22 March 2013

SCGS and Jamboree at RootsTech


So what do you think of the new look of our booth? We have a lovely new backdrop that is attracting so much attention and comment.

We are having a wonderful time meeting people and giving real hugs to digital friends.

If you are here in Salt Lake, be sure to drop by booth 449, which is situated directly across the aisle from the free soda / pop / water counter at the Cyber Cafe.  Here's a secret:  We are going to be drawing for a FREE registration for Jamboree AND and another for "Family History and DNA: Genetic Genealogy in 2013." That's a $175 value for SCGS members and for $195 for those who have not *yet* joined us.

Our drawing will be Saturday at 2pm and you need not be present to win.

Stop by and say hi!!

21 March 2013

Free Genealogy Webinar April 6 with Denise Levenick

Break Down Brick Walls 
with Home Sources

Join us for this FREE webinar on April 6 sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.   Space is limited.


Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/205696577

Date:    Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time:    10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar

ABOUT TODAY'S WEBINAR
Solve genealogical mysteries with clues in family sources. Photos and examples show where to find hidden details on your ancestors’ lives in the things they left behind, including old mail, insurance policies, check registers, trash.

Our speaker, Denise Levenick, also known as The Family Curator, has written about organizing, preserving, and sharing family treasures since 2007 at www.TheFamilyCurator.com, voted one of the 40 Best Genealogy Blogs in 2010 and in 2011. She is the author of Organize Your Family Archives (F+W Media, Fall 2012).

ABOUT THE JAMBOREE WEBINAR SERIES
A goal of the Southern California Genealogical Society is to provide educational opportunities to genealogists and family history enthusiasts everywhere. The Jamboree Extension Webinar Series helps provide those opportunities.

COST
The initial webcast of each session is offered to the public free of charge. We are grateful for the genealogical community's support of our program, either by purchasing a membership or by making a donation. Donations can be made online or through PayPal.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Webinars are held twice a month -- on the first Saturday and the third Wednesday of each month. Review list of upcoming webinars on the SCGS website.

WEBINAR ARCHIVE AND OTHER MEMBER BENEFITS

Webinars are archived and available only to SCGS members as a benefit of membership in the society.  The webinar archive can be found on the SCGS website. Webinars are available about a week after the session closes. In addition to 24/7 access to the webinar archive, SCGS members enjoy a number of other benefits. Learn about all these benefits here.




Thank you for your interest in our webinar series. We hope you'll enjoy the session.

Paula Hinkel
SCGS Director and Jamboree Co-Chair

17 March 2013

Registration Update: "Family History and DNA" Conference - Burbank June 6, 2013

This is a quick note to let everyone know that interest is very strong for "Family History and DNA: Genetic Genealogy in 2013," and we are already 25 percent sold out. This is well ahead of the registration response that we typically see for Jamboree. If you plan to attend, in the words of my Iowa grandmother, "Don't let the grass grow under your feet." We will very likely sell out.

This is truly becoming an international event, with attendees from the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and points beyond, as well as locations around the US. We are excited to see that family historians everywhere are embracing the concept of an independent day-long conference about genetic genealogy.

As a reminder, the "Family History and DNA: Genetic Genealogy in 2013" conference will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel, 2500 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, California. The event is co-sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG).

Featured speakers include Dr. Spencer Wells, Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic, and lunch speaker Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  Please note that lunch requires an additional payment. To clarify, lunch is for registered attendees only. Registrants may invite a guest (e.g. spouse), as long as space is available.  I wish we could accommodate everyone at this fabulous luncheon; however, we haven't yet found a way to stretch the walls of the Convention Center.

Plan to stay for Jamboree, which starts on Friday, June 7. Friday morning's sessions are JamboFREE, and Friday afternoon features a DNA panel as well as an African American DNA session. Of course, we encourage you to stay for the entire weekend.

The Early-bird Conference Registration costs (before 30 April 2013) are listed below. Registration costs increase by $25 between 1 May and 24 May. Walk-in registration, if space is available, is $225 for everyone.
  • SCGS Members - $175 on or before 30 April 2013
  • SCGS Non-Members - $195 on or before 30 April 2013
  • $20 luncheon for registrants
  • $60 luncheon for registrant's +1 (a guest) if space is available 
  • Lunch is not open to the public. Lunch is intended for registered attendees of the "Family History and DNA" conference and a guest. 

