Holiday Luncheon Photos

The 15 December Holiday Luncheon featured President Gary Brock thanking the outgoing 2009-2010 Board of Directors.  He called each member of the Board to the front, including:

From left:  Shirley Becker, Virginia Taylor, Barbara Ibaibarriaga, Gary Brock, Bernice Heiter, Ruth Himan, Susan Zimmer and Randy Seaver.

After the 2011-2012 Officers were sworn in, they posed for a picture:

The new Officers are, from left, Virginia Taylor (First VP - Programs), Mary Lou Montez (Secretary), Gary Brock (President), Bobbie Lane (Second VP - Membership), and Jaye Wright (Treasurer, not pictured).

CVGS Holiday Luncheon Summary

We had about 30 attendees at the annual CVGS Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, 15 December at the Chula Vista South Branch Library.  We tried something new this year - we set up the food service in the smaller conference room, which gave us much more space in the larger room for seating and eating.  Because Susi has been ill and was going out of town, Virginia managed the food presentation very well with the help of several other members.  The ham and turkey were purchased, and attendees brought potluck dishes for salads, rolls, entree accompaniments and desserts.

President Gary Brock welcomed everybody, and made sure that everyone had a door prize ticket and a gift exchange ticket if they brought a gift to exchange.  We had a moment of silence for the CVGS members, emergency first responders and members of the Armed Forces who have lost their lives in 2010.  Then it was time to eat, and everybody filled their plates and enjoyed the meal, and the table conversation with their colleagues.

Gary started the formal program by showing a 15-minute slide show "Out of the Past" with photographs of CVGS meetings and luncheons since 2005.  The 2009-2010 officers and committee chairs were then introduced and thanked, and pictures were taken for posterity.

Past President Randy Seaver then officiated at the 2011-2012 Officer Installation, reading the duties of each Officer and then swearing in the elected person to the Office.  There were more pictures of the newly sworn-in Officers - Gary Brock (President), Virginia Taylor (First VP-Programs), Bobbie Lane (Second VP - Membership) and Mary Lou Montez (Secretary).  The newly elected Treasurer, Jaye Wright, was not available, and will be sworn in at an early 2011 society meeting.

President Gary Brock presented an "Into the Future" message that encouraged the members to support their Officers and board, to be aware of the challenges that CVGS faces, and to be accepting of changes to society meeting schedules.

Finally, there was the wrapped gift exchange, the Door Prize (a large handmade Santa Angel donated by Bernice Heiter) drawing and the Opportunity drawing for the poinsettia table decorations.

A wonderful time was had by all in attendance, and was a fun and enjoyable start of the Holiday Season.

CVGS Holiday Luncheon is on 15 December

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Holiday Luncheon is on Wednesday, 15 December from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue, on southeast corner of Orange Avenue and fourth Avenue; the parking lot entrance is on Orange Avenue east of Fourth).  Park in the west end of the parking lot, near Fourth, and enter through the door facing the parking lot.

 The event will feature a slide show on the theme of “Out of the Past and Into the Future.” There will be an Officer Installation with past society Presidents doing the honors.

The luncheon will have turkey, ham, and drinks provided by CVGS. The pot luck breakdown for the rest of the meal will be (for last names starting with):

• A-F: salads, rolls, butter;
• G-K: snack trays, condiments, olives, pickles, cranberry or apple sauce;
• L-P: potatoes (regular or sweet), vegetables, or casseroles;
• Q-Z: desserts.  

Please call Susi Pentico (619-623-5250, or susicp) to coordinate potluck dishes.@cox.net

Members are requested to bring canned food and/or unwrapped toys for donation to the Salvation Army.

A gift exchange will be held (maximum value $10): bring a wrapped gift in order to draw one.

For the Door prize: everyone gets a free ticket to win a Santa or an Angel.

Opportunity drawing (tickets available for purchase): to win centerpiece decorations.

Meat leftovers will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.

CVGS Research Group Summary - 8 December 2010

We had nine eager genealogists at our 8 December meeting of the CVGS Research Group.  Randy encouraged attendees to sign up quickly for the Holiday Luncheon on 15 December, and passed around the latest copy o.f Family Tree Magazine, the American Ancestors magazine, and the book If This Land Could Talk. 

*  Ann described her two week vacation to Germany to visit her son, and her genealogy trip to Luxembourg, where her great-great-grandfather was born in Medernach.  She had visited in 1982, but did not take pictures of the family gravestones found in the cemetery.  Those markers are apparently long gone, since they recycle burial plots in parts of Europe.  There were stones for her family names, but they were not older stones.  She went to the local record office, and left family group sheets there.  After she returned, the office wrote a letter to her, and provided some birth and death records of her family members from the early 1800s.  The group suggested that Ann look in the FamilySearch Library Catalog for available microfilmed records, and to check the Luxembourg message boards to try to find cousins and determine what other records might be available in Luxembourg.

*  Myrna's Christmas gifts came early - two books on her Born family written by her mother's cousin, a family historian, that Myrna contributed to with photos and family information.  Volume 1 covered the families of the immigrants from Todenhausen in Germany after 1850 to northern Ohio, up to 1940.  The second volume covered the next generations, from 1933, and contains much information about living family members.  Myrna will place Volume 1 in a number of libraries, but Volume 2 will be held by family members only.  Myrna found this cousin on Facebook, and will visit the author on her next trip to Ohio.

*  Shirley is reviewing the sources in her database, and is editing place names so that the correct historical place name is used at the time of the events.

*  Virginia's shared the family book made by her husband's aunt using the MyHeritage web site, and sent it to Virginia's daughters.  The book included pedigree charts, vital information, notes, descendants charts and other information.

*  Kevin's great-great-grandfather was named John Brown, who lived in the San Francisco Bay area between 1880 and 1905, and then disappeared.  He knows the year he was naturalized, and wanted to know how to obtain the naturalization record.  The group noted that the National Archives would have any federal court records, but county courts might have them also.  The group said that Kevin should check city directories, voters registrations, newspapers and California death records to obtain more information.

*  Ruth talked about the Chula Vista centennial celebration in 2011, and the part CVGS members could play.  She said her 2011 resolutions were to manage her genealogy research better, and to have fun with genealogy and the centennial events. 

*  Randy bought a new computer with Windows 7, described his travails with email archives, using PhotoScape for photo management, using the FAN Club to track down elusive ancestors, and some details of his weekend visit to Julian historical museum, cemetery and library.

The next Research Group meeting will be on Wednesday, 12 January, at 12 noon in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Conference Room.

CVGS Newsletter for December 2010 is online

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter for December 2010 is available for reading at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/Newsletters/10_12dec.pdf

The Table of Contents includes:

*  page 1 -- December 15th Holiday Luncheon

*  page 2 -- President’s Message
*  page 2 -- Meeting Minutes and Board Minutes
*  page 2 -- 2011-12 Officers Elected
*  page 3 -- November 24th Program Review

*  page 4 -- Research Group News
*  page 4 -- Computer Group News
*  page 4 -- December 4th Saturday Workshop Review
*  page 5 -- The Ten Commandments of Genealogy
*  page 6 -- Book Review: The Journey Takers

*  page 7 -- Computer-Related Genealogy News
*  page 8 -- Target the FAN Club to Solve Elusive Ancestors
*  page 8 -- Lemon Grove Research Group News
*  page 8 -- Ask Gene E. Allogee, Research Tips and Techniques
*  page 9 -- CVGS Society Information

*  page 9 -- San Diego Genealogy Events
*  page 10 -- Chula Vista

Saturday Workshop on 4 December is about Charts and Forms

The December 4th Saturday workshop program is at 12 noon at the Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road in Bonita) in the Conference Room.

