Thursday, September 30, 2010

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

Saturday, September 25, 2010

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.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

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.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

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.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

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.”

Saturday, September 11, 2010

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.

Friday, September 10, 2010

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

Thursday, September 9, 2010

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.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

CVGS Newsletter for September 2010

The September 2010 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter is available for online reading here.

This issue features:

* page 1 -- CVGS 5th Annual Fall Seminar – October 2nd
* page 2 -- President’s Message
* page 2 -- August 25th Annual Picnic Review
* page 3 -- Saturday Class, September 11 (Bonita)

* page 3 -- Program Meeting, September 29th (CV)
* page 4 -- Research Group News
* page 4 -- Lemon Grove Research Group News
* page 4 -- Sunshine Corner
* page 5 -- General Meeting Minutes – August 25th


* page 5 -- Board Meeting Minutes – September 1st
* page 6 -- Board Meeting Committee Reports
* page 6 -- Class Review, August 14th and 21st
* page 7 -- Computer-Related Genealogy News

* page 8 -- Computer Group News
* page 8 -- August 29th Weekender Program Review
* page 9 -- CVGS Board Information
* page 9 -- San Diego Genealogy Events
* page 10 -- Genealogy Days in Chula Vista

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Saturday Class, 11 September - Alfredo I. Peña talk

The CVGS Saturday Class program this month features Alfredo I. Peña speaking on “The Conquest of Mexico: Finding Your Ancestor Among the Conquistadors.” The Class will be held at 1 p.m. at Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road), in the Community Room.

This talk will discuss the myths and realities about the conquistadors that came to Mexico in the 16th century. Some of the families that descend from them will be presented, and the sources that can be used to find a link to one or several of the conquistadors will be provided.

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, and 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 ofthe 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 forthree 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.

He 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.

Mr. Peña will also make presentations on these dates to CVGS:

o Saturday, October 2 Fall Seminar at Norman Park Senior Center at 2:30 p.m.: “Coming to the New World After the Conquest, 1600 to 1900.”

o Wednesday, October 27th at the October Program Meeting at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library at 12 noon: “Exodus: The Reasons for the Massive Immigration from Mexico to the U.S.”

For more information about this class, please contact Barbara I at baribai@cox.net.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Gary Brock's "Surnames and Their Meanings" Talk

written by Susi Pentico and Gary Brock, edited by Randy Seaver

CVGS President Gary Brock presented “Surnames – Origins and Meanings” at the August Weekender Program on Sunday, 29 August as a followup to the Surname Game played at the Annual Picnic, with about 30 people in attendance. Gary started his presentation by giving a history of the development of the use of names over history. He put up this nice word "Etymology."

He then gave us a history of language usage and name development. He explained the difference between a "common" name (given at birth) and a "Christian" name (given at baptism). Languages developed, not from an identifiable people or tribe, but rather in a group of loosely related peoples, still partially prehistoric, up until about 4,000 BC.

Gary showed a migration chart that depicted the migration paths of Homo Sapiens up out of Africa to the Middle East and then splitting, with one branch leading West into Europe and the other to the East. The chart showed that humans were in central Africa about 200,000 years ago, in the Middle East about 100,000 years ago, had migrated to East Asia by 40,000 years ago, and had migrated to the Americas by 15,000 years ago.

The earliest use of surnames was by the Chinese. Surnames were given so that the rulers could keep track of the people in their kingdom, region, or area. Soon, it became evident that they had to add another name to differentiate people with the same given name (e.g., taxes were collected, and one Henry claimed they paid when it was another Henry). By 1370, surnames were used through out most of Europe. Initially, people were named for either where they lived, what they did, or what they looked like. For instance, John who lives over the hill became John Overhill, Tom who lives at the Lang crossing of the river became Tom Langford, and Peter who lived near the woods became Peter Underwood. Patronymics were used in some areas, where the father’s given name was carried to the son (e.g., the son of Peter had a surname of Peterson).

Gary had created tables to define the origin and meaning of each of the surnames used in the Surname Game at the Picnic. Not everybody who played the game was at the talk, so he shared the information on the people who did attend the picnic. The first name shared was ERDMAN, which is also ARDTMAN and it means “armor.” He discussed the SMITH/SCHMIDT surname which covered many pages of data. The name SELF means servant; WEBER means a weaver of cloth; HOFFMAN is a farmer. He found nothing for BELLWOOD and two other names. He used Google, Ancestry and two or three other sites to find answers.

It was a very interesting talk because of the history of the human race and the language development was shared before the meaning of the various surnames.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - September 2010

...
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for September 2010 include:

** Wednesday 8 September, 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.

** Saturday, 11 September, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Bonita Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- CVGS Genealogy Workshop meets in the Conference Room to hear Alfredo Pena speak on "The Conquest of Mexico: Finding Your Ancestors among the Conquistadors."

** Wednesday, 15 September, 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.

** Wednesday, 29 September, 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 Paula Sassi, on "What Was Your Grandfather Really Like?" Paula is a certified graphologist, and will analyze handwriting of ancestors of attendees.

** Monday mornings (11 a.m. to 1 PM) - September 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.) - September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - 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.) - September 5, 12, 19 and 26 - 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.