March Meeting Postponed!
Due to the memorial service for our fallen police officers, the March 7th meeting has been canceled.
NEW SCHEDULE FOR MARCH MEETING & LECTURE:
March Lecture
Thursday, March 14, 2013
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Scotts Valley Public Library
251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
For more information, please call Jennifer at (831) 419-7244; Email: GenSocBlog@me.com
Remember, Scotts Valley Library has AMPLE & FREE parking!
Snacks and beverages will provided!
Speaker:
Warren C. Pratt, PhD
Lecture Topic:
Taking Down a Brick Wall, One Brick at a Time –
A Case Study
For genealogists, brick walls are difficult problems for which sufficient evidence has not yet been found to reach a conclusion meeting the genealogical proof standard. Many, perhaps most, brick-wall problems can be successfully resolved. However, doing so usually requires a disciplined research process and the use of many sources of information. The conclusion many times comes from the use of correlated indirect evidence; after all, if there were direct records simply establishing the relationships, the problem would be less likely to have been classified as a brick wall.
This presentation focuses on some of the research principles, methodologies, and sourcing that can be applied to resolve brick walls. Illustrative examples are taken from a case study researched and written by the presenter and recently published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly.
The problem solved in this case was the identification of the father of a child born in 1809 to an unwed mother. The father’s surname, his given name, and his location (Kentucky or Virginia) were not known at the outset of the search – even the child’s mother was in question. His mother left no records for the year the child was born and there only two records of his father’s entire life – the father’s birth and death dates in a family Bible and one tax record. The solution required genetic testing and back-tracking a young single woman across four counties in two states in the late seventeen hundreds and early eighteen hundreds.
Biography
Warren C. Pratt was born in southeastern Kentucky and spent his early years among relatives and friends in a small town of 800 residents. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Kentucky and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, all in electrical engineering. Dr. Pratt spent his career of about 30 years in the computer industry working in Colorado, Toronto, and California.
Dr. Pratt had a passing interest in genealogy while working; however, it was upon his 2006 retirement that it became a priority. The quest to spend a “little time” putting together a family history for his children developed into a thirst to resolve questions that others had abandoned as unsolvable. Warren has been very fortunate to receive excellent mentoring along the way and he enjoys attempting to repay that debt when he has the opportunity to help others.
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
What is the Roots Tech Genealogy Conference?
What’s Roots Tech Like? Check out this video! (Be sure to scroll down once you click on this link in order to see the video!)
RootsTech is an opportunity unlike any other to discover the latest family history tools and techniques, connect with experts to help you in your research, and be inspired in the pursuit of your ancestors. It is a conference with a unique emphasis on helping individuals learn and use the latest technology to get started or accelerate their efforts to find, organize, preserve, and share their family’s connections and history. Attendees will learn key skills from hands-on workshops and interactive presentations at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced level.
Who Should Attend?
The 3rd annual RootsTech conference has something for everyone, whether you are an avid genealogist, just beginning, or simply want to discover the latest technologies and solutions to better connect with your family. You will learn things like how and where to start with your family history and how to use the latest technology to solve real research problems. With world-class content from speakers all over the country, an exciting exhibitor hall, and great keynote speakers, RootsTech is being re-tooled for young and old alike, regardless of expertise. Come join the fun!
What You’ll Experience
If You Are New to Family History
Attend a new, full track of over 30 Getting Started classes and labs to:
- Learn the basics of starting your family history
- Discover 10 activities you can do to get started
- Get hands-on experience with family history tools
- Additional classes will be offered for LDS Church members where they can learn the importance of family history, the basics to build their family tree and all the great resources to begin
If You Want To Preserve and Share Family Stories
Discover the power of stories and storytelling with classes presented by Story@Home:
- Preserve living memories
- Research family stories and traditions
- Unite families through shared stories
If You Are Experienced in Genealogy
Attend hands-on workshops and interactive classes to:
- Expand your skills and knowledge to accelerate your research
- Help influence the future of genealogy
- Learn and share new ways to adapt technologies to genealogy
- Help leading-edge technology providers better understand your needs
- Participate in panels, product demos and many networking opportunities
If You Are a Developer
Attend the Developer Day on Friday wth sessions specifically designed to help you:
- Explore the latest concepts and techniques to influence your app building, including:
- Crowdsourcing
- Genealogy Workflow
- Javascript apps
- FamilySearch Platform and API’s
- Discover available resources and software development trends from industry leaders and pioneers
- Understand and discuss difficult problems in a rapidly-growing market segment
- Access sponsors, vendors, and exhibitors that provide tools and services to enable innovations
RootsTech 2012 by the Numbers
- Over 4,000 registered attendees from 46 U.S. states, six Canadian provinces and 23 additional countries
- Over 50,000 views of live streaming sessions
- More than 90 key bloggers attended from Australia, Canada, Israel, the U.K. and the U.S.
