The CVGS Annual Holiday Luncheon will be Wednesday, 14 December, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chula Vista South Library (389 Orange Avenue) in the Conference Rooms.
Turkey, ham and drinks will be provided by CVGS.
The potluck breakdown for the rest of the meal will be coordinated by JoAnn Bonner (phone 619-421-3628, email jabonner13@gmail.com) and Ana Castro (phone 619-781-8441, email crcastro@cox.net). Please contact them by 12/10 to coordinate the potluck dishes. The schedule is:
A to F Surnames: Potatoes (Irish or Sweet), Veggies, Casserole
G to K Surnames: Desserts
L to P Surnames: Salads, Rolls, Butter
Q to Z Surnames: Snack trays, Condiments, Olives, Pickles, Cranberry Sauce, etc.
A sign-up sheet was passed around at the 30 November program meeting.
There will be a free door prize drawing, and attendees may bring a bring one/get one gift exchange item ($10 limit). Attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food and/or unwrapped toys for donation to the Salvation Army.
A business meeting will be held to install the newly elected 2017/2018 Officers, name a new Life Member, and more festivities.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Saturday, December 3, 2016
CVGS November 30th Program Review - "Heirloom Show and Tell"
There were about 30 attendees at the "Heirloom Show and Tell" program on 30 November.
After electing the President (Ceasar Castro), First Vice President - Programs (Virginia Taylor), Second Vice President -Membership (Karen Smith), Secretary (Karen Yarger) and Treasurer (Sam Seat) for the 2017-2018 years, Jane Strawn introduced the ten presenters of their heirlooms one at a time, with slides on the screen showing the treasures.
The heirloom presenters and their heirloom treasures were:
1) Patricia Diane Godinez brought samples of and described her Desert Rose china collection, with the screen photo showing part of her collection.
2) Hazel Radtke brought her mother's glass spice canisters and told of her Hoosier cabinet from the 1920s.
3) Tameron Hodges talked about her great-uncle, Frank Hodges who was a "dirty" Los Angeles police detective from the 1930's. She has his badge.
4) Karen Yarger had photos of her Hepplewhite Pembroke table, made in 1790 and passed down from her Geoghegan and Dill families, which was too large to bring in, but photos showed the lovely satinwood inlays – and Gary Brock provided some interesting woodworking facts.
After electing the President (Ceasar Castro), First Vice President - Programs (Virginia Taylor), Second Vice President -Membership (Karen Smith), Secretary (Karen Yarger) and Treasurer (Sam Seat) for the 2017-2018 years, Jane Strawn introduced the ten presenters of their heirlooms one at a time, with slides on the screen showing the treasures.
The heirloom presenters and their heirloom treasures were:
1) Patricia Diane Godinez brought samples of and described her Desert Rose china collection, with the screen photo showing part of her collection.
2) Hazel Radtke brought her mother's glass spice canisters and told of her Hoosier cabinet from the 1920s.
3) Tameron Hodges talked about her great-uncle, Frank Hodges who was a "dirty" Los Angeles police detective from the 1930's. She has his badge.
4) Karen Yarger had photos of her Hepplewhite Pembroke table, made in 1790 and passed down from her Geoghegan and Dill families, which was too large to bring in, but photos showed the lovely satinwood inlays – and Gary Brock provided some interesting woodworking facts.
5) Linda Seaver shared
a portrait of her great grandfather’s McKnew family in front of their home
just after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Randy provided some family background.
6) Randy Seaver displayed a handsome ‘Union Case’ from the 1860’s, containing ambrotype portraits of his ancestors Isaac and Lucretia Seaver. Isaac was a Civil War soldier.
7) Virginia Taylor brought an elephant toy/doll, – it
started her on a lifetime elephant collection (she has over 500!).
8) Ceasar Castro brought his cell phone collection in a silver suitcase - it dates to the 1980s.
9) Bobbie Lane reminisced
about the old family farm in Lake County, Illinois. One of her
souvenirs is a birdhouse made from the wood of the 1902 barn; and she
is so fortunate to have a 1995 video recording of her brother walking
around the property, filming and recording family memories.
10) Susan Zimmer's treasure
was her father’s WW II army uniform from when he was stationed in
Australia and New Guinea. She also showed off an authentic
boomerang, which she no longer is able to master.
The stories about the treasures were as interesting as the heirlooms were. This was a fun program, and may become an annual event at CVGS.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - December 2016
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for December 2016 include:
** Saturday, \3 December, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Carole Sobke will discuss "Family Hobby Ties to Research." Saturday Workshops are to discuss and demonstrate genealogy and family history topics, especially related to computers, software and websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 14 December, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- There will be no CVGS Research Group meeting this month.
** Wednesday, 21 December, 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- There will be no CVGS Computer Group meeting this month.
** Wednesday, 14 December, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) -- CVGS Annual Holiday Luncheon will be in the west conference rooms.
** Wednesday, 7 December, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
** Saturday, \3 December, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Carole Sobke will discuss "Family Hobby Ties to Research." Saturday Workshops are to discuss and demonstrate genealogy and family history topics, especially related to computers, software and websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 14 December, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- There will be no CVGS Research Group meeting this month.
** Wednesday, 21 December, 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- There will be no CVGS Computer Group meeting this month.
** Wednesday, 14 December, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) -- CVGS Annual Holiday Luncheon will be in the west conference rooms.
** Wednesday, 7 December, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
Friday, November 18, 2016
November 30th CVGS Program is "Heirloom Show and Tell"
Wednesday, 30 November 2016, 12 noon To 2 p.m.
Program Meeting
“Heirloom Show and Tell”
Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910)
Due to illness, Georgie Stillman will not be presenting her usual “Heirloom Discovery Day” program.
However, Jane Strawn is organizing and will host an “Heirloom Show and Tell” program, with members displaying their heirlooms and telling the stories about their heirlooms.
Please bring in your family treasures to share with the group. If you can carry it, you can bring it! If possible, send Jane a photo of your item so it can be projected on the screen.
Email or phone and let Jane know if you will be bringing in a Family Treasure. Don’t forget the story. Contact Jane Strawn (email jstrawn2@cox.net, phone 619 434-4051).
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
CVGS Newsletter for November 2016 is Published
The November 2016 newsletter of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society was published last week.
