To register for an event or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.
Questions? Email [email protected]
Special Event:
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Genealogy and Family History Symposium 2025.
This is a free event hosted by the San Francisco Public Library. Several CGS members will be speaking, including Maureen Hanlon, Grant Din, Linda Okazaki, Joanna Sheer and Stewart Traiman. We will have booth set up and would love some volunteers to sit with us! Please contact Susan Logas at [email protected] if you can help with the booth.
When: Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Koret Auditorium in the San Francisco Main Library at 100 Larkin Street in San Francisco.
Cost: Free!
For more information:
General Information- https://sfpl.org/releases/2025/07/11/dig-deep-your-history-san-francisco-public-library
Web link listing the schedule of lectures: https://sfpl.org/events/2025/07/22/presentation-genealogy-and-family-history-symposium-2025
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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.
• Walnut Creek- July 24 10:30am
If interested in one of these or another 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, July 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, July 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, July 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 Events:
Artificial Intelligence
Steve Little, the National Genealogical Society Artificial Intelligence Program Director, discusses how AI can be used in genealogy to extract names, dates, and relationships from text, assist with genealogical writing and translating documents, transcribe printed and handwritten text, and transform text to different comprehension levels or modern standard English. Listeners will learn about the potential of AI in the field of genealogy, as well as its limitations. Steve emphasizes the importance of verifying AI-generated results. He also touches on the future of AI in genealogy, predicting new use cases, more competitors, and expanding context windows.
When: Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-artificial-intelligence-for-genealogists-registration-1413519929159
CGS Member Experience
As parts 2 and 3 of our AI series, CGS Members, Janet Netz and Keith Montgomery will provide reassurance for all newbies with how they got their feet wet and how that experience has made them enthusiastic about using this technology. They will follow up with a Q & A session on Aug 13.
When: Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: CGS Library and Online via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cgs-members-experience-with-ai-getting-your-feet-wet-registration-1414355438189
AI Discussion
This is the CGS AI follow-up session.
In part one of our AI series, CGS Members, Janet Netz and Keith Montgomery provided reassurance for all newbies with how they got their feet wet and how that experience has made them enthusiastic about using this technology.
They follow-up here with a Q & A session.
When: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free to CGS members
How to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cgs-member-follow-up-on-ai-your-questions-and-interests-going-forward-registration-1414363321769
Using Artificial Intelligence on FamilySearh: Some Amazing Discoveries and Broken Brick Walls
Kelvin Brewer of the Oakland FamilySearch Center will give a talk about using AI with FamilySearch.
When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
How to Register: Forthcoming
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
JUL
2025