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30 December 2011
San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar: January 2012 Published
The January calendar has forty-five classes and events at various venues around the Bay Area, sponsored by twenty different societies and genealogy 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 put "SFBA Calendar" in the subject line.)
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.
29 December 2011
31st Annual Ancestor Roundup Seminar on January 28, 2012
CGS member Kitty Nevin is Regent of the Commodore Sloat Chapter, NSDAR. She sent this announcement:
The 31st Annual Ancestor Roundup Genealogical Seminar will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., in Seaside, California, at the LDS Church, 1024 Noche Buena (at Plumas).
Claire V. Brisson-Banks, nationally known genealogist, researcher and teacher, will be the keynote speaker. She will teach four classes: New England Research, Scotland Research Strategies, Preserving your Records and Attacking those Brick Walls.
Brisson-Banks has worked at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City since 2003. She is a member of The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
$30.00 pre-registration by January 21, 2012 guarantees syllabus and lunch.
Download the registration flier. (Page two is the full schedule of classes.)
The event is co-sponsored by the Commodore Sloat Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
For more information email Serita Sue Woodburn.
The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution granted a charter to the Pacific Grove Chapter on September 29, 1922. In 1934, the chapter name was changed to Commodore Sloat Chapter to commemorate the historical significance of Commodore John Drake Sloat in California history. In 2011, to reflect the historical importance of Commodore Sloat's landing in Monterey, the chapter location was changed to Monterey, California.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
28 December 2011
Wordless Wednesday
Photographs courtesy of Arlene Miles.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
23 December 2011
New Winter Series Starts January 26, 2012: Best Genealogy Websites
Eight weekly 90-minute sessions will give you the skills you need to navigate your way to better and more efficient search results on the best sites for family history research.
Classes will be held on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Oakland California Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland. The series begins on January 26, 2012 and runs through March 15, 2012. The fee is $40 for eight sessions, including course materials.
Reserve your space now!
SCHEDULE:
01/26 Ancestry.com
02/02 Fold3.com
02/09 FamilySearch.org I
02/16 FamilySearch.org II
02/23 Search Engines Fundamentals and the World of Google
03/01 Using Advanced Search Techniques to Narrow Your Results
03/08 Rootsweb.com, USGenWeb and WorldGenWeb Projects
03/15 NewspaperARCHIVE.com and GenealogyBank.com
PLEASE NOTE:
- Class size limited to the first forty who register. Walk-ins will NOT be permitted.
- Free parking at the Oakland California Family History Center.
- $10.00 off a CGS membership if you join by March 1, 2012.
- No refunds once the series begins.
Register online.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
21 December 2011
Two New Blogs from the California State Genealogical Alliance (CSGA)
First is the CSGA Blog, providing information that impacts California genealogy. Among the team of bloggers are CGS members Sheri Fenley, Cat Nielsen and Cath Trindle.
The CSGA Blog will cover the following types of topics:
- Legislative issues affecting California genealogists
- California projects including the CSGA–FamilySearch partnership, the California Online Research Aid, the California Wiki on FamilySearch, and many individual society projects throughout the state
- California societies, websites, repositories, online materials and events
The second blog, Copyright Issues for the 21st Century Genealogical Community (CSGAcopyright), is authored by Cath Madden Trindle and is part of a continuing effort by the Alliance to help gen societies understand copyright issues. The CSGAcopyright blog discusses copyright law, provides links and feeds to other copyright web sites, and will highlight blog postings on other sites.
The California State Genealogical Alliance (CSGA) was founded in 1982 and links genealogical societies and individuals throughout California who are interested in coordination and communication between societies as well as preservation of California’s rich genealogical history. The California Genealogical Society is a member of the Alliance.
19 December 2011
Annual Business Meeting Postponed One Week
Saturday, January 21, 2012
1:00 p.m.
California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612
The bylaws of the California Genealogical Society specify that the regular January membership meeting shall be the Annual Business Meeting "at which time the annual budget shall be adopted and all appropriate business presented."
This year's meeting will be postponed one week to avoid the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. The Annual Business Meeting will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.
