Saturday May 2, 2015

                                     IOOF Hall, 520 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo       

                                         Session 1 begins at 12:15                  Session 2 begins at 1:45

             Lisa Lee, Professional Genealogist

Session 1: Why You’re Probably Missing a Mother Lode of Information From City Directories and How To Turn it Around and Strike Gold 

Session 2: Three Common Dangers Family Historians Face That Cause Them to Struggle With Online Research – And How to Overcome These Forever  

Lisa B. Lee, professional genealogist, is owner of GotGenealogy.com, a Web site designed to help genealogists make the most of their online searches. A graduate of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (University of Toronto), she obtained her PLCGS with certificates in U.S., Canadian and Irish genealogy and methodology. Ms. Lee publishes monthly newsletter, the Got Genealogy Gazette, which is chock full of ways you can make the most of your online family research. She invites you to check out her Web site, GotGenealogy.com, and join her on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/got.genealogy. She may be contacted at Lisa@GotGenealogy.com 

For more information about Lisa Lee, see our website at : http://slocgs.org/index.html#may2015

© San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

May Meeeting: SLO History and Ellis Island Immigrants

Ellis Island's Immigrant Landing Station, February 24, 1905

Saturday, May 3, 2014
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 May research class, The History Center of San Luis Obispo County: Organization, Resources, and Genealogy Research, will be presented by Jill Fletcher. From this overview of local historical society activities, learn what types of sources might be waiting for you at historical societies throughout the United States!

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

The main program will be Coming to America: Castle Garden, Ellis Island, and Your Immigrant Ancestors presented by Nancy Loe.

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Jill Fletcher is the museum manager of the History Center of San Luis Obispo County. Jill grew up in New England. Residing in the Lexington/Concord area of Massachusetts for most of her childhood, she developed an interest in the rich history and literature of the area. After high school she moved to California and worked in the entertainment industry for 13 years and eventually ended up doing legal research for film and television. After leaving Los Angeles, she worked as a legal assistant in Colorado. She has also lived in New York City, Iowa, and Ojai, California. She moved to San Luis Obispo in 2008. Jill started working at the History Center in 2009 as the volunteer coordinator. One of her goals is to connect all of the county history organizations so that they can share resources and network.

Nancy Loe is a professional archivist, librarian, and genealogist, with master's degrees in American History and in Library Science. She was director of special collections and archives at Cal Poly for nearly three decades. Nancy has appeared on PBS's American Experience and California Gold, and at Rootstech and the SoCal Jamboree. Her website, sassyjanegenealogy.com, was featured in the Jan-Feb 2014 issue of Family Tree Magazine's "Social Media Mavericks: 40 to Follow." Nancy is working on her own family tree in Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Austria, Prussia, and New Zealand, as well as the United States.

* Photo above from Wikipedia Commons

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

April Meeting: Questions, Answers, and Big-City Research!

Saturday, April 5, 2014
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 April research class, Question and Answer Session, will be presented by Cafi Cohen. Bring your questions about genealogy research!

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

The main program will be Needles in Haystacks: Big-City Genealogy Research also presented by Cafi Cohen.

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Cafi Cohen is a professional genealogy researcher, as well as the current Education Chair and past Seminar Chair of the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society. Since 1997, she has presented many sessions on research techniques, both locally and at regional conferences. As co-owner of Bridge to Yesterday, she combines genealogy research services with book publication – "We do the research and we make it beautiful." She is a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

Genealogy NOW! - Featured Speaker Judy G. Russell

Three fabulous speakers are on tap to give presentations at our upcoming seminar, Genealogy NOW! New Millennium Skills to Grow Your Family Tree, on Saturday, February 1, 2014, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in San Luis Obispo.

One of these speakers is The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell, a Certified GenealogistSM and Certified Genealogical LecturerSM with a law degree. She writes, teaches, and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical topics, ranging from using court records in family history to understanding DNA testing.

A Colorado native with roots deep in the American south on her mother's side and entirely in Germany on her father's side, she is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, and numerous state and regional genealogical societies. On the faculty of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research in Alabama, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, and has written for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the National Genealogical Society Magazine.

To see what all the excitement is about, visit her on the Internet at The Legal Genealogist and The Legal Genealogist Blog.

For more information, visit http://www.slocgs.org (scroll down to Genealogy NOW!). Don't forget, very attendee will receive a complimentary door prize ticket for a special drawing for a one-year subscription to Ancestry.com!

Direct link to 2-page schedule & registration form:
http://slocgs.org/Seminar%20Flyer%202014.pdf

Genealogy NOW! New Millennium Skills to Grow Your Family Tree

• What's the easiest way to digitize records and photos? 
• How do I get the most out of immigration records?
• What are the best resources for researching ancestors from the Midwest?
• Can tax lists help me in my research?
• What are the most up-to-date online search tools and tips?