This session is titled "Research Charts That Help Organize Your Information" and will be hosted by Susi Pentico, the CVGS Education Chair.

The Seminar Committee found and liked the looks of some of the forms that interrelate to each other in researching and documenting your genealogy. The forms being presented will be: Research Calendar, Research Journal/Log, Research Checklist and Research Questions.


They will show how they ‘help a researcher locate past data that may be filed in a notebook that could/should be filed in a specific way, for ease of access.” The purpose of this workshop is to encourage attendees to use these charts in order to expand their chart knowledge and research organization.

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - December 2010

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for December 2010 include:

** Saturday, 4 December, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- CVGS Genealogy Workshop meets in the Community Room to hear Susi Pentico speak on "Genealogy Charts and Forms."

** Wednesday 8 December, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.

** Wednesday, 15 December, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Chula Vista South Library (389 Orange Avenue) in the Conference Room. This is the CVGS Holiday Luncheon and Officers Installation.  There will be another notice on this blog and an email with more details. 

** Monday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - December 6, 13, 20 - Genealogy Table Talk with Dearl Glenn in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He is ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a research problem or success, or just tell stories.

** Wednesday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - December 1, 8, 22 - Genealogy Table Talk with John Finch in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He is ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a research problem or success, or just tell stories.

** Wednesday evenings (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) - December 1, 8, 15 - Genealogy Help with CVGS members in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. They are ready and willing to help people just starting on their genealogy research, discuss a research problem or a success.

The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch 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). The Bonita Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.  The Chula Vista South Library is at 389 Orange Avenue (southeast corner on Fourth Avenue) - parking lot is off of Orange east of Fourth.

We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.

Please contact Barbara (email baribai@cox.net, phone 619-477-4140) for more information.

CVGS Program Summary - Georgie Stillman and "Heirloom Discovery Day"

One of the highlights of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society year is the November program meeting with Georgie Stillman, ASA, who presents an "Heirloom Discovery Day" with members' heirlooms as the subjects.  You can read about Georgie's credentials in CVGS Program on Wednesday, 24 November - "Heirloom Discovery Day" with Georgie Stillman, ASA.   This is CVGS' own "Antiques Road Show" program. 

Georgie provided basic appraisal advice, noting that "values are a reflection of what rich people and collectors will pay for an item."  In many cases, collectors items are status symbols and trappings of wealth, although items handed down by family may be well used.  Each person provided a brief summary of what they brought for appraisal and its' known provenance.  Georgie then described what the item was, the approximate time it was created, and its approximate value.  There were 12 items explained, evaluated and appraised:

*  Sidnie had 6 demitasse spoons handed down from her grandparents.  Georgie noted that they had Sheffield crown and leopard marks, were probably made in the early 1940's in England, and that the price of silver is now $29/ounce.

*  Helen brought a wooden potato masher or pestle, which was probably made in the 19th century.  It is handmade of hardwood and well used.  She also brought a handmade glass bottle with a leather cover and a stopper.   The cover has brand marks on it.  Georgie thought that it might be the booze bottle of a western cowboy or rancher, made in the late 19th century.

*  Donna shared a decorated ceramic pot handed down from her great-grandmother, who was born in Ireland.  It has a transfer decoration of four muses, and was probably made in the late 19th century in Bohemia or Austria.

*  Bob showed his "monkey band" figurines (8 figures about 1 inch tall holding different instruments) on a small platform with match trays.  His uncle bought them in Europe in the 1960s.  Georgie said the figurines were probably lead, made in Vienna before World War I, and were quite valuable, especially as a set.

*  Bobbie presented a stereopticon with a number of view cards, handed down from her husband's German ancestors.  The stereopticon was from the late 19th century, and the view cards from the early 19th century.  Georgie said the stereopticon was fairly common, but the view cards may have significant value, and that Bobbie should check online sites like eBay for values.

*  Susi had a "History of Monroe County, Iowa" book that may be one of a kind.  It was self-published in 1896, and it is not in the Monroe County library or historical society.  She also had a small child's toy table with a typewriter (about 1 inch high and wide) with some moving parts.  Georgie said it was German made in the 19th century, was gold finished brass, probably for a dollhouse, and fairly valuable to collectors.

*  Susan brought a 1929 World Series program (Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Athletics) in pristine condition, with player pictures and advertisements.  Georgie advised her to go online and determine the scarcity of it, and the value of it to someone interested in sports ephemera.

*  Mary presented a Christmas Tree music box ("Silent Night").  Georgie said it was high quality, but less than 50 years old, and may have more value in the future.

*  Janice showed her father's small Ronson silver plated lighter.  Georgie said it was a classic collectors piece because there is interest in smoking items.

*  Jaye shared her father's small pistol.  Georgie said that it was probably made in Germany in the 1960s, was in good condition, but she couldn't value it, and suggested finding a gun appraiser.

*  Marta had a long gold chain with charms and gems handed down from her family in Mexico.  Georgie said she was not a gemologist, and would need metallurgical tests to appraise the metal parts.

*  Joan brought a 6 inch ceramic plate of her grandmother's.  Georgie noted that it was handmade pottery, made in the 19th century in Germany, and of modest value.

This was a fascinating tour of some of our member's family heirlooms and a wonderful display of Georgie's knowledge and expertise. 

2011-2012 CVGS Officers Elected

The 2011-12 slate of officers to lead the Chula Vista Genealogical Society was elected at the Wednesday, 24 November society meeting.  The 2011-12 officers are:

*  President -- Gary Brock

*  First Vice-President, Programs -- Virginia Taylor

*  Second Vice-President, Membership -- Bobbie Lane

*  Treasurer -- Jaye Wright

*  Secretary -- Mary Lou Montez

The President, with the approval of the Board, will appoint Committee Chairpersons.  We will announce these appointments after they are made.

CVGS Program on Wednesday, 24 November - "Heirloom Discovery Day" with Georgie Stillman, ASA

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society program meeting on Wednesday 24 November (12 Noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library, (365 F Street, Chula Vista) Auditorium) will feature Georgie Stillman, ASA, who will present an “Heirloom Discovery Day.”

Georgie will evaluate, provide some historical background and estimate a value of family heirlooms brought in by CVGS members. Her expertise is in evaluating and appraising silver, China, glass ware, furniture, artworks,quilts and samplers.

Georgie Stillman (http://georgiestillman.com/bio.htm) has worked as a professional appraiser in London, England, Phoenix, AZ and San Diego since 1971. She served as president of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), vice president of the San Diego chapter, and was founding director of the International Society of Appraisers. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding service, including Appraiser of the Year.

Besides being a professional instructor at various colleges, she has made many radio/TV guest appearances and written articles for many publications, teaching audiences about antiques and art.

If you would like your item evaluated by Georgie, please contact Barbara I (619-477-4140, or email baribai@cox.net)  to get on the evaluation list -- there are a limited number of spaces on the list. Barbara has a form for you to complete and return by November 19th.

Please enter through the Conference Room door on the East hallway in order to register your attendance, pick up a program, buy a drawing ticket and have a snack before going into the Auditorium.

There will be a short business meeting before the program, including election the 2011 slate of officers.

New or Updated Databases at Ancestry.com

The new or updated historical data collections at www.Ancestry.com , listed between early Oxtober and early November, include:

*  United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Caribbean Obituary Collections


*  California, Mortuary and Cemetery Records, 1801-1932

*  Canadian Legal, Medical, College, Church and Business Directories

*  Quebec, Canada Land Grants, 1763-1890

*  Lubeck, Germany Draft Registration Lists for Persons Born 1807-1902

*  New South Wales, Australia, Register of Coroner’s Inquests, 1796-1942

*  Cancale & Hirel, France Census, 1836-1900

*  Brittany, France Court Records 1600-1790

*  Alcatraz, California, US Penitentiary Prisoner Index, 1934-1963.

