California Genealogical Society

01/30/2026

New three part series to start Saturday Feb 28: Level up your research with Pam Brett! Sessions will be recorded for viewing later.

A 3-Class Genealogy Series by Pam Brett on finding the right person, place and time

01/30/2026

Our February 18th class will help you connect and grow your tree! Members can access on our home page and anyone can register below

Jane Lindsey will discuss ways to find family members, provide suggestions on how to contact them.

01/29/2026

We're looking for citizen archivist volunteers!

As part of our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the War for Independence, the National Park Service is collaborating with the National Archives on a special project to transcribe more than 80,000 pension records of American Revolution soldiers and their families—handwritten stories of their service and their lives. There is enormous potential for these records to reveal rich, nuanced, and inclusive stories about the Revolution.

The National Park Service is teaming up with the National Archives to recruit citizen volunteer archivists to transcribe these records so that we can uncover their true complexity and get a fuller understanding of the people involved in the everyday work of founding our nation.

For more information visit
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/americanrevolution/index.htm

11/20/2025

Join APG on 10 December 2025 for a FREE webinar featuring experts from the Virtual Treasury of Ireland (VTRI), which is working to virtually reconstruct the records lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922. Presenters Dr. Ciarán Wallace and Dr. Brian Gurrin will discuss archival tragedy, reconstruction, and will demonstrate the many genealogical resources available on the free research platform. APG is pleased to be a supporter of the preservation efforts of the VRTI.
All are welcome to attend. More information & registration at https://bit.ly/3JoL6mK

10/31/2025

California Genealogical Society Members: Please join us November 13 for our latest in-person meetup! The Regional Gathering in Oakland is a fun, friendly way to meet and share genealogical interests, resources, and research. Oakland FamilySearch Center, 4766 Lincoln Avenue, from 1-2:30 p.m. RSVP requested:

10/29/2025

Thinking about a research trip to Boston? Curious about what it might entail? We'll have a virtual meetup Wed., Nov. 5, to discuss the February 2026 excursion. Join us!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/info-session-virtual-meetup-for-the-2026-cgs-boston-research-trip-registration-1854443062119

10/24/2025

Open House today and tomorrow! We celebrate California History Days with docents and historic displays and videos by Los Californianos, an organization founded to preserve the heritage of early Hispanic settlers in Alta California. Here are some of the genealogical materials they've brought in to share Oct. 24-25. Don't miss the speaker presentations! See website for full details: https://www.californiaancestors.org/family-history-month-2025/

10/16/2025

Linda Harms Okazaki presents "Two Case Studies: Recreating the Lives of Our Immigrant Ancestors," Sat. Oct. 25, via Zoom. Free. Part of our month-long Family History Month celebration.

As part of California History Days, Linda Okazaki describes journeys of two California immigrants. Come to CGS to watch & bring your lunch!

10/15/2025

Elizabeth Winslow presents a guide to creating a family legacy book, Friday, Oct. 24 at the CGS Library and via Zoom. Free. Part of our month-long Family History Month celebration.

As part of California History Days, Elizabeth Winslow shares how to create a book to share with loved ones. Come to CGS to watch live

10/14/2025

Family History Month concludes with an Open House at our library the weekend of Oct. 24-25, 9 AM-4 PM! We'll have docents and historic displays and videos by Los Californianos, an organization founded to preserve the heritage of early Hispanic settlers in Alta California. Admission is free. Special presentations each day: on Friday, Elizabeth Winslow offers a guide to creating your own family legacy book. On Saturday, Linda Harms Okazaki discusses "Two Case Studies," sharing the journeys of two California immigrants. Full details at https://www.californiaancestors.org/family-history-month-2025/

10/13/2025

We have a few slots remaining for personal genealogy consults, this coming Saturday, Oct. 18. Check out our website for a complete listing of our Family History Month activities!

Have you signed up yet? Private 50-minute in-person consultations are available every Saturday in October in celebration of Family History Month. Experienced volunteer consultants will address general questions, help beginners, and suggest strategies and resources for ancestors of various ethnicities or origins, and also assist with your technology issues with genealogy programs. Cost: $35 for members of CGS and Los Californianos; $50 for non-members. Limited spaces available. https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/323662050044/false #/invitation

10/05/2025

In the Lamorinda area? Looking to meet up with fellow family history enthusiasts? Our next regional gathering is on Tuesday, October 14, at 10:30 a.m. For more details, please contact Kim Farnham-Flom (kflom6@gmail.com).