CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 15 August Features "Digital Microfilm"

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on 15 August 2015.  Here are the details:

 9:00 am:  SIG groups - None are scheduled.  If this changes, an update to this notice will be sent.

10:00 am: Voting on dissolution of CGSSD  

NOTE: Any existing member who wishes to pay their dues to be able to vote, will be able to do so.  CGSSD will accept the payment.  The paid dues will not be refunded.  

10:00 am: Break, refreshments

10:20 am: Announcements followed by program:

"Using FamilySearch Digital Microfilm to Find Genealogical Records"

by Randy Seaver

FamilySearch has over 2,000 record collections, and many of them are not indexed and cannot be searched using search engines.  They are digitized from FHL microfilms.  Think of them as "digital microfilm" - you have to browse these records.  There are finding aids to help the researcher find records for their ancestors - waypoints, volumes, volume indexes, etc.  This presentation will demonstrate how to find records for your ancestors in probate, land, town, tax and other unindexed records. 

Randy Seaver is a native San Diegan. His ancestry is mainly colonial New England and Upper Atlantic, with some colonial German, French and Dutch forebears, and several 19th-century English immigrants. He has been pursuing his elusive ancestors since 1988, and has been online since 1992.

Randy is a former President of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society, and is currently the Newsletter Editor and Research Chair. He speaks to Southern California societies, libraries and groups, and teaches "Beginning Computer Genealogy" adult classes at OASIS.  He is a member of NGS, NEHGS, SCGS, SDGS, CGSSD and CVGS. Randy blogs daily about genealogy subjects at Genea-Musings (www.geneamusings.com) and the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe (http://CVGenCafe.blogspot.com). 

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/08/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-15-august.html

Copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 16 May Features Kitty Cooper

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.  

The next meeting will be held on 16 May 2015.  Here are the details:

9:00:   User groups: RootsMagic, Mac

10:00: Break, refreshments

10:20: Announcements followed by program:

"The Advantages of Working with a One World Tree"

presented by

Kitty Munson Cooper

The concept of a one world tree is to have a database where genealogists who are researching the same ancestors can collaborate. The idea is to have just one copy of every person on the tree, rather than each of you having your own separate family trees. The goal is to work together to decipher records and solve genealogical problems. The fantasy is to someday have an all embracing tree for everyone who lived in recorded history.

What are the advantages of doing this? What are the disadvantages? How well does this collaboration work? Do you keep a private copy of your tree? Do you hold back any of your data or photographs?

Which of the three major websites (listed here alphabetically) is best for this: FamilySearch, Geni or WikiTree? They all have their positive points as well as their negatives so the decision becomes one of personal preference. Personally I use all three, a lot!

Kitty Munson Cooper is well-known blogger on genetics and genealogy. She started her blog - blog.kittycooper.com - in 2012 to keep track of her family's DNA tests as well as her genealogical research. Written for her relatives with simple step by step pictorial explanations, the blog soon became extremely popular. It currently receives about 800 unique visitors a day.

Her interest in family history and genealogy started at her beloved Aunt Marion's funeral in 1997 when she realized that many stories had died with her aunt. She resolved not to let any more of them be forgotten and started collecting stories, pictures, and family data from that day forward. Meeting a second cousin there who was an accomplished genealogist may have also given her a push.

Kitty started programming computers in 1966 while still in high school and currently has her own small web development business. In her spare time she has created a number of tools for the genetic genealogy community for displaying pictures of whom their DNA is from, showing overlapping segments, and grouping the DNA overlaps.
   

She has a cum laude degree from Harvard University and is also a World Champion Bridge player. Born and raised in New York City, she now lives in Lakeside, California (East San Diego County) with her husband Steve and their dog Navajo. They have over an acre and more than 20 fruit trees. Gardening is another hobby of hers.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/05/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-16-may.html

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 18 April: John Finch on "Family Research and the Civil War"

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, 18 April 2015.  Here are the details:

9:00:  Membership meeting to vote on proposed merger with the San Diego Genealogical Society. Discussion: 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 am.  Vote at 9:45 a.m. - Paid members only.  
           (See NOTE at the end of this email for additional details.)

