Beginners' Genealogy Workshops Continue in Stockton

Saturday, May 17, 2014

11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Margaret Troke Library

502 W. Benjamin Holt Drive, Stockton

 

The "Find Your Roots" workshop series continues at the Troke branch library in north Stockton tomorrow with a presentation on "Census, Vital and Other Basic Records: How to Use Them Effectively."

 

The "Find Your Roots" series is designed for people interested in beginning the search for their family roots. This series equips new family history researchers with the tools to jump start their search, combined with one-on-one assistance by trained volunteers from the San Joaquin Genealogical Society. In monthly workshop sessions in the spring and fall, the elements of genealogical research are gradually introduced to class members. Though the program was conceived as a series, the public is invited to join in any of the classes on a stand alone basis.

 

The classes are free, but pre-registration is required so that we may provide each attendee with handouts and computer access, if needed.

 

For more information or to reserve your spot at the workshop, email the Society at sjcogensoc@gmail.com.

 

 

Genealogy Storytelling: A Different Way to Present Family History

Thursday, May 15, 2014

5:45 p.m.

Margaret Troke Library

502 West Benjamin Holt Drive

Stockton, California

 

Do you worry your family history research will end up in a cardboard box in an attic gathering dust? How do you engage your family of all ages so they send e-mails asking for more family stories? Our speaker this month, poet and genealogist Kay Speaks, will share some of her methods of storytelling and sharing her family history at our upcoming meeting on May 15.

Kay joined the Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society in 1999 as a newbie genealogist trying to solve a family murder mystery. Since then she has been involved in L-AGS special interest groups and county fair projects, as participant, leader or coordinator. She has organized events for L-AGS, CGS, Chinese American Family History Group, Tri-Valley TMG Users Group, poetry exhibits and public readings.

Kay has presented a variety of family history topics to special interest groups, including Family History Day 2013 on Angel Island at the Immigration Station where her Chinese family members were detainees during the Chinese Exclusion Era. Her family research has been on display at the Museum on Main (Pleasanton), Carnegie Museum (Livermore) and the Alameda County Fair. Kay’s Chinese adventures include the serendipity of ancestors found and discovering a 1928 family murder mystery cited in case law today. She helped edit a genealogy software book that has sold in four countries and is a member of the California Writers Club, Tri-Valley Branch. Kay is a local and international award-winning poet. She finds her family research to be poetic inspiration.

SJGS President to Speak at Merced Meeting

As a representative of the Northern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, our Society president, Sheri Fenley, will participate in a panel discussion, "Calling in the Pros" as a guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Merced County Genealogical Society. Along with panel members Janice Sellers and Corey Oiesen, she will field questions regarding hiring a professional genealogist, how to find one with expertise in your area of research, and what to expect of a professional's services.

If you are in the Merced area this coming Saturday, May 17, you are welcome to attend this noon presentation at the Merced County Library.