Important Links:
(Edited to clarify luncheon guests must be "Family History and DNA" conference registered attendee or their guest)

Reminder: Free Genealogy Webinar March 20 with Michael Brophy

Erin in the USA:
Irish Research on This Side
of the Atlantic

Join us for this FREE webinar on March 20 sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.   Space is limited.


Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/258392145

Date:    Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Time:    6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

ABOUT TODAY'S WEBINAR
You have found a place name for your ancestor in the Emerald Isle. Let’s look at Irish records available in the United States to learn more.  

Our speaker, Michael Brophy, is a professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer in the Boston area. He is past Program Director for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council and past Publicity Director.



ABOUT THE JAMBOREE WEBINAR SERIES
A goal of the Southern California Genealogical Society is to provide educational opportunities to genealogists and family history enthusiasts everywhere. The Jamboree Extension Webinar Series helps provide those opportunities.

COST
The initial webcast of each session is offered to the public free of charge. We are grateful for the genealogical community's support of our program, either by purchasing a membership or by making a donation. Donations can be made online or through PayPal.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Webinars are held twice a month -- on the first Saturday and the third Wednesday of each month. Review list of upcoming webinars on the SCGS website.

WEBINAR ARCHIVE AND OTHER MEMBER BENEFITS

Webinars are archived and available only to SCGS members as a benefit of membership in the society.  The webinar archive can be found on the SCGS website. Webinars are available about a week after the session closes. In addition to 24/7 access to the webinar archive, SCGS members enjoy a number of other benefits. Learn about all these benefits here.




Thank you for your interest in our webinar series. We hope you'll enjoy the session.

Paula Hinkel
SCGS Director and Jamboree Co-Chair

16 March 2013

Genealogy Jamboree Speakers - John Philip Colletta, PhD, FUGA

John Philip Colletta, PhD, FUGA
johncolletta@verizon.net

Knowledgeable, entertaining and experienced, John Philip Colletta is a popular Washington, D.C.-based lecturer on topics of family history research and writing. For twenty years, while laying the foundation for his career in genealogy, he worked half-time at the Library of Congress and taught workshops at the National Archives. Today Dr. Colletta lectures nationally, teaches at local schools, and conducts programs for the Smithsonian Institution’s Resident Associate Program. He is a faculty member of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University (Birmingham, Ala.), the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and Boston University’s Certificate in Family History program. His publications include numerous articles, both scholarly and popular, two manuals -- They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's Arrival Record and Finding Italian Roots: The Complete Guide for Americans – and one “murder-mystery-family-history,” Only a Few Bones: A True Account of the Rolling Fork Tragedy and Its Aftermath. Dr. Colletta has received many professional awards and honors and appears frequently on podcasts and local and national radio and television. His PhD in Medieval French is from The Catholic University of America. Visit www.genealogyjohn.com.

Friday 3:00pm-4:00pm          
FR010 Evidence from Material Culture: Using Artifacts in Research and Writing about Ancestors
This lecture demonstrates how to use family heirlooms—such as jewelry, a pocket watch, photographs, kitchen utensils, furniture, books, letters and diaries—and on-site inspection of ancestral places—such as gravesites and homesteads—to help portray who an ancestor was. Clues from material culture, in conjunction with oral family lore and information from written records, may reveal an ancestor's physical appearance, character, temperament, personal interests, social standing, day-to-day life, and perhaps even personal goals and motives.

Saturday 8:30am-9:30am                      
SA003 The Library of Congress: An Introduction and Overview
The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., is one of the country’s greatest repositories for genealogical research. Yet, because it is dauntingly large and requires on-site research, it tends to be underutilized. This lecture takes the mystery and trepidation out of using our national library and demonstrates the tremendous benefits of making a research trip to Washington. It sketches the institution’s history, describes the formalities for using it, and highlights—one reading room at a time—the innumerable and often unique treasures it holds. The extraordinary Web site of the Library of Congress is explored, and practical suggestions are made by someone who worked part-time at the library for twenty years.

Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm                         
SA028 Discovering the REAL Stories of Your Immigrant Ancestors
The immigrant experience was not the same for every one of the millions of English, Irish, Italians, Germans, Jews, and others who came to America. Each immigrant's story is unique. Using three 19th-century case studies, this lecture describes the original records and published materials available to discover the particular facts of your own ancestor's story. It discusses how to evaluate those facts and assemble them into a story that conveys both the drama and individuality of your ancestor's emigration/immigration experience.

14 March 2013

Genealogy Jamboree Speakers - Lisa A. Alzo

Lisa A. Alzo is a freelance writer, instructor, and lecturer with over 22 years experience in the field of genealogy. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, and is the author of nine books, including Finding Your Slovak Ancestors, Writing Your Family History Book, and the award-winning Three Slovak Women. Lisa has written hundreds of articles and her work has appeared in Family Tree Magazine, Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and APG Quarterly among others. An internationally recognized speaker, Lisa writes the “The Accidental Genealogist” blog. For more information see www.lisaalzo.com


Saturday  10:00-11:00am          
SA016  Make Those Skeletons Dance: Exploring Your Family’s Dark Side
How well do you really know your ancestors? Most of us want to believe our ancestors were hard-working, noble, or “salt-of-the-earth” types. We want to like them, and even brag about them. However, the reality is that if we go back far enough, we all can dig up a few proverbial “skeletons in the closet.” The horse thief, the philanderer, the murderer! Oh my! Genealogy is one of the most unpredictable activities you’ll undertake, and when you start digging into your family’s past, “You never know what you're gonna get.” If you suspect a few black sheep lurking in your family tree, this session will show you how to hunt them down, bust through the speculation, and tell the real story.

Saturday  2:00-3:00pm                      
SA031 Best Online Resources for Eastern European Research
Learn about the latest online databases and websites for tracing your Eastern European ancestors.

Sunday 1:00-2:00pm                         
SU025 The Write Stuff: Using Nonfiction Writing Techniques to Write a Better Family History
As genealogists we often focus on facts and uncover so much information that our research produces nothing but boring lists. But do you really know what happened between the dashes of your ancestors’ lives? How can you share that information in a compelling and interesting way? This session will discuss how to using nonfiction writing techniques to produce a “can’t put down” family history that will keep the pages turning for generations

12 March 2013

Genealogy Jamboree Speakers - Tim Pinnick



As the days count down to June 7 and the doors open to Jamboree, posts will spotlight the speakers, exhibitors, schedule, and special events of the 44th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. 


In past years we have focused on German, English/UK, Jewish, and American records. This year, our ethnic track will look at record types and research techniques used in African American genealogy.

Today's profile is of Timothy N. Pinnick, who is joining the Jamboree for the first time in 2013. He's usually attending IGHR (Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research) at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, so we are very fortunate to have him with us.

Meet Tim Pinnick - email blackminers@yahoo.com

Timothy N. Pinnick is an accomplished researcher, popular national speaker, and author of the book, Finding and Using African American Newspapers. He is the author of more than half a dozen articles, including “Using an Extended Research Project to Reconstruct a Community” which appeared in the Association for Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and most recently “Answers in African American Newspapers” written for Family Tree Magazine.

In October of 2008, at the Western Historical Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tim delivered his fifth historical paper. Past papers were delivered at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation, and the Illinois History Conference.

For a number of years Pinnick has been part of the prestigious faculty at the summer Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. June of 2012 marked his fourth appearance as part of the teaching cadre in the course “Researching African American Ancestors”.

In November, 2007 Tim was elected to the board of the Association of Professional Genealogists, completing a two year term. Shortly thereafter, he received a two year appointment to the board of the Federation of Genealogical Societies which ended in December of 2011.

Friday 4:30-6:00pm          
FR021 - Finding and Using African American Newspapers
African American newspapers are an underutilized source, yet they hold the key to solving many research problems, along with providing unprecedented insight into the social activities of black communities, both urban and rural.

Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm                      
SA021 - The WWI Draft Card: Don't Do Research Without It!
World War I draft registration cards should be analyzed closely as they contain valuable imbedded pieces of information that can become leads in solving genealogical roadblocks.

