New Blog Address

The blog for Family History Day has a new web address:

  http://fhdnewsline.blogspot.com

This change was necessary due to technical difficulties with the blog address from which this message is being sent. We tried hammers and screwdrivers and even technical assistance but to no avail.

Everything on the old blog will still be viewable but all new information for FHD 2012 will be added to the new blog address from today forward.

Oh pishtosh - this means that you will need to sign-up to receive updates on the new blog.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Your Blog Authors,
Denise Hibsch Richmond
Lois Shumaker

Society of California Archivists, Exhibitor at Family History Day 2012

Please welcome the Society of California Archivists (SCA), as an exhibitor at Family History Day 2012 at the California State Archives.

Formed in 1971, SCA is a professional association devoted to the support and development of individuals and institutions that collect, care for, and provide access to the documentary heritage of California.

The Society's membership includes archivists, manuscript curators, records managers, conservators, historians, librarians, genealogists, museum curators, students, and volunteers. Members are affiliated with colleges and universities; federal, state and local government archives and records centers; historical societies; museums; libraries; corporations; educational, religious, and medical institutions; and private collections.

Visit the exhibit to see the “Preserving Your History” Brochure Series. Learn all about doing oral histories or neighborhood histories, and preserving family papers and photographs.  “Preserving Your History” guides are available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Text-only PDF versions are available on our website, or you can order multiple copies by mail.

Throughout the year, the SCA Education Committee coordinates workshops on a wide variety of topics intended for the professional development of archivists; the workshops are located throughout the state.  Information about past workshop topics is available on our website.

In addition to workshops, SCA co-sponsors the Western Archives Institute, an intensive, two-week program that provides integrated instruction in basic archival practices to individuals with a variety of goals, including those with jobs which require a fundamental understanding of archival skills, but have little or no previous archives education; and those who have expanding responsibility for archival materials; are practicing archivists but have not received formal instruction; and those who demonstrate a commitment to an archival career.

The Institute also features site visits to historical records repositories and a diverse curriculum that includes history and development of the profession, theory and terminology, records management, appraisal, arrangement, description, manuscripts acquisition, archives and the law, photographs, preservation administration, reference and access, outreach programs, and managing archival programs and institutions.

The 27th Western Archives Institute will be held in the summer of 2013 at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.  Admission to the program is by application only and enrollment is limited.  Please contact the Western Archives Institute Administrator for more information.

Visit our Website
Mailing Address:
Society of California Archivists
c/o California State Archives
1020 “O” Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Sacramento German Genealogy Society, Exhibitor at Family History Day 2012

Please welcome the Sacramento German Genealogy Society (SGGS) as an exhibitor at Family History Day 2012 at the California State Archives. The SGGS was founded in 1983 to promote the search for family histories of those who have a German heritage. It provides educational resources for those seeking to learn how to research their German ancestry and seeks to increase the public’s understanding of the cultural history of life in the German-speaking areas of Europe and the United States.

Benefits: SGGS holds week-day monthly lectures featuring local and out-of-town German genealogy experts. At those meetings attendees can purchase German genealogy research books, maps and tools. Attendees can also browse member pedigree charts, use the books in the SGGS library, discuss research problems with volunteers at the help desk and engage in a question/answer discussion with local experts or the featured speaker.

SGGS also runs a monthly workshop, weekly mentor sessions, an annual seminar and occasional special events. The monthly workshop is a small-group meeting where you can discuss your research problems with the experts leading the meeting and the other attendees. The mentor sessions occur every Thursday afternoon at the Sacramento Regional Family History Center where volunteer mentors will provide personal assistance in the use of that research facility.

The annual seminar is an all-day Saturday event with lectures from one or two out-of-the-area speakers. SGGS occasionally hosts special events such as its 25th anniversary which featured local German folk dancers and singers. The monthly meetings are free and open to the public. The annual seminar and special events are fee-based.

In addition to meetings, SGGS also provides a number of services such as an informational website, a list of approved German translators (fee), surname queries and customized handshake packets. SGGS volunteers create useful publications that are subsequently sold to meeting attendees. These include a reference catalog to the German resources available at the Sacramento Regional Family History Center and a comprehensive index for all of the Der Blumenbaum journals (since 1984).

Program 2012-13: You are invited to join us at our monthly meetings. Guests are always welcome. Check out our Website for the 2012-13 programs and our Der Bote (monthly newsletter). We will also have the schedule at the SGGS exhibitor table.