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll yourm ouse over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - November 30th Family History Day
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - December 3rd Saturday Workshop
page 3 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 3 - October 1st Saturday Workshop Review
page 4 - October 22nd Family History Day Review
page 5 - CVGS Officer Nominations for 2017/18
page 6 - October Research Group Review
page 7 - December 14th Holiday Luncheon
page 7 - October 19th Lemon Grove Reviewpage 8 - SDGS/SDHC Genealogy Day Review
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll yourm ouse over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - November 30th Family History Day
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - December 3rd Saturday Workshop
page 3 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 3 - October 1st Saturday Workshop Review
page 4 - October 22nd Family History Day Review
page 5 - CVGS Officer Nominations for 2017/18
page 6 - October Research Group Review
page 7 - December 14th Holiday Luncheon
page 7 - October 19th Lemon Grove Reviewpage 8 - SDGS/SDHC Genealogy Day Review
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Friday, November 11, 2016
November 2016 Research Group Summary
The 9 November 2016 meeting of the CVGS Research Group had 20 attendees.
In the first hour, Randy discussed:
* Three recently published books - Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques; Organize Your Genealogy; Genetic Genealogy in Practice - and passed them around the group.
* Finding grandsons' 2nd great-grandparents birth and marriage records in Italian Civil Registration records on FamilySearch.
* Solving the mystery of Edward E. Seaver's parents using two newspaper articles and several online records, including an article that was about a man dying in a factory accident and leaving a pregnant wife.
* MyHeritage announced MyHeritageDNA service with ethnicity estimates and member matches.
* The We're Related mobile app by Ancestry.com.
In the second hour, group members discussed their research problems and successes, including:
* Karen S. has found interesting relatives on the We're Related app, including Barack Obama and Marilyn Monroe.
* Ralph enjoyed the CVGS Family History Day. He commented about the new system at 23andMe - he wrote a match who didn't respond, but the match was able to obtain his name and information.
* Karen Y. noted that the day was the 396th anniversary of sighting Cape Cod aboard the Mayflower.
* Ana found 1890 tax records from New Mexico in a book on the Chula Vista library shelf.
* Ceasar took the FamilyTreeDNA Big Y test, and needs to work with it more.
* Linda bought three autosomal DNA kits at the 10/22 genetic genealogy conference and will test her family members.
* Arlene read the book Seven Daughters of Eve and recommended it to her family.
* Susi and Mary went to the FamilySearch Library to investigate how to obtain the 1899 naturalization record for Antony Casper. They were told they need to contact the county probate court for the record.
* Sam took a research trip to Tennessee. He met a cousin at the library, and found a naturalization record and a marriage record immediately. He also went to the State Archives and determined that vital records started in 1908.
* Shirley is putting information from an 800 page surname book for the Greene family in Rhode Island into a separate family tree database.
* Bobbie is regrouping and has decided to work on three brickwall problems.
The next CVGS Research Group meeting will be 11 Janary 2017 at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista) at 12 noon in the Conference Room.
NOTE: There is no Research Group meeting in December on 14 December - that is the date of the Annual Holiday Luncheon at South Chula Vista Library.
In the first hour, Randy discussed:
* Three recently published books - Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques; Organize Your Genealogy; Genetic Genealogy in Practice - and passed them around the group.
* Finding grandsons' 2nd great-grandparents birth and marriage records in Italian Civil Registration records on FamilySearch.
* Solving the mystery of Edward E. Seaver's parents using two newspaper articles and several online records, including an article that was about a man dying in a factory accident and leaving a pregnant wife.
* MyHeritage announced MyHeritageDNA service with ethnicity estimates and member matches.
* The We're Related mobile app by Ancestry.com.
In the second hour, group members discussed their research problems and successes, including:
* Karen S. has found interesting relatives on the We're Related app, including Barack Obama and Marilyn Monroe.
* Ralph enjoyed the CVGS Family History Day. He commented about the new system at 23andMe - he wrote a match who didn't respond, but the match was able to obtain his name and information.
* Karen Y. noted that the day was the 396th anniversary of sighting Cape Cod aboard the Mayflower.
* Ana found 1890 tax records from New Mexico in a book on the Chula Vista library shelf.
* Ceasar took the FamilyTreeDNA Big Y test, and needs to work with it more.
* Linda bought three autosomal DNA kits at the 10/22 genetic genealogy conference and will test her family members.
* Arlene read the book Seven Daughters of Eve and recommended it to her family.
* Susi and Mary went to the FamilySearch Library to investigate how to obtain the 1899 naturalization record for Antony Casper. They were told they need to contact the county probate court for the record.
* Sam took a research trip to Tennessee. He met a cousin at the library, and found a naturalization record and a marriage record immediately. He also went to the State Archives and determined that vital records started in 1908.
* Shirley is putting information from an 800 page surname book for the Greene family in Rhode Island into a separate family tree database.
* Bobbie is regrouping and has decided to work on three brickwall problems.
The next CVGS Research Group meeting will be 11 Janary 2017 at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista) at 12 noon in the Conference Room.
NOTE: There is no Research Group meeting in December on 14 December - that is the date of the Annual Holiday Luncheon at South Chula Vista Library.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
October 22nd Family History Day Was a Success!
This article was written by CVGS member Karen Yarger.
Saturday, October 22 was a great day for our Society. After months of planning, our free community-wide Family History Day opened at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library to a waiting crowd of seventeen people, eager to see what “this genealogy thing” was all about, or at least to have fun with the various family history-focused activities. Over 120 people enjoyed the day. Our theme was “Ancestors Matter! What Do You Know? What Can You Find?” which was revealed on the new bright green CVGS T-shirts worn by volunteers (and which you can order from Jane Strawn).
Guests were greeted by colorful posters directing them to various activities and a Welcome Table, laden with “freebies.”
The Library was divided into color-coded areas, marked by balloons and bright signs. The children’s area, decorated with yellow balloons and Dr. Seuss posters, offered story times and family-themed crafts for children of all ages.
Other areas, each with their own color scheme, were devoted to “First Steps” in genealogy research, filling out 5-generation charts, and working with one of our volunteers on computer research.
Have you visited our genealogy collection at the Library? Our collection was highlighted to visitors, as were the Library’s books available for check out.
At 10:30 a.m., Randy Seaver gave the keynote address “Be an Ancestor Detective,” with an excellent handout filled with resources for the beginner and advanced alike. Between speakers, Gary Brock ran a series of genealogy-themed videos, running simultaneously in the auditorium and on TVs throughout the Library.
The highlight of the day was Ceasar Castro’s noontime presentation of the family tree of Chula Vista’s mayor in “Who is Mayor Mary Casillas Salas?” in which he presented his research of several generations of the Mayor’s family accompanied by family photos and comments from the Mayor herself. An audience of nearly sixty included many members of Mayor Salas’ family.
Ralph Munoz and Jo Ann Bonner took pictures throughout the day, and they’ll be posted on our website soon.
The organizing committee was chaired by Jane Strawn, who worked with Library Branch Manager Erni Barros, and a team of enthusiastic and talented volunteers.
We are already planning next year’s Family History Day. As great as this day was, next year’s promises to be even bigger and better!