10:00: Break, refreshments

10:20: Announcements followed by program:

Family Research and The Civil War

presented by:

John Finch

The Civil War (1861 – 1865) is, arguably, the most significant single event in our nations history.    John will describe the range and scope of this struggle and it’s impact on the populace.    If, at that time, your ancestors were living within the then defined boundaries of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Arizona Territory, their lives were altered by this conflict.

John has been a member of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society since 1999 and has served as Library Coordinator, Program Chair and President (2005 - 2006 term).   He is also a member of the Lee County, Illinois Historical and  Genealogical Society.   Retired from U.S. Navy, 1980, and San Diego County Probation Department, 1999.   A cancer survivor.

John developed an interest in his own family history at a very young age, but did not begin an active pursuit of research until after retiring in 1999.  Now, he spends several hours each week researching his family.  He volunteers at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library on Wednesday mornings to assist new and seasoned researchers.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

NOTE:  

The April 18th meeting will include a member meeting to vote on the proposal to merge CGSSD with the San Diego Genealogical Society.  The letter is available on our website, http://www.cgssd.org, our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CGSSD, and the COMPU.GEN blog at http://compugen.blogspot.com/.  Please review this letter before attending the meeting. The board will answer questions about the proposal prior to the vote at the April 18 meeting.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/04/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-18-april-john.html

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 21 March, Features Francie Kennedy

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.  

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, 21 March 2015.  Here are the details:

9:00: User groups: Ancestry, DNA 

10:00: Break, refreshments

10:20: Announcements followed by program:

Advanced Google Tools for Genealogists

presented by
Francie Kennedy

Most of us barely scratch the surface of what Google can do.  Looking things up with Google is only one of the many useful tools available to us!  Have you made a family map showing migration routes and everywhere your families have lived, over time?  Catalogued all of your books in a format you can access remotely from a book sale, (so you don’t wind up with three copies at home)?  How often have you read a rare book about your ancestor’s home town – that is every-word searchable?  Have you found an image of a historic postcard of Main Street in that town to use as an illustration in your family history?  This session will guide you toward finding many things Google can do beyond the basic search function we all use.  There is a lot more within this site, beyond the simple home page!

Francie is a 4th generation Californian, and studied English and biology at Pomona College in Claremont.  She managed a business in landscape design and consulting for years before joining the local water district to help with drought response and customer questions in the early 1990’s.   Francie has been helping City residents and businesses manage their water use for over 22 years.  For seven years she taught water conservation to professionals at Santiago Canyon College, and continues to teach landscape classes to residents.  

In her free time, she is an award-winning watercolor painter, and recently started quilting.  Francie has been involved with community groups for over 30 years, serving as president of the Friends of the Library, chair of the Los Rios Historic District Review Committee, and she is the immediate past president of the South Orange County California Genealogical Society.  Historical research is her passion.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/03/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-21-march.html

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 21 February: Hal Horrocks on Colonial Records

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on 21 February 2015.  Here are the details:

9:00: User groups:  RootsMagic and Mac

10:00: Break, refreshments

10:20: Announcements followed by program:

Colonial Genealogical Records - And How to Find Them

presented by Hal Horrocks  

As family historians, as we get further back into our ancestor’s lives, it becomes more difficult for us to find the records we need to fill out our family trees. The records for the Colonial period of our history are there, we just have to figure out how to find them. This presentation will explore ways to find the records from 1610 to 1776 that will help us in our search.
 
​  A  native Californian and longtime Orange County California resident, Hal Horrocks is a professional genealogist, teacher and lecturer. He has been doing family research for 15 years and is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG), Orange County California Genealogical Society (OCCGS), Guild for One-Name Studies, Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society (UK), and Cheshire Family History Society (UK). He has written several articles for publication in the UK. He is also the current President of OCCGS.

