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.