*  Leavenworth, Kansas US Penitentiary Index to Inmate Case Files, 1895-1931

*  McNeil Island, Washington, US Penitentiary Photos & Records of Prisoners, 1875-1939

*  US Naturalization Records (Original Documents) 1795-1972

*  England registers and magazines

*  London, England, Baptisms, Marriages & Burials, 1538-1812

*  Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont, Italy Indexed Marriage Records, 1896-1938

*  Queensland Government Gazettes, 1903-1910

*  Australia Historical Postcards

*  Fife, Scotland Voters Lists, 1832-1894

See all New and Updated Ancestry databases at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx

New or Updated Databases on Beta.FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch.org has added new or updated databases, between early October until early November, for:

*  Germany, Ludwigshafen Church Record Extractions and Family Registers


*  Germany, 1890 - Mecklenburg-Schwerin Census

*  Ghana, 1982-1984 - Census

*  Norway, 1875 - Census

*  Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, 1836-2001

*  U.S., Arkansas County Marriages, 1837-1957

*  U.S., Idaho, County Marriages, 1864-1950

*  U.S., Minnesota State Census, 1905

*  U.S., Minnesota, State Census, 1865

See all Volunteer-indexed databases on the FamilySearch Beta site at http://beta.familysearch.org/

Research Group Summary - 10 November 2010

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group met on Wednesday, 10 November at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.  There were eight members and guests in attendance.

Randy started the meeting with introductions around the table, and then announced the upcoming November CVGS activities, and the need to complete the Member and Program Surveys.  Several attendees filled them out during the meeting.  The round table discussion included:

*  Ruth wondered about copyright issues for her January talk and her forthcoming book.  The group suggested that she use a release form for text or images she wants to use in the talk handout and the book.

*  Helen found an obituary for her brother that said he had 11 grandchildren, but Helen knew of only five.  It turned out that they were counting children of spouses of the children.  She added the information to her database for clarity.

*  Sylvia found wrong information in an Ancestry.com Member Tree and wants to correct it.  She will try to contact the submitter.

*  Shirley found family papers (dated 1927) in her file that contained four generations of her Sweet family data, including Bible pages that included a great-grandmother's maiden name.  However, one sheet claimed a Revolutionary War Pension File for her Benjamin Sweet (born ca 1780) that must be conflated with another Benjamin Sweet. 

*  Virginia reviewed Ancestry.com, Footnote.com and the index for the Southwest Pennsylvania newsletter for information about her Robert Dunlop of Washington County PA, with no luck whatsoever.

*  JoAnn talked to her aunt, who sent her research done by an uncle 40 years ago, but it was lost in the mail (empty and torn envelope).  We suggested that she contact the Post Office to see if they can be found. 

*  Gary is investigating the persons in the will of Timothy Roff that mentions many nieces and nephews, including his (?) Solomon Roff. 

*  Randy discussed his trip to Salt Lake City, and the two days in the Family History Library where he found Whittle baptism, marriage and burial data in English parish registers, searched for Vaux land records in Marshall County, Kansas, and the Revolutionary War damage claims in New Jersey.

The next meeting of the Research Group will be on Wednesday, 8 December at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.

November 2010 CVGS Newsletter is Available

The November 2010 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society is available in PDF format on the CVGS Newsletter web page - http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/page04.html.

The Newsletter Table of Contents includes:

Page 1 -- November 24th Program Meeting

Page 2 -- President’s Message
Page 2 -- October 27th Program Review
Page 3 -- October 9th Saturday Workshop Review
Page 3 -- October 24th Weekenders Review
Page 3 -- 2011-12 Board of Directors Nominations
Page 3 -- December 4th Workshop at Bonita Library
Page 4 -- Research Group News
Page 4 -- Computer Group News
Page 5 -- General Meeting Minutes – October 27th
Page 5 -- Board Meeting Minutes – November 3rd
Page 6 -- Board Meeting Committee Reports

Page 7 -- Computer-Related Genealogy News
Page 8 -- Sunshine Corner
Page 8 -- Program and Member Surveys
Page 8 --Lemon Grove Research Group News
Page 8 -- Historic Display at La Vista Cemetery
Page 9 -- CVGS Society Information
Page 9 -- San Diego Genealogy Events
Page 10 -- Genealogy Days in Chula Vista

Ancestry.com has Military Collections FREE from 11-14 November 2010

Ancestry.com announced that they are offering FREE access to their entire Military Records collection from 11 November through 14 November.

The link to this collection is http://www.ancestry.com/militaryrecords?o_iid=44911&o_lid=44911

The page says: 

"Before they were heroes, they were family.  Maybe even yours. In honor of Veterans Day, we remember the sacrifices made by our military every day, for hundreds of years. Who are the heroes in your family tree? Find out in the world’s largest online collection of historical military records, spanning from before the Revolutionary War all the way up to Vietnam."

Saturday Workshop on 6 November - "Research Trip Planning"

The next Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop will be this coming Saturday - 6 November at 12:15 p.m. at Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the Community Room. The workshop on "Research Trip Planning" will be presented by Susi Pentico.


Susi submitted this description of this workshop:

"This presentation will outline the items one needs to look at when planning a trip and wanting to garner more family information and vital records.

1.  Planning ahead is key

2.  Preparing your files for what you are looking for,

3.  Reaching out to those you will see, so they are ready for queries

4.  Enjoy the time, do not stress, you will miss to much that way

5.  Thank everyone in the end when you have completed your journey. This applies to family, library, courthouse, or any other agency you will come in contact with. It applies to parties, family reunions or libraries, and government agencies."

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - November 2010

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for November 2010 include:


** Saturday, 6 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- CVGS Genealogy Workshop meets in the Community Room to hear Susi Pentico speak on "Preparing for a Research Trip."

** Wednesday 10 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.

** Wednesday, 17 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. 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.

** Wednesday, 24 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Auditorium. After a brief business meeting, the presenter will be Georgie Stillman, who will appraise members family heirlooms in an "Heirloom Discovery Day" program.  If members want their heirloom appraised, they should sign up with Barbara I (phone 619-477-4140, email baribai@cox.net).
** Monday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Genealogy Table Talk with Dearl Glenn in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He is ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a research problem or success, or just tell stories.

** Wednesday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - November 3, 10, 17, 24 - Genealogy Table Talk with John Finch in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He is ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a research problem or success, or just tell stories.

** Wednesday evenings (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) - November 3, 10, 17, 24  - Genealogy Help with CVGS members in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. They are ready and willing to help people just starting on their genealogy research, discuss a research problem or a success.

** Sunday afternoons (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) - November 7, 14, 21, 28 - Genealogy Help with CVGS members in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. They are ready and willing to help people just starting on their genealogy research, discuss a research problem or a success.

The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch 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). The Bonita Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.

We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.

Please contact Barbara (email baribai@cox.net, phone 619-477-4140) for more information.

Chula Vista Centennial is in 2011

The city of Chula Vista will be 100 years old in 2011.  The city was incorporated in 1911, and is now the second largest city in San Diego County.

There will be a Chula Vista Centennial Expo on Sunday, 16 October 2011 in Memorial Park, featuring live music throughout the day, local companies and groups will showcase the roles they played in creating modern Chula Vista, and schools and other organizations are encouraged to re-enact key events in city history. Food booths and exhibits will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. around the park and along Park Way, between Third Avenue and Garrett Avenue.

