Special Interest Group-Genealogical Writing (SIG-GW): Group II is Open to New Members

The San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society has two very active genealogical writing groups that meet monthly. You've probably read some of our members' work in our SLOCGS Bulletin. The November issue had SIG-GW, Group I members Mary Hansen and Janelle Pond Richardson's collaborative piece, "Our Ancestors Knew One Another."

Group II's facilitator, Lynn Storrs, tells me SIG-GW, Group II has room for new members. You can find more information about the group at our website.

Most of our members joined a writing group because they want to write down their family traditions, their history, and their own personal memories for future generations--and for the siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., who may be motivated to share their own memories once they read someone else's. One byproduct of being in a group is getting ideas on write about your own family history. For example, one of our members wrote a piece about her ancestors' party line, another about her family's musical traditions, another about a treasured photograph that had been passed down through the generations. The possibilities are endless.

If you're interested, and I hope you are, please email Lynn who can tell you more about Group II.

Happy writing!

Ginger Goodell
Facilitator of Special Interest Group--Genealogical Writing, Group I

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

Spanish American War Veterans Burial Project Database Completed!

We are pleased to announce the completion of another SLOCGS project! The Spanish American War Veterans Burials of the men who came to San Luis Obispo County and passed away there has finally been completed.

In addition, all of their names and military information has been sent to the The National Spanish American War Gravesite Recording Project so their names can be added to the database.

Visit the San Luis Obispo County, California, Spanish American War Veterans Burial site at http://www.slocgs.org/slosaw.htm.

A big thank you to project volunteers Joyce and Mary for their assistance with this project!

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.

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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

Research Plans

Do you have an genealogy brick wall research challenge? Have you written a research plan for investigating it? That is the first step. It's the Pre-Research that will allow you to research more effectively.  

At the SLO Genealogical Society "Implementing Professional Standards" discussion group in July, we discussed how to write a research plan. Here are some helpful links:

"Think Like a Detective -- Developing a Genealogy Research Plan" 

http://genealogy.about.com/od/basics/a/research_plan.htm

"Crafting a Genealogy Research Plan" -- good video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZEJC7oruT0

"Analysis and Research Plan" - Samuel Witter example link on this page  

http://www.apgen.org/resources/worksamples.html

"Sample Family History Research Plan" 

http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/sample-research-plan  

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.

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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.

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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!

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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