In addition, he has developed a web site for the Horrocks surname that includes a one-name study, a DNA study, and family trees for Horrocks researchers. Hal has been giving lectures to genealogy societies throughout Southern California for the last 5 years.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/02/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-21-february.html

CGSSD Meeting Today Featured DearMYRTLE Presenting in a Hangout On Air

Today's Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) program was DearMYRTLE presenting "Google Hangouts: Enhancing Family Gatherings and Interviews" to about 45 attendees at UCSD.

You can read DearMYRTLE's meeting summary at http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2015/01/virtual-were-talking-google-hangouts.html.  The video is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRFGQMEIbtE and below:



If you watch carefully, I am in the far left-hand side of the audience view.  I raise my hand occasionally, and even get to speak in response to MYRT's questions.

I took a photo of the screen during the presentation:

You can see the video on the screen, the filmstrip with the persons on the Hangout at the bottom of the video, and Paul Hawthorne's laptop facing the audience on a table at the bottom of the photo, which is hooked up to the projection and audio system.

This program was a combination of DearMYRTLE's slide presentation and her live interactions with Cousin Russ [Worthington] and the audience.  She spent some time demonstrating how to find the DearMYRTLE community on Google+, and how to set up a private community on Google+ so that persons can create a family community, and invite family members to join it, for family discussions, video calls, slide shows, stories, and the like.  It's FREE and reliable, and can be private if you want it to be.

There were few in the audience who had experienced a Hangout On Air before, and there were many questions about the process.  Pat and Russ explained it all.  I hope that this results in a CGSSD Community on Google+ (and an SDGS Community as well), with society calendars, announcements, videos, etc.

Presentations like this, from a remote presenter, to a group that has only a laptop with a camera and projector, plus a Google account, can be done at a mutually agreed time.  The society pays the presenter for their presentation time, but saves the cost of travel reimbursement.  For societies that are not near a large city, this would be a smart way to obtain quality genealogical education from world renowned speakers.

You can see all of DearMYRTLE's publicly available YouTube videos on her YouTube page at  https://www.youtube.com/user/DearMYRTLE.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/cgssd-meeting-today-featured-dearmyrtle.html

Copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 17 January - DearMYRTLE Via Hangout On Air!

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.  

The January meeting will be held on Saturday, 17 January 2015.  Here are the details:

9:00 a.m.: Panel discussion of Legacy, FTM, RootsMagic, MAC and DNA groups with the leaders. 

10:00 a.m.: Break, refreshments, along with viewing of DearMYRTLE's Hangout On Air in the "green room"

10:20 a.m.: Announcements followed by program:

GOOGLE HANGOUTS: Enhancing Family Gatherings and Interviews Presented by DearMYRTLE ​​

​Pat Richley-Erickson ("DearMYRTLE" of South Jordan, Utah will appear virtually using Google+ Hangouts On Air, a FREE web-conferencing platform.  She will answer participant questions during the presentation.  Handouts will not be made available to non-attendees.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-17-january.html

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday , 15 November Features Gena Philibert-Ortega

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.  

The next meeting will be held on 15 November 2014.  Here are the details:

9:00: Panel discussion of the SIG/User groups with the leaders.

10:00: Break, refreshments.

10:20: Announcements followed by program:

Newspaper Research for the 21st Century
presented by
Gena Philibert-Ortega

Using newspapers? Good! They are a must for your research and now with so many options for finding newspapers it’s a great time to be doing research. Learn about the various newspapers available, how to best navigate online search engines and what to do when the newspaper isn't online. Types of articles and ethnic newspapers will also be covered.

Gena Philibert-Ortega holds a Master’s degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies and Religion. She is the author of hundreds of articles published in genealogy newsletters and magazines. Her writings can be found on her blogs, Gena’s Genealogy and Food.Family.Ephemera. Her newest book is From the Family Kitchen (F + W Media 2012).

