Don’t miss American Ancestors in California, June 8!

by Jennifer Dix (5/31/2024)

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There are still spaces available for a festive day of genealogy at Preservation Park, Oakland, on June 8! CGS is the local host for the “Tracing Your Westward-Bound Ancestors“ seminar presented by well-known speakers David Lambert and Melanie McComb of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society. This is a unique opportunity to gather in person and hear from some of the best genealogists in the field! Lectures include:

  • “Colonial Migrations in the Northeast” – David Allen Lambert
  • “Westward Migration, 1783-1900” – David Allen Lambert
  • “California or Bust! Researching Your Western Pioneers” – Melanie McComb
  • “Follow the Money: Go-To Records for Tracing Ancestors on the Move” – Melanie McComb
  • “Strategies for Tracking Ancestors on the Move” – David Allen Lambert

The all-day event includes breakfast, lunch, and a door prize drawing. There is convenient parking and easy BART access nearby. Want to carpool? Contact Jane Lindsey at [email protected].

To register, visit the event website.

Alta California series continues June 8: the Joaquin Moraga Adobe

by Jennifer Dix (5/30/2024)

Register today at our Events listing!

Did you miss the first California History and Genealogy Series presentation? Not to worry – the next lecture is Saturday, June 8! This joint project between CGS and Los Californianos features expert speakers on the history of Spanish and Mexican colonization of Alta (“Upper”) California from 1769 to 1848. Last month’s speakers delighted listeners with a lively and insightful discussion of the original Vallejo family.

Learn about California’s colonial era and browse our collection of related books

 

Kent Long

On Saturday, June 8, Kent Long, president of the non-profit Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe association, will discuss the importance of this historic rancho, the oldest surviving building in Contra Costa County. Kent moved to the area shortly before the Moraga Adobe property was sold for development. The new owners invited local history groups to a walk-through of the building. Because he had long been curious about the Adobe, Kent went along “just to take pictures.” That day turned out to be the start of an effort to create a permanent history exhibit emphasizing California’s Rancho era, the Moraga family, and lifestyles of early settlers. The project is now in its 16th year. Come and learn more about this part of history! The library will stay open after the talk and you can browse our extensive collection of California genealogy and history books including these focused on Alta California:

Register today at our Events listing!

June at CGS

by Jennifer Dix (5/27/2024)

To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.

Saturday, June 1, 10 AM: Intro to Genealogy (NEW! Now a hybrid class: both online and in person at the CGS library). One in a four-part series on the foundations of genealogical research, for beginners or those wanting to brush up on their skills. Today: “Using the Census.” Free. Please preregister.

Saturday, June 1, 10-11:30 AM: CGS Monthly Board Meeting Hybrid; held in person and via Zoom.

old map imageSaturday, June 8, 1-3 PM: California History and Genealogy Series. Part 2 of 2. A joint presentation of CGS and Los Californianos, the series looks at Californios, soldiers and settlers in Alta California from 1769 to California statehood in 1850. Attendees will learn about resources and strategies available to research early California settlers. Today: Kent Long presents “Jose Joaquin Moraga Family & the Rancho Laguna De Los Palos Colorados Grant.”

 

Saturday, June 8, 9 AM-4:30 PM: American Ancestors Comes to California! CGS is the local host for this daylong seminar on “Tracing Your Westward-Bound Ancestors” presented by well-known speakers David Lambert and Melanie McComb. They will discuss the history of westward migration in the U.S., with tips for finding your ancestors. The all-day event at Oakland’s Preservation Park includes breakfast, lunch, and door prizes. (Also held tomorrow in San Marino; see link for details.)

Rainbow image with "LGBTQ Genealogy"Saturday, June 29, 11-12:30 AM: LGBTQ Genealogy. Stewart Traiman gives a presentation on finding the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer persons in all our family trees. Includes discussion of LGBTQ history and finding clues to an ancestor’s sexual identity in the census, newspapers, obituaries, military records, photographs, phone books and archives.

NOTE: The weekly “Tips & Talk” series at Oakland FamilySearch Center is taking a summer hiatus, but stay tuned for details about informal discussions at the OFSC this month.

Special Interest Groups (SIGS) for Members:

June 1: Eastern European SIG Quarterly Meeting.

June 12: CGS Member Roundtable.

June 15: San Francisco SIG.

June 15: Family Tree Maker SIG.

June 21: Mayflower SIG.

June 22: Irish Ancestry SIG.

June 24: DNA Skills SIG.

June 26: Roots Magic SIG.

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Library hours: Thursday through Saturday 10 AM-2PM

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