Saturday, October 22 was a great day for our Society. After months of planning, our free community-wide Family History Day opened at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library to a waiting crowd of seventeen people, eager to see what “this genealogy thing” was all about, or at least to have fun with the various family history-focused activities. Over 120 people enjoyed the day. Our theme was “Ancestors Matter! What Do You Know? What Can You Find?” which was revealed on the new bright green CVGS T-shirts worn by volunteers (and which you can order from Jane Strawn).
Guests were greeted by colorful posters directing them to various activities and a Welcome Table, laden with “freebies.”
The Library was divided into color-coded areas, marked by balloons and bright signs. The children’s area, decorated with yellow balloons and Dr. Seuss posters, offered story times and family-themed crafts for children of all ages.
Other areas, each with their own color scheme, were devoted to “First Steps” in genealogy research, filling out 5-generation charts, and working with one of our volunteers on computer research.
Have you visited our genealogy collection at the Library? Our collection was highlighted to visitors, as were the Library’s books available for check out.
At 10:30 a.m., Randy Seaver gave the keynote address “Be an Ancestor Detective,” with an excellent handout filled with resources for the beginner and advanced alike. Between speakers, Gary Brock ran a series of genealogy-themed videos, running simultaneously in the auditorium and on TVs throughout the Library.
The highlight of the day was Ceasar Castro’s noontime presentation of the family tree of Chula Vista’s mayor in “Who is Mayor Mary Casillas Salas?” in which he presented his research of several generations of the Mayor’s family accompanied by family photos and comments from the Mayor herself. An audience of nearly sixty included many members of Mayor Salas’ family.
Ralph Munoz and Jo Ann Bonner took pictures throughout the day, and they’ll be posted on our website soon.
The organizing committee was chaired by Jane Strawn, who worked with Library Branch Manager Erni Barros, and a team of enthusiastic and talented volunteers.
We are already planning next year’s Family History Day. As great as this day was, next year’s promises to be even bigger and better!
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
CVGS workshop on "AllWay Sync" is Saturday, 5 November
When: Saturday, 5 November 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location, Bonita-Sunnyside Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902,
CVGS Workshop:, Yet Another Way to Backup, "ALLWAY SYNC", Presented by: Gary Brock
This will be a demonstration of one of the easiest and most comprehensive ways to keep your files, photos and documents backed up and synchronized on a local device. The device can then be taken off-site (recommended) for safety when the crash occurs, and it will, and this app is free. It's called AllwaySync., Bring your laptop and an external storage device (500 GB or more recommended) if you would like to download the app and try it out
Handouts for the program:, "Family Holiday Letters, Why They Are Important", Will be available at this workshop., due to request to have Gary present this program after our last month program.
Please register for this event if you can, if you plan to attend so we may better prepare the venue.
Location, Bonita-Sunnyside Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902,
CVGS Workshop:, Yet Another Way to Backup, "ALLWAY SYNC", Presented by: Gary Brock
This will be a demonstration of one of the easiest and most comprehensive ways to keep your files, photos and documents backed up and synchronized on a local device. The device can then be taken off-site (recommended) for safety when the crash occurs, and it will, and this app is free. It's called AllwaySync., Bring your laptop and an external storage device (500 GB or more recommended) if you would like to download the app and try it out
Handouts for the program:, "Family Holiday Letters, Why They Are Important", Will be available at this workshop., due to request to have Gary present this program after our last month program.
Please register for this event if you can, if you plan to attend so we may better prepare the venue.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Genealogy Days in Chula vista - November 2016
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for November 2016 include:
** Saturday, 5 November, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Gary Brock will demonstrate use of an "AllWay Sync" device. Saturday Workshops are for hands-on experience with computers, software, websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 9 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the 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, 16 November, 10:15 a.m. 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. Bring your laptops to sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 30 November, 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Program Meeting meets in the Auditorium. The program speaker will be a number of CVGS Members on "Heirloom Show and Tell." The business meeting will be after the presentation. Refreshments before and after the meeting.
** Wednesdays, 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 November, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
** Saturday, 5 November, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Gary Brock will demonstrate use of an "AllWay Sync" device. Saturday Workshops are for hands-on experience with computers, software, websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 9 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the 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, 16 November, 10:15 a.m. 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. Bring your laptops to sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 30 November, 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Program Meeting meets in the Auditorium. The program speaker will be a number of CVGS Members on "Heirloom Show and Tell." The business meeting will be after the presentation. Refreshments before and after the meeting.
** Wednesdays, 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 November, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Family History Day is 22 October 2016 at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library
CVGS and the Chula Vista Library are sponsoring a FREE Family History Day at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Saturday, 22 October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Randy Seaver will give the keynote address, "Be An Ancestor Detective," at 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium.
At 12 noon, Ceasar Castro will present "Who Is Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas?" in the Auditorium, a "Who Do You Think You Are?" style program which will explore the family history of our Mayor with her in attendance.
There are also workshops throughout the day for:
* How to Build a Family Tree
* How to Search for Ancestors for Free
* How to Interest Your Family In Its History
* Crafts for Children
* See Your Library's Genealogical Resources
The flyer for this event is:
There is more information on the CVGS website, www.CVGenealogy.org.
Randy Seaver will give the keynote address, "Be An Ancestor Detective," at 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium.
At 12 noon, Ceasar Castro will present "Who Is Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas?" in the Auditorium, a "Who Do You Think You Are?" style program which will explore the family history of our Mayor with her in attendance.
There are also workshops throughout the day for:
* How to Build a Family Tree
* How to Search for Ancestors for Free
* How to Interest Your Family In Its History
* Crafts for Children
* See Your Library's Genealogical Resources
The flyer for this event is:
There is more information on the CVGS website, www.CVGenealogy.org.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
No CVGS Program Meeting on Wednesday, 26 October
There will not be a CVGS Program meeting on Wednesday, 26 October due to the CVGS/CVPL Family History Day program on 22 October.
Please see the notice for the Family History Day at http://cvgencafe.blogspot.com/2016/10/family-history-day-is-22-october-2016.html.
Please see the notice for the Family History Day at http://cvgencafe.blogspot.com/2016/10/family-history-day-is-22-october-2016.html.
Monday, October 17, 2016
The October 2016 newsletter of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society was published last week.