Seminar 2013: Our annual Spring conference will feature Roger P Minert, A.G., Ph. D. as our main presenter. A brochure/registration form is available at the SGGS exhibitor table at Family History Day and after the conference see our website.

Membership: The membership year is 1 July – 30 June. Dues: Domestic: Individual $30; Couple $35. Foreign: Individual $35; Couple $40.

Contact:
Mail: P.O. Box 660061, Sacramento, CA 95866-0061
Memberships: 210 San Carlos Way, Novato, California 94945-1628
Website: http://www.sacgergensoc.org/

Beginning Genealogy Class

In keeping with the focus of Family History Day, beginning genealogy, we will occasionally write about opportunities for beginner or novice researchers.

On Saturday, April 7, 2012, the Sacramento Public Library will offer the following class:

Beginning Genealogy: How to Trace Your Family History, with Karen Burney
The class will be held from 1:00 – 2:30 pm in the West Meeting Room at Central Library. Registration is preferred by calling 916-264-2920, but walk-ins are welcome! The only free parking nearby is at the Sacramento County Jury Parking Lot between 8th and 9th and F and G Streets. The entry is off of 8th Street.

Also, the Book a Genealogist service at Central Library is available on most Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call the library at 916-264-2920 to set up a 45-minute appointment to have a genealogy volunteer help you with your research.

Sacramento Public Library – Central
828 I Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph: (916) 264-2979
bdaugherty@saclibrary.org

Submitted by Beth Daugherty, Genealogy Services Librarian, Sacramento Public Library – Central


Readers, submit  an announcement of a beginning genealogical event to fhdmailbox@gmail.com and we will share it on this blog.

Family History Day Flyer

The Family History Day Flyer is now available for printing and sharing with your family and friends far and wide.  The paid advertising budget for Family History Day is about zero to sparse so we rely on you to help spread the word.  The link to the flyer will always be on the blog itself - look for it on the row of tabs across the top of the blog.  Thank you!

Image of FHD 2012 Flyer

Family History Day 2012!

Family History Day 2012 planning is underway behind these curtains. In the next several days and weeks, details about classes, speakers, exhibitors and more will be revealed. 

For now, mark your calendar for Saturday, October 13, 2012.  You will be very busy at the California State Archives.  Check back here often or better yet, sign up to receive updates on your favorite reader or via email.  If you have any questions, drop us a line at fhdmailbox@gmail.com.

Tuesday's Tip - NARA Video: Intro to Census Records

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is on YouTube with a variety of channels that highlight its extensive holdings and provide instructive videos on how to find and use various records and record collections. 

A new video of interest to beginner genealogists was recently added to the line-up. "Genealogy Introduction: Census Records at the National Archives" is presented by Constance Potter, an archivist at the National Archives in Washington, DC, specializing in federal records of interest to genealogists. She is an expert on the U.S. census records. In this YouTube video, Connie delivered a talk on the intricacies of the U.S. Federal Census records from 1790 to 1930 and how they can be used for genealogical research.  

Watch the video here. 

I learned about this video from my free subscription to Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (EOGN).

Tuesday's Tip is one of several blogging themes suggested on Geneabloggers.  If you have a tip for beginning genealogists, please send it to fhdmailbox@gmail.com and I will post it here.

Family History Day 2012

It's official!

The date for the next Family History Day at the California State Archives has been set.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Mark your new 2012 calendars now and please pass it on!

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.

Last Book of Photo Memories for Family History Day 2011

Enjoy the last series of pictures taken at Family History Day.  Like the previous pictures posted, they truly capture the essence of the Day through the many examples of genealogical kindness.  Attendees received genealogical education in various forms - from speakers during and after classes to exhibitors in between classes. The photos of John Jay and Melinda Kashuba in their classrooms reflect scenes that were repeated throughout the day.  Verna Hazelbaker, directly below in period attire, was one of many representatives of genealogical, lineage and archival organizations who searched the internet for beginning genealogists. The juxtaposition of Ms. Hazelbaker in period attire using a computer was a phenomenal addition to the scenery!

Thank you to Charlene Eberwine, Lois Shumaker and Rick Hanson from Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society for providing some of these pictures. 

Verna Hazelbaker, President, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Sacramento Company,
shown helping an attendee with an internet search

Ed Lucky, Sacramento Regional Family History Center, helping an attendee



Pamela Dallas presenting her class on cemetery research.
Pamela also presented a class about finding female ancestors.