The best way to do your genealogy is to learn how.

To answer these questions and many others, plan to attend the all-day Genealogy NOW! New Millennium Skills to Grow Your Family Tree seminar on Saturday, February 1, 2014, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in San Luis Obispo. We will feature three nationally-known speakers, a full vendor display hall, and every attendee will receive a complimentary door prize ticket for a special drawing for a one year subscription to Ancestry.com!

For more information, visit http://www.slocgs.org (scroll down to Genealogy NOW!).

Direct link to 2-page schedule & registration form:
http://slocgs.org/Seminar%20Flyer%202014.pdf

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

January Meeting: Murder and Marriage!

Saturday, January 4, 2014
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 January research class, Finding Helen Jewett: The Murder of a Prostitute in 1836 New York will be presented by Patricia Cline Cohen.

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

The main program will be Radical Marriage Reform in the 1840's-1850's also presented by Patricia Cline Cohen.

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Patricia Cline Cohen teaches at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and specializes in nineteenth-century U.S. women and gender. She is the author of The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York (1998) and a coauthor of The Flash Press: Sporting Male Weeklies in 1840s New York (2008). She is also a coauthor of the textbook The American Promise (4th edition, 2008). Her current research focused on the nineteenth-century health and sex reformers Mary Gove and Thomas L. Nichols, advocates of hydrotherapy, vegetarianism, sex education, and for a time, free love.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

November Meeting: Civil War Research and Source Citations

Saturday, November 2, 2013
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, Adventures in Source Citations, will be presented by Susan Goss Johnston.

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

The main program will be Civil War Research: It's More than Pensions and the CMSR also presented by Susan Goss Johnston.

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Susan Goss Johnston is a 2011 ProGen alumna, a graduate of the Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis course at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, the National Institute on Genealogical Research, and the National Archives’ lecture and lab course, Going to the Source. She is a co-editor of the recently published Source Templates for The Master Genealogist. Her personal research focuses on families in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region, and she specializes in military records. A former Maryland resident, she now lives in California, and continues teaching basic and advanced genealogy courses there and is a frequent speaker at local meetings and conferences.

Image of the Battle of Antietam by Thure de Thulstrup (1846 - 1930) from Wikipedia Commons.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

Fabulous Finds at the October Meeting!

Saturday, October 5, 2013
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, Spice Up Your Family History with Pictures, will be presented by Janet Thatcher.

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

The main program will be Fabulous Finds presented by Mary Hansen and other members of SLOCGS.

*   *   *

Janet Solverson Thatcher is a member of San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society. She has been researching and writing about her family for ten years. She is an Emeritus Professor of Finance at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Mary Hansen is a native of San Luis Obispo who has been researching her family tree for over a decade. She enjoys connecting with family and finding cousins through Facebook. She receives notifications from several major genealogy sites on a daily basis, which helps her stay on top of what classes are offered online and the latest news in the genealogy world.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

September Meeting: Reopen and Work a Genealogical Cold Case with Lisa Louise Cooke

Saturday, September 7, 2013
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 September research class, Google Search Strategies for Common Surnames, will be presented by Lisa Louise Cooke.

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

Also presented by Lisa Louise Cooke will be the main program, How to Reopen and Work a Genealogical Cold Case. Don't miss these two fantastic presentations by Lisa Louise Cooke!

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Lisa Louise Cooke is the owner of Genealogy Gems, a genealogy and family history multi-media company. She is producer and host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, the popular online genealogy audio show, as well as the Family History: Genealogy Made Easy podcast, both available at www.GenealogyGems.com, in iTunes, and through the free Genealogy Gems Toolbar. Her podcasts bring genealogy news, research strategies, expert interviews and inspiration to genealogists in 75 countries around the world.

Lisa is the author of a variety of multi-media materials including the Genealogy Gems Premium website subscription, her new book The Genealogist's Google Toolbox, and Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies (paperback, digital download, and for iPad), the DVD Google Earth for Genealogy, and Genealogy Gems Premium Audio Podcast Episode digital downloads.

In addition to Genealogy Gems, Lisa works closely with Family Tree Magazine as producer and host of the Family Tree Magazine Podcast, a regular article author for the magazine, and curriculum developer and instructor for Family Tree University. Lisa's offerings are not limited to online. She is a sought after international genealogy speaker, and produces live presentations of The Genealogy Gems Podcast at top genealogy conferences.

Whether in person or online, Lisa strives to dig through the myriad of genealogy news, questions and resources and deliver the gems that can unlock each listeners own family history treasure trove!

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

Volunteers Wanted for 5 October Meeting!

Attention genealogists and family history nuts: This is your chance to show off! Any member who would like to participate is welcome - see below for details.