President Steve Harris will preside over the meeting. Agenda items will include:
- treasurer's report from Laura Lee Karp and approval of the society budget
- report from the nominating committee by Linda Okazaki, nominations and election of new board members
- brief committee reports
- remarks from the president
In addition, the library will hold a used book sale from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Library Committee volunteer Arlene Miles reports some great bargains among the wide variety of used genealogy books and periodicals set aside for the sale. Donated books continue to be a welcome source of materials in the library and the society is selling those which are duplicates of items already on our shelves and some which do not meet the strict collection policy. Proceeds are used to purchase more books.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
16 December 2011
Annual Giving Drives
Carly Perez, Operations Manager of Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc., the management company of 2201 Broadway, sent this reminder about the annual Breuner Building holiday drives:
This holiday season 2201 Broadway is supporting two wonderful ways to give back in our community.
The cold weather is here! Please consider donating a warm winter coat to our coat drive. Coats and jackets should be clean and gently used. The goal of One Warm Coat is to provide any person in need with a warm coat, free of charge. Carly has a collection box in her office, Suite M-3, or feel free to leave them with security. Coats will be collected until February 1, 2012.
The Alameda County Food Bank donation barrel is in the main lobby.
This is a list of most needed non-perishable foods:
- Canned Fruit & Vegetables
- Canned Meats and Fish
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta
- Beans
- Rice
- Canned Soup
- Dry Cereal and Oatmeal
- Tomato Sauce
- Powdered Milk
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
09 December 2011
Digging Into Your Past: Library Program with Jane Lindsey on YouTube
Past-president Jane Knowles Lindsey participated in a free event on December 1, 2011 at the Walnut Creek Library. She was one of four panelists discussing a myriad of resources for tracking down family history including online databases, where to search for vital records, and genealogy libraries. The program – Digging into Your Past: Tips and Clues on How to Pursue Your Ancestry – also featured Bill Slocum, former Director of the Oakland Regional Family History Center, Martha Whittaker, former Senior Librarian at the Sutro Library, and author Diane DeGolia. The entire ninety-minute program is viewable on YouTube.
Jane's portion on breaking down brick walls starts about 1:03:50.
07 December 2011
eNews December 2011, volume 5, number 12
The December 2011 eNews, volume 5, number 12, 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.
The Isacksen sisters (l. to r.) Sophie Louise Isacksen Hansen (1884-1978), Agnes Rasmine Isacksen Nygard (1891-1971), Lily Isacksen Monks (1888-1980), and Mary Dorothy Isacksen Hansen (1880-1952). |
Past issues of the eNews are available at the eNews archive.
The January 2012 issue will be emailed on December 31, 2011. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.
Photograph courtesy of Louise Randolph.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
03 December 2011
Insider's Guide to California Genealogy
Modeled on a similar guide by the Illinois State Genealogical Society, the CGS product reflects the unique resources available and particular problems encountered with California research.
The Insider’s Guide To California Genealogy contains:
- An overview of California history in a timeline format
- Lists of general California research websites and resources
- Research strategies for the Golden State
- More than 130 different links to essential websites
- 22 subject sections including Census and Vital Records, Land and Maps, Newspapers and more.
CGS is the second large genealogy society to publish a state research guide in this format. We gratefully acknowledge our "far-flung" member, Thomas MacEntee, for gifting the project to CGS. I'm looking forward to thanking Thomas "in person" later this morning on the Blog Talk Radio show My Society presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies, when we will discuss Insider's Guides to Genealogy.
Insider's Guide to California Genealogy
Pub. 2011 by California Genealogical Society
Laminated card, 8.5” x 11" format, 4pp.
Price: $7.00, includes shipping and handling.
Order online.
To place an order by mail, send a check for $7.00 to "Insider's Guide" California Genealogical Society, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA 94612. Please include your mailing address. Orders are processed weekly and sent by first class mail.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.
30 November 2011
News from the 2011 Nominating Committee
The 2011 Nominating Committee – Kim Cotton, Linda Okazaki, Patricia Smith, and Chair Jane Lindsey – has announced the nominations for the 2012-2013 board of directors for the California Genealogical Society. Nominations will be presented at the Annual Business Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Reception on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.
The nominated members are:
- Kim Cotton
- Ellen Fernandez-Sacco
- Pat Gallagher
- Karin Lemelin
- Nicka Smith
28 November 2011
Happy Fourth Blogiversary!
Four years ago the California Genealogical Society board of directors approved creation of this blog. It has been an honor and pleasure to bring you updates about our events and activities at the library, as well as reports from and about our talented members.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
25 November 2011
What You Missed: Ancestry Day - San Francisco
By any measure, Ancestry Day – San Francisco was a huge success! More than 900 family historians attended the full-day conference at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on Saturday, November 5, 2011. The event, co-sponsored by the California Genealogical Society and Ancestry.com, featured four tracks of four classes each, consultations, an Ancestry.com computer area with experts to answer questions, and California Genealogical Society tables with books and membership displays.
