Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia / GSVB

12/24/2025

https://www.facebook.com/TheAncestorHunt/posts/pfbid02UNwsjM5nFYeF2x6arvhpaVheiEjmZSeeCB2GD43UYLnDNgtK6rP2wC3YMpkDVsWsl

33 Different Things You Can Find About Your Ancestors By Searching Old Newspapers (Updated Quicksheet)

Are you researching newspapers and getting everything you should out of your research? Here are 33 different types of information that you may not have considered that are available in old newspapers.

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/33-different-things-you-can-find-about-your-ancestors-by-searching-newspapers/

12/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/TheAncestorHunt/posts/pfbid0WjgARfS58JKej8ExNE4Gjz47jBxQWMVYg75ZLPYfeTu7Q8F1Qcx8bGByeyHRcTVgl

Finding Revolutionary War Patriots Using the SAR Patriot Research System (New Quicksheet)

The SAR Patriot Research System is one of the most authoritative — and least understood — genealogy databases available online. It is not a general military database, and it is not a cemetery website. Instead, it is a lineage-society research tool created to document men and women who rendered qualifying service during the American Revolutionary War.

This Quicksheet explains how the PRS works, how genealogists should use it, and what conclusions can — and cannot — be drawn from its data.

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/finding-revolutionary-war-patriots-using-the-sar-patriot-research-system/

12/18/2025

Livermore-Amador
Genealogical Society
Presents
Lisa M. Vogele

WHEN: Monday, Jan 12th, 2026 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Attend in person or via ZOOM

Congregation Beth Emek
3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton

COST: No Charge - Visitors welcome

Speaker will be presenting virtually.
Preregister for ZOOM via link below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/t POoa5aQ2-hl2p5z2r1dQ

Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure

Explore the world of family history travel beyond the confines of television shows like Finding Your Roots. Discover how you can personally trace your ancestors' paths, whether it's visiting battlefields where your forebears fought, exploring ancestral villages, or connecting with distant relatives. Join us to uncover expert tips for planning your journey and forging meaningful connections along the way.
Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and Certified Travel Associate (CTA). She is the Chief Tree Climber at Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure, a European family history research, travel planning, custom tour & genealogy research tour operator specializing in Italy & Ireland. Lisa is passionate about traveling in the footsteps of your ancestors to make or re-establish connections of personal, historical significance.
In March 2025, Lisa was named the inaugural recipient of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) Fellowship. She is the author of Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a guidebook to assist travelers with incorporating heritage festivals into their itineraries, get off the beaten path, and experience local culture through food and historic events. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston
University in 2019 and a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) credential. Her travel tips have been featured in the Huffington Post, 1000TravelTips.com, and Dream of Italy. She holds a master's degree from Clemson University, was raised in Connecticut, and resides in Colorado.
Follow Lisa’s travels and discoveries: on Instagram and Facebook
For additional information contact: Tom Mathews, Program Chair, program@L-AGS.org

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

12/18/2025

FREE Online classes thru Santa Rosa Junior College:

Section 6533 of LL505 1/13-05/19, 2026 Tuesday 10:15-11:45am (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Genealogy For Beginners- How to Begin Your Research. This semester long course is for a student to research their family’s ancestry. They will learn new approaches in genealogy research or take a “refresher” in new methods. This course will cover how to organize and preserve documents, using online, i.e., databases as well as offline resources and establishing a methodology to research.

Section 6779 of LL505 1/13-05/19, 2026 Tuesday 1:00-2:30pm (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on -- Database TOOLS used in Researching Genealogy. This semester long course is for students interested in finding ancestral information online. The student will learn how to find records and how to analyze them for researching ancestors.
Section 6778 of LL505 1/14-05/26, 2026 Wednesday 10:15-11:45 (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Advanced Genealogy- American & European Migration- Where did my ancestor go? This semester long course is for a student interested in learning the why, where, when, and how their ancestor migrated across Europe and came to the United States. This class will use various U.S. records to track ancestors leaving Europe.
Section 5596 of LL505 1/14-05/26, 2026 Wednesday 1:00-2:30pm (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Roadblocks, Brick walls and DNA- Solve your Genealogy Question . This semester long course is for the student interested in learning about how to work through those problems in genealogical research. The student will present their problem to the class, and the class will attempt to “solve” their roadblock or brick wall. This class will explore Genetic Genealogy/DNA testing to solve roadblocks and brick walls.
Section 7293 of LL505 1/17-2/22/2026 Saturday 10:15-11:45am (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Genealogy For Beginners- How to Begin Your Research. This short course is to research family ancestry. It will cover how to organize and preserve documents, establish research methodology and how to use online databases as well as offline resources. This class is also a “refresher” for those that would like to learn about the new areas in genealogy.