Vintage cars will be on display throughout the day, and to add to the historic feel of the event, attendees are encouraged to dress in clothing from their favorite decade. The Expo will also feature winning entries from Centennial contests held throughout the year.

A Centennial book, titled  Chula Vista: A Century of People and Progress, 1911-2011 will be published. 
Chula Vista has the good fortune of being home to noted historian and retired USD professor Dr. Steven Schoenherr, who has volunteered his time to research and write the hundred year history of Chula Vista.  Supported by a Committee of 100 research team, the Chula Vista Library, and generous sponsors, Schoenherr's legacy will be a gift you'll want to keep and give.  Holiday gift certificates for pre-purchased signed copies will be available starting in November.

More information can be found on the Centennial Chula Vista web page at http://www.chulavista100.com/.  Readers can subscribe to receive email notices about the centennial events on the web page.

CVGS Program Review - Alfredo Pena's "Exodus"

The October 27th program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society featured Alfredo I. Pena's talk on "Exodus:  The Reasons for the Massive Immigration from Mexico to the U.S.”  Mr. Pena's CV was posted here.

This presentation was more about Mexican history since the 1910 Revolution against the Porfirio Diaz dictatorship than about genealogy.  Alfredo's theme was that there were a series of events in Mexico that encouraged migration of Mexican citizens to the United States.  He described the leaders of the 1910 Revolution (Zapata, Madero, Villa) and some of the ensuing Presidents of Mexico.  The Cristero War between 1926 and 1929 was caused by enforcement of the anti-clerical laws imposed by the 1917 Constitution and resulted in persecution of Catholic priests and adherents.  Some of his relatives were involved in the Cristero War and came to El Paso, Texas.

Mexican farm labor was welcomed in the U.S. until the Great Depression, which started in 1929.  A wave of anti-immigration sentiment arose as jobs became scarce, and legal immigration fell sharply and hundreds of thousands of Mexicans were repatriated.  As World War II started, American farms needed laborers and the Bracero program was started for Mexican farm laborers and railroad workers to work under contract, receive housing and minimum wages.  The Bracero program ended in about 1960.  During the later years of the Bracero program, and afterwards, Mexican citizens came across the border legally with visas, although the numbers were restricted.  Others migrated illegally to work and live in the U.S. because there were  employment opportunities.

Mr. Pena noted that finding records of Mexican migrants in this time period is difficult.  The most promising source is family records in your home or the homes of your family - he showed several immigration cards and passes provided by the U.S. Department of Labor in the 1920s.  There may be online databases on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org (e.g., the 1930 Mexico census) that can provide more information about migrants.

He also noted that Mexican citizens usually married twice after 1867 - once civilly, then in a religious ceremony.  The civil records can be accessed, but access to church records in the parishes can be difficult. 

27 October CVGS Program - Alfredo Pena on "Exodus"

The October general program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society will be on Wednesday, 27 October at 12 Noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street, Chula Vista) Auditorium.

The speaker will be Alfredo I. Pena on “Exodus: The Reasons for the Massive Immigration from Mexico to the U.S.”  He has given two earlier talks about Spanish and Mexican genealogy research in the last two months - this is the third talk in the series.

In this program, Mr. Pena will describe the effects of political events such as the Mexican Revolution and the religious war against the government (Cristeros) that fueled a massive migration from Mexico to the United States.

Alfredo Ignacio Peña was born in 1969 in Los Angeles. He has a degree in Graphic Design and has 25 years of experience with publications and advertising. He has worked with the Ahora-Now, Frontera San Diego, El Informador newspapers and with the PennySaver. Mr. Peña has experience designing publications, editorial design and advertising, and is a member of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Peña has studied his genealogy following a family tradition passed down for several generations and has been able to trace his ancestry all the way back to Charlemagne. In 2003, he joined CorGoMiUri, the family’s group of genealogists. He is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Genealogical Society of the Valley of Mexico, Genealogical Society of Northern Mexico, Society of Hispanic Historical & Ancestral Research, the Association of Professional Genealogists; is moderator for three of those associations; and is working on his lineage papers to join several lineage and hereditary societies. His biography was recently featured in the June issue of the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly.

Mr. Peña is the director and founder of Ancestros, Investigaciones Genealógicas (Ancestral and Genealogical Investigations). He was invited by the San Diego Family History Center to collaborate with them and is now helping with the Hispanic/Mexican research and history section the first and fourth Thursday of every month. He is a new member of CVGS.

Guests and visitors are welcome at all CVGS events, which are free to attend at the library.  Please enter the Auditorium through the Conference Room door so as to register your attendance, pick up a handout and a program, and have a snack.  For more information about this program, or any CVGS program, please contact Barbara at baribai@cox.net or 619-477-4140. 

CVGS Weekender Talk - "Why Have a Will?" on Sunday, 24 October

The next Chula Vista Genealogical Society October Weekender Talk will be on Sunday, October 24th, at 1 p.m. in the Chula Vista Civic Center Library Auditorium (365 F Street). 

The presenter will be CVGS Member Shirley Becker on “Why Have a Will? And What Happens if You Don’t?”

In this talk, Shirley will show examples of wills from her collection, and describe the uses of a will to help in your family history research.  She will also discuss the need for genealogists to have their own will, and steps that should be taken to pass on their genealogical research.

For more information about this program, or any CVGS program, please contact Barbara at baribai@cox.net or 619-477-4140. 

All CVGS programs at the library are free and open to the public, and we welcome guests and visitors.

New or Updated Databases on FamilySearch.org - October 2010

The new and updated databases on the FamilySearch Record Search Pilot website include (from early September through early October):

o  California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1835-1931 (last updated 15 September 2010)


o Civil War Pension Cards (90% complete, last updated 18 September 2010)


o New York, King's County Estate Files, 1866-1923 (last updated 10 September 2010)


o Rhode Island State Census, 1925 (last updated 10 September 2010)


o South Carolina, Civil War Confederate Service Records, 1861-1865 (last updated 16 September 2010)


o United States Census, 1910 (61% complete, last updated 12 September 2010)


o United States, Navy Widow's Certificates, 1861-1910 (last updated 16 September 2010)


o United States, Revolutionary War Compiled Service Records, 1775-1783 (last updated 16 September 2010)


o Czech Republic, Northern Moravia, Opava Archive Record Books, 1571-1905 (browse images only)


o Czech Republic, Southern Bohemia, Trebon Archive Church Books, 1650-1900 (browse images only)


o Germany, Baden, Church Book Duplicates, 1810-1869 (2% complete, last updated 16 September 2010)


o Spain, Municipal Records (browse images only)

See all Volunteer-indexed databases on the Pilot Record Search site at http://pilot.familysearch.org/

These databases are free for any researcher to access and use.  These records are also on the FamilySearch Beta website with a somewhat different search capability.  Some images on the FamilySearch Beta site require users to register for a FamilySearch account.

New or Updated Databases on Ancestry.com - October

The new and updated databases on http://www.ancestry.com/ since the last listing include (from early September to early October):

o  Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, 1958-2007

o U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland, Australian and New Zealand, Caribbean Obituary Collections


o Bavaria, Germany, WW1 Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918


o Canada, Germany and Austria, Italy, Sweden, U.K. and Ireland Historical Postcards


o London, England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921


o London, England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1980


o London, England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906


o London, England Poor Law Records, 1834-1940


o Alabama State Census, 1820-1866


o Chalmers’ General Biographical Dictionary


o Lubeck, Germany 1845 Census


o U.K. Prison Hulk Registers, 1802-1849


o U.K. Female Parole Licences, 1853-1887


o Canada, Selected Soldiers Service Records WW1


o Canada, Selected War Dead Records, WW2


o California State Census, 1852


o McNeil Island WA U.S. Penitentiary, Records of Prisoners Received, 1887-1939

See New and Updated Ancestry databases at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx

CVGS Research Group Summary - 13 October 2010

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group meeting was very lively, with several beginners and new members among the 12 in attendance. 

