Blog | California Genealogical Society

by Debbie Mascot (9/29/2025)

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 had a different post scheduled for today, but I preempted it for a story and a moral. First, some background. I am pretty busy most of the time with work, school, this blog, a monthly newsletter for my local genealogical society, a genealogy monthly meeting, two adult kids who are still at home, two pugs that are the new kids, and a few other things that I try to stay up on.

But one thing I never, ever take for granted is time with my mom. We text good morning and good night every day and we attend a crafting retreat together every quarter for 4 days. This month, we also took a weekend trip to Las Vegas together—a first time there for both of us. I was so fortunate to have this time with her and we made the most of every minute.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but the moral here is to spend as much time as you can with those you love. And always, always, always rent a scooter in Vegas.

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

Upcoming at CGS

by Debbie Mascot (9/26/2025)

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

Upcoming at CGS

Local Meet-upsMembers 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.
• Danville: October 2, 2025 10:30 a.m. .
• Lamorinda – October 14, 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]).

Irish Ancestry Special Interest Group (SIG)
Description: If you have Irish ancestry, this is the group for you! CGS members come together to connect, share resources and solve problems. September’s focus is on Using Irish Naming Conventions to Disccover the Delany Family.
When: Quarterly in March, June, September and December. Next meeting is Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-sig-using-irish-naming-convention-to-discover-the-delany-family-registration-1432168066239

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 6 Genealogy Basics Overview
• Feb 1, Jun 7, Oct 4 Using 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, October 4, 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:

Celebrate Family History Month at the California Genealogical Society Library
This October, the California Genealogical Society is excited to offer a variety of benefits, Learning, and social opportunities with the return of Family History Month to our library. Family History Month was established in October 2001 by the United States Senate to encourage families to research and celebrate their heritage. We’re pleased to be part of a national acknowledgement of the value of genealogy.
Benefits and Programs:
Free access to our Library for non-members (waiver of $5.00 fee) on all open days in October: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm. No registration needed. Pop in during business hours: 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA 94612.
NEW! Free Membership for a Friend of a current Member October 1 through October 31, 2025. Starting October 1, members can send the name, address, email and phone number for themselves and the same information for a friend who has never belonged to CGS and obtain a year’s membership for them. For more information, contact [email protected].
Consultation Fundraiser
Private 50-minute in-person consultations by experienced volunteer consultants who will suggest strategies and resources to address general questions from beginners, those with California, Jewish, Japanese, and Irish ancestors, those from Southern States and those seeking help with genealogy programs and more. $35 for members of CGS and Los Californianos and $50 for non-members. Saturdays in October, varying times and topics. Sign ups for limited spaces start now: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/323662050044/false#/invitation
October 24-25 California History Days
Open House with docents and historic displays by Los Californianos, an organization founded to preserve the heritage of early Hispanic settlers in Alta California, on Friday and Saturday Oct 24-25, 9 am – 4 pm No registration required. Pop in during business hours: 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA 94612.
Case Studies on two immigrant families, the Gonzalez and Nii families who established new lives in San Francisco and Placer County, respectively. Zoom presentation and broadcast in our classroom, presented by Linda Okazaki on Saturday, Oct 25, 11-1:30 with lunch break from 12-12:30. Come to the library and bring a bag lunch (no registration) or register for online viewing through our Events page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/two-case-studies-recreating-the-lives-of-our-immigrant-ancestors-registration-1549601091579,

Leveraging FamilySearch’s Cutting-Edge Tools
Join us to explore some of the exciting innovations happening in FamilySearch! FamilySearch engineers are constantly developing new tools to enhance your research, and we’ll dive into some of the most impactful ones. Discover how new functionalities can clarify information in change logs and streamline the process of merging duplicate profiles, making your tree more accurate than ever. We’ll put a special emphasis on the highly anticipated ability to maintain a “private” tree within FamilySearch, offering you unparalleled flexibility and control over your personal research, separate from the shared global tree. Plus, you’ll learn how to leverage the FamilySearch Wiki’s invaluable resources to break through research roadblocks.
Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited so register early to confirm your spot.
When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to all
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discover-more-leveraging-familysearchs-cutting-edge-tools-registration-1545561549199

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

Family History Month: California History Days OPEN HOUSE!

by Debbie Mascot (9/24/2025)

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

Get ready for October— aka Family History Month! In anticipation of Family History Month, each Wednesday in September, the blog will feature something going on in October. Please take the time now to mark your calendars!

Remember we talked about field trips last week? Now you have a date for yours!

Traditionally in California public schools, the history of California and the missions are taught in fourth grade. That happens to be the year I moved to a teeny tiny town in Northern California and was in a class of 12 with grades 2 through 12. So I missed California history and now thrive of learning more of it every year. I’ve cleared my calendar for the weekend for a field trip. How about you? Should I bring an extra sack lunch?

On Saturday, October 24, 2025 and Sunday, October 25, 2025, CGS will host California History Days. Join the CGS Open House with docents and historic displays by Los Californianos, an organization founded to preserve the heritage of early Hispanic settlers in Alta California. Doors will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No registration required.