Section 5798 of LL505 2/28-04/11/2026 Saturday 10:15-11:45am (PST).
Discussion Group- Class focuses on Advanced Genealogy-European Migration- Why Did They Come? This short course is for the student interested in learning why, where, when, and how their ancestors left their home country and their migration across the European continent. Case study in researching the British Isles.



Become Your Family’s Historian
These classes are for YOU!
You will learn how to develop your research question and establish the methodology to do family research, discover ancestors in migration records, solve “brick walls or roadblocks,” learn about DNA and how to use computer records & databases for genealogy research. Open to all beginners or advanced students! Computer experience recommended.

Now ONLINE! SRJC Classes are FREE, noncredit courses! No age limit for Lifelong Learning Program courses. Students must have a CA mailing address to register. You are eligible for SRJC Students Discounts, and services with your enrollment, too!
Special Student discount for Ancestry.com and RootsMagic for semester enrollment!
How to Register-Opens December 5, 2026
https://lifelong.santarosa.edu/

NEW STUDENTS: Explore the schedule of classes at: and then Complete your Application for Admission and enroll in the class(es) of your choice. Contact the instructor for class questions.
CONTINUING/RETURNING STUDENTS WITH A STUDENT PORTAL See the LL 505 Discussion Group; Section Number and ADD to your shopping cart!

Need Help? Welcome & Connect Center
For questions concerning Registration & Enrollment please contact the Welcome & Connect Center (707) 527-4410 or
Instructor, Denise Beeson at (707) 694-6826 or dbeeson@santarosa.edu for further assistance.

The Sonoma County Junior College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic condition, marital status, s*x, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or s*xual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices; nor does the District discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment on the basis of their age. This non-discrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in District programs and activities--including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and athletics--and application for District employment.

SRJC Lifelong LearningWithin our course offerings, explore a wide variety of FREE classes in creative arts, writing, lectures, forums, fitness and music!Learn more about our current offerings here You can join any open class at any time during the semester. Enrolling is a two-step process and you ...

12/17/2025

Free Online classes thru Santa Rosa Junior College:

Section 6533 of LL505 1/13-05/19, 2026 Tuesday 10:15-11:45am (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Genealogy For Beginners- How to Begin Your Research. This semester long course is for a student to research their family’s ancestry. They will learn new approaches in genealogy research or take a “refresher” in new methods. This course will cover how to organize and preserve documents, using online, i.e., databases as well as offline resources and establishing a methodology to research.

Section 6779 of LL505 1/13-05/19, 2026 Tuesday 1:00-2:30pm (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on -- Database TOOLS used in Researching Genealogy. This semester long course is for students interested in finding ancestral information online. The student will learn how to find records and how to analyze them for researching ancestors.
Section 6778 of LL505 1/14-05/26, 2026 Wednesday 10:15-11:45 (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Advanced Genealogy- American & European Migration- Where did my ancestor go? This semester long course is for a student interested in learning the why, where, when, and how their ancestor migrated across Europe and came to the United States. This class will use various U.S. records to track ancestors leaving Europe.
Section 5596 of LL505 1/14-05/26, 2026 Wednesday 1:00-2:30pm (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Roadblocks, Brick walls and DNA- Solve your Genealogy Question . This semester long course is for the student interested in learning about how to work through those problems in genealogical research. The student will present their problem to the class, and the class will attempt to “solve” their roadblock or brick wall. This class will explore Genetic Genealogy/DNA testing to solve roadblocks and brick walls.
Section 7293 of LL505 1/17-2/22/2026 Saturday 10:15-11:45am (PST)
Discussion Group -- Class focuses on Genealogy For Beginners- How to Begin Your Research. This short course is to research family ancestry. It will cover how to organize and preserve documents, establish research methodology and how to use online databases as well as offline resources. This class is also a “refresher” for those that would like to learn about the new areas in genealogy.

