Genealogy for Beginners and More

It's been awhile since some 400+ attendees came to Family History Day 2011 at the California State Archives.  Hopefully, many of you have had an opportunity to start (or jump-start) your family history research based on what you learned in the 20 some classes.

In keeping with the theme of Family History Day - focus on beginners - I thought the following classes may be of interest to you, especially if you live in or near Sacramento, California.

Location: All of these offerings will be held at the Sacramento Public Library Central, 828 I Street, Sacramento, 916-264-2920.

January 2012

Sunday, January 8
Common Surname Search Strategies with Lisa Louise Cooke
1:30 - 3pm West Meeting Room
Discover tips and tricks to find your ancestors with common surnames. Lisa is a nationally known author and host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. Her books and CDs will be available for purchase at the program. Registration not required

Sunday, January 15
Getting Ready for the 1940 Census with Stephen Morse
1:30 - 3pm West Meeting Room
The 1940 census will be released online on April 2, 2012. Find out what you need to know in this presentation by genealogist and One-Step Website creator Stephen Morse. Registration not required

Sunday, January 22
Naturalization: Rules & Records with Barbara Leak
1:30 - 3pm West Meeting Room
Learn about naturalization laws and see examples of the documents that were created by those who became Americans. Presented by genealogist and lecturer Barbara Leak. Registration not required

"Book a Genealogist"
The Sacramento Public Library Central has changed the times for this service. Starting in January 2012, the genealogy volunteers will be available to help you with your research on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday afternoons. These are 45-minute appointments. Appointment times on Tuesdays are 1:00, 1:45, 2:30 and 3:15 pm. Appointment times on Thursdays are 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pm. To meet with one of the genealogy volunteers, please make an appointment by calling the library at 916-264-2920, visiting one of the library branches in person, or by going to the library's website at www.saclibrary.org and clicking on the "Events" link. Please note that the Book a Genealogist service is only available at the Central Library - not at any other branch of the Sacramento Public Library system.

February 2012

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Beginning Genealogy - Using Records to Tell Your Ancestors' Stories with Karen Burney
1:00 - 2:30 pm, West Meeting Room
Registration required

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Introduction to Online Genealogy (Computer Class)
10:15 -11:45 am, 3rd floor Technology Lab
Registration required

Sunday, February 26, 2012
Beginning Genealogy with Janice Sellers
1:30 - 3:00 pm, West Meeting Room
Registration required

These are wonderful, free services of the Sacramento Public Library.  I hope you're able to take advantage of them.