- 20 official sponsors: Archives.com, Microsoft, Ancestry.com, brightsolid, NGS, Dell, NEHGS, FGS, APG, BYU, Avanade, Lenovo, Lexmark, vmware, IIMI, Savvis, Sprint, HP, and ViaWest
- 93% of attendees reported they were very satisfied or satisfied with the value of the information received at RootsTech, and 2013 promises to be even better!
Click Here to See the Schedule
For more information including classes and pricing: Roots Tech 2013 Homepage: Click Here
Best Irish Genealogy Websites
Live Webinar
Format: Live Webinar Registration
-
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!
May Lecture
Thursday, May 2, 2013
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
For more information, please call (831) 419-7244; Email: GenSocBlog@me.com
Speaker:
Christine Bell Green, PhD, PLCGS
Lecture Topic:
Researching Probate Records and Death Duties in the UK
As genealogists we are constantly challenged in determining family relationships with certainty. And the further back in time we go, the more complex the task. Our ancestors were surprisingly mobile, even in “the old country,” frequently making it difficult to find the parents of an adult child. Wills, when available, and, during the 19th century, “death duty” records can be instrumental in providing primary information about these family relationships. But where can these records be found and what information can one obtain from them?
When and where your ancestor died are the keys determining where to begin your search. England and Wales used one series of courts, Ireland another, and Scotland yet a third set. Prior to the middle of the 19th century, Ecclesiastical courts in England, Wales, and Ireland had jurisdiction. The wills might be found in the records of Prerogative Courts (the highest level), Diocesan courts, or “Peculiar” courts. Fortunately modern wills are a little easier to find. The inheritance laws in Scotland are different again. There’s a lot to learn! And yes, it can feel like one is wandering through a maze at times. But the rewards are frequently spectacular.
Chris Green is a professional genealogist who has been researching her British roots for over 10 years. She has a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) from Toronto University, Canada, where she specialized in English and American records and is an alumna of ProGen. She is a member of the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and numerous other genealogical societies in the US and UK.
Chris lives in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, and is current president of the San Mateo County Genealogy Society and a former SMCGS VP of Programs. Chris is passionate about genealogical education. She teaches and lectures on a variety of genealogical topics in the Bay Area and is a member of the SMCGS team that runs two highly-successful seminars a year with nationally-known speakers. When not immersed in genealogy, Chris likes to travel with her husband to visit their family who live in England, Germany, New Zealand, as well as in the US. In her other life, Chris runs a marketing research company.
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)
June Lecture
Thursday, June 6, 2013
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
For more information, please call (831) 427-7707, ext. 5794; Email: IVCLB@comcast.net
Speaker:
Pamela Erickson
Lecture Topic:
Planning a Successful Research Trip
When you discover that your family moved to a location you have never seen, do you want to visit the area and learn what resources are available? Or, have you wanted to go to Salt Lake City and use the vast collection available at the Family History Library? Remember, too, that the tips we cover also apply to visiting your local library.
With the cost of airline tickets or gas for our vehicles, we need to make sure we’re prepared before setting off. We’ll spend time together to determine what you should do before you leave, what you should pack, and what arrangements you should make. Each visit will require slightly different preparation, so we will go over what’s necessary and what’s optional according to where you go, how long you will be gone, and what places you plan to visit.
Carolyn Barkely said in an article last February,
“First, remember that research is a cycle of work with several important steps: planning, collection, organization, analysis, reporting, and then planning once again. Each research trip builds upon the work accomplished in previous trips and sets the stage for work to be accomplished in future ones.” Bring your ideas to share, too. Let’s work together to plan a successful research trip.
Pamela Erickson teaches genealogy and creative/memoir writing to adults in San Jose, California and surrounding cities and has done so for over 20 years. She has helped her students research their families in the United States and around the world and leads a group of interested people to Salt Lake City, Utah every spring for a week of genealogy research at the LDS Family History Library.
Her personal family research started as a child and has taken her to the Southern states, Canada, and across the pond to Great Britain, Sweden, France, and the Czech Republic. Pamela has researched and written over 250 articles for newspapers, magazines, and educational books and has been employed as a journalist, technical writer, and editor. She has taught at genealogy conferences around California and at writing conferences in California and Florida.