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/11/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-15-november.html

CGSSD Mini-Fair on Saturday, 18 October

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month  (except December) from 9:00 am to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego.  See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.  The next meeting will be held on 18 Oct 2014.  Here are the details:

MINI FAIR 

Saturday, 18 October 2014

Two sessions and two topics per session

No user groups or SIGS this month

9:00 am - 10:00 am Session 1

Room A: Cloud Genealogy 2014 -  Gary Hoffman 

Your deceased ancestors may be in Heaven, but your ancestors' data is probably in the Cloud. The best genealogy computer program for you may be no program at all but rather a website you own or contribute data to. Learn what's new in cloud genealogy from private trees, shared trees, to community trees. Gary Hoffman has been following online genealogy advancements since the advent of the World Wide Web. Learn which cloud service is best for you, updated for 2014.

Room B:  Open Source Genealogy Software -  Judy Jiru

Exploring open source genealogy software.

  

10:00 am - 10:30 am Break / Announcements

10:30 am - 11:30 am Session 2

Room A:  Genealogy & DNA - Kathleen Fernandes 

                

Learn the fundamentals of using DNA & Genealogy with the three main testing companies - FamilyTree DNA, 23 & me, and Ancestry DNA.

Room B: Heritage Photo & Document Scanning - Dona Ritchie

Learn the best ways of scanning to preserve your heritage photos, slides, and negatives, and the best practices to maximize the digital data you capture for use in genealogical applications, charts, and reports, in scrapbooks and photo books, and for sharing these precious resources with your family members. Be the best guardian of your original photos and documents, and your family will thank you!

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website for directions.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/10/cgssd-mini-fair-on-saturday-18-october.html

Thank you to Linda Brady for forwarding this information.

CGSSD Program on Saturday, 20 September Features Joel Weintraub

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego. See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on 20 September 2014 from 9:00 am to noon. Here are the details:

 9:00 AM  User groups: Ancestry.com with Del Ritchhart and DNA with Corlee Morris

10:00 AM Break, refreshments
10:20 AM Announcements followed up program: 

Dr. Joel Weintraub

"Crowdsourcing The Path To The 1950 U.S. Census"

The 1940 U.S. Census opened in 2012 without a name index.  A FamilySearch led consortium used 160,000 volunteers to name index that census in 4 months.  In addition, Joel and Steve Morse, over seven years with about 125 volunteers, developed free utilities to find which of 150,000 census districts someone was in, when a location or address is known.  These projects are examples of crowdsourcing.  Steve and Joel are now doing a similar project for the 1950 Census.  Joel will discuss differences between the 1940 and 1950 censuses that impacted their planning and project design.  The film scanning, publicity, volunteer response, Yahoo Group site, cloud storage, software, One-Step utilities, and project phases will be discussed.  All 233,800 1950 enumeration district definitions have now been transcribed.  Street indexes will also be completed for over 2,000 communities to help find 1950 census district numbers.

Joel Weintraub was born and raised in Manhattan. He is an emeritus Biology Professor at California State University, Fullerton and has won awards for his science teaching. He became interested in genealogy about 15 years ago, and volunteered for 9 years at the National Archives and Records Administration in southern California. Joel started transcribing streets within census districts in 2001 to help researchers search the 1930 U.S. Census (released in 2002). He was joined in the venture by David Kehs and Stephen Morse in 2002, and together, they have produced a number of online census searching utilities for both the federal and the New York State censuses on the Morse One Step Website. Joel produced locational finder aids for the 1940 census, and has given many talks on that census since 2006.  He now has the 1950 Census in his sights, scheduled to be released in 2022!  If you want to help with the 1950 project, email Joel at censusfiles@cox.net.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website  www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website (click here) for driving directions and a map.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/09/cgssd-program-on-saturday-20-september.html

My thanks to Linda Brady (VP Administration of CGSSD) for providing this information.

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 16 August: "Crafting Great Source Citations"

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (VGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego. See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on 16 August 2014 from 9:00 am to noon. Here are the details:

 9:00 AM:  User groups: Roots Magic, with Randy Seaver; Macintosh, with Dona Ritchie

10:00 AM:  Break, refreshments

10:20 AM:  Announcements followed up program:

"Crafting Great Source Citations"
by Randy Seaver

We all know that we should cite our sources, but it's hard to remember what goes first, what to include, punctuation, and more. Then the Internet came along and it's really complicated now. This presentation will cover source citation guides for genealogy, using content provider source citations, and using source citation templates in genealogy software programs, to cite our sources.

