Saturday, December 27, 2008

CVGS Holiday Luncheon Photos - Post 3

At the 10 December CVGS Holiday Luncheon, outgoing President Randy Seaver present certificates of appreciation to the outgoing Board members, including:

1) Randy and Opportunity Drawing Chairman, Bob Page:


2) Randy and Public Relations Chairman, John Finch:



3) Randy and Library Liaison, Dearl Glenn:


4) Randy and Hospitality Chairperson, Susi Pentico



5) Randy and Historian/Cemetery Project Chairperson, Susan Zimmer.


6) The 2007-2008 Board members present at the luncheon. From the left,
Wanda Brock, Gary Brock, Dearl Glenn, Ann Stevens (behind Dearl), Connie Ottinger, Randy Seaver (behind Connie), Bob Page (back row), Susan Zimmer (in front), Shirley Becker, Susi Pentico and John Finch.









Friday, December 26, 2008

CVGS Holiday Luncheon Photos - Post 2

At the CVGS Holiday Luncheon on 10 December 2008, 2007-8 President Randy
Seaver gave certificates of appreciation to the outgoing Board members. Here are some of thep ictures.

1) Randy and Treasurer Wanda Brock:

2) Randy and Newsletter Editor, Shirley Becker:


3) Randy and Program Chairperson Connie Ottinger:


4) Randy and Secretary Ann Stevens:


5) Randy and Webmaster/Estate Papers Chair Gary Brock


Sunday, December 21, 2008

CVGS Holiday Luncheon Photos - Post 1

Gary and Wanda Brock took quite a few pictures at the CVGS Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, 10 December. Here are several photographs showing the setting, the attendees, and even some of the food:

1) From left - Shirley Becker, Wanda Brock, Connie Ottinger and Phyllis Learned:


2) From the left - Nancy Smith, Penny Bollinger and Rita Clamser:



3) From the left - John Finch and Terry Stewart:


4) From the left - Barbara Ibaibairriaga, Joan Largey, Mary Patterson and Dixie Jones:

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

CVGS Member and Program Surveys

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The CVGS board would like to have your input about your genealogy research capabilities, interests and needs, and the type of speaker programs - all so that we can better serve you. We have created two surveys for CVGS members to fill out and return.

The Program Survey is here.

The Member Survey is here.

Please fill them out and return them to Randy Seaver (rjseaver(at)cox.net, 1154 Via Trieste, CV 91911) by mail, email or hand them in at a CVGS meeting in January.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

November 2008 Program Photo Gallery

Gary has created a separate web page with the photographs of each presenter at the Heirloom Discovery Day with Georgie Stillman, ASA.

You can see the photos at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/page20.html.

Have you checked all of the photo pages? There is a list of them, with links to each, at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/page11.html.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Genealogy News Summary for December

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Here's the Genealogy News Summary for late November and early December:

1. INTERESTING GENEALOGY WEB SITES

a) http://www.slavevoyages.org/tast/index.faces - Trans-Atlantic slave trade voyages database of over 10 million African-American names from 35,000 voyages.

b) http://images.google.com/hosted/life - 110 Years of Life Magazine photographs are online. On many of the photos, you need to click on the link labeled "View Full Size" in order to see the high resolution version.

c) http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/11/online-genealog.html - Links to online genealogy dictionaries and lists.

d) http://www.123people.com/ -- permits the user to input a first name and a second name and see what the web presence is for people with the name combination.

e) http://www.naturalizationrecords.com/ -- part of the Olive Tree Genealogy suite of genealogy and family history web sites specialized in records of Canada and the northeastern United States.

f) One of the additions to the LDS New FamilySearch is the Research Wiki for Family History located at https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Main_Page. This wiki will have information on every state and every county when popluated.

