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CGS member Lisa Gorrell allowed me to share this fantastic graphic created by her daughter Elizabeth.

The idea sprang from a conversation at the society between Lisa and fellow CGS-member, Tim Cox. They were remembering the “old days” before the internet and Lisa was commenting that most of her work had been done the “hard way.” She explains:

During the conversation I casually said that researching on the Internet was like the tip of an iceberg – that there was so much more out there in libraries, courthouses, cemeteries, etc. Tim thought a graphic would be an excellent way to explain the idea.

At Tim’s urging Lisa decided to pursue the idea of a graphic and took the idea to her daughter Elizabeth, a sophomore studying Art and Graphic Design at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Lisa reports that Elizabeth had fun with the concept and the result speaks for itself.

Lisa and Tim discussed using the graphic as a fundraiser for the society. Lisa shared this idea:

What would be nice is to have a poster of it in every research facility – especially those with computers – to remind them that so little of their research will be found on the internet.

I was so impressed with the outcome of this meeting of CGS minds that I asked if I could share it on the blog. Any suggestions out there for ways to spread the word and use the graphic? Please leave a comment.

Elizabeth Gorrell obviously has a bright future. Great job, Tim, Lisa and Elizabeth!

Graphic reprinted with permission of Elizabeth and Lisa Gorrell.

Photograph courtesy of Jane Knowles Lindsey, 11/18/2008, Oakland, California.

Beginning Genealogy Seminar
Saturday, April 18, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CGS Library, 2201 Broadway Suite LL2, Oakland, CA

Back by popular demand, the California Genealogical Society and Library (CGS) and the Oakland Regional Family History Center (ORFHC) present a full day Beginning Genealogy Seminar – all the material presented in one day.

COST: $15 for cost of materials and continental breakfast

PROGRAM:
8:30 – 8:55 Registration and coffee
9:00 – 10:30 Introduction to the Science of Genealogy – Marge Bell
10:30 – 12:00 Secondary Survey – Jane Lindsey
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Break (bring your own lunch or local restaurants nearby)
1:00 – 2:30 Vital Records and the Calendar Change – Marge Bell
2:30 – 4:00 Census Records Including State Census – Speaker TBA

PLEASE NOTE:
• Class is limited to 30 participants.
• Free parking in the lot behind the building. Must get placard for car from security.

To register for the Beginning Genealogy Seminar, download the registration form from the CGS website and mail with a check for $15 to the ORFHC, attn: Marge Bell, 4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, California 94602.

An eight class Intermediate Series starts the following week on April 25, 2009. It will be offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays for four consecutive weeks. Two classes will be presented at each session. For more information, download the Intermediate Series Flyer.