October 5, 2013 Monthly Meeting

Fantastic Family Finds – Members of the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society will describe the most amazing document or item of interest they have found in the past year and explain how they tracked it down.

Each participant will have 5 minutes to show their document, picture, or other item, and describe how it adds to their family history. Please consider that the "family find" can be something other than an official record. It could be a quilt, a baby dress, or even a published history. Each speaker should also give a brief explanation of how they found the item.

To volunteer, please contact Mary Hansen. Share your amazing discoveries!

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

May Meeting: All About DNA

Saturday, May 4, 2013
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 May research class, Beginning DNA, will be presented by Katherine Borges.

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

The main program, Autosomal DNA will also be presented by Katherine Borges.

*   *   *

Katherine Hope Borges speaks regularly on DNA and is the director of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists (ISOGG). She founded and serves as a DNA Project Co-administrator for the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde, and Portugal DNA Projects. She launched The DNA Fund, an organization that provides scholarships and grants for DNA testing.

Very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Ms. Borges formed a local society of Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.). As a Girl Scout leader, the first patch her northern California troop earned as Cadettes was the Heritage Patch.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

March Meeting: Vital Records and Finding the Truth

Saturday, March 2, 2013
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 January research class, Evaluating Vital Records: Getting the Most Out of Birth, Marriage and Death Records, will be presented by Cafi Cohen.

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


The main program, Adoption -- Finding the Truth despite Adoptions, Name Changes, Divorces and Family Secrets: A Case Study will be presented by Cheryl Storton.

*   *   *

Cafi Cohen is a professional genealogy researcher, as well as the current Seminar Chair and past Education Chair of the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society. Since 1997, she has presented many sessions on research techniques, both locally and at regional conferences. As co-owner of Bridge To Yesterday, she combines genealogy research services with book publication: "We do the research, and we make it beautiful." She is a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Cheryl Storton is a long-time member of the SLOCGS, past President and current Program Chair. She has been doing her own family research since 1980 and has been working as a professional researcher for three years. She is co-owner of Bridge To Yesterday, a company that combines genealogy research services with book publication – "We do the research and we make it beautiful." Cheryl is a member of the DAR, Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

January Meeting: Focus Your Research With Cafi Cohen

Saturday, January 5, 2013
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 January research class, New Year's Questions and Answers, will be presented by Cafi Cohen, Cheryl Storton, and Ginger Goodell. Bring your genealogy research questions, including questions about online genealogy, to this interactive session. Hear three professional genealogists address your research challenges to propel you into a productive new year.

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

Ms. Cohen will then present the main program, Focusing Your Research: Creating Legacies for Your Family. This program demonstrates how to design a product showcasing your research, a product that you can complete this year. Included are many project ideas, plus a motivational shot-in-the-arm titled "10 Ways To Accomplish Nothing."

Get your New Year going with these great presentations!

*   *   *

Cafi Cohen is a professional genealogy researcher, as well as the current Seminar Chair and past Education Chair of the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society. Since 1997, she has presented many sessions on research techniques, both locally and at regional conferences. As co-owner of Bridge To Yesterday, she combines genealogy research services with book publication: "We do the research, and we make it beautiful." She is a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

November Meeting: Professional Research Tips with Cafi Cohen

Saturday, November 3, 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 November research class, Best Internet Websites 2012, will be presented by genealogist and past SLOCGS Education Chairman Cafi Cohen. Well-known, as well as more obscure websites will be described and demonstrated during this research class. Everyone should go home with an expanded toolkit that includes several new online venues for research!

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

Ms. Cohen will then present the main program, Professional Research Tips: Getting Information Quickly and Cheaply. Have you been frustrated at not being able to travel to ancestral locations to research? Are you ready to move beyond what's on the Internet? Learn how professional genealogists quickly and inexpensively access documents available only in distant libraries, archives, and courthouses.

Don't miss these great presentations by Cafi Cohen!

*   *   *

Cafi Cohen is a professional genealogy researcher, as well as the current Seminar Chair and past Education Chair of the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society. Since 1997, she has presented many sessions on research techniques, both locally and at regional conferences. As co-owner of Bridge To Yesterday, she combines genealogy research services with book publication: "We do the research, and we make it beautiful." She is a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

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

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.

September Meeting: 1940 U.S. Census Release Party!

Photo of Lindy Hoppers from 1940s.org

Saturday, September 1, 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 1940 U.S. census has been indexed and released, and we're having a party to celebrate!

• Bring your 1940s memorabilia to display. Items can be photos, appliances, clothing... anything characteristic of the period 1930-1950. Please email Cafi Cohen to reserve display space.
• Wear clothing and/or hats from the 1940s!
• 1940s food, music, and entertainment will be provided, including swing dancers!

