Hey everyone!
The Wednesday, March 20th mini-meeting will focus on our recent research successes.
Also, we will try to help others with different ideas to help break down our fellow genealogists’ brick walls!
What is a Mini-Meeting?
A mini meeting a miniature meeting between general meetings. It’s a time for members to gather and talk, share, listen, learn, discuss, vent, and get to know one another better. We can accomplish all of this and get our genealogy fix, too!
Every GSSCC member is welcome.
All levels of experience wanted!
The mini meetings, of course, are not obligatory. Come and go as you please.
There is no single leader of this club. This is a club for everyone.
What do you want to learn about? What can you share? Do you know someone outside the club who is a genealogy aficionado? Do you want to know more about Ancestry.com or another genealogy program? Do you want to learn how to find helpful genealogy websites? These are all possible meeting topics!
- Mini meetings are held on the second floor of Bruno’s Barbecue Restaurant in Scotts Valley, next to the movie theater, behind Nob Hill.
- The address is 230 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley; (831) 438-2227. Bruno’s is about a mile or two from the Mt. Hermon exit off Hwy 17.
- The Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month.
- Time: 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. (The time and location may change if we decide to take a field trip.)
- A fixed-priced lunch menu is offered (Delicious!) The price is $10.00. Your meal also includes water, iced tea, soda, coffee, or hot tea, and tip. (vegetarian options available). You can even open a personal bar tab if a glass of wine sounds like it’d hit the spot!
- There is an elevator to the upper level, a patio, restroom, and a great view.
- No idea is a silly one. Please, email me with any ideas you’d like to discuss in a small, informal group. The sky’s the limit! Let’s help each other become better genealogists and researchers. Let’s break down those stubborn brick walls!
~ Jennifer Bovitz Cobas, Vice President and Programs & Publicity Coordinator
Best Irish Genealogy Websites
Live Webinar
Format: Live Webinar Registration
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YOU’LL LOVE THIS IF:
- You have roots in Ireland but don’t know where to start your research
- You’re looking for new websites to learn about your Irish ancestors
- You want to know the differences and similarities between websites on Irish heritage
Date: Thursday, March. 28
Starting Time: 7pm EST/6pm CST/5pm MST/4pm PST
Presenter: Donna Moughty
Duration: 1 hour
Price: $49.99 ($39.99 early bird until 3/21)Call it the luck of the Irish: Whether your ancestor was a farmer during the Potato Famine or immigrant who passed through Ellis Island, there’s a multitude of resources for finding information on your Ireland roots. In fact, so much is available that sometimes it’s difficult to navigate exactly which websites are the best route to the Pot o’ Gold you’re seeking. In this hour-long presentation, if you have family from the Emerald Isle, we’ll reveal the best websites for your research. Webinar attendees receive a free copy of Family Tree Magazine’s article “Singing a New Tune: Overlooked Sources for Tracing Irish Ancestors”.
Plus: Get live advice on your real-life research quandaries! All attendees have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A session at the end of the webinar.
What You’ll Learn:
- Best websites for tracing your roots back on the Emerald Isle
- Top sites for finding your Irish family post-emigration to the US
- Leading resources to further your research into Irish records
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Donna Moughty is a Professional Genealogist and former Regional Manager for Apple Computer who has been conducting family research for over 20 years. She teaches classes for beginners and lectures on a variety of subjects including Internet, Irish research and computer topics. In addition, she provides consultations, research assistance and training. She attended the National Institute for Genealogical Research at the National Archives, the Third and Fourth Irish Genealogical Congress in Ireland, the Salt Lake Institute – Irish Research and the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University where, in 2011, she was an Instructor for the Irish course. She is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild.REGISTRATION FOR THE LIVE SESSION INCLUDES:
- Participation in the live presentation and Q&A session
- Access to the webinar recording to view again as many times as you like
- 25+ page PDF of the presentation slides for future reference
- 6 pages of additional downloadable handouts: Singing a New Tune: Overlooked Sources for Tracing Irish Ancestors.
- Please note: You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation. All registrants receive an email two business days following the live webinar with instructions on how to download the recording and handouts.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Co-Sponsored with Friends of
the Santa Cruz Public Libraries!
Speaker’s books will be for sale! All proceeds will help fund programs for the library like the ones listed here! (Click on the link to see what the purchase of a book can do for our community and our libraries!)
Titles of books for sale below! Just scroll to bottom of page!