2. NEW GENEALOGY DATABASES

a) at www.Ancestry.com - subscription site (US = $155.40, World = $299.40) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC (Institution with World databases) or San Diego City or County Public Libraries (Ancestry Library Edition). Ancestry has over 7 billion names in over 26,800 databases. See new content at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx. New databases this month include:

* US Federal Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880
* US City Directories (updated)
* UK Medical Registers 1859-1969 (need UK or World subscription)
* Lots more Canadian books and records (need Canada or World subscription)

b) www.WorldVitalRecords.com - subscription site (US = $39.95 for 1 year, World = $119.95 for 1 year) -- now available for FREE at the San Diego FHC. Over 11,000 databases, over 1.3 billion names. Recently added content is at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/recentcontentlisting.aspx. New US items are FREE at WVR for 10 days. New databases include:

* More US and Canada newspaper records
* More Australia records from Bloxham collection (need World subscription)
* Queensland Public Service Records (need World subscription)


c) www.Footnote.com - subscription site ($69.96 annual retail, $11.95 monthly) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC. They offer 7-day FREE trial. 443 Titles, over 47 million images, over 1 million free. Content list at http://www.footnote.com/documents.php. Information added this month includes:

* World War II Databases - Pearl Harbor, Documents, Hero Pages, Photos


d) www.GenealogyBank.com - subscription site (trial $9.95 for 30 days, $69.95 for 12 months). It has archives for over 2,500 U.S. historical newspapers in all 50 states, from the 1600s to the present day, with over 224 million family history records, over 29 million obituaries from more than 1,140 newspapers in more than 130 million historical newspaper articles, and more than 11,700 historical books.

* Added 63 titles from 25 states


e) http://pilot.familysearch.org/ - the LDS FREE site for indexed and browsable databases -- new content includes:

* 1870 US Census 85% complete
* Cook County, Illinois Marriage Records 1871-1920 65% complete
* Ohio Tax Records 1816-1838 25% Complete
* Ohio Diocese of Toledo Parish Records, 1794-2004, no index


3. GENEALOGY EDUCATION

a) BYU has free online genealogy courses at http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/freecourses.cfm


4. SOFTWARE

a) Incline Software, LC announced the full release of Ancestral Quest 12.1. All of the new features introduced in Ancestral Quest version 12.1 are designed to aid a user in comparing and synchronizing local databases with the Family Tree database of new.FamilySearch.org, a system being developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). An adjustment has also been made to the way a new user can try Ancestral Quest. AQ 12.1 now provides a 60-day free trial of the program with all features fully unlocked.

b) Family Historian 3, the highest rated family tree software in the U.K. is now available in the United States and Canada. This software is initially being distributed in the nearly 1,500 Target stores nation-wide. Download a free trial at http://familyhistorian3.ning.com/.


5. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a) Familybuilder (http://www.familybuilder.com) announced the release of Familybuilder DNA (https://dna.familybuilder.com), available for a limited time at the special introductory price of $59.95. It offers both paternal (YDNA) and maternal (mtDNA) tests.

b) The official U.K. National Archives site for Non Parochial and Non Conformist records BMDregisters.co.uk has just added over 600,000 records of birth, baptism, marriage and burial. These have not previously been searchable online and again contain images of birth and baptismal records. The records were previously viewable on microfilm as part of the RG8 series.

c) MyHeritage announced a partnership with FamilyTreeDNA. MyHeritage’s members can now use information contained in their DNA to find present-day relatives who share a common ancestor from many hundreds of years ago. FamilyTreeDNA users can take advantage of MyHeritage’s site to not only further research family history, but also stay connected with current family members around the world.

d) Google bought PaperofRecord (www.PaperOfRecord.com), a pioneer in the creation of web-searchable, digitized historical newspaper page images, which has 20 million newspaper page archive, mainly Canadian newspapers.

e) The Generations Network announced that they may go public, and pursue strategic acquisitions of other genealogy content providers.

CVGS Holiday Luncheon was Fun!

The annual Holiday Luncheon was a veritable feast of food, camaraderie and stories. It was Wednesday, 10 December at the South Chula Vista Branch Library in the larger conference room. There were 31 members and guests in attendance, and they came to eat, exchange gifts and wish their colleagues a happy holiday season.

Unfortunately, the pictures taken with my camera came out poorly - so I'm hoping that either Gary or Susan will pass photos to me to post on the blog.