After introductions around the table, Randy noted the full plate of CVGS activities scheduled over the next four weeks.  He also noted that the FamilySearch Beta website had been given a new look, that the SDGS seminar on Saturday was excellent, and wondered if anybody had a research problem to discuss in depth.

*  Shirley found six newspaper articles in late 19th century New York newspapers on the Fulton County Postcard site that related to the death of Johnson Wright, a brother to her ancestor, Alpheus Wright of Otsego and Delaware Counties.  Each article, published over about two weeks time, had somewhat different information, and from it she was able to glean the death date, the circumstances of death, his burial site, his current and past residences, his age, a son's name and an uncle's name.  Those items may all lead to more records, and perhaps one will identify Johnson's parents.  The group suggested looking for the uncle in the census and other records, and checking for a county map that might show where the known family members resided.

*  Karyn was cleaning out a closet, and found the three boxes of her grandmother's papers - which included several photo albums with captions and lists of family sheets dating back into the 1700s.  She's looking forward to getting it sorted out and put together.

*  Sidnie asked about naming patterns for children, and if there was any significance to three generations of children named George Washington Helton.  The father of the first one settled in Washington County, Georgia in the early 1800s.  The group reviewed some of the naming patterns, mentioned naming locations after people, and using ancestral maiden names as middle names, but thought that the G.W. trail was due to admiration of the father of the country.

*  JoAnn is just starting her research, and needed family group sheets and a pedigree chart to get going.  Susi obtained some from the file cabinet, and helped her understand how to fill them in.

*  Sylvia asked about the wrong birthplace on a death certificate, and the group explained that birth information on a death record is secondary information and should be verified with other documents.  She thinks that her 3rd-great-grandfather adopted his step-father's surname, and is starting to research the birth father's name.

*  Jaye was grinning ear to ear as Ruth handed her a folder with the newspaper clippings found in Hutchinson, Kansas about Jaye's grandfather's death by a street cleaning truck in 1939.  The accident was the result of teenage joy-riding.  Ruth found several articles about the driver, including previous run-ins with the police, and his enlistment, service, capture and death in World War II.  Ruth also found the obituary for Jaye's grandfather, which provided family information and a burial place.

*  Ruth took her father "Wild Bill" to Kansas, Tennessee and Missouri on a three-week family history and father-daughter trip.  She found many interesting records, and passed some of them around the group.  They visited several family homes in Hutchinson and in Tennessee.  A great time was had, but Ruth is tired out and has a 6-inch stack of paper to sort through.

*  Helen has her new computer up and running, and her genealogy database and family photo collection were backed up and installed. 

*  Susi had a call from a distant New York cousin who is a town historian.  She found three boxes of papers in her files that were salvaged after a 1950s courthouse fire.  There was information relating to Susi's Jones and Mattison families.  The town historian will copy the papers of interest.

*  Karen was new to the group, and has the good fortune to have a file cabinet of her father's family papers on Norwegian ancestry and her mother's siblings Maryland Eastern Shore family research on English, Irish and Scottish ancestors.  She asked about places to search for records.  The group suggested the FHLC microfilms for family records, getting local library cards for access to online databases, using Ancestry.com and other databases at local libraries, checking FamilySearch.org, USGenWeb.org, Rootsweb message boards and Maryland State Archives.

*  Randy reviewed the local library online databases available, then described his Whittle research in online English, Australian, and American records.  He is off to the Family History Library next week to obtain original source record images for the English parish records, and whatever else he can find in the FHL resources.

The next meeting of the CVGS Research Group will be on Wednesday, 10 November at 12 noon in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Conference Room. 

CVGS Newsletter for October 2010

The October 2010 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter is available on the CVGS website - here.

The Table of Contents for this issue includes:

page 1 -- October 27th Program Meeting

page 2 -- President’s Message
page 2 -- September 29th Program Review
page 3 -- September 11th Saturday Workshop Review
page 3 -- October 24th Weekenders Meeting

page 3 -- November 6th Workshop at Bonita Library
page 4 -- Research Group News
page 4 -- Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 4 -- Computer Group News
page 4 -- Sunshine Corner

page 5 -- General Meeting Minutes – September 29th

page 5 -- Board Meeting Minutes – October 6th
page 6 -- Board Meeting Committee Reports
page 6 -- Program and Member Surveys
page 7 -- Computer-Related Genealogy News

page 8 -- October 2nd Fall Seminar Review
page 9 -- CVGS Society Information
page 9 -- San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 -- Genealogy Days in Chula Vista

CVGS Workshop on Saturday - 9 October 2010

The next Chula Vista Genelaogical Society workshop meeting will be Saturday, October 9th at 1 p.m. in the Community Room at the Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road).

\The workshop topic is "Probates and what you should know for use in Genealogical Research" moderated by CVGS member Susi Pentico. 

No other information about this program was submitted by the speaker. 

CVGS Fall Seminar featured Jean wilcox Hibben and Alfredo I. Pena

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Fall Seminar titled "Where Do We Go From Here?" (a sequel to "Who Do You Think You Are?") was today at Norman Park Senior Center in Chula Vista. There were about 50 in attendance. See CVGS Seminar -- Where Do We Go From Here? for the program schedule.

The speakers, the titles and brief summaries of their talks are in Jean Wilcox Hibben is Featured Speaker at CVGS Fall Seminar on 2 October and Alfredo Pena to Speak at CVGS Fall Seminar on 2 October.

Jean's first presentation was "Graveyard Gumshoe: Lessons Written in Stone" which had the audience in stitches as she regaled us with examples of her taphophilia. Did you know that on her honeymoon they visited graveyards from the California Gold Country to Tombstone, Arizona (fitting, eh?). She managed to show us many ancestral gravestones and the stories that went with them, plus provide advice on searching for them. At the end, she sang an original song of hers about gravestones of young children in one of her families.

CVGS President Gary Brock provided a short summary of what the Chula Vista Genealogical Society offers to members - monthly Wednesday programs, monthly weekend programs, a research group, a computer group, a newsletter, website and blog, plus a group of enthusiastic and helpful genealogists.

Jean's second talk was "This is Not Your Grandma's Genealogy: Making the Move from Paper to Electronic Record Keeping." This presentation covered decisions to be made, equipment to consider, and approximate cost estimates. A list of pros and cons about using a computer to organize your genealogical records was provided. Equipment discussed included computer systems (desktop, laptop or netbook) with pros and cons, Printers (inkjet or laser), Scanners (flatbed, handheld, or all-in-one), Storage media (external drive, USB drive), GPS systems, Digital Cameras and Mobile devices (PDAs, Camera phone, smart phone, etc.).

Lunch was provided by Jimmy's by the Park, a local restaurant, which served club sandwiches, Mexican pizza, spicy meatballs and cheesy bread, with a peach cobbler dessert.

Jean's third presentation was "Deliveries in the Rear! Getting Family History through the Back Door." She explained that her grandfather always said that "The best things come through the back door." She described searching for information to fill missing events in the lives of five ancestors - and finding data in newspaper articles, in military pension records, on eBay, in family letters, in wills and probate records, in local history books, in census records, in cemetery records, and many more. Often, the key to finding the records was the siblings, neighbors or associates of her ancestors. Jean sang an original song about the lives of some of these ancestors.

