Thursday, June 30, 2011

CVGS Program Summary - "Migration Patterns" by Susi Pentico

The 29 June 2011 program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society featured CVGS member Susi Pentico's presentation on "Migration Patterns."

Susi started by saying "What we think we are we don't know who we are" and surprised the 26 attendees by describing the prehistoric migration paths out of Africa to all continents, as defined by the extensive DNA testing (see the map at http://cac-ib-geography.wikispaces.com/Migration+maps).  Some of the unique cultures of prehistoric times, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Roman Empire, the Great Migration into Western Europe, the Middle Ages, and European Medieval times were described with maps and text from online encyclopediae.  The invasion of Iberia by the Berbers and Moors, the Vikings invasion of the British Isles and Brittany, the Black Death in the 1300s, and the religious turmoil of the Reformation were covered.  Susi noted that "every time you have an invasion, you have a mix of ethnicities." 

She went back to the DNA chart and discussing the migration of Asian people into the Americas during the last Ice Age over the Beringia Land Bridge.  Finally, the migration of Africans to the Americas was described as 13 different migration episodes, but only two of them resulted from the slave trade (see http://www.inmotionaame.org/migrations/index.cfm), but she did not identify the different episodes.  The concentration of African ancestored people in the USA was discussed based on the 1950 map on the African-American Mosaic website.

In the second part of the presentation, Susi discussed the migration of Europeans to North America,  noting that more Italians immigrated to the USA than any other European group. The migration routes used between the early colonial settlements, over the mountains after the Revolutionary War, and then the westward expansion into the Louisiana Purchase and the far West were shown.  The different colonial and westward roads were discussed, noting that many of them were along the same path as present-day highways.  Travel on rivers and canals, and then railways, were discussed (from http://www.rootsandroutes.net/index.html and other websites).

Susi's two-page syllabus was emailed to attendees - if you want one, please contact Susi  (susicp@cox.net).

Sunday, June 26, 2011

CVGS Program Meeting on 29 June - Susi Pentico on "Migration Patterns"

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The June program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) will be Wednesday, 29 June, at 12 noon at the Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) in the Conference Room.

After a society business meeting, CVGS member Susi Pentico will present "Migration Patterns."

Migration patterns from Europe to the American colonies, and then migration within the United States as the country developed, are important to know for genealogical research. Wars and conflicts that created mass movements across the oceans and across North America, and Native-American displacement by the colonists and settlers, moving from their traditional homelands to faraway lands, will be discussed.

Migration trails make a big difference when one is attempting to find elusive ancestors. The “lay of the land” is important to determine migration paths. This presentation will also discuss the types of travel used at various times and in different regions.

Susi Pentico has been a family historian, researcher and genealogist for more than 40 years. She started at the age of 12 with her Grandfather telling her stories while sitting on the old hay baler in Platte County, Wyoming. His daughter, her mom, was already doing research, and the stories he told just made Susi want to learn more and more about her family. When her first child was gravely ill, Susi's interest in her in-law's family was spurred. Susi is especially interested in Medical Genealogy, and in the North Carolina Lost Colony studies and related DNA studies.

Currently the Education Chairperson of CVGS, Susi believes that our youth are our future, and education for everyone is key. After teaching online genealogy on the "Golden Gate Forum" on AOL, she taught on the Genealogy Forum, including a full month Family History event online. Susi is currently working with www.GenealogyWise.com as a chat host once a week. She is a member of several other local, regional and national societies (NGS,NEHGS, OGS (Ohio), Southwest Pennsylvania, etc.).

Please note that this program is at the Chula Vista South Branch Library at 389 Orange Avenue (corner of Fourth Avenue) in the Conference Room, near the west door off the library parking lot.

Friday, June 17, 2011

CVGS Computer Group Highlights - 15 June 2011

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Computer Group meeting on Wednesday, 15 June had 10 attendees. 

Shirley Becker led the discussion, first visiting the Linkpendium website (www.linkpendium.com) and demonstrating how to use the state, county and surname search features (http://searches.linkpendium.com/websearch.html).  Shirley used her own research challenges to try to find useful information.  In the process, she found information on several USGenWeb pages (www.usgenweb.org) for her counties of interest, and some surname information on the Rootsweb Freepages (http://freepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/directory/genealogy.html website.

Most attendees then went merrily off on their own specific searches to find useful information about their family surnames, and the localities where their ancestors resided.