The sixteen classes were presented by fifteen speakers, half of whom were CGS members. A special “thank you” to:
- Ron Arons
- Susan Goss Johnston
- Melinda Kashuba, Ph.D
- Lisa B. Lee, PLCGS
- Craig Manson
- Lavinia Schwarz
- Janice Sellers
- Cath Madden Trindle, CG
Here are the links to the four talks now available on YouTube:
Five Quick Tips for Digging UP Answers at Ancestry.com with Jeanie Croasmun
How to Find Civil War Roots on Ancestry.com with Anne Mitchell “Ancestry Anne”
Emigration & Immigration Records Online with Crista Cowan “Barefoot Genealogist”
Find them Fast: Secrets to Searching Your Family History on Ancestry.com with Laura Dansbury
Raking the Ashes author Nancy Peterson was on hand to sign and sell books. We sold out of sixty copies in just two hours! Ancestry Day was also the launch of the society's newest publication – Insider's Guide to California Genealogy.
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First sale of our new Insider's Guide to California Genealogy. |
More than 300 attendees signed up for 15-minute consultations. Linda Okazaki did an outstanding job of matching questions to member volunteers with the right expertise. She and her staff kept things running smoothly and efficiently.
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Thirty-eight genealogists provided more than 300 consultations. |
CGS member and blogger, Jennifer Regan of the Rainy Day Genealogy Readings blog, spent the entire day providing consultations. She reflects on the experience in Defining Research, Part Two: The Internet vs. Research Skill.
Several members of the African-American Genealogical Society of Northern California who are also CGS members served as volunteer consultants. Nicka Smith reported on both Black Family History Day and Ancestry Day and included some great photos in her article, AAGSNC Teams Up With Local Societies for Fall Genealogy Events.
One of our member speakers, Janice M. Sellers, blogs at Ancestral Discoveries. She wore several hats at Ancestry Day San Francisco.
Denise Richmond and Sandra Gardner Benward are CGS members and officers at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society where they are both contributors to their blog. Sandi wrote Ancestry Day Comes to San Francisco.
Ruth Hinman of Genealogy is Ruthless without Me blog wrote three reports!
San Francisco Ancestry Day November 5, 2011
Ancestry Day in San Francisco Blog 2 Gordon Atkinson
Another Reason to Attend Genealogy Conferences and Seminars...SWAG and Prizes
Thank you to Karen Ober and the Ancestry.com staff – it was a pleasure co-sponsoring the event with you.
The Ancestry Day planning committee (Jane Lindsey, Tim Cox, Linda Okazaki and Kathryn Doyle) thanks all the volunteers who made our event a huge success. The professionalism of our speakers, consultants, and hard-working staff volunteers was truly appreciated.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
11 November 2011
Footnotes 101 with Jane Hufft
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612
Footnotes made easy! Citing your sources is an important part of family history researching. Footnoting is easier than it looks.
This presentation will take the mystery out of constructing footnotes, explain why you need to cite your sources and show you how to do it. There will be clear explanations, examples and handouts so that you can cite your sources correctly and confidently.
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.
Jane Hufft, current editor of the CGS periodical The California Nugget and former CGS board member, has written several articles for genealogy journals and continues to work on her own family history research. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband Ron.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
02 November 2011
Wordless Wednesday
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Directors Craig Manson, Diana Wild and President Stephen Harris |
Photograph courtesy of Steve Harris.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
01 November 2011
eNews November 2011, volume 5, number 11
The November 2011 eNews, volume 5, number 11, 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 member Paul Mayer pays tribute to his wife LoisMarie's ancestors - Thorvald and Ragna Rodley, of Lookingglass, Oregon.
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The Rodley family, left to right: Irene, Arnold (my wife's father), John, Ragna, Irene, Ruth, Oscar, Thorvald and Ralph. Not shown are two daughters: Lucile and Betty Louise. |
Past issues of the eNews are available at the eNews archive.
The December 2011 issue will be emailed on November 30, 2011. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.