After a break, Alfredo I. Pena presented "Coming to the New World After the Conquest, 1600-1900" about Spanish and Mexican genealogical resources. Resources discussed included the Gary Felix Genealogy Page (http://garyfelix.tripod.com/~GaryFelix/index1.htm), the http://www.familysearch.org/ websites for databases and microfilm access, and the Portal de Archivos Espanoles (PARES, http://pares.mcu.es/) website for Spanish records.

Throughout the day, there were opportunity drawings for research services, books and genealogical supplies. The Door Prize was a one-year subscription to Footnote.com.

Jean Hibben's music CDs, CVGS books, genealogical forms, Chula Vista library information, and a computer table for research consultations were available at breaks throughout the day in an adjacent room. Several students from Chula Vista High School helped with the sales and information tables.

It was a major effort by CVGS to produce this seminar - the first held offsite in about ten years. The efforts of many CVGS volunteers were coordinated by Susi Pentico, the Seminar chairperson.

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - October 2010

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for October 2010 include:


** Saturday, 9 October, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- CVGS Genealogy Workshop meets in the Community Room to hear Susi Pentico speak on "Probates and What You Should Know for Use in Genealogical Research."

** Wednesday 13 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.

** Wednesday, 20 October, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. 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.

**  Sunday, 24 October, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Sunday Talk in the Auditorium by CVGS member Shirley Becker on "Why Have a Will ... and What Happens if You Don't?"

** Wednesday, 27 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Auditorium. After a brief business meeting, the speaker will be Alfredo I. Pena on "Exodus: The Reasons for Massive Immigration From Mexico to the United States."

** Monday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - October 4, 11, 18, 25 - Genealogy Table Talk with Dearl Glenn in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He is ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a research problem or success, or just tell stories.

** Wednesday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - October 6, 13, 20, 27 - Genealogy Table Talk with John Finch in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He is ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a research problem or success, or just tell stories.
** Wednesday evenings (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) - October 6, 13, 20, 27 - Genealogy Help with CVGS members in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. They are ready and willing to help people just starting on their genealogy research, discuss a research problem or a success.

** Sunday afternoons (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) - October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 - Genealogy Help with CVGS members in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. They are ready and willing to help people just starting on their genealogy research, discuss a research problem or a success.

The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch 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). The Bonita Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.

We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.

Please contact Barbara (email baribai, phone 619-477-4140) for more information. @cox.net

Program Review - "What Was Great-Grandpa Really Like?"

Paula A. Sassi, a Master Certified Graphologist, dazzled the audience of 50 at the 29 September program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society.  You can read the description of Paula's program and her curriculum vitae here.

Paula said that a master graphologist can "see into the souls of your ancestors" - and can find clues to the intellect, personality, education, physical and emotional control, self-image and ego, and social tendencies of a person, based on their signature and their writings by hand.

Her presentation including different handwriting styles from the 17th century to the present, detailing colonial writing, copperplate and English round writing, Spencerian writing, Copybook and Palmer method handwriting styles.  Examples of famous people from each time period were shown, with comments about what their writings reveal.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence, George Washington (from youth to elder), Abraham Lincoln, Jesse James and others were some of the examples discussed. She said that signatures reveal a public self-image, but writings often reveal much more than a signature does.

Baseline slope (up indicates optimistic, down indicates pessimistic), letter slant (to the right indicates future-oriented and concern for others, to the left indicates past-oriented and concern for self), relative size of ascending or descending parts of letters, form control (consistency in writing), letter size, connectivity and shape, writing pressure (light or heavy), g and y descender details, loops in lower case d's and t's, shape of capital I's, and several more indicators tell the graphologist about the person.  Paula has some free handwriting insights on her website at http://www.handwritinginsights.com/TransAP.html.  She also sells a kit called Handwriting Insights - 64 connected, illustrated cards that teaches handwriting analysis as you use it.

After the formal presentation, Paula analyzed about 15 writing examples submitted by the audience.  Gary scanned them into his computer, and then projected them on the screen while Paula analyzed each one.  This was fascinating!  Some attendees brought whole pages of writing, others had only signatures or entries in a vital or church record.

Randy brought in a page from a family Bible that had the writing and signature of Devier J. Smith, his second great-grandfather.  Based on the writing, Paula said that Devier was down-to-earth, logical, analytical, enthusiastic for ideas, opinionated and controlled. 

Paula is an excellent presenter, an expert in her field, and her presentation and analysis of the writings was a big hit with the attendees.

CVGS Seminar -- Where Do We Go From Here?

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) will celebrate National Family History Month in October by providing our Annual Fall Seminar. The program details include:

* Location: Norman Park Senior Center, 270 F St., Chula Vista

* Seminar Theme: Where Do We Go From Here?

* Date and Time: Saturday, October 2nd, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* SCHEDULE:

*** 8:30 a.m. -- doors open, Registration

*** 9 a.m. -- Keynote address, "Graveyard Gumshoe: Lessons Written in Stone," by Jean Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D., M.A., CG.

*** 9:30 a.m. -- "Introduction to Chula Vista Genealogical Society" - Gary Brock


*** 10:15 a.m. -- Session 1 - “Deliveries in the Rear: Getting Family History Information Through the Back Door” by Jean Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D., M.A., CG.

*** 11:30 a.m. -- Catered lunch (provided by CVGS)


*** 12:30 p.m. -- Session 2 - “This is Not Your Grandma’s Genealogy: Making the Move from Moving from Paper to Electronic Record Keeping” by Jean Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D., M.A., CG.

*** 1:30 p.m. -- Break: book sales, computer research.

*** 2:30 p.m. -- Session 3 - "Coming to the New World After the Conquest, 1600-1900" by Alfredo Pena, head genealogist for CorGoMiUri.

*** 4:30 p.m. -- end of seminar.

This program is designed to help people just getting started in Genealogy, New Members of our Society and Oldtimers who want to catch up on new resources.

Opportunity drawings will take place throughout the day, and a door prize will be awarded.

Used Genealogy books will be on sale and speaker's materials will be available for purchase.

* Registration Fee: Registration includes refreshments and catered lunch. $25.00 per Person until September 20, and $30.00 per person thereafter.

* To register, please print out flyer Click here, fill out the form and mail to remittance address on bottom of form.

* A confirmation packet will be returned by email if you include an email address, or by US Postal Service with last-minute parking and shuttle information.

For further information, contact Susi Pentico at (619-690-1188), or email at http://www.blogger.com/susiCP@cox.net

Or contact Virginia Taylor at (619-425-7922) or email at http://www.blogger.com/irishdoll@cox.net

29 September Program: "What Was Great-Grandpa Really Like?"

The September general society program of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) is on Wednesday, 29 September at 12 noon in the Auditorium of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista).

After a brief business meeting, Paula A. Sassi will present "What Was Great-Grandpa Really Like?"

The study of Genealogy helps people locate and track their ancestors, however, what if you could really gain insight into their true personalities including how they thought, processed feelings and interacted with others.

In this presentation, Paula A. Sassi, Certified Master Graphologist, will show you how the basic tenets of handwriting analysis can be applied to the research and study of your ancestors. By analyzing old documents, records and letters, you can discover what great grandpa was really like as well as many other people in your family lineage.

From colonial times to the present, you will learn how to discern personality and behavior from the strokes of writing no matter what the time period or heritage of the person. The information you learn at this presentation will allow you to gain further insight into your research efforts.

Paula has offered to analyze handwriting of your ancestors – please bring documents with ancestors’ handwriting with you, and sign up for it to be analyzed at the meeting.