After setting up the room, picking up a door prize ticket and opportunity drawing tickets, greeting our colleagues, and organizing the food on the serving tables (there were salads, vegetables, potatoes, turkey and ham, rolls, and desserts, sherbet punch bowl), it was time to settle down. Susi Pentico and Shirley Becker organized the food selection and setting, with help from several other willing hands.

Outgoing President Randy Seaver opened the meeting with a Thank You to the 2007-2008 Board of Directors. He brought each Board member to the front, said several kind words about their position, and gave them a certificate of appreciation for their service. Randy also gave a short "State of the Society" address that praised the Board members for working together well as a team and achieving two excellent program years. Then it was time to eat!

After dessert, Randy installed the 2009-2010 officers using a script found on the Roberts' Rules of Order web site, modified for the CVGS framework. Gary Brock was installed as President, and Ann Stevens was installed as Secretary. Virginia Taylor (Second Vice President-Membership) and Paul Price (Treasurer) were not in attendance. After this, Gary gave a short speech thanking Randy for his service and encouraging all members to support the CVGS programs in the future.

There were six door prizes, courtesy of Nancy Smith, Susi Pentico and Shirley Becker. Each person received a door prize ticket when they entered the conference room. Six winners were picked - the prizes were a large Santa Claus decoration, a large Angel decoration, a small tree decoration, and three poinsettia plants. Then it was time for the opportunity drawing of the wrapped gifts. There were about 25 gifts available, and everybody seemed happy with their selections.

"The best genealogy experience of 2008" was the topic for the member sharing. Gary called on everybody around the tables to share a bit, and most of the attendees shared something.

Finally, we auctioned off the remainder of the large ham (about 50% was left) and a whole turkey loaf to willing bidders.

Many attendees brought non-perishable canned food and unwrapped toys for donation to the Salvation Army. Nancy Smith takes care of this every year.

Then it was time to wish each other a happy holiday, clean up the room and waddle home thinking that the food was really good and we had a wonderful time!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

CVGS Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, 12/10

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The annual Holiday Luncheon of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society will be on Wednesday, 10 December, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Chula Vista Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue). To enter the parking lot, you have to be going north on Fourth Avenue or east on Orange Avenue. The Conference Room is at the west end of the building - enter through the door on the south side of the building facing the parking lot. The luncheon and program are FREE to attend.

The Luncheon will feature salads, ham and turkey, entree accompaniments, and desserts. If you are attending, please bring items according to:

* Surnames A- H bring desserts
* Surnames I to P bring entree accompaniments (potatoes, vegetables, etc.)
* Surnames Q to Z bring salads

The ham and turkey will be provided by CVGS, as will liquid refreshments.

Please contact Susi (619-690-1188, SusiCP(at)aol.com) to coordinate potluck items.

In addition, attendees are requested to bring:

* A wrapped gift for the opportunity drawing
* Unwrapped toys or non-perishable food items for donation to the Salvation Army
* A story about your best genealogy experience in 2008.

The program will include:

* Welcome by President Randy Seaver
* Recognition of former CVGS Officers
* Recognition of 2007-2008 CVGS Board of Directors
* Lunch
* Installation of 2009-2010 CVGS Officers
* Opportunity Drawing for Wrapped Gifts
* Door Prize Drawing
* Member Sharing "My Best Genealogy Experience of 2008"
* Happy Holidays!

We look forward to seeing all of our members at this gala event of the year!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - December 2008

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The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for December 2008 include

** Wednesday, December 10, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) -- CVGS Annual Holiday Program, featuring new officer installations, honoring past and present Board Officers, and a fantastic Holiday Luncheon (A to H bring Desserts, I to P bring entree accompaniments, Q to Z bring salads, ham and turkey provided, drinks provided).

** Wednesday, December 17, 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab. We will visit some helpful genealogy web sites. This is an opportunity for those members who haven't used computers for genealogy research to practice with a mentor to guide them.

** Monday afternoons (12 noon to 2 PM) - December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 - Genealogy Table Talk with Dearl Glenn and John Finch in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Library. They are ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a problem or success, or just tell stories.

** NOTE: There is no Research Group meeting this month.

The Chula Vista Civic Center Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).

We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the Chula Vista area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves. If you have questions, please email Randy at rjseaver@cox.net or phone 619-422-3397.