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]

Well, I was sound asleep. I had to get up and get my husband’s breakfast that morning. He worked from McElroy Stone Yard. And when the jolt came, it was such a loud report, it made such a terrible racket noise that I thought the world had caved in on us. It was about the time you got up in the morning. It was about, wasn’t it about 5.30? Something like that…Well, I jumped out of bed and we stood there and was laughing this poor old man next door. He had his bird cage in his hand, and he didn’t have a stitch of clothing on. But he had his bird cage.

– Florence Widowski from an interview (https://californiarevealed.org/do/b015467d-f120-408e-9bee-44debb5db85f)

We just had the 119th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which struck at 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906. The 7.9 quake was devastating, but the fire that followed was even worse. 3,000 people died and literally hundreds of thousands were left homeless.

But to hear it from someone that was there? In their voice? Brings it all home. Please give this a listen (or even watch it, as it was a recorded interview!). Puts those times into a nice perspective. Remember, if you are researching an ancestor, look for some oral histories around the time or events they lived through. You may learn some of what they were going through

Right now, I’m researching the Queen Mary ship for a piece of historical fiction I’m entertaining. After getting the facts—where she was “born” (a shipyard in England) and where she’s “buried” (as a quirky hotel in Long Beach, California), I’m now listening to the voices that knew her during her time as a cross-Atlantic ocean liner. Honestly, this is more fun than the bmd facts!

Here are some great online archives to check out:

https://www.archives.gov/about/history/oral-history-at-the-national-archives
https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/admin-programs/oral-history
https://www2.archivists.org/groups/oral-history-section/oral-history-resources
https://oralhistory.org/centers-and-collections/
https://incite.columbia.edu/centers/columbia-center-for-oral-history-research
https://dlc.library.columbia.edu/catalog?f%5Blib_repo_short_ssim%5D%5B%5D=Oral+History+Center
https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/visit/bancroft/oral-history-center

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

San Francisco Special Interest Group (SIG)
San Francisco has so many nuances to genealogical research that it helps to know an expert. Join this SIG to meet several! It doesn’t matter if you are new to genealogy or an old hat, find your family story in the City of Love.
When: Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: Contact [email protected]

Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SIG)
Are you using the popular Family Tree Maker software to keep track of your genealogy findings? Are you new and looking for a program to use? Are you just wanting to know more about it? Join this great SIG for a plethora of topics this January, including a new release, and all things cemetery, including citations (which some may find more frightening than a cemetery!).
When: Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: Register through the FTM-SIG website

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

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]

This is one of the more advanced SIGs at California Genealogical Society, with prerequisites of the CGS DNA Series or its equivalent and you much have your test results uploaded at one of the common DNA websites.

This online members-only group meets online the fourth Monday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mark McLaren leads this group and you can contact him at [email protected] for more information or to check your prerequisites.

From the website:
The DNA Skills Special Interest Group members will continue to develop their understanding of DNA techniques, review new developments in DNA testing and tools, and discuss members’ research problems and case studies.

When: Monday, April 28, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Virtually via Zoom or in person at the CGS Library
Cost: Free!
How to Register: Contact Mark at: [email protected]

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