Paula A. Sassi has worked professionally in the field of handwriting analysis since 1980. Owner and director of her own corporation, Paula serves a diverse group of clients in the area of personnel selection, behavioral profiling, and compatibility analysis. Top businesses and corporations seek her services for help in hiring and promoting personnel as well as in conflict resolution. Author of "Better Handwriting in 30 Days" and editor of "Handwriting Insights", Paula has been featured on national and local television and radio broadcasts where she analyzed the handwritings of the famous and the infamous. Author, consultant and lecturer, Paula will show you how to gain insight into yourself and others through the art and science of handwriting analysis. She offers you one sure guarantee - you will never look at handwriting quite the same again.

All CVGS programs are FREE and open to the public - visitors and guests are welcome!

Please enter the auditorium through the Conference Room on the east hallway to register your attendance, pick up handouts, and have a snack before the meeting. There will be refreshments after the speaker also.

For more information about this program, or any CVGS program, please contact Barbara I at baribai@cox.net or 619-477-4140.

Want Help with your genealogy research? Come to Table Talks

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) offers free consultations for your genealogical research problems on several days of each week.

The Table Talks are held at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Family Research section (just to the right of the public computer area against the north wall - please ask at the Information desk).

The current schedule for Table Talks is:

* Mondays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Dearl Glenn

* Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with John Finch

* Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Barbara I, or Susi P and Virginia T

* Sundays, 1 pm. to 3 p.m. with Susi P, Shirley B or Phyllis L.

If you want help with your family group sheets, your pedigree chart, finding a book in the CVGS genealogy collection, finding an obituary in the Chula Vista or San Diego newspapers, have a research question, or just want advice on what to do next, please come and talk to our knowledgeable members willing and able to help you.

Alfredo Pena to Speak at CVGS Fall Seminar on 2 October

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) Fall Seminar is on Saturday, 2 October from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Norman Park Senior Center (270 F Street in Chula Vista). Full program details are provided in CVGS Seminar -- Where Do We Go From Here?

Reservations must be paid in advance, and are $25 before 20 September (next Monday) and $30 after 20 September. CVGS needs to plan the luncheon, seating and handouts. Please register NOW!

Alfredo I. Pena will be one of the featured speakers at this seminar. His presentation will be:

* 2:30 PM - Coming to the New World After the Conquest, 1600-1900

Not everybody arrived in the New World at the same time with the conquistadors. Some of the Spanish families went to Mexico after the conquest. Find out which books and other sources can be used to find them.

Alfredo Pena's curriculum vitae:

Alfredo Ignacio Peña was born January 31, 1969 in Los Angeles,California. He has a degree in Graphic Design and has 25 years of experience with publications and advertising. He has worked with the Ahora-Now newspaper, Frontera San Diego newspaper, El Informador newspaper and with the PennySaver. Also, with the 107.7 FM radio station taking pictures of their events. He has experience designing publications, editorial design and advertising. Also reporting, photographer, covering events, and writing articles of interest for the newspaper. Also as an editor and public relations and promotions assistant. And he is also a member of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This experience has led him to start The Martel Group Advertising, an advertising agency.

Since 1986, Alfredo started to study his genealogy following a family tradition passed down for several generations and has been able to trace his ancestry all the way to Charlemagne. In 2003 joined CorGoMiUri, the family’s group of genealogists. He is also a member of the National Genealogical Society, Genealogical Society of the Valley of Mexico, Genealogical Society of Northern Mexico, Society of Hispanic Historical & Ancestral Research, the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Plazola Family page, is moderator for three of those associations and is working on his lineage papers to join several lineage and hereditary societies. His biography was recently featured in the June publication of the Association of Professional Genealogists. He's the director and founder of Ancestros, Investigaciones Genealógicas (genealogical investigations). He was invited by the San Diego Family History Center to collaborate with them and is now helping with the Hispanic/Mexican research and history section the first and fourth Thursday of every month.

Alfredo has written several articles on genealogy that have been published on-line. He is currently working along with two cousins on a book about families from the state of Jalisco and is scheduled to be published next year. There's another book he's writing by himself and is programmed to be published this summer.

Jean Wilcox Hibben is Featured Speaker at CVGS Fall Seminar on 2 October

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) Fall Seminar is on Saturday, 2 October from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Norman Park Senior Center (270 F Street in Chula Vista). Full program details are provided in CVGS Fall Seminar - Where Do We Go From Here?

Reservations must be paid in advance, and are $25 before 20 September (next Monday) and $30 after 20 September. CVGS needs to plan the luncheon, seating and handouts. Please register NOW!

Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG is the keynote speaker and is featured in two other presentations. Jean's three talks will include:

* 9 AM Keynote: Graveyard Gumshoe: Lessons Written in Stone

After a lifetime of visiting cemeteries, the speaker has had more unusual and even funny experiences than fearful events, as the ghost stories would have us believe are commonplace. This light-hearted look at about 50 years of wandering among tombstones will provide a few general tips, some laughs, and hopefully inspire others to investigate their ancestors’ final resting places.

* 10:15 AM: This is not Your Grandma’s Genealogy: Making the Move from Paper to Electronic Record Keeping

The computer age can be intimidating to those who have been keeping their genealogical records on paper. This presentation gives some tips to those who have not yet been convinced that modern technology has a viable place in the field of family history. The topics cover the advantages and disadvantages of computer over paper but do not detail all the “hows” of operating a computer.

* 12:30 PM: Deliveries in the Rear! Getting Family History Information through the Back Door

Sometimes the most valuable information is acquired by researching correlating families to one’s direct line ancestry. This presentation is designed to acquaint folks with the value of using “the back door” in their genealogical research. By using the family information of cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., one can piece together the lives of the entire family unit. Even using information about neighbors and historical events can unearth helpful data in one’s roots pursuits. Good presentation for beginning and intermediate researchers.

Jean's curriculum vitae is impressive:

A Board Certified genealogist, Jean Wilcox Hibben has been involved in family research for over 30 years. She is a member of the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Genealogical Speakers Guild (where she serves as secretary), various societies in the areas where she does research, the Association of Professional Genealogists (serving as president of the Southern California Chapter), and the Corona Genealogical Society (where she serves as president). She is also the Membership and Meeting Coordinator for the Riverside Folk Song Society. Jean maintains a website with information about her presentations, CDs, projects, etc.: www.circlemending.org.

Jean is a volunteer at the Corona California Family History Center where she trains Family History consultants and is also the genealogy instructor for the Soboba Band of the Luiseño Tribe of California Mission Indians. A native of the Chicago suburbs, she moved to Southern California in 1973 and obtained her bachelors and masters degrees in Speech Communication. She worked as a professor in the field for 13 years before leaving academia to pursue her passions, family history and folklore, and holds a doctorate in the latter. Jean is a national speaker in both areas and is known for her entertaining, as well as informative, presentations. She is a bi-monthly contributor to the on-line magazine, GenWeekly, and a frequent writer for other genealogy publications.

Jean has been playing guitar for over 40 years, learning a variety of other folk instruments along the way. She sees a connection between family history and music because, in learning about our forebears, we try to piece together the various elements of our ancestors' lives in an effort to create a complete (or as complete as possible) picture of who they were in their homes, families, occupations, religions, and activities. Their musical interests/involvement should be considered part of this whole picture, or circle, of their lives and that is the primary focus of her blog: www.circlemending.blogspot.com.