      

Randy Seaver is a native San Diegan. His ancestry is mainly colonial New England and Upper Atlantic, with some colonial German, French and Dutch forebears, and several 19th-century English immigrants. He has been pursuing his elusive ancestors since 1988, and has been online since 1992.

Randy is a former President of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society and is currently the newsletter editor and research chair. He speaks to southern California societies, libraries and groups, and teaches "Beginning Computer Genealogy" adult classes at OASIS. He is a member of NGS, NEHGS, SCGS, SDGS, CGSSD and CVGS. Randy blogs daily about genealogy subjects at Genea-Musings (www.geneamusings.com) and the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe (http://CVGenCafe.blogspot.com).

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website (click here) for driving directions and a map.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/08/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-16-august.html

Copyright (c) 2014, Randall J. Seaver

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 19 July - on GenSmarts

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego. See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on 19 July 2014 from 9:00 am to noon. Here are the details:

 9:00 AM  User Groups/SIG: Legacy with Reuben Marchant, Family Tree Maker with Ken Robison, Cloud Computing with Gary Hoffman 

10:00 AM Break, refreshments

10:20 AM Announcements

10:30 - 11:30 AM  Feature Speaker: Del Ritchhart

GenSmarts

GenSmarts is an application that has been around for several years.  Many of us used it a few times; but got involved in keeping up with all the other technological developments in genealogy and lost interest in GenSmarts.  It uses the fundamentals of artificial intelligence to search your genealogy applications (i.e., Family Tree Maker, Roots Magic, Legacy, etc.) and identify holes in your research such as missing dates and locations.  It not only identifies the missing data; but will list web sites and/or libraries where the information might be found.

Del recently delved back into it and learned it is still very much “alive and well” and has a lot more capability than he ever imagined.  His presentation will not only stimulate your interest in the capabilities of GenSmarts; but show you how to apply its many very useful features.  

Del began researching his family history in 1994.  He has served in leadership positions in several San Diego genealogy organizations; including President, Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego.  Del has given genealogy presentations to numerous groups in the Southern California area, including the San Diego Genealogical Society, Escondido Family History Fair, North San Diego County Genealogical Society, our own CGSSD and others.  He published his family history, “Breathing Life Into My Family Ancestors”. in late 2011. 

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website (click here) for driving directions and a map.

The URL for this post is:

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 21 June Features Jamie Mayhew

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego. See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on 21 June 2014 from 9:00 am to noon. Here are the details:

 9:00 AM  User Groups: Mac - Dona Ritchie;   Ancestry - Del Ritchhart

10:00 AM Break, refreshments

10:20 AM Announcements followed by program:

"Across the Prairie: Land Records in the Public Land States"

by Jamie McManus Mayhew

Land records form the largest group of records for our ancestors and often leave the only clues to marriages, deaths, and relationships.  By the mid 1800’s it is estimated that up to 90% of white males in the United States owned land. When records were destroyed, land records were the first to be recreated leading to land records where no other records exist.

​

​Jamie McManus Mayhew, a researcher for over twenty years, specializes in Southern California research although her personal experience covers the Midwest, New England, and the Southern States. Jamie holds a PLCGS (Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies) in American Research from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She is the moderator for the California pages on the FamilySearch Research Wiki and is a member of the FamilySearch Wiki Community Council. She is president of the California Genealogical Alliance and past president of the North Orange County Genealogical Society where she presently serves as Education Chairman.

Jamie has a B.A. in Sociology, an M.A. in Educational Technology, taught for over twelve years and finished up her last career as the Director of Educational Technology for a Southern California school district. She is a member of APG, SCCAPG, SCGA, CSGS, OCCGS, and a number of other societies. Recently, she was a researcher for season one (2013) of the PBS television show Genealogy Roadshow.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website (click here) for driving directions and a map.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/06/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-21-june.html

Thank you to Linda Brady, CGSSD VP-Administration, for providing this information.