Photograph courtesy of Paul Mayer.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
29 October 2011
Chinese-American Genealogy Resources November 12, 2011
CGS member Kay Speaks sent word of this upcoming workshop.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Oakland Regional Family History Center
4766 Lincoln Avenue
Oakland, CA 94602
Are you curious about what Chinese resources are available at the Oakland Regional Family History Center but haven't had the chance to check it out? Come learn from Assistant Director Marge Bell of the center and Kay Speaks and Christine DeVillier as they tell us how they have used the resources of the center and its Salt Lake City parent, the Family History Library, to research their Chinese roots. Kay will be covering research techniques at the center and Christine will talk about using the FamilySearch catalog and Chinese databases. All are welcome to attend - you don't have to be a church member.
Schedule:
12 noon – Bring a bag lunch to talk story with the group. Bring your discoveries or share any roadblocks you are facing in your research so the group can brainstorm some research options.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Orientation to the center by Marge Bell, examples of research by Kay Speaks and Christine DeVillier, experienced genealogists.
The classroom has seventy seats and about sixty computers, so we will take the first 60 respondents, and then have a wait list.
Cost: Free!
RSVP by emailing Kay Speaks. When you respond, if you wish, please list your name, city of residence, village, surnames, etc. Depending on response, we may limit the number of attendees from each family.
Sponsored by Oakland Regional Family History Center and Chinese-American Family History Yahoo Group
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
24 October 2011
San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar: November 2011 Published
The November calendar has forty-five classes and events at various venues around the Bay Area, sponsored by twenty different societies and genealogy 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 put "SFBA Calendar" in the subject line.)
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library.
21 October 2011
The Ancestry and Descendancy of Thomas Frost of Hebron, Connecticut
It's always a pleasure to write about the publication of a new genealogy by one of our members and it's especially nice when the member is one of our hard-working volunteers. So it is with double pleasure, and a great deal of amazement, that I introduce the new two-volume work by Larry Youngman,
The Ancestry and Descendancy of Thomas Frost of Hebron, Connecticut.
The two volumes are a culmination of three years work by Larry but also a lifetime of work by his co-author, the late Evelyn Annis Frost Baum Rush. Larry and Evelyn were introduced by a third Frost cousin, Harriette Froid. All three joined forces and expanded their research efforts to include other branches of the Frost family. After Harriette's death, Evelyn and Larry agreed to be joint compilers of this book.
Larry and Evelyn built upon initial research conducted by Josephine C. Stillman Frost whose work, The Frost Genealogy, was published in 1912. Co-author Evelyn Rush devoted her "golden years" to the project and amassed an enormous amount of research material. Over a fifty-year period, hundreds of family members had submitted information to Evelyn who did not live to see the finished work. Prior to her death in October 2010, at the age of 90, Evelyn sent Larry her entire collection of books, source documents, and research – a total of 4,900 lbs. in 185 boxes! Larry combined her research with his, and transcribed all of it into his database.
The result is a fully-indexed, two-volume hard-bound set, with more than 980 pages, documenting the ancestors of Thomas Frost (1718-1798) of Hebron, Connecticut, and his descendants. Included are over 1,000 photos of family members.
In the forward, Youngman reflects back upon the journey "and upon the impact of the marriage of Thomas and Abigail Frost. The result of this union has directly impacted the lives of the over 7,000 descendants during the following 260 years as documented in this work."
Volume I includes: Preface, Introductions, Acknowledgements / Frequently Used Reference Book Titles / Part I - Thomas Frost of the Kennebec / Part II - The Second Generation / Part III - The Third Generation - Thomas Frost (1718 - 1798) / Part IV - The Fourth and Later Generations.
Volume II is a continuation of Part IV – The Fourth and Later Generations. For a complete list of the major surnames in the work, visit Larry’s website: Thomas Frost Family.
Larry Youngman has been conducting genealogy research for over thirty-five years, and has published ten lineage books covering the mid-1400's through present day. He is a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Mayflower Society of California, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the California Genealogical Society, where he serves as the webmaster for their site, CaliforniaAncestors.org. Youngman conducts professional research via his website GenealogyPro.
The Ancestry and Descendancy of Thomas Frost of Hebron, Connecticut is available for purchase at Youngman’s Lulu bookstore.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
20 October 2011
What Do Dead People, Greed and Real Estate Have in Common?
Answer: Cemeteries!
In 1900, San Francisco was a Wild West boom town driven by greed. The city fathers removed cemeteries and banned burials. Research Director Nancy Peterson shares this little-known piece of San Francisco history in a new video by Shannon Reese and Kathleen Jones.