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - October 22nd Family History Day
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 2 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - November 5th Saturday Workshop
page 3 - October 1st Saturday Workshop Reviewpage 4 - September 28th Program Review
page 5 - SDGS/SDHC Genealogy Day on 15 October
page 5 - CVGS Officer Nominations for 2017/18
page 5 - French-Canadian Research Periodicalspage 6 - September Research Group Review
page 6 - Recent Genealogy News
page 7 - LOCKSS - Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe
page 7 - Geni Pro is on Library Computers
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - October 22nd Family History Day
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 2 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - November 5th Saturday Workshop
page 3 - October 1st Saturday Workshop Reviewpage 4 - September 28th Program Review
page 5 - SDGS/SDHC Genealogy Day on 15 October
page 5 - CVGS Officer Nominations for 2017/18
page 5 - French-Canadian Research Periodicalspage 6 - September Research Group Review
page 6 - Recent Genealogy News
page 7 - LOCKSS - Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe
page 7 - Geni Pro is on Library Computers
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Friday, October 14, 2016
CVGS Research Group Review - 12 October 2016
The October 12th Research Group meeting had 16 members in attendance.
In the first hour, Randy discussed:
* The Spyglass File, a forensic genealogy mystery by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, set in World War II England, was fascinating. It is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.
* The GEDmatch.com website, which analyzes raw autosomal data from AncestryDNA, 23andMe or FamilyTreeDNA, is a FREE website that analyzes your ethnicity and provides a chromosome browser to show matches with other GEDmatch users.
* The group watched the first 30 minutes of the "FAN + GPS + DNA: The Problem-Solver's Great Trifecta" presentation by Elizabeth Shown Mills. FAN refers to the Friends, Family, Associates and Neighbors concept, GPS refers to the Genealogical Proof Standard, and DNA refers to DNA testing and analysis. The webinar is in the Archives of FamilyTreeWebinars.com. Randy encouraged the attendees to watch the rest of the webinar before 17 October while it is free to watch.
In the second hour, we went around the table to hear research problems, questions and successes of the attendees:
* Diane had a fabulous find of a link to an important historical person - Cristobal Colon. the great-granddaughter of her 22nd great-grandfather, Garcia de Toledo in Spain, married Diego Colon, son of Cristobal Colon. She used the FamilySearch Family Tree to find this relationship.
* Bobbie sent family group sheets for her Titus family to the Lake County, Illinois, Genealogical Society for their files that shows the family coming from Germany and settling in Lake County, Illinois.
* Bobbie's husband's son has 25% Native-American ancestry according to an autosomal DNA test. There was great information about Native-American research in the latest issue of Family Tree Magazine.
* Shirley gleaned several ideas for solving her brick wall problems in upstate New York from the Elizabeth Shown Mills webinar. She has received many Record Hints for her ancestral families from FamilySearch and MyHeritage.
* Arlene found a cousin - the writer of the On Granny's Trail blog, who was on a recent radio/podcast program and talked about Arlene's mother's ancestors. Her mother's uncle is buried in American Samoa, and Mormon missionaries to American Samoa took photos of gravestones there.
* Helen's mother's first cousin took an autosomal DNA test and she is awaiting the results.
* Mary N. found a naturalization record in a FamilySearch index for Antony Casper in 1899 in Ohio. She asked how to obtain the record. We brought the index card up on the screen, and it said the record was in Volume 3, page 350 of the Jefferson County, Ohio probate records, which can be obtained on Family History Library microfilm.
* Bea, who is new to genealogy research, is finding information on FamilySearch to verify her mother's information.
* Ana has been searching new records for Mexico on FamilySearch and is back to her 4th great-grandparents.
* JoAnn made a 32 page chart on MyHeritage and put it on a wall at her home. It's interesting to see the extent of the family. She is trying to find her grandson's ancestry in Guam; her son-in-law has found a cousin.
The next meeting of the CVGS Research Group will be on Wednesday, 9 November at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
In the first hour, Randy discussed:
* The Spyglass File, a forensic genealogy mystery by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, set in World War II England, was fascinating. It is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.
* The GEDmatch.com website, which analyzes raw autosomal data from AncestryDNA, 23andMe or FamilyTreeDNA, is a FREE website that analyzes your ethnicity and provides a chromosome browser to show matches with other GEDmatch users.
* The group watched the first 30 minutes of the "FAN + GPS + DNA: The Problem-Solver's Great Trifecta" presentation by Elizabeth Shown Mills. FAN refers to the Friends, Family, Associates and Neighbors concept, GPS refers to the Genealogical Proof Standard, and DNA refers to DNA testing and analysis. The webinar is in the Archives of FamilyTreeWebinars.com. Randy encouraged the attendees to watch the rest of the webinar before 17 October while it is free to watch.
In the second hour, we went around the table to hear research problems, questions and successes of the attendees:
* Diane had a fabulous find of a link to an important historical person - Cristobal Colon. the great-granddaughter of her 22nd great-grandfather, Garcia de Toledo in Spain, married Diego Colon, son of Cristobal Colon. She used the FamilySearch Family Tree to find this relationship.
* Bobbie sent family group sheets for her Titus family to the Lake County, Illinois, Genealogical Society for their files that shows the family coming from Germany and settling in Lake County, Illinois.
* Bobbie's husband's son has 25% Native-American ancestry according to an autosomal DNA test. There was great information about Native-American research in the latest issue of Family Tree Magazine.
* Shirley gleaned several ideas for solving her brick wall problems in upstate New York from the Elizabeth Shown Mills webinar. She has received many Record Hints for her ancestral families from FamilySearch and MyHeritage.
* Arlene found a cousin - the writer of the On Granny's Trail blog, who was on a recent radio/podcast program and talked about Arlene's mother's ancestors. Her mother's uncle is buried in American Samoa, and Mormon missionaries to American Samoa took photos of gravestones there.
* Helen's mother's first cousin took an autosomal DNA test and she is awaiting the results.
* Mary N. found a naturalization record in a FamilySearch index for Antony Casper in 1899 in Ohio. She asked how to obtain the record. We brought the index card up on the screen, and it said the record was in Volume 3, page 350 of the Jefferson County, Ohio probate records, which can be obtained on Family History Library microfilm.
* Bea, who is new to genealogy research, is finding information on FamilySearch to verify her mother's information.
* Ana has been searching new records for Mexico on FamilySearch and is back to her 4th great-grandparents.
* JoAnn made a 32 page chart on MyHeritage and put it on a wall at her home. It's interesting to see the extent of the family. She is trying to find her grandson's ancestry in Guam; her son-in-law has found a cousin.
The next meeting of the CVGS Research Group will be on Wednesday, 9 November at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
September 2016 Program Review - "Stump the Chumps" Problem Solving Panel
The CVGS program meeting on 28 September featured three CVGS genealogists answering research questions submitted by members one month ahead of the meeting. There are about 30 in attendance, including all but one of the questioners.
The researchers prepared short presentations to review the questions and responses, and each response took 5 to 10 minutes. The eight questions and a summary of the answers were:
1) Karen Y. asked: "My ancestors emigrated from Norway by ship into Quebec in the 1850s. How does one trace their journey from Quebec to their eventual homes in Iowa and Minnesota?"
