Welcome! Whether you have Gold Rush ancestors or have no family connection to California, you will find extensive support for your genealogy research at the California Genealogical Society (CGS).

The goal of the California Genealogical Society is to connect people to their family heritage and to promote a spirit of diversity and inclusivity for our members and patrons. The California Genealogical Society does not tolerate discrimination in any form. 

Register for NEHGS Event Register for a ConsultationNEHGS Comes to Oakland 22 September 2018

NEHGS is Coming To Oakland!

The Great Migration: Researching 17th Century New England

Learn about early settlement in New England from two of the topic's top experts: Robert Charles Anderson FASG, Director of the Great Migration Study Project, and Christpher C. Child, Senior Genealogist at the Newbury Press and Editor of The Mayflower Descendant.

Presented in partnership with The New England Historic Genealogical Society at the Hilton Oakland Airport Hotel, 1 Hegenberger Avenue, Oakland, on Saturday, September 22 from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Information and Registration.

CGS will conduct a silent auction as a fundraiser during the event. We're looking for donations of items to auction, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  if you have something to offer.

CGS is also offering personal consultations with experienced CGS genealogists and Mayflower researchers on Friday, September 21 at the library. More information and registration
DNA Genealogy Panel
DNA Testing is transforming genealogical research and is having a huge impact on families with adoptions.  Our six panelists' perspectives reflect adoptees, parents of adopted children, and consultants, including a ProGenealogist from Ancestry.com. They will share their experiences with different research methods and from different cultures.  Learn about using this advancement for genealogy, as well as guidelines and personal insights for dealing with the emotional and ethical issues that arise.  
 
Check the expanded description in the blog of this important event; Register at Eventbrite.

Saturday, September 29 1:00 - 3:00 PM. 
Intermediate Records Series Part 2
Join genealogist Lisa Gorrell for a continuing exploration of resources that go beyond vital records and censuses.  

The course will consist of both lecture and activities. There will be immediate practice using these newly taught skills. There will also be optional homework so practice can continue at home.

Prerequisite: completion of Building Skills Series or equivalent genealogical experience, use of genealogical family tree software, familiarity with Ancestry and FamilySearch sites. 

6:00-8:30 PM every Wednesday except Halloween from October 3 through November 7 at the Oakland FamilySearch Library.  Reserve your place now!
Our Newest Publication

We’re excited to announce that in June we published the highly anticipated book, The Ancestry of Samuel Sterling Sherman and Mary Ware Allen. It tells the stories of nine generations of former California Genealogical Society’s president, Frederick "Rick" S. Sherman’s family as they move from New England and Kentucky westward to California. Whether you love history, individual family stories or learning new research tips, or all three, we think this book has something to offer you. Whether a genealogist or not, readers will be moved by getting to know these diverse human beings.

The California Genealogical Society has publshed Mr. Sherman's incredible research effort as a fitting tribute to a man who gave to the society in so many ways as President, Chief Researcher, and Benefactor. His efforts were suddenly cut short by his death in 2008.
 
 

Biographical sketches of the ancestors of Frederick S. Sherman including Sterling Sherman (1794-1865) and Jane Noble (1788-1852), William Dewey (1793-1880) and Hannah Bond (1794-1827), John J. Hardin (1810-1847) and Sarah Ellen Smith (1811-1874), John J. Jacob (1819-1873) and Evelyn Johnson (1828-1901), Joseph Allen (1790-1873) and Lucy Clark Ware (1791-1866), William Gordon Weld (1775-1825) and Hannah Minot (1780-1860), Benjamin Franklin Copeland (1798-1863) and Julia Fellows Ruggles (1803-1867), Benjamin Kent (1794-1859) and Eleanor Bradford (1802-1885), and many more.

 

 Learn more.
The Ancestry of Samuel Sterling Sherman and Mary Ware Allen Cover
 

The California Nugget – The journal of the California Genealogical Society is published twice a year. Have you read our recent issue? Check out the summary of a recent issue.
 

Tip of the Iceberg Poster – Support the library and help spread this important message. Buy three, get one free! Order now.
 

California Names Index includes pre-1905 deaths in San Francisco. Search for your surnames to see if we have records for your ancestor. Learn more.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Board of Directors Meeting: Second Saturday Monthly at 10:00 AM.

Book Repair Workshop, 9:00 AM - 1:00PM, Saturday, Oct. 27. Information and Reservations

Find Your Ancestral Home in America, 1:30-3:00PM Saturday, Oct. 27. Information and Reservations

Read our blog to keep up with the latest news and coming events.

Visit Eventbrite to see and register for CGS events.

Occasionally CGS will partner with the Oakland FamilySearch Library to present events. Visit this Eventbrite page to see the list of upcoming joint events.

Visit Calendar of Events to see future events.

Looking for something genealogical to do this week? The Sutro Library's Genealogy Section maintains a Bay Area Genealogy Calendar with events at many local societies, libraries, and museums.