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

We have a veritable cornucopia of activities and presentations as we head into fall. Read on for a taste of what’s to come!

Last chance!
Some spaces remain open for the 2024 Salt Lake City Research Trip (Sep. 29-Oct. 5) led by Stewart Traiman and Evan Wilson. Registration closes soon. To learn more or sign up, visit the EventBrite link.

Special presentations:

Sat., Sep. 28, 11 AM–12:30 PM: “Cemetery Photography.” Join CGS board member Carly Morgan, the owner of Family Tree Notebooks, for an online presentation discussing the multifaceted nature of cemetery photography and its role in preserving memories and unearthing history. The session covers the importance of composition, lighting, and angles, methods for deciphering weathered or illegible inscriptions, and discussion of the ethical aspects of cemetery photography. Live online via Zoom (also broadcast live at the Oakland FamilySearch Center). Members may view the recording for 30 days following the presentation.

Sat., Sep. 28, 1 PM–3 PM: Irish Ancestry SIG. The newly formed Irish Ancestry SIG will hold its third quarter meeting via Zoom. Two of our members, Rick Kehoe and Gary Knecht, will share new findings and resources they have uncovered in locating their family history and origins. We’ll also have a review of John Grenham’s recent presentation for those who weren’t able to attend.

Fall 2024: “Tips & Talk” at Oakland FamilySearch Center.

CGS and OFSC volunteers lead discussion groups, classes, and presentations covering a wide range of genealogy topics. In person at the FamilySearch Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. For more details, see the OFSC events calendar. This month:

Wed., Sep. 4, 11 AM: German Interest Group with Robert Jackson.

Wed., Sep. 4, 1 PM: French Canadian Special Interest Group with Jane Lindsey. (See also Sep. 25.)

Sat., Sep. 7, 11 AM: Chinese Special Interest Group facilitated by Lee Pearce.

Tue., Sep. 10, 11 AM: Scottish Special Interest Group led by Roger Prince.

Wed., Sep. 11, 11 AM: Portugal/Madeira Azores Special Interest Group by Ralph Severson,

Wed., Sep. 11, 1 PM: DNA Special Interest Group facilitated by Sue Severson.

Thu., Sep. 19, 11 AM: Build Your Story: Digitizing with a Purpose.

Thu., Sep. 19, 1 PM: “FamilySearch Skills #1: Using thefhguide.com” with Denise Plaskett. (Continues Sep. 24).

Fri., Sep. 20, 11 AM: “Finding your Immigrant Ancestor’s Birthplace” with Maureen Hanlon.

Tue., Sep. 24, 11 AM: “FamilySearch Skills #2: The Find and Recents Menu, Alternate Views” with Denise Plaskett.

Wed., Sep. 25, 11 AM & 6:30 PM: French Canadian Special Interest Group with Jane Lindsay.

Other September events:

Sat., Sep. 7, 10 AM: “Intro to Genealogy”  – monthly free class. Today’s topic: “Genealogy Basics.” In person and online.

Sat., Sep. 14, 10 AM: Monthly Board Meeting. CGS members are welcome to attend via Zoom or in person.

Special Interest Groups for CGS Members:

Sep. 11: Members’ Roundtable

Sep. 20: Mayflower Descendants

Sep. 21: San Francisco SIG, Family Tree Maker SIG

Sep. 23: Advanced DNA Techniques

Sep. 25: RootsMagic SIG

STILL TO COME in October: the Los Californianos California History Series, Melinda Kashuba on Fire Insurance Maps, and more! See our Events and Education page.

Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
Special Interest Groups: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/
Calendar view: Google calendar

Please note: the library will be CLOSED for Labor Day Weekend, August 29-31.

“Tips & Talk” meetings will resume in September. See the Oakland FamilySearch website for listings.

Keith Montgomery

Wed., August 28, at 6:30 PM: A special meeting of the RootsMagic Special Interest Group will be held in person at the Oakland Family Search Center. The session is facilitated by Keith Montgomery, CGS board member and longtime OFSC volunteer.  All RootsMagic users and those curious about the genealogy software program are welcome to come, ask questions, seek advice, and share your ideas and experiences. The group will meet for 60-90 minutes, in person only (no Zoom) at the Center. No preregistration is required. These SIG sessions are sponsored jointly by the California Genealogical Society and the Oakland FamilySearch Center. More details at the OFSC website.

Special Interest Groups meeting this week:

Monday, Aug. 26, 7 PM: Advanced DNA SIG with Mark McLaren.
Wednesday, Aug. 28, 6:30 PM: RootsMagic SIG with Keith Montgomery. See above.

Recorded video presentations:

John Grenham

Through August 28 only: View the recording of John Grenham’s presentation “Mapping Ireland’s Records.” Members, $10; non-members, $20.

Members can also access free recordings of past events, including:

• Photo organizing and preservation with Thomas MacEntee;
• The ongoing Los Californianos California History Series;
• Tech Talks on using Google Drive.

Stay tuned for more events in the fall! They include Carly Morgan’s presentation on “Cemetery Photography” on Sat., September 28, and much more!

Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
Special Interest Groups: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/
Calendar: Google calendar

A special meeting of the RootsMagic Special Interest Group will be held Wed., August 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Oakland Family Search Center. The session is facilitated by Keith Montgomery, CGS board member and one of the Center’s volunteer staff members. All RootsMagic users and those curious about the genealogy software program are welcome to come, ask questions, seek advice, and share your ideas and experiences. The group will meet for 60-90 minutes, in person only (no Zoom) at the OFSC. No preregistration is required. These SIG sessions are sponsored jointly by the California Genealogical Society and the Oakland FamilySearch Center. More details at the OFSC website.