Randy Seaver responded: The FamilySearch Wiki page on "Norway Emigration and Immigration" provides a wealth of material on this topic. American records that can help include county histories, military pension records, naturalization records, census records and church records. The Norwegian-American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library in Madison, Wisconsin has an extensive library with a Norwegian immigrant database that might be helpful. Randy shared an article found in a book that told the migration story for one of his wife's Norwegian-born relatives.
2) Paula-Jo C. asked: "I have an ancestor's brother who died during the Mexican War in Mexico. I have tried to find microfilmed records. Where can one find death records from that time period?"
Ceasar Castro responded: Paula-Jo's soldier was Charles Houston, a musician in the Georgia Infantry, who died in February 1848 near Veracruz, Mexico. The National Archives has archival material about the Mexican-American War, including battle records, death records and medical records. There were three hospitals in the state of Veracruz - in the city of Veracruz, in Jalapa, and in the Castle at Perote. The Descendants of Mexican-American War Veterans has information about the war at http://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/mexwar1.htm, including information about Jalapa and the Castle at Perote. Ceasar corresponded with researchers at the National Archives and University of Wisconsin - Madison about record availability and obtained more information, including a useful book online at FamilySearch and others can be obtained by Inter-library Loan.
3) Diane G. asked: "I think I have found my relative's death date in an index record. James O'Leary died in Strood, Kent, England at age 60. What more information might I get from the actual record? How do I obtain the actual record? In regards to sending money for the record, how is it done and what is the cost? Where can I find someone to search for the record for me?"
Randy Seaver responded: England's Civil Registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1837 and are available to the present day. Death certificates include the decedent's name, age, sex, occupation, death date, death place, cause of death, and informant's information. You can order a certificate by Internet, telephone, or post from the Register General Office for England and Wales. The cost is £9.25, and you can order online at http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ and pay by credit card.
4) Karen S. asked: "The Strassburger ship passenger list provides the date, name of the ship, the captain and the passengers. Is there any source that gives more information about the individual passengers?"
Randy Seaver responded: You can obtain more information about immigration to Pennsylvania at https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Pennsylvania_Emigration_and_Immigration. There are many books, but none really provide more passenger information. Yo find information about the lives of individual passengers, you need to look for compiled family genealogies and locality books, for periodical articles, and consult the Pennsylvania state, historical and genealogical societies.
5) Karen S. also asked: "Can Revolutionary War records be located by the numbers listed next to the patriot's name?"
Ceasar Castro responded: The book Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications lists soldiers and their pension record numbers. The "numbers" are how the records were filed in the National Archives - "S" for Survivor, "W" for Widow, "R" for Rejected, "Dis" for Disability, and "BLWt" for Bounty Land Warrant. Ceasar went through the records available for one of Karen's soldiers - James Burton of Virginia. Fold3.com and Ancestry.com have the Revolutionary War pension files that can be downloaded.
6) Ann S. asked: "My husband's (Del) 4th great-grandfather was William Garvin. Where and when did William Garvin die?"
Randy Seaver responded: Ann provided more information about this man and his family. Several derivative sources say William Garvin died in Cranbourne, Dorchester County, Quebec in 1869, and was probably in the Church of England. Quebec research information are listed in https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Quebec,_Canada_Genealogy, and search strategies are in https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Quebec_Search_Strategies. An online search in the Drouin collection on Ancestry.com did not find him. Searches of Church of England records near Cranbourne and probate records may provide a death or burial date. A Rootsweb message board post on the Quebec and/or Dorchester boards may provide information about record availability and cemetery records.
7) Mary N. asked: "How do I find an ancestor who walked out on the family and disappeared?"
Shirley Becker responded: Mary's missing person is Antonio/Anthony Casper who was from Germany and resided in Ohio. Searches for others of the surname in census records might help. Historical newspaper searches on Chronicling America and other sites may provide an obituary or news articles. Published books on Google, Internet Archive and other sites may be helpful. He may have changed his name.
8) Virginia T. asked: "Where can I go, other than the obvious places, to find ship arrivals for Wilmington, Delaware, in the late 1790s to early 1800s time frame?"
Shirley Becker responded: The FamilySearch Wiki page on "Delaware Emigration and Immigration" may be helpful. The Delaware Genealogical Society has a newsletter and research assistance. The University of Delaware Library has a help section for researching passengers and naturalizations. The National Archives has ship arrivals and passenger lists, and these are also on Ancestry.com.
This program was very well received by the attendees because of the interesting research questions and the material presented by the researchers.
The researchers prepared short presentations to review the questions and responses, and each response took 5 to 10 minutes. The eight questions and a summary of the answers were:
1) Karen Y. asked: "My ancestors emigrated from Norway by ship into Quebec in the 1850s. How does one trace their journey from Quebec to their eventual homes in Iowa and Minnesota?"
Randy Seaver responded: The FamilySearch Wiki page on "Norway Emigration and Immigration" provides a wealth of material on this topic. American records that can help include county histories, military pension records, naturalization records, census records and church records. The Norwegian-American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library in Madison, Wisconsin has an extensive library with a Norwegian immigrant database that might be helpful. Randy shared an article found in a book that told the migration story for one of his wife's Norwegian-born relatives.
2) Paula-Jo C. asked: "I have an ancestor's brother who died during the Mexican War in Mexico. I have tried to find microfilmed records. Where can one find death records from that time period?"
Ceasar Castro responded: Paula-Jo's soldier was Charles Houston, a musician in the Georgia Infantry, who died in February 1848 near Veracruz, Mexico. The National Archives has archival material about the Mexican-American War, including battle records, death records and medical records. There were three hospitals in the state of Veracruz - in the city of Veracruz, in Jalapa, and in the Castle at Perote. The Descendants of Mexican-American War Veterans has information about the war at http://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/mexwar1.htm, including information about Jalapa and the Castle at Perote. Ceasar corresponded with researchers at the National Archives and University of Wisconsin - Madison about record availability and obtained more information, including a useful book online at FamilySearch and others can be obtained by Inter-library Loan.
3) Diane G. asked: "I think I have found my relative's death date in an index record. James O'Leary died in Strood, Kent, England at age 60. What more information might I get from the actual record? How do I obtain the actual record? In regards to sending money for the record, how is it done and what is the cost? Where can I find someone to search for the record for me?"
Randy Seaver responded: England's Civil Registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1837 and are available to the present day. Death certificates include the decedent's name, age, sex, occupation, death date, death place, cause of death, and informant's information. You can order a certificate by Internet, telephone, or post from the Register General Office for England and Wales. The cost is £9.25, and you can order online at http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ and pay by credit card.
4) Karen S. asked: "The Strassburger ship passenger list provides the date, name of the ship, the captain and the passengers. Is there any source that gives more information about the individual passengers?"
