CGS and OFSC volunteers host a series of fun, informal discussions on a variety of topics. These free gatherings, available in-person at the Center or via Zoom, are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Come to the FamilySearch genealogical library, meet other family history researchers, and learn to use the library’s databases, scanning and digitizing equipment, and many other resources!
2024 SCHEDULE
May Topics:
- Wednesday, May 1, 11:00 am: "Exploring Hawaiian Records for Genealogical Research" with Cindy Thomson. Cindy will share with you the records available for Hawaiian research and where to find them both online and in Hawaii. Cindy is a CGS member and has been actively researching her Asian ancestry for years. Born in Hawaii, Cindy makes frequent trips there and also enjoys assisting others to help advance their family history.
- Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 pm: "Using American Ancestors.org" with Matt Berry. This talk will give an overview of the AmericanAncestors.org website including its extensive educational material and many databases. While the site used to have a predominantly New England focus, it now offers databases covering all fifty states and many countries. Matthew Blaine Berry, CG, is a director of the California Genealogical Society and a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. His passions are genealogy and the Camino de Santiago.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 pm: "Contacting Cousins: How? Why? (DNA, Photos, Family History and more)" with Jane Lindsey. We all begin our research by finding our ancestors . But cousins, close or distant, may have family information that provides clues to enhancing your research. A long time CGS member, Jane also volunteers at the OFSC. She loves helping patrons and hopes to get more CGS members to come to OFSC for a visit in 2024.
- Tuesday, May 14, 11:00 am: "How to Series: Using Linkpendium" with Denise Plaskett. (This was originally scheduled for May 7th). What is Linkpendium? Per their website "Linkpendium is a 10,000,000+ resource directory to everything on the Web about families worldwide and genealogically-relevant information about U.S. states and counties." This hands-on presentation will have you navigating Linkpendium with ease, tracking down those records and valuable information you need to find your ancestors and their stories. Denise dabbled in family history research beginning in the 1980's, again in the 1990's, some in the early 2000's, but then more earnestly and continuously since 2013! She loves building her family tree but especially loves the technology and helping others grow their trees. She currently serves as an Associate Director at the Oakland FamilySearch Center and lives in Fairfield.
- Wednesday, May 15, 11:00 am: "Expand Your Family Tree: Hands on Help from OFSC Volunteers in the Computer Lab" with Jane Lindsey and others. Come with questions and plan to stay to get assistance finding information to expand your tree with tips for more productive searches and finding new records to use. Jane has been researching her family for forty years and has done client research and enjoys helping friends and visitors to the Center advance their research.
- Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 pm: "Sharing Family History with Children" with Marisa Louie Lee. Inspire an interest in family history with the children in your family! We'll discuss the importance of rituals and storytelling to children and explore some practical family history activities for busy families. Marisa Louie Lee is a freelance researcher and workshop speaker who specializes in federal government records and Asian American history and genealogy. She previously worked for the National Archives at San Francisco and the Chinese Historical Society of America. Marisa is a proud alumna of the “Friends of Roots” program and enjoys sharing family history with her daughters, ages 5 and 8.
- Tuesday, May 21, 11:00 am: "How to Series: Indexing and Other FamilySearch Projects" with Bruce Dearden. We are all very appreciative of the ability to put an ancestor's name into a search field and discover historical records that define that ancestor's life. This type of searching is available because the records have been indexed. On FamilySearch this indexing has largely been done by volunteers and is an activity that you can do as well. This session will show you how to do this. Besides indexing, there are other activities like "Name Review" in which you can get involved. These activities are a way to give back and improve the user experience on FamilySearch. Bruce Dearden serves as a full-time missionary at the Oakland FamilySearch Center. He and his wife Annie are from Huntsville, Alabama. Having lost his father at a young age, he has always been interested in discovering and connecting with family and researching his roots. Bruce has been indexing for the past ten years with a focus on 19th century Flemish birth, marriage, and death records. He recently participated in the 1950 U.S. Census project.
The Oakland FamilySearch Center is located at 4766 Lincoln Avenue. OFSC Directions and Parking
For more information, call 510-531-3905 or email fhcoakland@gmail.com.
Note: Separate registration required for each session.
