Local Host Society

The California Genealogical Society was asked to be the Local Host Society for the National Genealogical Society 2022 Family History Conference, to be held in Sacramento, May 24-28.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this will be the first LIVE conference in three years. We are hoping you are as excited as we are to be a part of this! See the video – NGS Conference Q&A.

Learn about the conference, volunteer opportunities and other news in the sections on this page. Questions? Need more information? Send an email to: [email protected].  And, watch this page for updates on the 2022 Conference as we get closer to May 2022!

Want to know more about CGS?  See our YouTube video – Who We Are.

NGS Brochures and Links

The National Genealogical Society conference brochure provides a detailed information of the location, conference topics, events and more. Download it now and start planning your visit.

NGS Extends Deadline for Online Registration

This year is proving to be a year of transition and for some a time of lingering uncertainty. Therefore, in response to requests from our members, the National Genealogical Society has extended its deadline to register online for its NGS 2022 Family History Conference.

Online registration for both the In-Person conference in Sacramento, California, and Online at Home closed at 7:59 p.m. (ET) on 13 May 2022.

It is also possible to register in person, on site at the conference, in the SAFE Conference Center in Sacramento, starting Tuesday 24 May through Saturday, 28 May. You may purchase admittance to the conference on a daily basis, or for the full conference.

Registrants can choose to participate in one of three ways:

  • In person in Sacramento, California;
  • Online at Home; and
  • On Demand.

Key Registration Dates

  • January 12, 2022 – Mail-in registration opens
  • January 19, 2022 – Online registration opens
  • March 31, 2022 – Early-bird registration extended!
  • May 13, 2022 – General registration closed
  • May 24 – 28, 2022 – On-site registration available

Volunteer Committee

As the local host CGS is responsible for finding volunteers to fill each of the positions that will be needed during the NGS conference. As a volunteer, your role is to be a friendship ambassador as well as an aide to the hundreds of registrants. 

Being registered for the conference is not required. Anyone can volunteer and doing so will entitle you to visit the exhibit hall. There are several different positions that need to be filled. Here is a brief description of each.

Volunteer Training

If you have signed up to volunteer or would like to, please attend a training before you come to Sacramento! You can choose one of two dates for a live presentation, May 10 at 10 am or May 13 at 4 pm. If you have signed up to volunteer, you will receive an email with a Zoom link for the training. Can’t make those days? A recording of the training session will be provided  after May 13; a link will be sent by email to those who have signed up to volunteer.  Questions: contact Maureen Hanlon.

conference volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities – SIGN UP NOW!

Volunteer Sign Up

Here is a link you can use to volunteer to help us at the conference, including how the sign-up works as well as a link to the registration form. Some of the opportunities available include

Registration: Check attendees in as they arrive and answer any questions.

Room Monitor: Check badges as attendees enter session rooms, assist speakers and conference attendees.

Ask-Me Volunteers: Welcome conference attendees, give directions, answer questions, help get people connected to wi-fi.

Tour and Workshop Assistant: Check registrations and assist tour leaders on the day before the conference. Assist Exhibitors during their half-hour product presentation.

Tote Bag Volunteers: On Monday help prep and stuff tote bags that will be given out during registration.

CGS Booth: Sit at the CGS booth in the exhibit hall and answer questions.

Floaters: Be an all-purpose volunteer ready to fill in wherever needed. 

Brochures and Information

See all the information from NGS about the conference, as well as our CGS Blog articles and eNews.

California Research – Series of Classes

To help you prepare for your visit to Sacramento in May 2022, CGS is offering a series of free classes about California research. The Sacramento conference location has a wealth of information to explore. These classes are designed to help you plan your schedule, make reservations (if needed) and be prepared to make the most of visiting these great California resources.

Did you miss one of the classes or would you like to review one you saw? We now have the classes available on YouTube so you can watch at your leisure. Enjoy!

Register for our California Research Series (or watch the recording)

Center for Sacramento History

Jan 11, 2022 4pm – 5:30 pm (PST)

Watch the recorded class

Senior Archivist Kim Hayden will discuss the Center for Sacramento History’s (CSH) genealogical resources and how to access them in person and online. In addition to housing public records dating back to 1849, CSH also collects personal material from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations from throughout the county in order to help tell a complete story of the Sacramento region.

Government Publications at California’s State Library

Jan 18, 2022 4pm – 5:30 pm (PST)

Watch the recorded class

Emily Blodget, California State Documents Librarian in the Government Publications section, will discuss the breadth of government publications available at the California State Library, what you might discover within them, and how to find them.

Historical Resources at California’s State Library

Jan 25, 2022 4pm – 5:30 pm (PST)

Watch the recorded class

Elena Smith, reference librarian in the California History Room, will give you an insider’s look at the genealogy resources the California History Room of the California State Library has to offer, along with search tricks usable at many archives. Then join us as we chase down the life story of one Californian in this information-packed class!

Sutro Library –  Genealogical Treasures

Feb 1, 2022 4pm – 5:30 pm (PST)

Watch the recorded class

Dvorah Lewis is a Genealogy & Local History Librarian at the Sutro Library, a branch of the California State Library located in San Francisco. Dvorah will teach us about the highlights of their genealogy collection, how to search online, and how to access once on-site.

The California Archives

Mar 15, 2022 4pm – 5:30 pm (PST)

Watch the recorded class

Chris Garmire, the Reference Services Manager at the California State Archives, will cover the history of the archives, how to access in-person and virtually many types of records including census, military, court, and other genealogical records of interest. The California State Archives are an enormous repository with many types of information of interest to people with ancestors who lived in California and those who came and had businesses or other interests in the State.

Special Collections at the Sacramento Public library

Mar 22, 2022 4pm – 5:30 pm (PST)

Watch the recorded class

The Sacramento Public Library’s Genealogy and Sacramento Room holdings mesh to provide one of Northern California’s more robust family and local history collections. From vital statistics to city directories to books made of poison and teeth, join librarian David Munger and archivist James Scott for a deep dive into the most useful, most compelling, and just plain fun to look at research items living at Sacramento’s historic main library.

CGS Blog, NGS Blog, Articles and Newsletter

CGS will be providing updates for attendees to the conference and our members about the events we are hosting, volunteer opportunities and other information. Check back often for news and information.

CGS Blog – Sign up in “Follow This Blog” on the Blog page to get email announcements about new posts

NGS Blog – written by CGS member Roger Prince

NGS Magazine Articles – written by CGS member Kathleen Beitiks

CGS eNews