Announcer: Tayler Jones
Directed by: Shannon Reese
Edited by: Kathleen Jones
14 October 2011
A Special Wedding Gift: The Pattillo Family History
Earlier this year, then-Vice President Chris Pattillo shared her Genealogy Addiction with readers. Chris was in a race with the clock to finish another family history book in time for a family wedding.
I'm pleased to announce that Chris finished on time and published The Pattillo Family History with Stover, Drake, Gaines, Land and Ward Ancestors. She brought a copy to "Creative Ways to Share and Write Your Family History Research" – one of the Thursday evening discussions this summer.
Chris was able to make her deadline thanks to the assistance of Ernie Grafe. Originally, she had intended to learn InDesign and do all the production work herself. She notes: "Since I had such a short time to write, edit and produce the book (only 4 months), I wisely made the decision to work with Ernie, an editor/producer who I met while taking an InDesign class and whose services I have since utilized for my business." Chris advises it's okay to use help: "It's not cheating and frees one to concentrate on the research and writing."
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The Pattillo Family History with Stover, Drake, Gaines, Land and Ward Ancestors |
From the back cover:
About the Author
I am the great-granddaughter of James William Pattillo and Carrie Brooks Stover, granddaughter of Lewis Wood and daughter of James Edward Pattillo. This is my fourth family history publication, but not the last. I have been interested in genealogy since the mid-1960s. I joined the California Genealogical Society (CGS), based in downtown Oakland, in 2004. In the summer of 2010 I took a month off and immersed myself in family history research. I learned many new research techniques and was finding a lot of new information. Using the Melba Crosse book and other family trees found online, I was able to take our family back several more generations. I knew I would want to publish another book and share this information with the rest of our family, but the question was, when? Your “Save the Date” postcard gave me the answer. Since it arrived I have been possessed, and devoted most of my free time to continuing my research and writing this book. During my month off, and since, I have learned a tremendous amount about how to do genealogy research. The members of CGS have been generous and patient in guiding me along — particularly Jane Lindsey, Vinnie Schwarz and Judy Bodycote. I am grateful for their help, passion and inspiration.
Congratulations, Chris, and thanks for the tips.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
07 October 2011
November Membership Meeting: Members Talk, CGS Listens
1:00 p.m.
California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612
The California Genealogical Society has had a busy and productive 2011. As we begin to make plans for 2012, we thought it was important to make time for member feedback. We want to know what you're thinking!
Join President Stephen Harris and Vice-President Jeffrey Vaillant for a special member session where you'll do all the talking. We're seeking input and feedback from members on a variety of topics. Join us for a one-sided conversation: you talk, we listen!
For our distant members who can't make it, please leave a comment here and I'll make sure your remarks are read at the meeting.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
03 October 2011
Honored Twice and Doubly Well-Stated!
Contributing editor Rick Crume, in the article "Well Stated" (pages 20-26), lists the magazine's 2011 picks for the seventy-five best U.S. state-focused websites for genealogical research.
In selecting this year's best state websites for genealogy, we were looking for databases where you can look for a relative's name. Many of the 75 sites (at least one per state) have indexes, and in many cases, you can even view images of original records.
The Golden State has two picks and the California Genealogical Society and Library is proud to have close ties to both!
The first is our own website CaliforniaAncestors.org.
Click the Databases tab to search more than 350,000 records – including voter registers, probate records, cemetery records and more – in the California Names Index for free. If your ancestor's name appears you can order a copy of their original record for $10. Members have online access to San Francisco church records and newspapers.
The second is the California Digital Newspaper Collection, founded by our newest board member, Dr. Henry Snyder.
Access more than 5 million California newspaper articles from 1846 to 2009.Henry is the former director of The Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research (CBSR) at the University of California, Riverside, where he led the California Newspaper Project from 1990 through 2009.
I've written before about Professor Snyder and the project which went digital in 2007. In case you missed it, Henry's article The California Newspaper: What Survives and How to Find It was published last year in the Fall 2010 issue of the Nugget. CGS is honored to have such an esteemed historian on our board and we're thrilled that Family Tree Magazine is bringing attention to his work.
This is the second year that the CGS website was chosen. We're honored to be listed among so many fantastic online state resources. Thank you, Family Tree Magazine!
Kudos to Kathy Watson and Larry Youngman and their technology team who work tirelessly for the society to keep our website up-to-date.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
01 October 2011
eNews October 2011, volume 5, number 10
The October 2011 eNews, volume 5, number 10, 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, member Pat Gallagher honors her Gallagher family of San Francisco.