Randy Seaver responded: You can obtain more information about immigration to Pennsylvania at https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Pennsylvania_Emigration_and_Immigration. There are many books, but none really provide more passenger information. Yo find information about the lives of individual passengers, you need to look for compiled family genealogies and locality books, for periodical articles, and consult the Pennsylvania state, historical and genealogical societies.
5) Karen S. also asked: "Can Revolutionary War records be located by the numbers listed next to the patriot's name?"
Ceasar Castro responded: The book Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications lists soldiers and their pension record numbers. The "numbers" are how the records were filed in the National Archives - "S" for Survivor, "W" for Widow, "R" for Rejected, "Dis" for Disability, and "BLWt" for Bounty Land Warrant. Ceasar went through the records available for one of Karen's soldiers - James Burton of Virginia. Fold3.com and Ancestry.com have the Revolutionary War pension files that can be downloaded.
6) Ann S. asked: "My husband's (Del) 4th great-grandfather was William Garvin. Where and when did William Garvin die?"
Randy Seaver responded: Ann provided more information about this man and his family. Several derivative sources say William Garvin died in Cranbourne, Dorchester County, Quebec in 1869, and was probably in the Church of England. Quebec research information are listed in https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Quebec,_Canada_Genealogy, and search strategies are in https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Quebec_Search_Strategies. An online search in the Drouin collection on Ancestry.com did not find him. Searches of Church of England records near Cranbourne and probate records may provide a death or burial date. A Rootsweb message board post on the Quebec and/or Dorchester boards may provide information about record availability and cemetery records.
7) Mary N. asked: "How do I find an ancestor who walked out on the family and disappeared?"
Shirley Becker responded: Mary's missing person is Antonio/Anthony Casper who was from Germany and resided in Ohio. Searches for others of the surname in census records might help. Historical newspaper searches on Chronicling America and other sites may provide an obituary or news articles. Published books on Google, Internet Archive and other sites may be helpful. He may have changed his name.
8) Virginia T. asked: "Where can I go, other than the obvious places, to find ship arrivals for Wilmington, Delaware, in the late 1790s to early 1800s time frame?"
Shirley Becker responded: The FamilySearch Wiki page on "Delaware Emigration and Immigration" may be helpful. The Delaware Genealogical Society has a newsletter and research assistance. The University of Delaware Library has a help section for researching passengers and naturalizations. The National Archives has ship arrivals and passenger lists, and these are also on Ancestry.com.
This program was very well received by the attendees because of the interesting research questions and the material presented by the researchers.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - October 2016
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for October 2016 include:
** Saturday, 1 October, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Randy Seaver and others will lead a discussion of "Backing Up Your Computer" Saturday Workshops are for hands-on experience with computers, software, websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 12 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the 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, 19 October, 10:15 a.m. 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. Bring your laptops to sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Saturday, 22 October, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Family History Day meets in the Auditorium. The keynote speaker at 10:30 a.m. will be Randy Seaver on "Be An Ancestor Detecitve." At 12 noon, Ceasar Castro will present "Who is Chula Vista Mayer Mary Casillas Salas?" There will be workshops in the Conference Room, the Computer Lab and the Genealogy Research area.
** Wednesdays, 5, 12, 19 and 26 October, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
** Saturday, 1 October, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Randy Seaver and others will lead a discussion of "Backing Up Your Computer" Saturday Workshops are for hands-on experience with computers, software, websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 12 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the 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, 19 October, 10:15 a.m. 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. Bring your laptops to sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Saturday, 22 October, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Family History Day meets in the Auditorium. The keynote speaker at 10:30 a.m. will be Randy Seaver on "Be An Ancestor Detecitve." At 12 noon, Ceasar Castro will present "Who is Chula Vista Mayer Mary Casillas Salas?" There will be workshops in the Conference Room, the Computer Lab and the Genealogy Research area.
** Wednesdays, 5, 12, 19 and 26 October, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
Friday, September 23, 2016
"Stuimp the Chumps" Problem Solving Panel on Wednesday, 28 September 2016
WEDNESDAY, September 28th, PROGRAM MEETING
from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
At Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library
(365 F Street in Chula Vista) in the Auditorium
Program: “Stump the Chumps Panel”
Our September 28th General Meeting will feature four of our CVGS “expert researchers” – Shirley Becker, Ceasar Castro, and Randy Seaver. Jane Strawn will moderate the program.
The panel will answer general research questions submitted by CVGS members. One example is: “How do I obtain military/pension records from the War of 1812?” Another: “Where would I find death records from New York?”
The panel will not be researching specific individuals or families this year. Each question submitted has been assigned to one of the panelists for a response, and the other panelists may provide support or additional information.
The panel should be able to answer 8 to 12 questions in the 60 minute program. There may be time for questions from the audience.
There will be a short business meeting after the program, and refreshments will be served after the business meeting. All CVGS programs are free for anyone interested in genealogy to attend.
Monday, September 19, 2016
September 2016 CVGS Newsletter is Published
The September 2016 newsletter of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society was published last week.
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - September 28th Program Meeting
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 2 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - October 1st Saturday Workshop
page 3 - September 1st Saturday Workshop Review
page 4 - August 31st Program Review
page 5 - Save the Date: Family History Day
page 5 - SDGS/SDHC Genealogy Day on 15 October
page 6 - August Research Group Review
page 6 - Recent Genealogy News
page 7 - August 24th Field Trip Review
page 8 - Legacy Family Tree Webinars
page 8 - New Genealogy.Coach Websitepage 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - September 28th Program Meeting
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 2 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - October 1st Saturday Workshop
page 3 - September 1st Saturday Workshop Review
page 4 - August 31st Program Review
page 5 - Save the Date: Family History Day
page 5 - SDGS/SDHC Genealogy Day on 15 October
page 6 - August Research Group Review
page 6 - Recent Genealogy News
page 7 - August 24th Field Trip Review
page 8 - Legacy Family Tree Webinars
page 8 - New Genealogy.Coach Websitepage 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Friday, September 16, 2016
14 September CVGS Research Group Review
The 14 September meeting of the CVGS Research Group had 15 in attendance.
In the first hour, Randy highlighted some of the news from the previous month, including:
* The Genealogy Rockstars were selected in a number of categories on John D. Reid's blog, by over 2,000 voters from around the world. The winners of the U.S., International and Genetic Genealogy awards were the same three person: Gold - Judy G. Russell; Silver - CeCe Moore; Bronze - Blaine Bettinger.
* The San Diego Genealogical Society and San Diego History Center Genealogy Day will be Saturday, 15 October. The keynote speaker will be Anne Mitchell of Ancestry.com. There will be other speakers during the morning also, plus exhibits. CVGS will have an exhibit table.