The research class, Advanced Census Search Techniques, will be presented by Cafi Cohen. Think your ancestors were missed by the census taker? Think again. This class covers advanced search techniques that may ferret them out!

The main program will be 1940 US Census Finds. Come see what our society members have discovered in the 1940 U.S. census, and hear how they went about the hunt. You will be inspired!

(If you have a find you would like to talk about during the main program for 2-5 minutes, please contact Cafi Cohen so it can be added to the PowerPoint presentation.)

This will be the perfect day to invite your relatives, neighbors, and friends to the society meeting. See if you can infect them with your enthusiasm for family history!

Mark your calendars... you won't want to miss this fun, swingin' event!

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Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

Missing Your Genealogy Society Meetings?

Are you missing the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society meetings in July and August? Well, we miss you, too!

Until we meet again in September, consider attending Getting The Most Out of Family Search: Advanced Techniques, presented by Cafi Cohen, on Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 9:30 AM. We will only hold this class if there are sufficient pre-registrations received by Tuesday, August 7. For information and pre-registration, visit http://www.slocgs.org/classes.html and scroll down to the Internet Genealogy Skills Series.

(UPDATED 8/8/12: Unfortunately, the Getting The Most Out of Family Search: Advanced Techniques class scheduled for August 11 has been cancelled due to insufficient pre-registrations. Sorry, folks.)

Also now enrolling is the 4-week October and November class, Creating Your Family History Book, at Cuesta College. For information and registration, visit http://www.slocgs.org/classes.html and scroll down to the Cuesta College Emeritus Program information.

And don't forget: we're going to Salt Lake City to research in the Family History Library in October! We have a special hotel rate and the opportunity to share rooms that make the trip very affordable. At 10:00 AM on Saturday, Sept 1, we will hold a trip preparation class. Be sure to get in on the fun! Visit http://www.slocgs.org/researchtrips.html for more information.

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

June Meeting: Detective Work with Linda Serna

Saturday, June 2, 2012
Research Class: 12:30 PM
Main Program: 1:45 PM

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




The June research class How Do You Know That...? will be presented by genealogist Linda Serna. You may not have noticed all the great information in census records, especially the earliest ones. How Do You Know That...? describes how to find that information, and where to go from there.

After 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. Serna will then present the main program, Genealogy as Detective Work. This presentation highlights the skills used by both detectives and genealogists to solve mysteries. It explores how to reason through a genealogical challenge by using a detective's tools and indirect evidence. Specific examples and case studies will illustrate how to find and analyze information that can solve your difficult family mysteries and brick walls.

Don't miss these great presentations by Linda Serna!

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Linda Serna is a professional genealogist who has been researching for 30 years. She is the Vice President of Programs for the Orange County California Genealogical Society (OCCGS), and also speaks regularly to her own group and others in Southern California and New Mexico. She is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG), the Polish Genealogical Society (PGS-CA), and the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America (GSHA-CA).

Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society

May 2012 Meeting Rewind: Google Gems with Lisa Louise Cooke

If you missed our meeting earlier this month, you missed a couple of great presentations by Google expert Lisa Louise Cooke!

In Lisa's Research Class Google Earth for Genealogy, she discussed identifying old photos, plotting, and virtually visiting an ancestor's homestead, and incorporating historic maps and videos. Google Earth has the power to geographically document your ancestors' lives, and lends itself very well to collaboration with other researchers. And best of all, it's FREE!

Lisa Louise Cooke discusses the genealogy gems found in Google.

Lisa's main program was titled Google: A Goldmine of Genealogy Gems, in which she covered the basics of getting a free Google account, creating your own "Genealogy Dashboard" with iGoogle, adding gadgets, and the using the Tabs feature for better organization.

This blogger was already using iGoogle as her homepage, but learned so much from Lisa about how to make it more useful! Setting up tabs for special projects - even short-term projects - is a terrific idea, and one that I was not using. Also, there are so many genealogy gadgets out there; visit the Gadgets Directory and search "genealogy" to find them for your iGoogle homepage. And don't forget to add the San Luis Obispo County Genealogy Society Blog to iGoogle so you can keep up with the latest SLOCGS news!

More information about Lisa Louise Cooke can be found on her web site at http://genealogygems.tv. You can also catch Lisa in person next month at the Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree in Burbank.

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Congratulations to the following officers who were elected at the May business meeting: President, Leslyn Keith; Vice President, Administration & Development, Barbara McCallum; Education Chairman, Sheila Davis; and Recording Secretary, Anne Brown. Many thanks to our outgoing officers for their exceptional service, particularly President Bob Christian, who was unexpectedly called on to "step up to the plate." Thanks to all of you for your commitment to SLOCGS!

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Copyright by © San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society