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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]

Today’s blog is going to be reminder. An obvious one that I’ve sure you have done and thought of a bajillion times, just like I have.

Review it again.

Yes, you transcribed it. Yes, you took it out and input all the relevant points into your genealogy database. Yes, you have shared it with friends and family (and anyone else that would listen). Heck, maybe you even had it framed.

But review it again.

After the recent CGS sponsored All Irish seminar, I made it my mission to track down the town in Northern Ireland that my family was from. I knew they were from Londonderry, but that was all I knew. That night, I sent notes to my cousins in Scotland to see if they knew. They did not. We have a Facebook page for all descendants of our Irish William and Jane. We join from the US, from Canada, and from Scotland. I posted there and no one knew the town name.

Today I was texting with a friend of my dad’s and he asked to see the birth record where Londonderry was mentioned. I found it in my photos and attached it to the text. Before hitting send, I blew it up to be sure I had the correct document.

The town they were married in has been there all along and we somehow all missed it or forgot it was there.

Bally Kelly, County Londonderry, Ireland, expect some Connor visitors in your future…

And please, go now. Review. It. Again.

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]

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, March 24, 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 for approval.

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, March 26, 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:
Excel for Genealogists
Live online via Zoom or members may view recording on our website.

Stewart loves spreadsheets! He uses spreadsheets at work every day as an IT Manager. He is an expert in Microsoft Excel using it in genealogy quite frequently. Laying out all the data in Excel can help researchers see gaps in knowledge or correlations between data points. Breakthroughs can easily happen by visualizing data in spreadsheets. Stewart shows many examples of his use of spreadsheets to track newspaper clippings, a vital records catalog, tracking ancestor addresses over time, and tracking whole families over many censuses. Stewart will teach how to use Excel filter, sorting, color coding, calculations and many other functions.

Spreadsheets are fun!

This event is presented live. Some events may be recorded for CGS use.
When: Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free for Members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/excel-for-genealogists-registration-1210148419499

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]

If you have San Francisco ancestors, you know the issues we have in getting records. Members can share expertise or find an expert by joining this Special Interest Group devoted to all things San Francisco!

This online group meets monthly on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. You can email to sign up and get on the mailing list. Once on the list, post-meeting updates are sent after and reminders are sent before.

Description: Whether you’re just starting out researching your family history or have been searching for years and need ideas on how to get past brick walls, or are interested in finding your ancestors records pre and post 1906, including those gold rush pioneers, or ancestors in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, join the conversation with online meetings where you will be guided in building skills to uncover information that leads to creating a more complete family story.

Meeting Time: Third Saturday of each month 10:00 AM-Noon Pacific Time

Contact Info: Contact [email protected] for more information

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