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. 

Intermediate Records Series - Land, Church, Court and Immigration for Genealogy

This intermediate class will focus on four specific record groups and demonstrate how to find these record types both on and off line.

  • Court Records: Probate, Guardianship, Wills, Other
  • Church Records: Sacramental, Membership, Business
  • Emigration, Immigration, & Naturalization
  • Land & Property Records: Federal, State, & Local land records, & Tax Records
  • Off-line Research: Using Online Sources to Find Off-line Records

Presented by Lisa Gorell at the Oakland FamilySearch Library each Wednesday 6:00-8:30PM from May 29 through June 26. Preregistration is mandatory, no walk-ins. Class size is limited so please register early.

Details and Registration
Dues Increase June 1st
CGS annual membership fees are very reasonable (they begin at $40), and quickly pay for themselves. Members can attend most classes at a reduced cost, take part in free members-only events (like tours of area archives, cemeteries, and historic sites), receive the twice-yearly journal California Nugget, and have access to the members-only sections of our website.
 
These very reasonable fees will undergo a modest increase as of June 1, 2019, so now is the perfect time to renew or take out a membership
 
You can easily join or renew your membership online by visiting our Membership page.
 
If you're not certain of your current membership status, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
Thank you!
Introduction to Jewish Genealogy
Looking for Your Mishpocha In All the Right Places: How to Dig Up Your Jewish Family Roots,
 
Vivian Kahn will offer an introduction to Jewish family research highlighting the increasingly vast resources available online and on the ground both in the US and overseas. Vivian will discuss some of the issues that are unique to researching Jewish families as well as techniques for addressing them.
 
This class will also be of interest to anyone researching eastern European families as Ms. Kahn will cover a variety of civil records that are important resources regardless of the subject's religion as well as the often-changing borders in that region and the resources that can be used to track your subject family as the borders changed around them.
 
 

The California Nugget – The journal of the California Genealogical Society is published twice a year. Have you read our recent issue? Would you like to publish an article? See the contribution guidelines.
 

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.

Field Trip to the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Wednesday, June 5 11:00AM-1:00PM Details and Registration

Looking for Your Mishpocha In All the Right Places: How to Dig Up Your Jewish Family Roots Saturday, June 8 1:00-3:00PM Details and Registration
 
Historic Newspapers Saturday, June 15 1:30-3:30PM at the Oakland FamilySearch Library. Details and Registration
 
Excel for Genealogists Saturday, June 22 1:00-4:00PM Details and Registration

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.