California Genealogical Society

New year, new start - come to our free "Intro to Genealogy" class on Sat., Jan. 4. Whether you're new to genealogy or looking for a refresher on the basics, this is a great place to start. Join us in person at the CGS library or via Zoom.

2025 Intro to Genealogy - 1st Saturday Free! Overview and Focused Topics Our four-part series is ideal for getting started with genealogy or for advanced researchers to revisit principles of good research

Need a last minute gift for a genealogist with Irish ancestors?
Consider registration for our 2025 Conference March 1, with six lectures that cover all of Ireland by Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt of the Ulster Historical Foundation.
Go to https://www.californiaancestors.org/2025_all_ireland_genealogy/ and then send an email to [email protected] to have us switch names for you.

2025 All Ireland Genealogy Seminar with the Ulster Historical Foundation We are happy to announce that the California Genealogical Society will host the first stop of the 2025 Ulster Historical Foundation US Tour. The stop covers two events on two different days at two different Oakland locations.

Registration for the All Ireland Genealogy Seminar is now live! Get your tickets early for the March 1 event at Preservation Park! Early-bird pricing through January 15.

2025 All Ireland Genealogy Seminar with the Ulster Historical Foundation The California Genealogical Society will host the first stop of the 2025 Ulster Historical Foundation US Tour at Oakland Preservation Park

Please note that the CGS library will be closed Nov. 28-Dec. 5. Follow our blog for the latest on happenings!

Blog To register or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time. Questions? Email [email protected]

Last chance to register for Jewish Genealogy with Joanna Shear! Her free presentation featuring case studies is tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.

Jewish Genealogy: Case Studies Join Joanna Shear as she shares interesting cases in Jewish Genealogy

Sat., Nov. 23: Joanna Shear presents "Jewish Genealogy: Case Studies." This free talk is open to all--but sign up in advance! Joanna will be contacting participants to find out their questions and interests.

Jewish Genealogy: Case Studies Join Joanna Shear as she shares interesting cases in Jewish Genealogy

The California Genealogy Series is back! Join us live or via Zoom on Sat., Nov. 9 for "The Contra Costa County Rancho Project." Presenters Leigh Ann Davis and Genene Welch trace the history of Rancho Las Juntas. Full details at the link:

California History Series: Contra Costa County Rancho Project A special series of joint programs of the California Genealogical Society and Los Californianos

This Saturday, Oct. 26! Spaces are still available for Melinda Kashuba's presentation, "Heat Up Your Genealogical Research with Fire Insurance Maps"! Preregister for this free talk and learn how to interpret this invaluable resource for historical research.

Heat Up Your Genealogical Research with Fire Insurance Maps Join Melinda Kashuba to learn about the rich resource fire insurance maps can provide

The Colma Historical Association features historian Terry Hamburg talking about her book "Land of the Dead: How the West Changed Death in America," at its quarterly meeting Sunday, Oct. 20

Events - Colma Historical Association (CHA) QUARTERLY MEETINGS – February, April, July, and October. They are open to the public. We have a maximum capacity of 90 people so it is important to RSVP (650-757-1676 or [email protected]). Programs are related to Colma’s history. TEA OF MANY THEMES, an annual fundraiser that is usually in Se...

The 10 Million Names Project continues to grow, with the DAR Patriots of Color Database now online.

DAR Patriots of Color Database Now Available on 10 Million Names Website We are excited to announce that the DAR Patriots of Color Database is now available on the 10 Million Names website (10millionnames.org) by American Ancestors. View the news release here to learn more.

Save the date! First stop and only West Coast stop of the Ulster Historical Society's US tour. Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society Ten year anniversary of our 2025 sponsored conference. Please share!

CGS coordinates with the Oakland FamilySearch Center throughout the year with classes and special interest groups. Check the calendar for this ongoing series of events!

Events Archive - TempleHill.org 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Build Your Story #2: Enhancing and Sharing your Scanned Materials | Oct. 3, 11:00 AM October 3 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PDT Build Your Story #2: Enhancing and Sharing your Scanned Materials | Oct. 3, 11:00 AM Come and participate in our FamilySearch class, “Build Your Story 2: Enh...

October is officially Family History Month! Here's a fun quiz to help you celebrate all month long! Also a reminder that the CGS library is free and open to all throughout October.

How to Celebrate Family History Month in October Family History Month has been celebrated every October since 2001. Discover all the ways you can join in on the fun and honor your own family history.

The newly formed Irish Ancestry SIG will hold its third quarter meeting by Zoom THIS Saturday, September 28, starting at 1 pm. This is a CGS members' group, but we welcome newcomers! Several members will share new findings and resources they have uncovered. We’ll also have a review of John Grenham’s recent presentation for those who weren’t able to attend. Register online (link in comments below).

Irish Ancestry Special Interest Group A group for CGS members researching Irish ancestors to connect, share successes and resources and solve problems.

LA Public Library hosts a livestream "Genealogy Garage: The Early California Population Project," this coming Saturday, 9/21, at 11 a.m. PDT. UC Riverside History Dept. Chair Steven Hackel will explain how to use this rich but slightly complicated database of records created by California’s Franciscan missionaries between 1769 and 1850. No need to RSVP--just click here on the day and time to watch:

Genealogy Garage: The Early California Population Project The ECPP is a database developed by the Huntington Library that provides access to the information contained in the California mission registers from 1769–18...

Please join us - The public is always welcome

One week from today! Come to the Open House at the Oakland FamilySearch Library, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Get a free tour of the library and learn about all its great resources for genealogy (always free and open to the public). CGS will have a table there with more information.

Oakland FamilySearch Center Open House The Oakland FamilySearch Center invites you to attend our Open House on September 14th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM…