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• DNA SIG-Virtual Meeting

  • When
    05 Apr 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Only
  • Spaces left
    288

  Register

  

  
  

  DNA Special Interest Group

  

  Topic:   Endogamy Explained

  Speaker: Kathleen Fernandes

  Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a limited community or group over many generations for cultural or religious reasons or due to geographic isolation. This presentation describes how to recognize endogamy in your family tree, explains its impact on evaluating DNA test results, and provides recommendations on how to deal with endogamy in your family research.

  
  

   

  For questions contact Colin Whitney

  at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

  This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.
  

  The public is always welcome! 

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• Class - Digital Organization

  • When
    12 Apr 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Only

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  9am Class

  

  Topic:  Digital Organization

  Speaker:  Diane Gould Hall

  

  I'm a member of the Mayflower Society, DAR, the San Diego Genealogical Society, and past member of the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, and the Aberdeen & North-East Scotland History Society, the Ohio Genealogy Society and the Lawrence Co., Ohio Genealogy Society.

  I've been researching my family for over 22 years.
  
  I've had incredible successes. Including connecting with a long lost half brother (now one of my best friends). And, helping friends and family find biological parents.
  
  I’ve been blogging since 2010 and have published 733 posts and have over a million views on my blog. My blog is called Michigan Family Trails.
  
  One of my most popular blog posts is Digital Folder Organizing and Naming Made Easy. More than 59,000 people have viewed that post. I’ve had many people contact me personally and thank me for this method of organization.
  
  I use Legacy Family Tree software for my personal database and I taught/facilitated the Legacy Users Group for the San Diego Genealogical Society for about 2 years.  I've also presented classes about "Using Social Media in Family Research" and "How to Use Evernote in Your Family Resarch," "My Trip to Scotland, What I did Right and what I did Wrong," "Tips on Using Ancestry" and a co presentation with a fellow blogger "Joining The Mayflower Society."
  
  You can reach me at michiganfamilytrails@yahoo.com

  Thank you for attending this presentation

  
  

  Classes on genealogy, family history, media/technology, and computer skills are held at 9 am (PT) on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of most months except January, September, and Decembers.  Classes are designed for a variety of interests and ability levels and are often used as a refresher.

  For questions email education@casdgs.org.
  

  

  This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.  

  Registration will open about a month in advance.
  

  The public is welcome.

  Show details
• Monthly Program

  • When
    12 Apr 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Zoom Webinar

  

  
  

  Monthly Program

  
  

  
  

  Join us for a presentation by Diane Henriks.

  
  

  Session 1:  Break down those Genealogy Brick Walls!

  ​At some point, everyone working on their family tree will encounter a brick wall, or what they

  think is a brick wall, that frustrating point where their research seems to hit a dead end. These barriers can take various forms, but they all hinder progress in tracing family history.

  A genealogy brick wall can be frustrating and discouraging, but it does not mean that the research is impossible. Follow me and see how you can break through them to continue building up your family tree!

  
  

  Session 2:  A closer look at the 1850 - 1950 Census Records in Genealogy 

  ​Take a closer look at the 1850 to 1950 U.S. Census records as vital genealogy resources, while looking into details you may have missed, along with the benefits to and tips in using these records!
  

  
  

  Presenter Bio 

  Diane Henriks, also known as the Descendant Detective and founder of Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family, is a Los Angeles County-based professional genealogist, investigator, speaker, and author specializing in descendancy and brick wall research, along with living people search and unknown parentage. Diane has worked closely with private investigators to find living people while also assisting in background investigations, in both civil and criminal cases. She is a proud member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and the Southern California Genealogical Society. What started out as a small hobby well over a decade ago, when a hand-drawn family tree chart was given to her by her father, has since become a great obsession, and she now helps others discover and preserve who they are and where they came from! 

  Presenter Website  

  
  

  To register for this program on Zoom, please click the button below.  

   (contact the webmaster at webmaster@casdgs.org if you don't receive your registration email from Zoom)

  This program will not be recorded. 

  Handouts for this program will be distributed at the meeting only to everyone.

  The public is welcome! 

  Show details
• German Interest Group - Hybrid Meeting

  • When
    16 Apr 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Zoom & SD FamilySearch Center

  Register

  

  
  

  German Interest Group

  

  Topic:  Collaboration—Key to Breaking Through My German Brick Wall

  Speaker:  Del Ritchhart

  Host:  Amy Chidester

   

  
  

  For questions contact Amy Chidester

  at gig.sdgs@gmail.com

  This meeting will be a hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at the San Diego FamilySearch Center, 4195 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, California 92108
  

  Zoom information will be sent in the week prior to the meeting to those that register.

  The public is welcome to attend.

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• RootsMagic - Virtual Meeting

  • When
    16 Apr 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual via Zoom

  Register

  

  
  

  
  

  RootsMagic User Group          

  

  Topic: RootsMagic 10

  Speaker: Larry Klaasen

  RootsMagic is a comprehensive software tool which helps you research, organize and share your genealogical information. It is appropriate for all levels from beginner to professional. In this Group we will discuss RootsMagic's many features and show you  how to obtain maximum benefit from them.

  If you have a question you wish to be answered, email Larry Klaasen at lklaasen@sbcglobal.net at least two days prior to the meeting.

  

  
  

  
  

  For questions contact Larry Klaasen 

  at lklaasen@sbcglobal.net
  

  
  

  This meeting will be a virtual meeting conducted via Zoom.
  

  Zoom information will be sent in the week prior to the meeting to those that register.
  

  The public is welcome to attend.

  
  

  Show details
• British Isles SIG-Hybrid Meeting

  • When
    19 Apr 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    4195 Camino del Rio S San Diego CA 92108

  Register

  

  
  

    British Isles Special Interest Group

  

  Topic:  A Family Bible on Steroids: Tracing my Family back to 1490

  Speaker:  Colin Whitney
  

  I had already been given a copy of the family bible for my maternal grandfather’s line and was excited about the information it contained. Then, last year, I received information from an unexpected source that allowed me to trace my paternal line back to a time before parish registers began. I will share this incredible journey with you.

  
  

   

  For questions contact Colin Whitney

  at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

  

  This meeting will be a Hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at the San Diego FamilySearch Center in Mission Valley.
  

  The public is always welcome! 

  Show details
• North America SIG

  • When
    19 Apr 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Only

  Register

  

   

     North America Special Interest Group

  

  Topic: Research of the United States and Canada

  Speaker: Dona Ritchie

  Topics of Interest to Researchers of the United States and Canada

  

  
  

  
  

  For questions contact Dona Ritchie

  at donagenes@att.net

  

  This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.  

  The public is welcome to attend.

  
  

  Show details
• California Pioneer Programs Workshop

  • When
    22 Apr 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

   

  
  

  California Pioneer

  Programs Workshop

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  Topic:  This workshop is designed to assist any individuals researching their early California ancestors. Its primary focus is to address their specific genealogical questions and assign qualified researchers when required. An additional purpose is to provide education on early California history and its records. We will cover archives in California, Mexico and the United States at the state, county, local, library and university levels.

  Workshop Host:  Colin Whitney
  

  
  

   

  For questions contact Colin Whitney

  at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

  

  This meeting will be a Virtual meeting via Zoom.
  

  Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.
  

  The public is always welcome! 

  Show details
• Class - Intro to Genealogy Pt. 2

  • When
    26 Apr 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Only

  Register

  

  9am Class

  
  

  

  Topic:  Introduction to Genealogy Pt. 2 - Gathering and Organizing Information

  Speaker:  Doug Shaw
  

  This is the second of a four part series aimed at beginners with little or no background in genealogical research.  Topics include:

  • Basic Principles of Genealogical Research
  • Essential Tools for Beginners

  Classes on genealogy, family history, media/technology, and computer skills are held at 9 am (PT) on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of most months except January, September, and Decembers.  Classes are designed for a variety of interests and ability levels and are often used as a refresher.

  For questions email education@casdgs.org.
  

  

  This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.  

  The public is welcome.

  Show details
• Ask A Genealogist - Panel B

  • When
    26 Apr 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Only

  Register

       

  

  Ask a Genealogist Special Interest Group

  

  This session is a forum where your genealogical questions can be answered by our panel. You may also talk about any genealogical successes you have had, problems you are encountering, or share with the group some of your current research. It is a chance for you to interact with your fellow genealogists so that we can all learn from each other. I invite you to come and have some fun with us.

  Panel members: Anne Alves (host), Debby Warner Anderson and Diane Gould Hall

  We encourage you to send  your questions, at least two days prior to the session, to fansvsdgs@gmail.com

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  For questions contact Anne Alves at fansvsdgs@gmail.com

  This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.  

  Registration will open about a month in advance.
  

  The public is welcome to attend.

  Show details
• Publications, Communications and Writers Group

  • When
    26 Apr 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Only

  Register

  

   Publications, Communications and Writers Group

  

  Topic: Techniques for Communicating your Genealogy

  Speaker: Dona Ritchie

  We spend many hours researching our ancestors to discover what their lives were like. This Group will focus on how to effectively communicate their stories to family, friends and fellow genealogists.

  

  
  

  
  

  For questions contact Dona Ritchie

  at donagenes@att.net

  This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.  

  Registration will open about a month in advance of the meeting.
  

  The public is welcome to attend.

  Show details
• Monthly Program

  • When
    10 May 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Zoom Webinar

  

  
  

  Monthly Program

  
  

  
  

  Join us for a presentation by Richard Hill.

  
  

  

  
  

  Session 1:  Finding Your Family with DNA Testing

  Learn how adoptees and others find biological parents and siblings through DNA testing. Review the case that started it all and see today’s recommended strategies. View examples of surprise discoveries and see the tools used to identify relationships.

  
  Session 2:  Comparing DNA Ethnicity Estimates 

  Learn the reasons why DNA ethnicity tests often yield unexpected results. See why siblings can have surprisingly different ethnicities and why Native American ancestry is rarely found. Compare one person’s ethnicity reports from all the major DNA tests and learn why one test or another might be your best choice for ethnicity purposes.

  
  

  Presenter Bio:  Richard Hill was the first known case of an adoptee using genetic genealogy DNA tests to identify his birth family. He is the author of two books. Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA is an award-winning personal memoir that follows his decades-long search for his birth parents.

  Hill's Kindle Short Book, Guide to DNA Testing, gives readers just enough information to choose the right DNA tests for their purposes.

  He founded DNA-Testing-Adviser.com and the DNA Testing Adviser Facebook Page, both of which transferred to new ownership in August 2021.

  Richard's new website is DNAfavorites.com where he shares more than 150 links to the best DNA testing resources. He also provides news and tips through his DNA Favorites Facebook Page.

  website: DNA-Testing-Adviser.com and DNAfavorites.com

  
  

  Registration will open early spring.

  This program will be recorded and available to members for replay from the "Members Only" section.

  Show details
• British Isles SIG-Hybrid Meeting

  • When
    17 May 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    4195 Camino del Rio S San Diego CA 92108

  

  
  

    British Isles Special Interest Group

  

  Topic:  Researching Southeast England

  Speaker:  Colin Whitney
  

  We have covered many topics in this group over the last six years, but not Southeast England. This is the region closest to Europe where William the Conqueror invaded, laying claim to the English throne and lands. It is also the point of origin of many Mayflower immigrants. We will discuss the history of this region and its records, showing the repositories and online websites available for your research.

  
  

   

  For questions contact Colin Whitney

  at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

  

  This meeting will be a Hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at the San Diego FamilySearch Center in Mission Valley.
  

  The public is always welcome! 

  Show details
• Salt Lake City FamilySearch Library Research Trip-Save the date

  • Start
    02 Nov 2025
  • End
    09 Nov 2025
  • Spaces left
    18

  

  Come with us to

  Salt Lake City

  for research at the

  FamilySearch Library

  November 2-9, 2025.
  

  
  

  We are planning another trip to visit the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City!  Save the dates November 2 - November 9, 2025, and join us on this trip.

  This experienced director-led trip allows researchers an opportunity to access millions of records from all over the world, attend classes taught by FamilySearch experts and collaborate with fellow member researchers. 

  More details coming this spring!
  

  If you have any questions, please contact Margie Geiser at   membership@casdgs.org
  

  
  

  Check out this video about the FamilySearch Library and what it offers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbHEp5B_SYk

  
  

  “This was an amazing week at the FamilySearch Library. I was a bit intimidated to go on my own, but with the help of SDGS I had a great week and even broke down one of my research brick walls!” — Research Trip participant

  Show details