Section 5798 of LL505 2/28-04/11/2026 Saturday 10:15-11:45am (PST).
Discussion Group- Class focuses on Advanced Genealogy-European Migration- Why Did They Come? This short course is for the student interested in learning why, where, when, and how their ancestors left their home country and their migration across the European continent. Case study in researching the British Isles.



Become Your Family’s Historian
These classes are for YOU!
You will learn how to develop your research question and establish the methodology to do family research, discover ancestors in migration records, solve “brick walls or roadblocks,” learn about DNA and how to use computer records & databases for genealogy research. Open to all beginners or advanced students! Computer experience recommended.

Now ONLINE! SRJC Classes are FREE, noncredit courses! No age limit for Lifelong Learning Program courses. Students must have a CA mailing address to register. You are eligible for SRJC Students Discounts, and services with your enrollment, too!
Special Student discount for Ancestry.com and RootsMagic for semester enrollment!
How to Register-Opens December 5, 2026
https://lifelong.santarosa.edu/


NEW STUDENTS: Explore the schedule of classes at: and then Complete your Application for Admission and enroll in the class(es) of your choice. Contact the instructor for class questions.
CONTINUING/RETURNING STUDENTS WITH A STUDENT PORTAL See the LL 505 Discussion Group; Section Number and ADD to your shopping cart!


Need Help? Welcome & Connect Center
For questions concerning Registration & Enrollment please contact the Welcome & Connect Center (707) 527-4410 or
Instructor, Denise Beeson at (707) 694-6826 or dbeeson@santarosa.edu for further assistance.

The Sonoma County Junior College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic condition, marital status, s*x, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or s*xual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices; nor does the District discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment on the basis of their age. This non-discrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in District programs and activities--including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and athletics--and application for District employment.

SRJC Lifelong LearningWithin our course offerings, explore a wide variety of FREE classes in creative arts, writing, lectures, forums, fitness and music!Learn more about our current offerings here You can join any open class at any time during the semester. Enrolling is a two-step process and you ...

12/17/2025

Register for this FREE event via Zoom on CCCGS.net website. Click on "Events" and then fill in the required information.

12/17/2025

When Were Statewide Death Registrations Required (Updated Quicksheet)

If you are looking for death certificates, you need to know the timing of each state’s requirements. Each state in the U.S. started requiring death registrations in different years. Usually, some types of records were created prior to the official state laws, either at the county, city, or town levels. But state records weren’t required until a law was passed. Furthermore, even though registrations and certificates were mandated, general compliance was not achieved by all entities for just a few years or even a few decades in some instances.

Get the Quicksheet PDF which specifies the dates for each state at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/when-were-statewide-death-registrations-required/

12/14/2025

How much does spelling count?
From: "The Churchill family in America"
page Preface XI:
"The name Churchill is found in English records as Courcelle, Council, Curichill, Chercile, Churchil, Churchall, Churchill, and Churchill, the last being the accepted form for many generations."

The Churchill Family in America,
Compilers:
Gardner Asaph Churchill
Nathaniel Wiley Churchill
Editor and Associate Compiler
Rev. George M Bodge
Published by the family of Cardner A Churchill
no publish date

12/14/2025

12/08/2025

Using BillionGraves GPS Data for Genealogy (New Quicksheet)

BillionGraves is one of the only cemetery databases that captures GPS coordinates for every headstone image, creating precise spatial data not available in most genealogy sources. Beyond simple grave lookups, the GPS features allow genealogists to identify family clusters, reconstruct burial patterns, distinguish same-name individuals, and map migration or community ties within a cemetery. This Quicksheet highlights how the GPS information works, what clues it reveals, and how to use it to uncover relationships that are invisible in traditional cemetery indexes.

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/using-billiongraves-gps-data-for-genealogy/

12/05/2025

20 Tips for Using Google Search for Genealogy (Updated Quicksheet)

Are you using Google Search to its fullest? Get the Quicksheet to discover different ways to find more genealogy treasures via Google.

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/17-tips-for-using-google-search-for-genealogy/