To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time. Special presentation Rose Marie Beebe Robert Senkewicz Sat., May 11, 1-3 PM: California History and Genealogy Series. Part 1 of 2 (next class is June 8). A joint presentation of CGS and Los Californianos, the series looks at soldiers and settlers in Alta California from 1769 to California statehood in 1850. Attendees will learn about resources and strategies to research early California settlers. Today: Rose Marie Beebe and Robert M. Senkewicz present “A Californio Family in Transition: Mariano G ..read more

We’re delighted to announce that a new CGS members-only newsletter, Jukebox Genealogy, will debut May 15th. This entertaining, interactive newsletter will feature a genealogical survey, a song, and stories of our fellow members’ successes, serendipities, and epiphanies!  Be sure to look for CGS’s Jukebox Genealogy in your email soon. The post Coming soon: Jukebox Genealogy! first appeared on California Genealogical Society ..read more

Don’t forget about the two FREE presentations offered this Wednesday, May 1, at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. You can attend in person or via Zoom. Please preregister so we know you’re coming! At 11 AM (Pacific): “Exploring Hawaiian Records for Genealogical Research” by Cindy Thomson. Cindy will discuss the records available for Hawaiian research and where to find them both online and in Hawaii. Born in Hawaii, Cindy makes frequent trips there and also enjoys assisting others to help advance their family history. She is a retired government economist who specializes in multi-ethnic immigrat ..read more

To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time. Saturday, May 4, 10 AM – 12 noon:  Intro to Genealogy (NEW! Now a hybrid class: in person at the CGS). One in a four-part series on the foundations of genealogical research, for beginners or those wanting to brush up on their skills. Today: “Genealogy Basics.” Overview includes discussion of the census, vital records, and organizing your work. Free. Please preregister. Saturday, May 11, 10 – 11:30 AM: CGS Monthly Board Meeting Hybrid; held in person and via Zoom. Saturday, May 11, 1 – 3 PM: Cali ..read more

To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time. Tuesday, April 30, 11 AM: “HistoryGeo” with Debbie Hunt. (Rescheduled from March.) Debbie discusses how to use the groundbreaking HistoryGeo website to link maps and land records to your ancestors. Part of the weekly “Tips & Talk” series at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. Held in person and via Zoom. Free. Please preregister.     Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 PM: Member Connections Workshop. For CGS members! The Member Connections feature is a unique way to share your genealogical interests ..read more

Have you ever found yourself at a class or conference and had the surprise of meeting someone who was researching the same small town or the same unusual family name? Since the pandemic, it’s been a lot harder to make those in-person connections.  But now CGS members can find that serendipity virtually with our Member Connections tool. This is a benefit for CGS members, open to all interests and levels of expertise. Join a free Zoom presentation on Tuesday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. Stewart Traiman will walk you through getting set up and finding other members with similar interests and mem ..read more

To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time. There are a variety of classes and activities to choose from this week! Two special workshops are offered this SATURDAY, APRIL 27, each with a different focus to help you with your family history needs. 10 AM – 2 PM: “Digitize Your Family Photos and Stories” with Vivid-Pix CEO Rick Voight.The CGS library has a powerful new overhead scanner, available to visitors during library hours. This workshop is a special treat! Rick Voight will demonstrate how to use our Vivid-Pix Memory Station to restore old ..read more

To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time. April 9 & 10: Weekly “Tips & Talk” at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. In person and via Zoom. Free; please preregister. To reserve your space, go to the Tips & Talk Event page and click at the top of the page on the date of the event you want to attend. Tuesday, April 9, 11:00 am: How-To Series: “Descendancy Research on FamilySearch” with Denise Plaskett. Typically when doing genealogy we start with ourselves and move back in time. Descendancy research is about choosing an ancestor and ..read more

Beginning April 6 and continuing through June, the CGS library will close at 2 p.m. on Saturdays rather than at 4 p.m. Library hours will now be Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This decision was made after observing that few visitors come on Saturday afternoon. We will re-evaluate later this summer. We are aware this may be disappointing for our Saturday patrons. You may arrange to stay later by sending an email a week in advance to: visit@californiaancestors.org Thank you for your support. The post Announcing a change in library hours first appeared on California Genealogical Societ ..read more

To register or for more information, click the hyperlink for any event. All times are Pacific Time. Happy April! This month we have a variety of exciting classes and workshops coming up. A quick rundown: Sat., Apr. 6, 10 AM: Intro to Genealogy. A series of 4 rotating classes covering the basics of genealogical research. This month: “Organizing Your Research.” Free. Via Zoom. Weekly (Tuesdays & Wednesdays): “Tips & Talk” at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. Weekly talks by experts on a variety of topics. This month’s presentations include a 3-part series on DNA, discussions of UK rese ..read more