The next meeting of the CVGS Computer Group will be on Wednesday, 20 July, in the Computer Lab at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street).  There are 12 computer stations in the Lab, and the leader shows her screen on the wall using the LCD projector.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

CVGS Research Group Summary - 8 June 2011

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group on Wednesday, 8 June, had 15 attendees.

Randy gave a short presentation on Cemetery Records, discussing the different kinds of cemeteries; types of cemetery records; how to find a burial location; published, unpublished and online cemetery records; going to the cemetery; making your visits count; plus examples from his own research. 

Many attendees added comments, including "take a map of how to find the cemetery," "obtain a map of the cemetery grounds if possible," "take a cell phone," "take a voice recorder to describe the stones," and "check monument company records as well as funeral home records." 

Bobbie noted that not all graves are in family plots, and to look at all sides of the gravestone.  She displayed a gravestone rubbing of one of her ancestors.

Ann noted that the website www.GraveMarkers.ca was recently updated.

Karen noted that when her father was buried at sea off San Diego, she received a map with the exact location, and information about the U.S. Navy ship that performed the ceremony.

Helen contacted an Eastern Town Cemetery Association, which provided a helpful list of names from an index and cemetery record cards for burials with her surname.

Cynthia noted that people are buried vertically in Washington, DC in order to save space.  Others noted that cemetery space in some European countries is reused after a period of time. 

A general question asked was "What are the DAR and the FHL?"  This reminded us that we often talk in shorthand.  The DAR is the Daughters of the American Revolution heritage organization, which has an excellent website which includes the membership applications and ancestor information.  The FHL is the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, which has over 300,000 books, over 2.4 million microfilms, and over 700,000 microfiche sets.  Information about the microfilm and microfiche resources can be obtained from the LDS FamilySearch.org website, and they can be ordered at a local Family History Center.

The next meeting of the CVGS Research Group will be Wednesday, 13 July at 12 noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista).  The group will watch a webinar video on CDROM.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

June 2011 issue of CVGS Newsletter is online

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The June 2011 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter is available online for your information and entertainment. Go to: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/Newsletters/11_06june.pdf

The Table of Contents of this issue includes:

page 1 -- June 29th Program Meeting
page 2 -- President’s Message
page 2 -- Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 -- July 16th Workshop
page 3 -- Ask Gene E. Allogee, Tips and Techniques

page 4 -- Research Group News
page 4 -- Computer Group News
page 4 -- Upcoming Chula Vista Centennial Events
page 5 -- Bobbie Lane Accepted into French-Canadian Society
page 6 -- May 25th Program Review

page 6 -- June 4th Saturday Workshop Review
page 7 -- Computer-Related Genealogy News
page 8 --Upcoming Webinars in June and July
page 8 -- Family Tree Maker 2012 News
page 8 -- Historical county Boundary Map Tool

page 9 -- CVGS Society Information
page 9 -- San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 -- Genealogy Days in Chula Vista

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - June 2011

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The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for June 2011 include:

** Saturday, 4 June, 12:30 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita County Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room.  Randy Seaver will present "New England Genealogical Research."

** Wednesday 8 June, 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 June, 12 noon 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. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.

** Wednesday, 29 June, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) -- General Society Meeting meets in the Conference Room. Susi Pentico will present "Migration Patterns." There will be a society business meeting after the presentation.

** Wednesday mornings (10 a.m. to 12 noon) - June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 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.

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.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Randy Seaver presents "New England Research" on 4 June in Bonita

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The June 4th CVGS Workshop will feature Randy Seaver speaking on "New England Genealogical Research."  The workshop will be at 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road).

New England has a rich trove of genealogical and family history records, starting with the founding of each town, county or colony in the six present states.

In this presentation, Randy will describe the sources for vital records, land records, probate records, town records, family history books and periodical articles for Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont, including significant brick-and-mortar repositories and online research opportunities.

Anne Bowman on "Irish and Scots-Irish Genealogical Research" on Wednesday, 1 June


Anne Bowman will present "Irish and Scots-Irish Genealogical Research: Tips and hints to help with the search" on Wednesday, June 1, at 6 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library.

This presentation gives an overview of the subject matter and looks at the big picture of researching immigrant ancestors. We will review the historical context of these immigrant groups, which records hold the most promise (both in U.S. sources and those in the U.K.) and a list of useful websites and resources will be provided.

The Lemon Grove Library is at:  8073 Broadway, Lemon Grove CA 91945-2599. The library is in the corner of the shopping center on corner of Washington and Broadway across from St. John's the Cross Church and Anna's Rest. is on corner.

This is a free function.