* MyHeritage announced their DNA Matching service for users who submit their DNA raw data from either AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, or 23andMe. Randy has heard from two matches in the two weeks since the announcement.
* Ancestry.com updated their Member Tree index for the first time since February.
* Randy demonstrated "stimulating" Record Hints in Ancestry Member Trees by clicking on a tree link attached to a tree person. Just uploading or creating a new tree on Ancestry will provide Hints almost immediately. He uploaded a 280 person GEDCOM, had 400 Hints within a minute, and then stimulated 400 more by clicking on a tree link for persons in the new tree.
In the second hour, the group discussed:
* Karen Y. described a Scottish tartan article she found in the U.K. Guardian newspaper about an 1842 book that said that official tartans were made up and were not traditional. She also looked at the Domesday Book at the San Diego Central Library, and looked at the Wikipedia article about it and the website http://domesdaybook.co.uk, which includes a search for English towns as of 1088 AD.
* Diane has done research for her husband Ramon, and has been able to connect him to a famous person 24 generations back in Spain. She challenged the group to guess who it might be. Nobody could. Don Quixote? Miguel Cervantes? Cristobal Colon? King Ferdinand or Queen Isabella of Spain?
* Shirley found a line back to Maud Hastings, who is a gateway ancestor to the English royal line, and has gone back to King Henry II through his mistress Audrey Barlow.
* Virginia has several 3rd cousin matches on MyHeritage DNA who share her second great-grandfather.
* Susi noted that Mary's cousin in riverside and his wife died recently, and a sister of the wife called Mary to say she has more Pentico genealogy information. Susi also has a DNA match with a Benninghof person (Pentico is a derivative of Benninghof).
* JoAnn visited a cousin who recognized a name on her family tree as the spy master for Queen Elizabeth I. She also has a mystery John Sadler, born 1852 in England, on her 5 generation pedigree chart.
* Karen S. has many English ancestors coming to colonial Virginia, who received lots of land but there is not much about their origins. The group noted that many of these settlers were later sons of persons of quality, and there are books that may describe their origins.
* Sylvia asked how to find "gateway" ancestors in colonial times that go back to the European royal and noble lines. The best book is probably Gary Boyd Roberts book on the Royal Descents of 600 Immigrants.
* Linda had a computer crash, has a new computer, and is cleaning up her genealogy files. She had a brick wall ancestor - a paternal great-grandfather. She found his birth record on Ancestry in an index and that led to finding the record on FamilySearch collections for Mexico.
* Helen said that the ethnicity estimate for her brother's autosomal DNA had changed over time, and she wondered why. The group noted that the estimates are based on reference groups, which can be relatively small. Ancestry recently increased the size of the reference groups and that may be why the ethnicity changed. All three DNA services have improved their autosomal DNA analysis tools.
The next CVGS Research Group will be the second Wednesday, 12 October, at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
In the first hour, Randy highlighted some of the news from the previous month, including:
* The Genealogy Rockstars were selected in a number of categories on John D. Reid's blog, by over 2,000 voters from around the world. The winners of the U.S., International and Genetic Genealogy awards were the same three person: Gold - Judy G. Russell; Silver - CeCe Moore; Bronze - Blaine Bettinger.
* The San Diego Genealogical Society and San Diego History Center Genealogy Day will be Saturday, 15 October. The keynote speaker will be Anne Mitchell of Ancestry.com. There will be other speakers during the morning also, plus exhibits. CVGS will have an exhibit table.
* MyHeritage announced their DNA Matching service for users who submit their DNA raw data from either AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, or 23andMe. Randy has heard from two matches in the two weeks since the announcement.
* Ancestry.com updated their Member Tree index for the first time since February.
* Randy demonstrated "stimulating" Record Hints in Ancestry Member Trees by clicking on a tree link attached to a tree person. Just uploading or creating a new tree on Ancestry will provide Hints almost immediately. He uploaded a 280 person GEDCOM, had 400 Hints within a minute, and then stimulated 400 more by clicking on a tree link for persons in the new tree.
In the second hour, the group discussed:
* Karen Y. described a Scottish tartan article she found in the U.K. Guardian newspaper about an 1842 book that said that official tartans were made up and were not traditional. She also looked at the Domesday Book at the San Diego Central Library, and looked at the Wikipedia article about it and the website http://domesdaybook.co.uk, which includes a search for English towns as of 1088 AD.
* Diane has done research for her husband Ramon, and has been able to connect him to a famous person 24 generations back in Spain. She challenged the group to guess who it might be. Nobody could. Don Quixote? Miguel Cervantes? Cristobal Colon? King Ferdinand or Queen Isabella of Spain?
* Shirley found a line back to Maud Hastings, who is a gateway ancestor to the English royal line, and has gone back to King Henry II through his mistress Audrey Barlow.
* Virginia has several 3rd cousin matches on MyHeritage DNA who share her second great-grandfather.
* Susi noted that Mary's cousin in riverside and his wife died recently, and a sister of the wife called Mary to say she has more Pentico genealogy information. Susi also has a DNA match with a Benninghof person (Pentico is a derivative of Benninghof).
* JoAnn visited a cousin who recognized a name on her family tree as the spy master for Queen Elizabeth I. She also has a mystery John Sadler, born 1852 in England, on her 5 generation pedigree chart.
* Karen S. has many English ancestors coming to colonial Virginia, who received lots of land but there is not much about their origins. The group noted that many of these settlers were later sons of persons of quality, and there are books that may describe their origins.
* Sylvia asked how to find "gateway" ancestors in colonial times that go back to the European royal and noble lines. The best book is probably Gary Boyd Roberts book on the Royal Descents of 600 Immigrants.
* Linda had a computer crash, has a new computer, and is cleaning up her genealogy files. She had a brick wall ancestor - a paternal great-grandfather. She found his birth record on Ancestry in an index and that led to finding the record on FamilySearch collections for Mexico.
* Helen said that the ethnicity estimate for her brother's autosomal DNA had changed over time, and she wondered why. The group noted that the estimates are based on reference groups, which can be relatively small. Ancestry recently increased the size of the reference groups and that may be why the ethnicity changed. All three DNA services have improved their autosomal DNA analysis tools.
The next CVGS Research Group will be the second Wednesday, 12 October, at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - September 2016
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for September 2016 include:
** Saturday, 3 September, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Ken Robison will lead a discussion of "Family Tree Maker Review." Saturday Workshops are for hands-on experience with computers, software, websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 14 September, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the 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, 21 September, 10:15 a.m. 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. Bring your laptops to sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 28 September, 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Program Meeting meets in the Auditorium. The program speaker will be a panel of CVGS Members on "Stump the Chumps" answering member-sublitted research questions. The business meeting will be after the presentation. Refreshments before and after the meeting.