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L to R, seated: Alice, William J., Jr (my father), Mary Maloney (my grandmother), William J. Gallagher (my grandfather); rear, standing: Madeline and Theresa |
The November 2011 issue will be emailed on October 31, 2011. To receive a copy, please join our mailing list.
Photograph courtesy of Patricia Gallagher.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
30 September 2011
The California Nugget, Fall 2011, Volume III, Issue 2
The Fall 2011 edition of The California Nugget has been sent to the printer and should begin arriving in members' mailboxes next week. It's another information-filled issue by Editor Jane Hufft and Production Editor Lois Elling.
Here is Jane's letter from the editor:
Dear Readers:
This issue of the California Nugget is arriving in your mailbox earlier than usual so we can share exciting news about two events. First, the California Genealogical Society proudly announces the publication of the newly revised Raking The Ashes, Genealogical Strategies for pre-1906 San Francisco Research. This new second edition is the finest tool available for conducting genealogical and historical research in San Francisco in the years before the great earthquake. No one knows more about work-around strategies to find cemeteries, records, repositories, unique sources, church information, land records and other genealogical and historical records related to San Francisco than author Nancy Peterson. Completely updated, painstakingly researched, carefully organized and thoroughly user-friendly, Raking the Ashes, second edition, belongs on the shelf of every California researcher. For more information and ordering information, please see page 17.
There’s more! CGS and Ancestry.com are bringing a special all-day genealogy con- ference to San Francisco on Saturday, November 5. This informative day will offer many workshops and lectures. If you can be in the area, plan on joining us. Registration information is on page 16.
In other articles, Amy Coffin’s description of the first RootsTech Conference will take readers one step further into an exciting future where technology and genealogy meet. Rachel M. Popma, editor of Indiana Genealogist, has graciously allowed us to reprint her recent article that describes how to add eBay to your toolbox of genealogy search strategies. In “California Ancestors,” Jim Sorenson recounts the unexpected results of a persistent search to find just one more cousin. Virginia Turner looks back on early days of researching at CGS, and Sheri Fenley recounts the story of a successful pioneering family in San Francisco.
One way to have your family’s history saved for posterity is to have it in print. Have you thought about submitting your family’s story to the Nugget? We are always looking for well-researched family histories as well as articles that will help our readers become better genealogists and more successful writers and researchers.
Jane Hufft, Editor
TABLE of CONTENTS
Twenty-First Century Genealogy
RootsTech: A Report from the Trenches by Amy Coffin
Using Automated eBay Searches for Genealogy by Rachel M. Popma
California Ancestors
Chasing After Cousins by Jim Sorenson
Pursuing My Spooner and Ruffcorn Legacies at CGS by Virginia Turner
David Nathan Walter: Jewish Pioneer of San Francisco by Sheri Fenley
1883 Pensioners List: Cashman, James to Dorland, John M.
For Our Readers
November 5 Ancestry Day in San Francisco Registration Form
Raking the Ashes order form
At the Society
Recent Acquisitions in the Library
New Members
Index
The California Nugget, the magazine of the California Genealogical Society, is published twice a year. Its purpose is to share the unique genealogical material in the CGS library, add to the body of family history information about Californians, offer guidance and timely information to family researchers, and to provide a forum for members to share their expertise and findings. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the society. The magazine is distributed free to members and is available to non- members for $5.00 an issue, plus postage.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
28 September 2011
Early-Bird Registration Ends in One Week!
This is an Ancestry Day – San Francisco alert! Registration for the early-bird discount ends Wednesday, October 5, 2011.
Register now so you don't forget!
By registering before the early-bird deadline, you'll save $10 on the basic registration.
A fifteen minute consultation is just $5 more, but act fast! There are a limited number available and they are almost sold out.
There are also a limited number of hotel rooms at a special event rate. There are two options for making a hotel reservation.
By phone: Call 888-421-1442 and mention "SF Hyatt Regency Embarcadero and Ancestry Day"
Online: Ancestry Day - San Francisco special rate
Follow all of our updates on Twitter @AncestryDaySF and on Lanyrd.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
26 September 2011
October Family History Month: Lots of Bay Area Choices in 2011
October 2011 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.
With many societies and libraries planning events for October Family History Month, the calendar lists sixty-four events at various venues around the Bay Area, sponsored by twenty-four different societies and genealogy libraries.
