Recent Posts

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Three Directors at SLIG 2012

Three happy California Genealogical Society board members just finished a week of intensive learning at the 2012 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association. President Jeff Vaillant and Recording Secretary Lisa Gorrell were here with me although we rarely saw each other since we were taking different courses.

Kathryn Doyle, Jeff Vaillant and Lisa Gorrell at SLIG 2012.

We were able to sit together at last night's banquet and compare notes about our courses, instructors, and what we learned. Bottom line: we all need to catch up on sleep but we had a fantastic time and learned so much.

Read Jeff's reports on previous SLIG years at Jeff Valliant's Reports.

Thanks to Kim von Aspern-Parker for acting as our photographer.

Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Using Online Historical Black Newspapers for Genealogical Research


Saturday, February 25, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612

Many historical black and abolitionist newspapers are available online, with more being added. Most are on subscription sites, and some are free. This class will give an overview of the role of black
newspapers, tell what is online and where to find it. Instructor Janice Sellers will suggest access strategies and show sample search results.

Register online.

The class is limited to thirty participants and is a free benefit of membership. Non-members fee is $20.00 (non-refundable) and can be applied towards membership on the day of the workshop.

Preregistration is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Registration confirmations will be sent to the first thirty registrants. Additional names will be collected and placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

Janice M. Sellers is a professional genealogist specializing in newspaper and Jewish research. She is the editor of two genealogy journals and is publicity director for the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. Janice is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild, California Genealogical Society, California State Genealogical Alliance, and Gesher Galicia. She has been on the staff of the Oakland California Family History Center for eleven years.


Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

 Book Repair Committee Luncheon
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
 Bill O'Neil, Lorna Wallace, Marianne Frey, Judy Bodycote and Dick Rees






Photographs courtesy of Lorna Wallace and Dick Rees, 12/13/11, Oakland, California.

Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library

Monday, January 9, 2012

Ancestral Homelands: A Spotlight Series for Beginners

The California Genealogical Society and the Oakland California Family History Center have collaborated on a new series of classes designed to help you find where your immigrant ancestor came from and to teach you the kinds of resources available for that part of the world. Each month will focus on a different country or region.

Classes will be held monthly on the fourth Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Oakland California Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland. The fee is $10 per class.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012: Beginning Research in Sweden with Wade Olofson
–An introduction to Swedish genealogical research and online resources and materials at the Oakland California Family History Center, including Swedish death records through 2009, Swedish census 1880 - 1900, vital and church records. Register online.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012: Beginning Research in England with Jeremy Frankel –An introduction to British genealogical research and online resources and materials at the Oakland California Family History Center, including resources for English/Welsh vital records through the twentieth century, census records for 1841-1911, church and probate records. Register online.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012: Beginning Research in Norway with Gloria Hanson.
–An introduction to Norwegian genealogical research and online resources and materials at the Oakland California Family History Center, including naming practices, censuses, church records (births, marriages, deaths, immigration) and information on Norwegian settlements in the U.S. Register online.

Coming Tuesday, April 24, 2012: Beginning Research in Louisiana.

Coming Tuesday, May 22, 2012:  Beginning Research in Germany.



Copyright © 2012 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Announcing the 12th Annual Salt Lake City Research Tour April 22-29, 2012

Join CGS for a week of intensive research and lots of fun!

Past-president Jane Lindsey is leading the twelfth annual California Genealogical Society Salt Lake City Tour to the Family History Library from Sunday to Sunday, April 22—29, 2012. Research Director Nancy Peterson returns to help lead this very popular trip.


Nancy Peterson and Betty Walker at the Family History Library in 2011.

Accommodations will be at the Shilo Inn, located three blocks from the Family History Library. The Shilo provides free high-speed internet access in every room.

The trip cost is $750 (airfare not included.) A deposit of $200 holds one space.

The Tour Package includes:
  • Hotel room – 7 nights, double occupancy
  • Shuttle service to and from airport
  • Three group dinners (Sun., Wed., and Sat.)
  • Daily continental breakfast
  • Orientation and lectures
  • Computer assistance using the online catalog at FamilySearch.org and other websites
  • Optional consultation prior to the trip
Download the tour flier for restrictions and full information.

Register online and reserve your space now!


Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library