For 25 years, Jean worked as a square dance caller with her husband, “Uncle Butch” Hibben; they live in the Lake Mathews area of Western Riverside County, California and have 4 children, 24 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Jean’s philosophy is that “who we are is a compilation of our experiences and associations as well as our biological connections. When we understand our ancestors we can better understand ourselves. By doing this, we can complete our personal family circles.” This connects to her mission statement: “My goal is to assist others in their efforts to connect generations (past to present), completing the family circle.”

CVGS Research Group Summary - 8 September 2010

We had fourteen enthused genealogists at the 8 September meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) Research Group, including Ruth's father and his wife.

The session began with Randy sharing news of the CVGS meetings in September, the CVGS Fall Seminar on 2 October, the upgraded FamilySearch Beta site, and the book Shaking the Family Tree by Buzzy Jackson. We then went around the table and attendees shared their research interests and questions:

* John had one day at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City on his summer vacation, and shared brochures about the facility and briefly described his 7 hours of research there.

* Karyn asked how to find out if her Northern ancestors served in the Civil War. The group suggest the www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/ site to check for soldiers and sailors.

* Ruth introduced her father "Wild Bill" and Bill's wife, Yoly, to the group. Ruth and Bill are going on a research trip to Missouri and Kansas to investigate the family story about Bill's grandfather who, as a 14-year old, was put in a well to die, but escaped to succeed in life. Ruth shared a shoebox of old clothes worn by Bill as an infant. Bill told a few San Diego stories, too.

* Sylvia is still looking for records of her Theodore Krasky. He was said to be a 7th son of a 7th son from Prussia, born in 1825, who personally served Kaiser Wilhelm, but migrated to the USA in 1858, assumed the Krasky name, and lived in Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, and died in California. She has his naturalization record. The group suggested local newspapers, online message boards and mailing lists.

* Shirley has been tracing siblings and children of her Miller, Clancy, Wright and Plue brick wall ancestors in hopes of finding cousins with information to share.

* Sidnie is just starting her research, and wanted advice on how to search for her biological birth father's family. The group suggested obtaining vital records, then using the census to find his parents. They also suggested using the family group sheet and pedigree charts, joining CVGS to get help and guidance, taking a beginner's class, and using genealogy software to organize her family data.

* Gary shared three surname books from the Branson collection donated to CVGS - all written by Jesse Montgomery Seaver (who Randy says he is not related to).

* Ann has inherited many photographs with some persons identified and many not identified. She's trying to correlate them using the known names in the pictures in her whole collection. She also contacted a newspaper in Clark County WI for help on some of the photographs. Her husband's aunt moved out of her home after 46 years, and she is capturing family photographs.

* Randy recounted his research into Charlotte, an orphan born at sea and adopted by a Green family and married to David Hoke in Noble County, Indiana. The group suggested that Jane Green might be a relative of Charlotte's, like a sister or aunt.

The next CVGS Research Group will be on Wednesday, 13 October at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.

New or Updated Genealogy Databases - September 2010

...
1) New or Updated Databases at http://pilot.familysearch.org/:

o New Brunswick, Provincial Return of Births and Late Registrations, 1810-1906
o Newfoundland Vital Records, 1840-1949
o Prince Edward Island Baptism Card Index, 1721-1885
o Prince Edward Island Death Card Index, 1721-1905
o Prince Edward Island Marriage Registers, 1832-1888
o Mexico, Distrito Federal, Catholic Ch. Rec., 1886-1933
o Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages, 1815-1869
o Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947
o Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970
o Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850
o South Dakota State Census, 1945
o Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1955
o Austria, Vienna Population Cards, 1850-1886
o Belgium, Death Registration, 1851-1900
o France, Quimper et Leon Catholic Diocese, 1772-1909
o Italy, Napoli Province Municipal Records, 1809-1936
o Spain, Lugo Diocese Catholic Records, 1550-1930
o Sweden, Sodermanland (1640-1860), Uppsala (1613-1860), Orebro (1641-1860) Church Records
o England, Durham Diocese Marriage Bonds, 1667-1819
o England, Yorkshire, Allertonshire Marriage Bonds
o Chile, Concepcion Civil Registration, 1885-1903
o Jamaica, Civil Birth Registration
o Nicaragua, Managua Civil Registration, 1879-2007
o Peru, Lima Civil Registration, 1874-1930
o Sri Lanka, Colombo Dutch Ref. Ch. Rec. 1677-1900
o South Africa, Cape Prov. Dutch Ref.Ch.Reg.1660-1970
o New Zealand Immigration Passenger Lists, 1871-1915

See all Volunteer-indexed databases on the Pilot Record Search site at http://pilot.familysearch.org/

2) New or updated databases at http://www.ancestry.com/:

o Ellis Island Oral Histories, 1892-1976
o Boston Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1943
o US Naturalization Indexes, 1791-1992
o Book Indexes to Boston Passenger Lists, 1899-1942
o England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976
o New York County Supreme Court Naturalization Petition Index, 1907-1924
o Some Italian Family History Books
o U.S. School Yearbook Index
o England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861-1941
o Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007

See New and Updated Ancestry databases at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx

Ruth Himan's "Five Generation Pedigree Chart Classes"

written by Ruth Himan

Ruth Himan's "Five Generation Pedigree Charts" workshops on August 14th (at bonita Library) and 21st (at Chula Vista Library) were Spontaneous, Enthusiastic, Informative and Fun. The majority of the 21 class participants were established CVGS members, recent graduates of Genealogy 101 and a few new guests.

At the first presentation, the portion of Ruth's visual presentation available illustrated variances in pedigree charts. Presenting the same pedigree data in different chart types can aid in the analysis and comprehension of a family pedigree. A full 360 degree circle chart with starred special recognition of military personnel, was one fine example of a beautifully displayed pedigree chart.

The importance of three initial tools were emphasized:

1) a daily journal
2) a numbered, date-location formatted pedigree chart
3) a resource log to add research data

Of special note, was the fact to start simple "with what is known." Ruth started with adding her name to the first position on the pedigree chart, and to that were added three small penciled numbers-- 1, 2 and 3. Ruth then referred to her resource log and added her sources of information that documented her birth name, date of birth and place of birth - her birth certificate, her marriage certificate, and a Family Bible.

Next Ruth added her parent’s names, birth date/places and marriage information. She referenced (with small penciled-in numbers) where the data for these facts were documented, the repositories for the data, where to find copies, referencing surnames and locations (by country, state and county), dates and comments.


Variations of many pre-printed pedigree charts, resource logs, and starting forms available for use were discussed. Participants were encouraged to customize their genealogy charts and forms to meet their research needs.

A resource log can be used in the "first" steps of documenting data. As a resource log 'matures' it should be flexible and develop with added resource data. Each individual's resource log will reflect the uniqueness of each family history. Some examples of "unique" records for a particular family could include:


o arrival date/port/ship
o state/county at birth or state/county as known today
o records found at Church/Parish/Location/date

A Microsoft Excel file was used as a resource log to demonstrate the flexibility needed to add, sort, merge, and address resource data. Workshop participants were very surprised to learn how much data can be collected and recorded for each pedigree entry. The presentation demonstrated how essential this organizing of information will become in later genealogy research.

The Pedigree Chart of each workshop participant was reviewed for readiness for the CVGS Picnic Surname Game. Suggestions were given to expand, print and update these charts.

Other key workshop points included brief explanations on:


o The difference between an ancestry and a pedigree chart
o Genealogy Terminology
o Family Group Sheets
o Census worksheets
o Fun with Fact-Assumption-Conclusion worksheets.
o Preparation to get the most out of your visit to a library using on-line databases.

All of this information led into a lengthy and informative discussion on wanting more workshops to learn more. The participants were encouraged to add these class requests to their CVGS survey sheets.