Both sessions of the Fall Beginning Genealogy Series continue. This is the fourth year that CGS has partnered with the Oakland Regional Family History Center to offer the classes for Family History Month.
CGS members Nicka Smith and Vernester Sheeler are organizers of the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California's Black Family History Day on Saturday, October 8, 2011, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Oakland Regional Family History Center.
The California Genealogical Society will be an exhibitor at the 13th Annual Family History Day at the State Archives in Sacramento on Saturday, October 15, 2011. CGS President Stephen Harris will be heading up our delegation. We gratefully acknowledge Denise Richmond of RootCellar–Sacramento Genealogical Society for her assistance with our arrangements. Denise and Sandy Benward are the authors of the Family History Day at the California State Archives blog where you can find full information about the event schedule, speakers and exhibitors.
Be sure to check the calendar and decide which October Family History Month events you will attend!
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
19 September 2011
Portraits of Our Patriots: Stories of Revolutionary War Ancestors
It's always a great pleasure to announce publication of a member's book so this time it's quadruply special. Four of the eight authors of Portraits of Our Patriots: Stories of Revolutionary War Ancestors are members of the California Genealogical Society – Millianne (Peirano) Lehman, Linda Longley, Mary Mettler and Terri Taylor.
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L to R: Annette Litle, Cathy McCausland, Carol Yenne, Terri Taylor and Mary Mettler. Not shown: Joan Evans, Millie Lehman and Linda Longley. |
The eight writers are members of the San Francisco DAR La Puerta de Oro San Francisco Chapter who tell the stories of fifteen of their Patriots, "recounting with as much detail as possible the events they and their families endured in the years during and surrounding the American Revolution." A genealogical summary covering the patriot and his family is provided at the end of each chapter which includes source references.
Mary Mettler has generously donate one copy to the CGS Library. She is the author of the two chapters on her ancestors Cephas Kent Sr. and Cephas Kent Jr. Mary chronicled some of her KENT research in as Tuesday Tales for this blog.
Congratulations, Mary, to you and all of your fellow authors!
Contents:
- Bladen Ashby by Carol Yenne
- John Blair by Millianne (Peirano) Lehman
- John Chatham and William Chatham by Catherine McCausland
- John Chilton by Carol Yenne
- Stephen Fischer by Terri Taylor
- David French Millianne (Peirano) Lehman
- Lewis L. Humphreys by Joan Reumah Evans
- Cephas Kent, Sr. by Mary A. Mettler
- Cephas Kent, Jr. by Mary A. Mettler
- Abraham Kitchel by Jim Cooper and Annette Cooper Litle
- John Lamb by Mary A. Mettler
- Jonathan Langley by Linda Longley
- Roger McPike by Carol Yenne and Max McPike
- Onesimus Whitehead by Millianne (Peirano) Lehman
Portraits of Our Patriots: Stories of Revolutionary War Ancestors
Hardcover, 246 pages, published 2011
There are a limited number available for purchase for $20 plus postage. Proceeds go to the San Francisco NSDAR chapter, La Puerta de Oro.
La Puerta de Oro San Francisco Chapter consists of four DAR chapters that merged—the oldest of these, the Sequoia Chapter, was founded on Dec 10, 1891. Their mission is to promote the objects of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Photographs courtesy of Mary Mettler.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
16 September 2011
Discover a Bridge to Your Past
Have you seen them? The design elves at Ancestry.com created these gorgeous "tout ads" for Ancestry Day – San Francisco.
The ads show up randomly on Ancestry's home page and link directly to our event page (also created by Ancestry.com)
Be sure to follow our event updates on Twitter @AncestryDaySF.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
12 September 2011
Society Showcase at FGS Conference in Springfield
The California Genealogical Society sponsored a table recently at the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) annual conference in Springfield, Illinois. FGS made it easy for even distant genealogy societies to have a presence in the exhibit hall at Society Showcase on Thursday, September 8, 2011, in the Prairie Capital Convention Center. Exhibitors were encouraged to "bring display items and giveaways, such as membership brochures, sample publications, bookmarks, and event fliers." The FGS Conference blog published the full list of participating societies.
California Nugget Editor Jane Hufft and I staffed the table which we shared with fellow CGS member Denise Richmond who was representing the RootCellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. Denise handles publicity for RootCellar and she is one of the authors of the excellent Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society Blog with teammates Sandra Gardner Benward and Ron Setzer. Denise is also the blogger behind the conference blog for the upcoming Family History Day at the California State Archives on Saturday, October 15, 2011.
