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

May and June of 2025 are going to be amazing months for CGS members! Every Friday, the blog features upcoming events for the next week or so, but May and June required their own post so you can put Save-the-Dates all over your calendar. If you aren’t a member yet, why not start now!

Membership info

Look at some of our special events coming up:

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Unlock the Past in Lamorinda: Strategies for History and Genealogy Research

Join us for an in person engaging talk on how to uncover the rich history of our Lamorinda community and trace the roots of early settlers. This session will introduce key resources such as archives, libraries, historical societies, and online databases, while also exploring effective research strategies for both genealogy and local history.

Learn how to navigate records, interpret historical documents, and piece together stories from the past. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, this talk will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your historical research journey. Join us to learn new tips and resources and to share your insights and questions.

In addition to Susan’s talk, Mary McCosker from the Lafayette Historical Society and Vivian Ricci, representing the Orinda Historical Society will make brief presentations about their society’s and have informational materials available.

When: Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Moraga Library, Community Room, 1500 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga, CA

How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlock-the-past-in-lamorinda-strategies-for-history-and-genealogy-research-registration-1273316617279

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Three great online meetings:

1890 Census Substitutes
Wednesday, May 14 6:30 pm – 8 pm How to Locate Lost Ancestors in 1890 Census Substitutes https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-locate-lost-ancestors-in-1890-census-substitutes-registration-1292023469979

Institutional Records
Wednesday, June 11 6:30 pm – 8 pm Finding Missing Ancestors in Institutional Records https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-missing-ancestors-in-institutional-records-registration-1319533091999

LGBTQ Ancestors
Saturday, June 14 1 pm – 2:30 pm LGBTQ Genealogy
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-genealogy-registration-1319526692859

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Special Special Interest Group Meetings

Save the date for Saturday, June 21, as the FTM SIG is going to host a Photoshop Elements workshop from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This event will be at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. Sign up link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ftm-sig-june-21-2025-photoshop-elements-labelling-photos-and-ftm-registration-1332383718569?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Irish Genealogy SIG is going to host a potluck at June’s meeting! Join us for our Second Quarter Irish Ancestry SIG Meeting and learn from Pati Traktman and Jennifer Drennan about the rich trove of materials you can research at the Patrick J Dowling Library as well as opportunities to meet and join with others researching Irish emigrants to San Francisco. There will be a live online demonstration of how to access databases covering unique 19th century records.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-ancestry-special-interest-group-registration-1243718227699?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Tips & Talk
You see this listed as a link at the bottom of each blog post, but do you know what it is? The Oakland FamilySearch Center partners with California Genealogical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Mayflower Society, and others to provide free classes and research groups. Some highlights for May are talks given by CGS Members:

Genealogical Questions– Jane Lindsey on Saturday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m.
Hawaiian Research Discussion– Cindy Thomson on Tuesday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m.
Vital Records– Lisa Gorrell, C.G. on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Using Facebook for Genealogical Research– Karla Henerlong on Friday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m.
Intro to Genealogy– Jennifer Dix on Wednesday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m.
Using Premium Newspaper Databases– Jennifer Dix on Thursday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m.

Please review the webpage for additional information: https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/oakland_california/classes

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Recurring Events

First Saturday:
Introduction to Genealogy
Mayflower Descendants SIG

Third Saturday:
San Francisco SIG
Family Tree Maker SIG 

Fourth Monday:
DNA Skills SIG

Fourth Wednesday:
Roots Magic SIG

Quarterly:
Eastern European Genealogy SIG
Irish Genealogy SIG

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Recordings Available
Free for members, from Videos for CGS Members recording page: https://www.californiaancestors.org/videos_for_cgs_members/

The Leeds Method Can Unlock DNA Mysteries (coming soon)
Jewish Genealogy: Case Studies
Thomas MacEntee’s Photo Organizing and Preservation: You Can Do This

CGS & Los Californianos California History Series:
A Californio Family in Transition: Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo and Francisca Benicia Carrillo de Vallejo, 1846-1888
Jose Joaquin Moraga Family & the Rancho Laguna De Los Palos Colorados Grant
New Spanish Patriots’ Eligibility for DAR
California History Series:Sylvia Pacheco: A Woman of Mystery and Longevity
California History Series: Contra Costa County Rancho Project

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.

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

Roots Magic
Description: Users of RootsMagic will meet to discuss helpful hints for using the software. Group will review their experience in updating to version 8. Topics include review of various screens and functions of RootsMagic with group suggestions on best usage and practice.
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: Register through the Roots Magic sign-up page (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rootsmagic-special-interest-group-registration-1092897288209)

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, April 28, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 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 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, May 3, 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)

Mayflower Descendants Special Interest Group (SIG)
Do you have Mayflower ancestors (or think you may have them)? Join Robert Trapp the first Saturday of each month to lean more. This SIG meets on the first Saturday of each month in person at the CGS Library. Each month will vary as to the subject matter followed by a Q&A session. Robert is an expert in all things Mayflower and can help show you what you need to join the Society of California Mayflower Descendants or learn more about your Mayflower ancestors.
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: CGS Library
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/

Special Event:
The Leeds Method Can Unlock DNA Mysteries
Presented by Stewart Blandón Traiman

Learn to use the Leeds Method to turn cousin matches into meaningful connections. Open to all levels of DNA experience.

The first challenge in DNA analysis is making sense of those thousands of cousin matches. How do you turn genetic chaos into meaningful connections? By using the Leeds Method—a simple yet powerful color-coding technique that helps you group your DNA matches into family groups. By organizing your matches into clusters, you’ll start identifying family lines, linking distant cousins to your tree, and even uncovering long-lost connections or hidden family mysteries. In this class, you’ll learn step-by-step how to apply the Leeds Method to your own results and turn your DNA data into real discoveries!

The event will take place via Zoom. If you join, please sign in early to make sure you are able to see the program. We will send you instructions the night before, and a reminder shortly before the event, which will give you access. Our remote classes now have live closed captioning. When registering, use an email address you will be checking. Please note all times are Pacific Daylight Time.

You do not have to have a Zoom account to attend a Zoom meeting. You will be prompted to download the software, once you have clicked on the link that you have been provided. You may also wish to create an account, but that is not required to participate in a Zoom meeting.

This event is presented live. Some events may be recorded for CGS use.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-leeds-method-can-unlock-dna-mysteries-registration-1256907105989

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]

Do you have ancestors from Eastern Europe? This group focuses on Central and Eastern Europe and Google defines this as: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. My birth grandfather’s family lived in a town in Italy comprised of Albanian peoples and so my genetic DNA hits strongly in Albania. I guess I’ve a new SIG to join!

As noted on the CGS Website:
Our Special Interest Group (SIG) discussion is focused on Eastern European Genealogy. We are a community of enthusiastic researchers and genealogists who meet on a quarterly basis to support and learn from each other’s contributions and expertise in the areas of Central and Eastern Europe.

Meeting Time: Quarterly, fourth Saturday 10:00-11:30 AM PT (February, May, August, November)
Registration Information: EESIG Registration (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eastern-european-special-interest-group-registration-1141790348669)
Leads: Craig Siulinski and Laura Bajuk
Format: Meets Online

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