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 17 May on Military Records and Pensions

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego. See our web page www.cgssd.org  for directions.

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, 17 May 2014. Here are the details:

*  9 a.m. to 10 a.m.:  User Groups: 
** Legacy, with Reuben Marchant, 
** Family Tree Maker, with Ken Robison, 
** Roots Magic, with Chris Christensen 

*  10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.:  Break, refreshments

*  10:20 a.m.:  Announcements followed by program:

"Military Records and Pensions"

by Edward Grant Ries

Captain USMC (Ret.)

Records of military service and pensions can provide a wealth of family history information. This presentation will cover the types of records found in the home, on online sites such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org and fold3, and at NARA. Records of military service and pensions provide us with a portrait impossible to obtain elsewhere of our ancestor’s patriotism, dedication, and courage. Whether they served in peacetime or wartime, at home or abroad, records of military service and pensions can be found. These records can also provide a wealth of information on a veteran’s family. While the focus is on American service, records of other countries will be briefly discussed.

You will learn how to glean information from:

   • Memorabilia, photos, insignia, medals and ribbons, letters, journals and official papers found at home or in storage
   • Internet archives such as ancestry.com, fold3.com and familysearch.com
   • National repositories such as NARA and the National Military Records Center in St. Louis
   • Lineage Societies such as Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution(SAR)
   • National Cemeteries, Monuments, and Burial Records Prisoner of War Records
   • Pension Applications and Awards, Pensioner Censuses, and Land Grants in lieu of Pensions.

Ed Ries researches and teaches family history, focused on the southern states, Scotland, England, military records, and use of Internet collaboration tools. He graduated with a BS, magna cum laude, from the University of Utah, majoring in earth sciences and mathematics. He earned MA and PhD degrees from UCLA, doing research in geophysical processes. He has had three careers, as a Marine Corps air control officer, then as a software engineer and manager, and author, publishing three novels of historical fiction set in 1700s Scotland. He retired as Director of Software Engineering for BAE Systems in Rancho Bernardo, where he headed development of software for world-wide mapping and charting.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website (click here) for driving directions and a map.

NOTE:  Members and guest parking will be limited to the Pangea Parking Structure ONLY on Saturday, May 17th.  The Hopkins Parking Structure will be closed.   

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/05/cgssd-meeting-on-saturday-17-may-on.html

     

Alice Volkert Speaks on "Yours, Mine and Ours" at CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 15 March

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the campus of UCSD, University of California, San Diego. 

The next meeting will be held on 15 March 2014 from 9:00 am to noon. Here are the details:

 9:00 AM  SIG/User Group meetings: 
                Family Tree Maker:  Ken Robison
                Roots Magic:  Chris Christensen

10:00 AM Break / snacks & refreshments

10:20 AM Announcements 

10:30 AM Guest Speaker:  Alice Colby Volkert
                   Presentation: "Yours, Mine and Ours" 

The idea is exploring how people USED to "do genealogy" in the old days. With self-address-stamped-envelopes, etc. Then input from the attendees. Then how we the people NOW "do genealogy; with their own records: Ancestry, Legacy, MAC, etc. Then input from the attendees. Then we look into the ways people are sharing and combining their efforts. Then input from the attendees. Wrap-up will be a look into the future: automatic processing, face recognition, semantic searches, etc.

Biography:

Alice Colby Volkert is a professional genealogist who is involved in many aspects of genealogy.  She specializes in New England, particularly Massachusetts, as well as general United States family history work. But can research in any part of the United States. Alice enjoys being a coach, helping people make their own discoveries and organizing their data. She guides and assists people who want to 'do-it-themselves' or can do as much for anyone as they require.  Alice was one of the researchers for the PBS television "Genealogy Roadshow!"

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pines Road, turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any space other than those specifically reserved for UCSD vehicles. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room. Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website (click here) for driving directions and a map.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/03/alice-volkert-speaks-on-yours-mine-and.html