Jessica M. Herrick, Speaker at Family History Day



Please welcome Jessica M. Herrick as a speaker at Family History Day at the California State Archives, fruit optional.

Jessica M. Herrick is an archivist at the California State Archives.  She joined this repository in 2006 after spending more than five years as a historian for a private historical consulting firm.  While working in the private sector, Jessica traveled throughout California researching in a wide variety of archives, libraries, historical societies, county and city offices, and state facilities.  This extensive experience has served Jessica well as an archivist, giving her a unique perspective while assisting the public with their research needs.  Jessica’s love of history was instilled in her first by parents fascinated with the American West, and subsequently during her schooling at California State University, Chico, where she received her B.A. and M.A. in History.

Wells Fargo Reward Photo (1876),
courtesy of the California State Archives

Jessica will be presenting The Wonderful World of Archives: A Primer.  Getting started with historical research can often seem daunting and overwhelming.  Drawing upon her years as a professional researcher, Jessica will give valuable tips and tricks to make visits to any archival facility easier and more efficient.  How to get started, what to expect in general at an archive, and how to best use your time are topics that can benefit budding family historians and seasoned genealogists alike.  Your future research at the California State Archives will be very "rewarding" after this class!