San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

03/21/2026

SLO County Genealogical Society’s next general meeting is coming up!

Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10:00 am–12:30 pm for a two-part program with Cynthia Patton:
Part 1: 10 Steps to Organizing for the Busy Genealogist
Part 2: Setting Goals to Focus Your Genealogy.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by piles of papers, digital files, or “someday” research plans, this program will offer practical steps and realistic strategies to help you get organized and work with more focus.
🗓 Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 am–12:30 pm
🔹 More information: SLOCGS.org/event/slocgs-general-meeting-cynthia-patton/

Please share and invite a friend who could use a little genealogy organizing inspiration!

Scroll down to RSVP for this event. Speaker Cynthia Patton Part I: 10 Steps to Organizing for the Busy Genealogist As a genealogist – who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the […]

03/13/2026

Sharing from Mission San Luis Obispo...

Please join us on Saturday, March 21, from 9:30 a.m. to noon for the Mission San Luis Obispo Docents Orientation Day. We’re looking for people who enjoy local history and would love to share that passion with others.

Our award-winning docent team is a welcoming and dynamic group of about 50 volunteers who meet monthly to learn more about the rich history of our mission and community.
If you enjoy learning, meeting new people, and sharing stories of the past, we’d love to have you join us!

02/20/2026

What an amazing afternoon! 🌟

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us yesterday for the Family Tree Maker California Tour 2026 at the IOOF Hall! Whether you brought your laptop for hands-on help, asked great questions during the demos, or simply enjoyed chatting with fellow genealogy enthusiasts — you made the event truly special.

Special thanks to the wonderful Family Tree Maker team for traveling to San Luis Obispo and sharing their expertise so generously! 🙌

We loved seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. Here’s to many more discoveries in our family trees! 🌳💕

(Photos coming soon — tag yourself if you spot you!)

Thank you all for being part of our SLO genealogy community!

02/17/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FyGbBT9gj/

We have files for you to take home! Our vertical file collection is being discarded because of low use and space constraints. Please come to the SCGS Library any open hour and search for surnames and places. You might be surprised by what you find. Free for adoption. DEADLINE IS MARCH 31st. Then they are gone. Please email inquiries to: scgs@scgsgenealogy.com

02/11/2026

Friendly reminder, genealogy friends! ⏰

Our special Family Tree Maker California Tour event is just around the corner!

📅 Tuesday, February 18, 2026🕑 2:00 – 5:00 PM📍 IOOF Hall, 520 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo

Come spend the afternoon with the Family Tree Maker team for:🔍 Live demos and tips💻 Hands-on help (bring your laptop!)☕ Casual networking with local genealogy enthusiasts

It’s completely FREE and open to all — no matter what software you use.

https://slocgs.org/event/family-tree-maker-california-tour-2026/

We can’t wait to see you there! Tag a friend who might love this! 🌳❤️

02/09/2026

A gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who joined us today for our February meeting with the incredible Julia Anderson! 🌟👏

Your enthusiasm, fantastic questions, and shared stories made it such a special morning. Julia’s tips on pre-1850 research and using FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search were absolute game-changers – we’re all heading straight to our trees to try them out!

Grateful for this wonderful community – see you at the next one! ❤️🧬

02/01/2026

Only a few days until our February meeting with Julia Anderson – and seats are filling up! ⏰
Two back-to-back sessions packed with practical tips you can use right away:
🔍 Breaking through pre-1850 brick walls
🔍 Finding women & minorities with FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search magic

It’s all happening Saturday, February 7 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Zoom – and it’s completely FREE!

Grab your spot before they’re gone: https://slocgs.org/event/slocgs-general-meeting-julia-anderson/

Invite your genealogy buddies – the more the merrier! Tag someone who needs this! 👇❤️

Scroll down to RSVP for this event. Speaker Julia Anderson Part I: Beyond the Brick Wall: Strategies for Pre-1850 U.S. Research Researching in the United States prior to 1850 presents […]

01/26/2026

Exciting announcement for all our genealogy lovers! 🎉

The San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society is proud to be a host site for the Family Tree Maker California Tour 2026!

📅 When: Tuesday, February 18, 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: IOOF Hall, 520 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo

Join us for a FREE hands-on session with the Family Tree Maker team! You’ll enjoy:
✨ Live software demonstrations
✨ Q&A and one-on-one help (bring your laptop if you’d like!)
✨ Networking with fellow local family historians
This event is open to everyone — whether you use Family Tree Maker or not. It’s a fantastic chance to learn, ask questions, and connect!

Registration details here: https://slocgs.org/event/family-tree-maker-california-tour-2026/ 🌳💻

Who’s planning to come? Drop a 🙋 below!

01/23/2026

Help us keep family histories alive for future generations! 💕

The San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society is committed to encouraging interest in family history and genealogy, preserving genealogical materials, and providing instruction in accepted and effective research techniques.

As a volunteer-run nonprofit, your donation directly supports our library, educational events (like the upcoming Family Tree Maker event or the Annual Cemetery Tour), and community resources. Every gift — big or small — makes a real impact!

Ways to donate:✨ If joining or renewing membership, you can add an extra contribution when paying dues via PayPal on our online form.✨ Or mail a check (for membership, renewal, or a standalone donation) to:SLOCGSP.O. Box 441, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

(Include a note if it's a general donation!)

Thank you for supporting local genealogy — you're helping preserve stories that matter! 🌳 Who's sending some love our way? Drop a ❤️ below!

01/18/2026

📅 As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026—a federal holiday honoring the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born January 15, 1929)—let's reflect on his profound impact through the lens of genealogy.

Dr. King came from a long line of Baptist preachers: his father (Martin Luther King Sr.), grandfather (Rev. A.D. Williams), and great-grandfather were all ministers dedicated to faith and community. His family roots trace back to enslaved ancestors in Georgia, highlighting stories of resilience, education, and activism that shaped his fight for equality and justice.

Fellow genealogists: Do any of your family trees intersect with the Civil Rights Movement? Perhaps ancestors who marched for voting rights, faced segregation, or drew inspiration from Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech? Or stories of overcoming barriers in education and opportunity?

Share your discoveries in the comments! SLOCGS supports African American genealogy research with key library holdings, including:

From Slavery to Freedom by John Hope Franklin – the definitive history of African Americans
Black Genealogy by Charles L. Blockson – a classic guide to tracing Black family roots
Black Family Research: Records of Post-Civil War Federal Agencies at the National Archives – essential for Reconstruction-era sources
Plus access to vital records like U.S. censuses (1870 onward), Freedmen's Bureau and Bank records, and more via our library computers and online tools.

Visit us at the San Luis Obispo (check slocgs.org for current hours and appointments) or get guidance from our volunteers.
Honoring history helps us build a better future.

The mission of the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society is to encourage interest in family history and genealogy, to preserve genealogical materials, and to provide instruction in accepted and effective research techniques. We invite anyone interested in genealogy to join us in our General Me...