Glenda Lloyd presenting at her class on using vital records. \
 Glenda also prented a class about how to begin your genealogy.



Cath Madden Trindle presented a class about researching California
 using the csga.com website and about researching with Google



Pardon my embarrassment - I don't know the names of each of these
Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society members...help!





From the left, Pat Hutchings (Sacramento Historic City Cemetery); Nancy Lenoil, State Archivist;
Verna Hazelbaker and Roberta Tanner (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Sacramento Company) 





Katherine Weedman Cox (Cox Black and White Lab)
 helping an attendee with photographic preservation questions



This good-natured "Genealogist's Mate" came with his wife and sat in back while she attended class.
Denise Richmond "deputized" him once to guard the coveted handouts until ready for dispersing.
By the way, 'thanks again'!





John Jay (center) (Workshop Facilitator, Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society)
answers questions after his presentation about the very basics of DNA testing for genealogy.



Sebastian Nelson (r) and another archivist at the State Archives caught in the act of helping an attendee. 
Sebastian also presented a class on heraldry and led a tour of the State Archives.  



Contact the Paradise Genealogical Society (pargenso.org) for copies of this comic book,
 a fun tool for introducing youth to genealogy

Barbara Leak presented a class about getting and keeping genealogical research organized.
Barbara also presented a class was about evidence, ensuring your facts are proven. 



Melinda Kashuba, shown here with an attendee, presented a class about using maps in genealogical research.
  Melinda also presented a class about Civil War genealogy.





Katherine Borges beginning her two-part presentation about DNA



Katherine Borges is showing DNA results

Members of the Genealogical Association of Sacramento (GAS)



Pat Johnson (r) (Center for Sacramento History) enjoying a visit
from Bob (Jewish Genealogical Society of Sacramento)



Members of the California Genealogical Society



More Photo Memories of Family History Day

Enjoy...and remember to send me an email with the identity of un-named people in the photos.

Pat Johnson, Senior Archivist at the Center for Sacramento History, helping a researcher



Jeremy Frankel, President, San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society,
helping a researcher with a lookup



Lois Dove (r) from the Sacramento City Historic Cemetery with attendees



Just Published - "Raking the Ashes" - a book about researching San Francisco
pre-1906 earthquake from the California Genealogical Society

 

An attendee gets help from a Sacramento German Genealogical Society member
Please email her name!




The Society of California Archivists provides education about preservation techniques




Stephanie Hamashin, an Archivist at the State Archives,
cheerfully provides assistance to a caller



Researchers getting assistance from Jerry Unruh,
President of the Placer County Genealogical Society and Audrey Meyers



Denise Richmond (l) from Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society, 
with Lois Bakar, President, Fresno County Genealogical Society 



From the left: Verna Hazelbaker, Roberta Tanner, Denise Richmond,
Esther McAllister and Lois Bakar

(l-r) Lois Bakar, Karen Hillman, Nad Bakar, David Hillman

Aerial cam lookups - (r-l) Marilyn Parker and husband Ron,
Denise Richmond and Bev Colgin (seated)



Another aerial cam lookup - Denise Richmond* and Ron Setzer, editor of Preserves,
a publication of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society



Pat Johnson's lookup caught by the aerial cam



More lookups - members of the Genealogical Association of Sacramento;
Bev Colgin, Elisha and Marilyn Ulbricht (far right)
Please email names!



Great lookups from John Jay and Marilyn Ulbricht (foreground) with
Jerry Haag and Sammie Hudgens referring attendees to the Root Cellar Library (background) 



Looking good Darleen (middle background)
assisting attendees signing up for the Archives tour

Jessica Herrick, Archivist at the State Archives, presenting
tips for using archives and other repositories

Janice Sellers (above and below) presenting an overview about 
using newspapers as a genealogical resource

A happy Carolee Jones from Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society
shows her latest discovery found in the Root Cellar Library



Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society emporium



*I wore a prairie dress and straw hat rented from Capital Costumes, Inc., 8121 Madison Avenue, F-1 (at Fair Oaks), Fair Oaks, California, Phone (916) 961-2769.  I highly recommend this family owned business for your costume needs.  They have a variety of period costumes for rental and sales with accessories.  Thank you Capital Costumes for your assistance in selecting a comfortable costume.