Members United at Jamboree #SCGS2013

Lots of our members are here in Burbank for the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree.

We gathered for a group photo but I know several members are missing. We're having a great time!

L. to R. Nicka Smith, Lavinia Schwarz, Diana Edwards, Susi Pentico, Vicky Kolakowski, Gene Pennington, Kim Cotton, Denise Richmond (front), Nancy Schlegel, Janice Brandt, Cheryl Palmer, Linda Darby, Karl Weiler, Mary Mettler, Kathryn Doyle, and Jim Sorenson.

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Books for Sale

Publications by the California Genealogical Society

Photograph by Kathryn M. Doyle, 3/12/2013, Oakland, California.

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

eNews June 2013, volume 7, number 6

The June 2013 eNews, volume 7, number 6, has been published and emailed to members and friends. As always, the eNews features timely information about the California Genealogical Society and our upcoming events. Each edition also includes Suggested Links From the Blogosphere and a photo feature: California Ancestors.

This month we honor James Beatty, fourth great-grandfather and favorite ancestor of volunteer and former director, Sandra Jones Fryer.

James Beatty born abt. 1800, County Tyrone, Ireland; died 19 May 1883, Brooklyn, New York 

Past issues of the eNews are available at the eNews archive.

The July 2013 issue will be emailed on June 30, 2013. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.

California ancestor photograph courtesy of Sandy Fryer.

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Meet the Authors: Gena Philibert Ortega and Jean Wilcox Hibben, CG

Monday, July 22, 2013
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

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

The California Genealogical Society is pleased to welcome genealogists and authors, Jean Wilcox Hibben, CG, and Gena Philibert Ortega.

Elisabeth: The Story of a German Immigrant is based on Jean's genealogical research of her great-grandmother who left her homeland and five children to escape an abusive husband. The novel details Elisabeth's efforts to reunite her family in mid-late19th century Chicago and New York.

Elisabeth: The Story of a German Immigrant
2012 by Jean Wilcox Hibben

eBook, Lulu Press

ISBN: 9781300172055

Gena's From the Family Kitchen is a three-part keepsake that will help you celebrate your family recipes and record the precious memories they hold. The book will show you how to uncover historical recipes and food traditions which offer insight into your ancestors' everyday lives.

From the Family Kitchen: Discover Your Food Heritage and Preserve Favorite Recipes

2012 by Gena Philibert Ortega

Hardcover, F+W Media, Inc.

ISBN: 1440318271 

Please register online.

The book event is free and open to public but seating is limited so pre-registration is requested. Please arrive early.

Gena's book will be available for purchase and autograph by the author. Jean's e-book is available in iOS format from iTunes and as a Nook Book from Barnes and Noble. Please note that the e-book is set up for single downloads that cannot be copied from one device to another.

Jean Wilcox Hibben, certified genealogist and national speaker, is a retired college professor with MA (Speech Communication) and PhD (Folklore) degrees. She serves in leadership positions for several genealogical groups including, Director of the Corona, California Family History Center; president of both the Corona Genealogical Society and Southern Calif. Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists; board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists; and secretary of the Genealogical Speakers Guild. She is also an occasional volunteer at the National Archives, Pacific Region, Riverside.


Gena Philibert Ortega holds two Master’s degrees, one in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Women’s Studies) and in Religion. She serves as vice-president of the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and lectures on various subjects involving genealogy. Gena previously published two other works: Putting the Pieces Together and Cemeteries of the Eastern Sierra. She writes extensively for genealogy newsletters, magazines and blogs.

Jean Wilcox Hibben photo by Pam McComb-Podmostko ©2009.

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

May 2013 Volunteer Update and Help Wanted Notices

Volunteer Coordinator Linda Okazaki sent this update and request.

Volunteers at the California Genealogical Society continue to inspire me. Our members donate hundreds of hours each month in order to keep our society running smoothly. For those of you whose committee work occurs outside of the library, please remember to submit your monthly hours to your board liaison. An electronic time sheet is will be ready in a few months. Until then, document your hours the old fashioned way! 

Numerous positions are available at CGS and your help is always welcome. There is a task for everyone; small jobs or big, weekly, monthly or just one time. Like to travel now that you are retired? Busy with children and a full time job? Come find a task that fits your schedule and lifestyle. Email Linda Okazaki if you’d like to join our team.

Help Wanted

Publications and Marketing Committee

• assistance with writing, editing and proof reading

Events Committee

• help with 2nd Saturdays and/or Thursday summer evenings
• assistance with event registration
• participation in special events

Finance Committee

• let us know if you have special skills in this area

Book Repair Committee

• come learn how to preserve our books and documents (meets 2nd Tuesdays)

Library Committee

• process periodicals
• assist with eBay used book sales

Desk Duty Committee

• substitutes and trainees are always needed to keep our library open to patrons

Membership Committee

• assistance with welcoming new members and planning membership events

Volunteer Committee

• help identify potential volunteers and orient individuals to their tasks

Technology Committee

• assistance with database management
• one person to manage our master calendar (can be done remotely)

Facilities Committee

• help keep our brick and mortar society up and running 

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Wordless Wednesday

Field Trip to Sacramento 

California State Library and State Archives

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Photographs courtesy of Jane Lindsey and Lorna Wallace,


Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

Field Trip to the San Francisco Main Public Library

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m..

San Francisco Main Public Library
100 Larkin Street

100 Larkin St.

San Francisco, 94102

For members only!

Join Past-president Jane Lindsey for a tour of the areas of genealogical interest at the San Francisco Main Public Library. Attendees will gather at 11:00 a.m. outside The San Francisco History Center on the sixth floor and split into two groups for a tour led by San Francisco City Archivist Susan Goldstein and library staff.

BART will be the transportation of choice. Travel to the Civic Center Station and walk towards the large blue medallion painted on the wall, then up the stairs or escalator. The library is across the street.

After the tour, members will gather to learn about the online catalog and the many San Francisco records the library has recently digitized through Archive.org and FamilySearch.org and how to access them.

Register online.

If you don't already have a San Francisco library card this will be a great opportunity to get one. Residents of California with identification may obtain one for free. Applications are available at the Main and must be submitted in person. Detailed information is available at the library website.

Attendees may want have lunch together. The Mint Café is located on the lower level of the library. Café Asia at the Asian Art Museum is close by.

This field trip is organized for members of the California Genealogical Society. Non-members interested in participating are encouraged to become members prior to July 1, 2013. The maximum group size is forty members.

Photographs of the San Francisco Main Public Library by Sameer Vasta, October 24, 2006, Creative Commons License.

Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.

San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar: June 2013 Published

June 2013 events have been published on the San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar – a collection of local genealogical society classes, workshops, and meetings within a 75 mile radius of San Francisco.

Many societies take a break in the summer months so the June calendar is a bit light with only fifty classes and events at various venues around the Bay Area, sponsored by thirty-five societies, archives, and libraries.

If you would like to add your group's events to the calendar, please email the information by the 15th of each month for publication on or before the 25th. (Please include "SFBA Calendar" in the subject line.)


Copyright © 2013 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.