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April 2010, Vol. 4, No. 4
Finding the Living: How to Hone Your Genealogy Researching Skills
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
CGS Library, 2210 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland

Thomas MacEntee
Thomas MacEntee
You may have heard about how Thomas MacEntee used technology and helped save the day at our Black History Month program in February. This time Thomas is back to help us Find the Living with a virtual presentation of his own from his office in Chicago.

In this session you'll learn not only why it is important to locate the living, but also how to leverage the power of Internet to make certain you have the correct contact information.

The workshop is offered free to members only and is limited to twenty participants. Preregistration is required. Learn more on the blog. Register online.

 
Overview: Microsoft Office 2007 with Tim Cox
Saturday, May 1, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
Join Tim Cox as he gives a high level overview of the Microsoft Office 2007 Suite of applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You may bring your laptop but it's not required. This free session is for members only. Class size is limited to twenty participants. Register online.

 
Who Do You Think We Are?
YouTube Video by Cathy Paris
Who Do You Think We Are? Publications and Marketing Committee Chair Cathy Paris created a fantastic video slide show all about the California Genealogical Society and Library. It is a collection of photographs from the blog with explanatory titles and is a great introduction to the society.

It's already been featured in Ancestry's Learning Center: Riding the Who Do You Think You Are? Wave by Juliana Smith. View it on the blog.


Ethnic Research Series: Chinese Ancestry Two-Session Workshop
Saturday, April 17, 2010, CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
Saturday, May 8, 2010, NARA, Pacific Region, 1000 Commodore Drive, San Bruno

The California Genealogical Society and Library is partnering with the National Archives and Records Administration - Pacific Region to present a two-day workshop series - one day at each location.

Both workshops are full but a waiting list is being created for a future encore presentation. See the blog for more information.


Discover Your Swedish Roots with Genline
Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
Learn how to research Swedish Church records to trace your Swedish ancestry. Peter Wallenskog, CEO of Genline AB and Kathy Meade, Genline's North American representative, will give a presentation on Swedish genealogy and demonstrate how to trace one's roots using Genline, an online service that contains digital images of the original Swedish Church Books archive from the 16th century to the 20th century.

Learn more on the blog. Register online for this free program.
 
May Membership Meeting and a Bonus - Save the date!
Saturday, May 8, 2010, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland


Member Jo Ann Rowley-Minhoto will be our featured speaker in May and she has graciously consented to present two talks:

Rootsweb Overview - 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

A short membership meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Social Networking: Using Mailing Lists, Forums, and more! - Approximately 1:20 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


Hard Drive Organization - Making Use of Your Computer File Folders
May 15, 2010, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland
After collecting digital images from online sources and manually scanning paper documents and photos for over twenty years, Tim Cox found a management method that works for his digital files. He will demonstrate how to name files for easy identification, how to organize folders that make it easy to find them, and how to properly identify scanned photographs. Learn more and register online.


Field Trip to Sutro Library with Dick Rees and Jane Lindsey
Wednesday, May 26, 2010, Library hours 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
480 Winston Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132

Dick Rees will lead a group to Sutro on public transportation using BART and Muni leaving from the 19th Street Station in Oakland. Members may also car pool and meet at Sutro. Bag lunch recommended.

Register online and let us know how you plan to go.
 

Coming in June
Save These Dates!
Mark Your CalendarJune 5: Microsoft Word 2007 Workshop, Tim Cox

June 11-13: Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree

June 17: On The Road to the Fremont Library

June 19: How to Look for Your Latino Ancestors, Ellen Fernandez-Sacco

June 27: New York City Research, Part I, Steve Harris

In Memoriam
James William Uren (1912 - 2009)

The Membership Committee learned of the death of member and San Francisco native Jim Uren at his home in Oakland on October 2, 2009, at age 97. He was the founder of the Uren Harrison and Kennedy Insurance Agency in Oakland. Mr. Uren joined the California Genealogical Society in 1992. His obituary was published in the San Francisco Chronicle on November 1, 2009.

Cynthiana Finley Elliott (1926 - 2010)

Cynthiana "Pinky" Finley Elliott died at her home in Walnut Creek on Friday, March 19, 2010. She joined the California Genealogical Society in 1990 and was a member of the DAR. Cynthia served as a desk duty volunteer when the society was housed at 1611 Telegraph Avenue. She was also once a participant at the society's tour to Salt Lake City. Her obituary was published in the San Francisco Chronicle on March 28, 2010.


Editor's Picks: Suggested Links From the Blogosphere


Did Grandpa Serve in Mexico? by Jan Alpert

Our Obligation to Share by Carolyn L.  Barkley

Unusual Source: Medical Journals by Amanda Sims

Lessons Learned from WDYTYA by Donna Pointkouski

Shades The Magazine - March Issue by footnoteMaven


Family Stories Result in Healthier Kids by Taneya Koonce

Hidden Notes - Funeral Home Documentation by Kathleen Brandt

Index to Papers on File (City of San Francisco Building Contracts 1891 - 1962) by San Francisco Public Library History Center blog







California Ancestors: Diverse Heritage, Shared History
Photo Tributes to the CGS Family
Edited by Cathy H. Paris

This month's photograph and story were submitted by Susan Smith-Bromiley and her cousin, Vicky Whitney Landau. Susan and Vicky have spent thirty research-years looking for their great uncle. Now they're asking for your help.

Do You Know Him?


Joseph Mendiz�bal








































This photograph was taken at the Godeus Art Studio on Sixth Street, San Francisco. Handwritten on the back is the phrase: "Joe Mendiz�bal or Perry."

Born in San Francisco in 1871, Joseph B. Mendiz�bal was the second son of Jos� I. Mendiz�bal Cantera of Mexico City and Zacatecas, Mexico, and Merced Sanches-Castellanos Sanches-Sevillanos of Bolanos, Jalisco, Mexico and San Francisco, California. [Note: Sanches also may be spelled Sanchez.] 

Joseph and his elder brother Ismael attended the Spring Valley School in San Francisco where they lived with their mother, Merced, and stepfather, Joseph Politta, a dairy man and grocer.

In the 1880s Joseph held employment as a messenger for the American District Telegraph Company and later as a carriage painter. He lived in San Jose and later in Alameda. In July 1891, Joseph was the best man at his brother's wedding in San Francisco.

By 1902, Ismael was living in Alameda, and their sister, Isabel Mendiz�bal Schmitz Blasi, was living in Berkeley but there is no sign of Joseph. We cannot find him in the 1900 U.S. Census. The last known mention of Joseph Mendiz�bal is in his mother's 1904 obituary in which he is listed as one of her children.

According to family legend, Joseph ran away because of employment issues and changed his name, possibly to Perry.

What really happened to Joseph? Did he change his name to Joe Perry or assume some other name?  Does anyone know the man in this photo?

- Susan Smith-Bromiley and Vicky Whitney Landau.

If you can help please email Susan.


Call For Submissions - Do you have a great family photo that is scanned and ready to be shared? Do you have a wonderful family story and a photo to go with it? If you would like to pay tribute to your ancestor in a future edition of the eNews, please email Cathy Paris and send your image with a brief narrative.

Did you miss these posts in the California Genealogical Society & Library blog?

CGSL blog
San Francisco Mortuary Records - 2010 Update

Shirley Thomson's Report From Washington, D.C.

Doin' Things Right: The Society Welcome Mat

Annual Report 2010: French Canadian Special Interest Group


Mountain View Cemetery Tour - Wordless Wednesday Photos

The Morning After Who Do You Think You Are? - First Saturday Free!


Kathryn Doyle, eNews Editor
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