open House: California History Days in collaboration with Los Californianos
Open House at the library with docents and historic displays and videos by Los Californianos, an organization founded to preserve the heritage of early Hispanic settlers in Alta California.
When: Friday and Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: CGS Library
Cost: Free!

Two Case Studies: Recreating the Lives of Our Immigrant Ancestors
Linda Okazaki will present her extensive research and the resulting case histories for two immigrant families. Originating from different parts of the world, the Nii’s and the Gonzalez’ journey ended in San Francisco.
Three Generations of a Japanese Immigrant Family- A Case Study
Sansuke Nii immigrated from Japan to Mexico in 1907, eventually settling in Placer
County. Through thorough research, the story of his life, and the lives of his
descendants can be recreated using federal and local documents, photos, and oral
history.
An Immigrant Family in Pre-1906 San Francisco – A Case Study
Despite profound record loss following the San Francisco earthquake and fire, family groups can be reconstructed using newspapers, maps, city directories, block books, and religious records. You will learn about the Gonzalez family, including Gibraltar immigrant, Dominick, his Irish wives, and his children.
When: Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free to all
How to Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/two-case-studies-recreating-the-lives-of-our-immigrant-ancestors-registration-1549601091579

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 October 31, 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]

We all are here at CGS together for one main reason: The “G”.  We all are genealogists plugging away at or family histories in some way, shape or form.  As we do this, what are we doing with the information we find?  Putting it in Family Tree Maker, Roots Magic, or some other database?  Filing the documents in labeled folders or binders?  What will our family do with this “stuff” when we are gone?

On Friday, Elizabeth Winslow will be talking about family legacy books and how to create them.  Whether you join live at the CGS Library or online, you can learn how to create a book filled with the stories, data, and photos that you collect as part of our “G.”

When: Friday, October 24, 2025 from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free to all
How to Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guide-to-creating-a-family-legacy-book-registration-1721742200269

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