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m
Santa Cruz Public Library, Central Location
(2nd floor meeting room)
224 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Speaker:
Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG
Lecture Topic:
Leaping to Erroneous Conclusions: What do the Records REALLY Say?
So often we look at a document and quickly determine what we think it means without giving further study to every part of the record and its interpretation. How often have we been led astray by not gleaning the correct clues? This lecture will take us back for another look. For example, are we interpreting the censuses right? The deeds? The dowers? The relationships? The estates? The tombstones? The newspapers? Are we misleading others? These topics are just a few of the many areas in which genealogists commonly jump to erroneous conclusions.
Come and see if YOU have been leaping to conclusions!
Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG is a Board-certified genealogist and a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists with many years of experience in the field of genealogy. She has authored a number of genealogy-related books to assist others. Her books have received top reviews for their content, clarity, and ease of reading. (Note: Fortunately for us, these books will be available for purchase at the lecture!) Christine has delivered hundreds of lectures in a variety of locations including national, regional, and local conferences such as the National Genealogical Society, the Federation of Genealogical Societies, GenTech, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and the North Carolina, California, Southern California, San Diego, Sonoma County, Montana State, Kentucky, and Kansas State Genealogical Societies. She also was on the faculty of the National Institute of Genealogical Research in Washington, D.C. For many years she has been an instruction and coordinator for Alabama’s Samford University in its Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.
Books written by Christine Rose which will be available for purchase at the meeting!
- Nicknames: Past & Present, 5th ed.
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Genealogy, 2 ed.
- Genealogical Proof Standard, 3d ed.
- Courthouse Research for Family Historians
- Courthouse Indexes Illustrated
- Military Bounty Land (1776-1855)
The GSSCC is planning a repository tour of the Sutro Library!
On April 17, 2013, a comfortable bus (which includes a bathroom!) will pick up interested members and take them in style to the Sutro Library in San Francisco.
Testimonial:
No doubt about it, this is a genealogist paradise. Now, I love to research on the Internet, and can spend hours doing so, but sometimes things have to be done the old-fashioned way. The Sutro has been called the best genealogy library in the Western United States. The intensive collection covers all the U.S. and several other countries. The Sutro is the ideal place to do traditional research; there are rows and rows of books, microfiche readers, maps, and a card catalog to find everything.
It is a wonderful experience to open a fragile 19th century book and see some tidbit of information about a long-departed ancestor.-Terry T., Hercules, CA
Tentative Schedule:
- 7:30 AM pick up in Aptos
- 8:00 AM pick up in Santa Cruz
- 10:00 AM arrival at Sutro (approximate)
- 4:00 PM departure from the library
- 5:30 PM arrival in Santa Cruz
- 6:00 PM arrival in Aptos
More information about the resources at Sutro Library
Highlights of the collection include:
- California federal census population schedules for 1850-1930.
- Using federal census resources in the California History Room
- How to use the 1930 federal census in the California History Room
- 1852 state census, including indexes prepared by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Using the 1852 California state census in the California History Room
- Great registers of voters, arranged by county, for 1866-1898 and 1900-1944.
- A statewide index to the 1890 great register helps to fill the gap created by the loss of the 1890 census.
- City and county directories from as early as 1850.
- Telephone directories starting in 1899.
- Historical newspapers from around the state.
- Publications of county genealogical and historical societies.
- Compilations by California chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Specialized indexes and files created by the California State Library.
- A California death index covering July 1, 1905-1995 and a California marriage index covering 1949-1986.
The California State Library DOES NOT have birth, death, or marriage certificates. To obtain these certificates, contact the California Office of Vital Records or the appropriate county recorder’s office.
Unfortunately, the California History Section lacks the staff resources to provide family research services. Anyone is welcome to visit and use the resources. As an alternative, we can provide a list of private researchers who are familiar with our collection.
Note: Sutro Library materials can be accessed through the California State Library Main Catalog, and Sutro staff is available to assist in-house customers with the resources. Sutro items may be borrowed by requesting an interlibrary loan through your local public library.
More details to come!
With Special Pre-Conference Events on May 7, 2013.
The NGS 2013 Family History Conference will be held at The LVH-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mark your calendars for 8–11 May 2013.
The hotel and conference center are under one roof.
The LVH is adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, ten minutes from McCarran International Airport, and convenient to I-15 and I-515. Self-parking is free. Valet parking is free but tip is expected. The Las Vegas Monorail begins at The LVH and carries passengers to six major Strip resorts.
Click Here to Learn All About This Fantastic Opportunity!
(Photos: Jennifer Cobas, gensocblog@me.com)