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Jane Hufft and Denise Richmond |
We had lots of information fliers and brochures highlighting the best of our California societies. Both Denise and I took advantage of the U.S. Post Office flat rate boxes to mail materials ahead of our arrival. Jane brought sample copies of our periodical as well as her submission guidelines for the Nugget. I think she talked to at least two potential authors who were intrigued with the idea of writing about their California ancestors.
Staffing the next table over and representing Fox Valley Illinois Genealogical Society was their president, Jane Haldeman, co-owner of It's Relative. Jane and I "met" years ago via a Rootweb mail list and exchanged information about our BRIGGS of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It's one of my "brick wall" lines so I'm not exactly sure how Jane and I are related but I'm optimistic that someday I'll figure it out. It was great to finally meet "cousin" Jane in person and to attend one of her lectures.
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Genealogist quilters Pat Richley and Jane Hufft |
It was a whirlwind few days but CGS was well-represented in Springfield.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
What You Missed: Summer Thursday Night Discussions
Did you make it into the library this summer for our extended Thursday hours? Tim Cox and Jane Lindsey cooked up the idea last year and it has proved to be wildly successful. We've gotten lots of positive feedback from members who enjoyed coming to do research on a day they didn''t have to pack up and leave at 4:00 p.m. Some even came in at 9:00 a.m. and stayed until 8:30 p.m. closing!
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Kim Cotton led "Social Networking: Facebook, RSS, Twitter and Blogs" on 6/16. |
Jane and Tim also scheduled specific discussions for 6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. every Thursday in June, July and August. Topics included everything from ethnic research to software and subscription databases.
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Cathy Paris led "Creative Ways to Share and Write Your Family History Research" on 7/28. |
A special "thank-you" to all of our member facilitators who led Thursday night discussions this summer: Judy Bodycote, Kim Cotton, Tim Cox, Gloria Hanson, Steve Harris, Sally Houston, Douglas Joe, Lorna Jones, Jane Lindsey, John Moore, Cathy Paris and Lavinia Schwarz.
Tim tells me we had a grand total of 147 attendees at the thirteen discussions – many attended more than one session. Thanks to you all for making our summer program a success!
Photographs courtesy of Jane Lindsey (6/16/11) and Jeremy Frankel (7/28/2011), Oakland, California.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
09 September 2011
New in the Library: the Konika-Minolta Bizhub 250
The California Genealogical Society has a new piece of equipment in the library. Vice-president Jeffrey Vaillant negotiated a new rental contract to replace our aged copier with a state-of-the-art networked model that prints, copies, faxes and scans. Best of all, the new contract price costs less so updated technology also represents a monthly net savings to the society. Nice work, Jeff!
Installed in August, the Konica Minolta Bizhub 250 can print 25 black and white copies per minute or patrons and volunteers can scan instead of copying. The BizHub scans to and prints from all computers in addition to handling incoming faxes. The old stand-alone fax machine has been retired.
The BizHub automatically recognizes the copy size needed and has paper loaded for 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14 and 11 x 17 copies. It copies both sides (duplex) and has a stapler. Large print (11 x 17) capability allowed us to retire the HP5000 printer, making room for another computer “up front” which can be used by patrons or volunteer staff.
Jeff gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Kathy Watson who worked her tech-magic to network print, scan and fax functions.
Inservice training for desk volunteers took place on August 10, 2011. Training will continue as needed.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library
05 September 2011
Legacy Planning: What Happens to Your Research after You Are Gone?
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
California Genealogical Society Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612
Legacy Planning usually refers to your will, trusts and medical directives. Have you thought about what is going to happen to your family history research? Do your children know what to do with those file cabinets, folders, binders and archival boxes full of memorabilia? Patricia Burrow will share some of the things we can do to ensure our family history research is preserved for future generations.
The class is limited to thirty-five 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 35 registrants. Additional names will be collected and placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
Register online.
Patricia Burrow has blended her retired, tech world vocation with her passionate avocation for genealogy research and storytelling. She leads several groups in the genealogy community and has been actively researching her family’s history for almost a decade. Pat has had several articles and stories published about her ancestors and is working on a book about her adopted grandmother and the two families that loved her. She teaches Reunion for the Mac at the Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group and participates in an indexing project at the Santa Clara County Archives. Her mantra is: “Your kids won’t throw away a book with their surname on it. Publish, publish, publish.”
Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library