Sunday 1:00-2:00pm                         
SU028 - And the Church Said Amen! African American Religious Research
Locating information on African American congregations can be frustrating due to the lack of effective record keeping. However there are a variety of records that can help you overcome the lack of record preservation at the local level.



11 March 2013

Getting Folks to Jamboree

-- Guest Post by Jean Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D, CG

    I am the outgoing President of a decent-sized genealogy society (slightly over 100 members) as well as the Director of a Southern California Family History Center. With all the people interested in family history, with whom I am in contact, all living less than 100 miles from the location of the annual SCGS JAMBOREE, you would think that we (genealogists in Corona) would have a decent representation at the event. Well, last year I was the only one from our area who attended and the previous year we had three or four besides me. Numbers weren’t much different for previous years. It was my lack of promoting the event, you might be thinking . . . but at the society I mentioned it every month beginning in January through the meeting in May, promoted it on our website, and wrote about it in our newsletter and in our meeting “programs” that we give out to all attendees, including non-members. For both organizations, I sent email reminders about it. I had posters about it in the Family History Center.  What am I doing wrong? This has been puzzling me for a number of months and I think that this year I will take a different direction in the promotion.

    Too often we tell people things like “this is the greatest genealogy event this side of the Rockies,” or “there are lots of well-known speakers who will be teaching on all sorts of family history topics,” or “there are some free events for those not registered for the conference,” and even “there are lots of door prizes.” But these are all very vague. Instead of being general, we may have a better response if we are familiar with what is happening and then focus on the things that will be of interest. I may not jump to hear “lots of well-known speakers,” but, since my area of research is German records, if I am told that there is a speaker (Leland Meitzler) who will be talking about using the Internet to find Germanic ancestors, I am much more inclined to attend for that, if nothing else.

    For those reading this who want your friends join you at the event, go over the schedule and see what specific lectures may be of interest to those people. And, if you are like me and have a lot of friends who are interested in genealogy but are not certain that their knowledge level warrants attending such a big conference, remind them about the many opportunities for beginners to get help. Besides classes in beginning genealogy topics, there is the Research Assistance room where those who are in need of a consultation to get over a stubborn wall can receive such help for free (though the participant must be registered for the conference, there is no additional fee for this service). Getting one-on-one help from an expert is rare, so this may be just the thing your friend (or you) is/are looking for.

    Detailed information on Research Assistance – signing up, volunteering to be a consultant, possible help topics, and more – will be forthcoming. Keep an eye on the Jamboree Blog and the website.

    And KUDOS to all the non-local societies (San Diego County, the High Desert, and other areas) where you organize caravans or buses to bring a full contingent of genealogical addicts to a weekend of information and fun!

            Contributed by Jean Wilcox Hibben; PhD, MA, CG(sm)

04 March 2013

Free Genealogy Webinar March 20 with Michael Brophy

Erin in the USA:
Irish Research on This Side
of the Atlantic

Join us for this FREE webinar on March 20 sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.   Space is limited.


Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/258392145

Date:    Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Time:    6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

ABOUT TODAY'S WEBINAR
You have found a place name for your ancestor in the Emerald Isle. Let’s look at Irish records available in the United States to learn more.  

Our speaker, Michael Brophy, is a professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer in the Boston area. He is past Program Director for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council and past Publicity Director.



ABOUT THE JAMBOREE WEBINAR SERIES
A goal of the Southern California Genealogical Society is to provide educational opportunities to genealogists and family history enthusiasts everywhere. The Jamboree Extension Webinar Series helps provide those opportunities.

COST
The initial webcast of each session is offered to the public free of charge. We are grateful for the genealogical community's support of our program, either by purchasing a membership or by making a donation. Donations can be made online or through PayPal.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Webinars are held twice a month -- on the first Saturday and the third Wednesday of each month. Review list of upcoming webinars on the SCGS website.

WEBINAR ARCHIVE AND OTHER MEMBER BENEFITS

Webinars are archived and available only to SCGS members as a benefit of membership in the society.  The webinar archive can be found on the SCGS website. Webinars are available about a week after the session closes. In addition to 24/7 access to the webinar archive, SCGS members enjoy a number of other benefits. Learn about all these benefits here.




Thank you for your interest in our webinar series. We hope you'll enjoy the session.

Paula Hinkel
SCGS Director and Jamboree Co-Chair