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December 2014, Vol. 8, No. 17
Editor's Note
Wrapping Up 2014, Looking Ahead To 2015
As we head toward the end of 2014, I'd like to give a special "shout out" to our hardworking Education and Events committee. This past year, they planned and held 44 classes, 2 local field trips, and trips to Salt Lake City and Boston. And yes, all of these people are volunteers. Wow!

For 2015, these very busy "elves" have been working hard behind the scenes to build out a schedule of exciting classes, workshops, seminars and trips in 2015. But they're keeping those details secret -- even from me! We'll announce more details as they become available, but in the meantime, pencil in the Save the Date items listed below.

Wishing you good cheer this holiday season,
 
Marcelle White signature

P.S. The library will be closed for the holidays December 25, 2014, through January 1, 2015. The library will reopen Friday, January 2, 2015.

December Meetings and More
California Genealogical Society & Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland 
Mark Your Calendar Tuesday, December 9: Book Repair Committee, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 13
: Stephen Harris City Directory Library, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
  
Friday, December 19: Stephen Harris City Directory Library, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 20: CGS Board of Directors, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
 
There will be no December meeting of the
San Francisco Special Interest Group.
 
Annual Business Meeting -- January 24, 2015
California Genealogical Society & Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland 
 
Ring in the new year with your CGS friends! The annual business meeting for members of the California Genealogical Society will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015.

Members are invited to the social hour, which begins at 11:30 a.m. Bring your appetite and a dish to share for the festive potluck lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

The meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. President Ellen Fernandez-Sacco's agenda will include committee reports, approval of the 2015 society budget, and the presentation of the new board nominees. An election of the new board members will follow.

Meet the 2015 Board Nominees
Elections to be held at the Annual Business Meeting on January 24, 2015     
 

We're pleased to announce the slate of candidates to serve on the Board of Directors of the California Genealogical Society. Their mini bios are listed below; additional information about them has been posted on our blog.

 

 

Linda Harms Okazaki is a fourth-generation San Franciscan. As a CGS volunteer, she first started in Book Repair before joining the Desk Duty team. She served as the Volunteer Coordinator for two years and managed the research team for Their Roots Are Showing in 2013.

 

 

   

Todd Armstrong first became interested in genealogy as a teen when he received his great-great grandfather's 1864 Civil War diary. He joined CGS while attending the first Ancestry Day. In 2013, he played an active role in the research and presentation of CGS' fundraiser, Their Roots Are Showing.

 

 

   

Therese Hart-Pignotti is a fourth-generation Walnut Creek-er. In 2013 she was one of the producers of Their Roots Are Showing, which raised substantial funds for the society. She also works the front desk during our Thursday Late Night Summer Hours.

 

 

 

Kathleen Dunn Jones is now serving as Treasurer for the society. A member since 1999, she most recently has been instrumental in converting the society over to a new membership management and finance software program. She was born and raised in San Francisco, but has spent her adult life living in the Oakland Hills.

Holiday (or Anytime) Gift Ideas
For the CGS Community     
 

 Looking for gift ideas? Here are five great options:   

 





1) If you're a subscriber to the eNews, but not yet a member, give yourself the gift of membership.

2) Stop by the library to pick up CGS flash drives and mugs. (Sorry, shipping is not available.)

3) Visit our eBay store for books about California and beyond, family histories, and more.

 

4) Check out the CGS publications for books of genealogical interest to those with California ancestors.

 

5) Consider making a donation in honor of the person who inspired your interest in family history or as a "thanks" for all of the great CGS classes you attended this year.

 

January Classes
California Genealogical Society & Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland 
 
Saturday, January 3
Intro to Genealogy, with Lisa Gorrell, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 31
Reconstructing a Family When You Start with Almost Nothing, with Janice Sellers, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 




For December events, check out the San Francisco Bay Genealogy Calendar.

Save the Date! Scots-Irish Family History Research Seminar, March 2015
California Genealogical Society & Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland 
Celtic Cross We're finalizing the details about our March 2015 Scots-Irish Family History Research Seminar. The event, scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2015, will feature Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Stay tuned for information about
lecture topics, location, etc. Registration will be available once all of the details have been set.

Save the Date! Salt Lake City Research Trip, April 2015
Family History Library
Salt Lake City, Utah  
We're once again going to offer our super-popular research trip to Salt Lake City. This is a great chance for members to explore the library together, and under the guidance of experts.

The specific dates of this trip are being finalized, and we expect to announce them -- and post the registration link -- soon.

For now, read member Daniel Spelce's account of his first day on the 2014 research trip, and watch our video about the trip.

Did You Miss These Posts?
Highlights from the California Genealogical Society Blog

Blog Editor, Ellen Fernandez-Sacco 


These are our late November and early December posts. If you haven't yet read them, here's your chance!  
RootsTech Conference, February 2015
Salt Palace Convention Center
Salt Lake City, Utah  
RootsTech
RootsTech, the world's largest family history and technology conference, will be held February 11-14, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Attendees can choose from more than 200 educational classes. Keynote speakers include author, journalist, and TED talker, A.J. Jacobs and the entertainer, Donny Osmond.

Early bird pricing is available until January 23, 2015. Learn more.  

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Marcelle White, eNews Editor  email me