Sunday, September 30, 2012

October Meeting: Finding Clues with Jean Wilcox Hibben

Photo by Pam McComb-Podmostko ©2009
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Research Class: 12:15 PM
Main Program: 1:45 PM

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Hall
520 Dana Street
San Luis Obispo, California





The October research class County Websites: An Overlooked Resource will be presented by genealogist Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD and MA, CG.

Following the research class will be a brief business meeting at 1:00 PM, followed by some tasty snacks and time for chatting with other members. Don't miss the drawings for some excellent prizes!

Ms. Hibben will then present the main program, Clue to Clue: Tracking a Family Over Time and Miles. Clue to Clue uses various clues to show how to move from one piece of information to the next to piece together the life of an ancestral family. The steps used are illustrated so that they can be followed by the beginner as well as the seasoned genealogist. Use of census, probate, property, and personal records are explained.

Don't miss these great presentations by Jean Wilcox Hibben!

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Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD and MA, CG is an engaging and entertaining speaker who has done family research for over 30 years. A member of many professional genealogical organizations, she also volunteers at the Riverside (California) location for the Pacific Region National Archives, and was recently named the new director of the Family History Center in Corona, California. She is a nationally-known speaker on family history and folklore.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

Monday, September 10, 2012

September Meeting Rewind


Almost 100 attendees enjoyed the festivities, exhibits, and learning opportunities at our September meeting, where we celebrated the release of the 1940 US census. Thanks to Dianna Curtis and her team for providing  period food & hats! Another thanks to those who brought their memorabilia for display. Finally, a shout out to the wonderful swing dancers. It wouldn't have been the same without you.

Cafi Cohen presented the research class demonstrating Advanced Census Search tips. These included:

  • Browse rather than search  
  • Use multiple indexes
  • Use multiple search engines
  • Read search tips at each website
  • Use database-specific search screens
  • Massage the data input
  • Search without names 
  • Search the neighbors
  • Play with the names
  • Correlate with other records


Congratulations to Tim Tryon who won the census trivia contest, correctly answering 8 out of 8 census trivia questions. We will repost these questions on the genealogical society Facebook page for for those who want to see them again.

Janet Grummitt, Sharon Whitney, Tim Tryon, Joyce Bayless, Tom Gorham, Harry Schenck, and Cheryl Storton, presented their 1940 US census finds: they included . We especially enjoyed a photo of Tom Gorham's ancestor, George Sonnenberg, Sr., of San Miguel, who died in 1940. According to the 1940 census, he was the last surviving Civil War veteran in San Luis Obispo County.