** Wednesdays, 7, 14, 21, and 28 September, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
** Saturday, 3 September, 1 p.m to 4 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) --
CVGS Workshop in Community Room. Ken Robison will lead a discussion of "Family Tree Maker Review." Saturday Workshops are for hands-on experience with computers, software, websites, etc.
** Wednesday, 14 September, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the 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, 21 September, 10:15 a.m. 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. Bring your laptops to sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 28 September, 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Program Meeting meets in the Auditorium. The program speaker will be a panel of CVGS Members on "Stump the Chumps" answering member-sublitted research questions. The business meeting will be after the presentation. Refreshments before and after the meeting.
** Wednesdays, 7, 14, 21, and 28 September, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- Research Assistance in the Family Research area. John Finch will help you with your research problems. Bring your laptop if you want to do online research.
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-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn north on Billy Casper Way, 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. All CVGS events are FREE to attend, except for some seminars and picnics.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
CVGS Saturday Workshop (3 September 2016) is "Family Tree Maker Review"
The September 3rd Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop at Bonita-Sunnyside Library Community Room (4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902) starts at 1 p.m. PDT.
The workshop will be "Family Tree Maker Review" Presented by CVGS member Ken Robison.
If you use Family Tree Maker. or want to learn more about this awesome program, it is highly suggested you attend this event.
Please bring your laptops with Family Tree Maker installed so you can follow along. If you have a specific question on FTM or want a specific topic covered, please let Ken know at:
kenrobison66@gmail.com
Please register for this event if you plan to attend so we may better prepare the venue. More information and online registration: Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop
The workshop will be "Family Tree Maker Review" Presented by CVGS member Ken Robison.
If you use Family Tree Maker. or want to learn more about this awesome program, it is highly suggested you attend this event.
Please bring your laptops with Family Tree Maker installed so you can follow along. If you have a specific question on FTM or want a specific topic covered, please let Ken know at:
kenrobison66@gmail.com
Please register for this event if you plan to attend so we may better prepare the venue. More information and online registration: Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop
Saturday, August 27, 2016
CVGS August Program Meeting is Wednesday, 31 August 2016: Shirley Becker on "New York Revisited"
CVGS General Meeting
Chula Vista Civic Center Library Auditorium (365 F Street, Chula Vista CA 91910)
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 12:00 PM PDT
Please Note Change of Program
Shirley Becker will present "New York, Revisited!"
Shirley Becker is a great grandmother to about 13, of whom 4 live with her. Since 3 are teenagers, she does occasionally have to battle for computer time. Shirley has been working on genealogy seriously for about 30 years and before that occasionally as she found time.
Most of her research is in upstate New York, but as her lines grow she has found some in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and the New England States. She is presently attempting to correct mistakes and add sources that were neglected when she was a beginner in the lifelong work that is known as Genealogy.
The meeting starts promptly at Noon with announcements and introductions. A presentation by our guest speaker followed by a short business meeting and finally raffle drawings, refreshments and fellowship will complete the program. Attendance is free.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
August 2016 Newsletter is Published
The August 2016 newsletter of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society was published last week.
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - August 31st Program Meeting
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - September 3rd Saturday Workshop
page 72 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 4 - July 27th Picnic Summary
page 5 - August 24th Genealogy Field Trip
page 5 - Save the Date: Family History Day
page 5 - Save the Date: Stump the Chumps
page 5 - Family Tree Magazine Top 101 Websites
page 6 - July Research Group Review
page 7 - CVGS at SDHC Free Tuesday
page 8 - Legacy Family Tree Webinars
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Society Members can read it online, in a PDF format - use the "Members" link (roll over "Members," and click on "Newsletters") at www.CVGenealogy.org. Non-members can read CVGS Newsletters two months after publication, per Board of Directors direction (on
www.CVgenealogy.org, roll over "News" and click on "Newsletters").
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - August 31st Program Meeting
page 2 - President’s Message
page 2 - Register for Meetings on CVGS Website
page 3 - Next Computer Group Meeting
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - September 3rd Saturday Workshop
page 72 - New CVGS Nametags Available
page 4 - July 27th Picnic Summary
page 5 - August 24th Genealogy Field Trip
page 5 - Save the Date: Family History Day
page 5 - Save the Date: Stump the Chumps
page 5 - Family Tree Magazine Top 101 Websites
page 6 - July Research Group Review
page 7 - CVGS at SDHC Free Tuesday
page 8 - Legacy Family Tree Webinars
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Next CVGS Computer Group Meeting is 17 August 2016
The next CVGS Computer Group meeting will be on Wednesday, 17 August 2016 at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in downtown Chula Vista, Calif.). There will be a “Beginning Computer Genealogy” class at 10:15 a.m. in the Conference Room, followed by the regular “Computer Group” meeting in the Computer Lab from 12:30 to 2 p.m., both led by Shirley Becker.
Class will start at 10:15 a.m. in the Computer Lab and go until 11:45 a.m. when we will break for lunch. It is called a “Beginning Computer Genealogy” group. If you have a laptop, you should bring it. Gary Brock will be demonstrating very basic computer tasks such as how to find tutorials and use them. We will move to the computer lab at 12:30 p.m. and stay until 2 p.m. Basic genealogy tasks are planned, such as going to a website, copying an item and placing that item in your database. We will use the lab computers at this point with a kind of fake database set up in Microsoft Word. We will delete those databases when we leave the lab. Hopefully, the attendees will have some basic knowledge at that point to follow on the computers. We want their input on what they would like to learn.
The expectation is that the attendees will follow up at home by practicing on things they will learn in class. In two months, if they practice we will try for more advanced things in the lab. If it doesn’t work that way, we will answer requests for assistance and we will discontinue the extra class.
Please register for this event on the CVGS website on the Events tab - https://chulavistagenealogysociety.wildapricot.org/events.
Class will start at 10:15 a.m. in the Computer Lab and go until 11:45 a.m. when we will break for lunch. It is called a “Beginning Computer Genealogy” group. If you have a laptop, you should bring it. Gary Brock will be demonstrating very basic computer tasks such as how to find tutorials and use them. We will move to the computer lab at 12:30 p.m. and stay until 2 p.m. Basic genealogy tasks are planned, such as going to a website, copying an item and placing that item in your database. We will use the lab computers at this point with a kind of fake database set up in Microsoft Word. We will delete those databases when we leave the lab. Hopefully, the attendees will have some basic knowledge at that point to follow on the computers. We want their input on what they would like to learn.
The expectation is that the attendees will follow up at home by practicing on things they will learn in class. In two months, if they practice we will try for more advanced things in the lab. If it doesn’t work that way, we will answer requests for assistance and we will discontinue the extra class.
Please register for this event on the CVGS website on the Events tab - https://chulavistagenealogysociety.wildapricot.org/events.
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