David Rencher to speak March 12 for GSNOCC

Who do YOU think you are...and how can you find out? Since NBC’s Who do you think you are? has been broadcasting season two there has been a renewed interest in family history not seen since the Roots TV mini-series came out in 1977. If you have watched Who do you think you are? it looks easy. One hour and you are back five to ten generations. Those of you who have tried it know that it is not as easy as it looks. So how do you find out who you are? Where do you find all those resources?

David Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA, Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch.org will be speaking at the Genealogical Society of North Orange County California Seminar on Saturday, March 12, 2011. The seminar will be held at the Brea United Methodist Church at 480 N. State College Blvd. (at Lambert), Brea from 8:15 am to 4:00 pm.

What can you learn from this seminar? FamilySearch, established and run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the largest genealogical organization in the world with an online presence and over 4,600 family history centers worldwide. If you have used FamilySearch.org in the past but haven’t been there recently, you will find that it has been greatly enhanced. Rencher will tell you about what’s new, what’s coming, and how to use it. He will also give skillbuilding classes on using name lists and effective principles for focusing on your research objectives.

Tickets for this seminar can be purchased in advance for $30. A box lunch is available for $9. Mail your check with name and address to GSNOCC, PO Box 706, Yorba Linda, CA 92885 by March 5, 2011 for pre-registration or purchase tickets at the door for $35. Additional information is available on the GSNOCC website at http://www.gsnocc.org, on the GSNOCC blog at http://gsnocc.blogspot.com, or by email at GSNOCC@gmail.com.

Feb 16th - Jean Wilcox Hibben

Beginners and visitors welcome!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Genealogical Society of North Orange County

presents

JEAN WILCOX HIBBEN

Shaking the Myth: Proving/Disproving Family Legends

Just because a story has been passed on for generations doesn’t mean it’s true; it may be--or it may have some elements of truth--or it may be just a figment of someone’s imagination. But how can we substantiate--or refute--these legends? Dr. Hibben will discuss ways to prove or disprove family folklore, and will apply theories of proving arguments to examples supplied by the audience. Audience participation is strongly encouraged!

Jean Wilcox Hibben melds 13 years of teaching speech communications with her interests in folklore and genealogy and over 45 years experience playing guitar and other folk instruments, to present programs that are both instructional and entertaining.

A Certified Genealogist, Jean is secretary of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, president of the Southern California Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists, president of the Corona (Calif.) Genealogical Society, and membership and meeting coordinator of the Riverside Folk Song Society.

6:15 p.m.: Beginners’ class (open to experienced folks, too!)

7 p.m.: A brief business meeting

7:15 p.m.: The program

At the end: Refreshments and conversation

Yorba Linda Community Center

4501 Casa Loma Avenue (at Imperial Highway)

Yorba Linda

For additional information, please call GSNOCC at 714-996-9511 or visit our web site at

GSNOCC Meeting – January 19, 2011 Presents DR. JOEL WEINTRAUB Preparing for the 1940 Census

Preparing for the 1940 Census

The 1940 U. S. census introduced sampling, organized publicity, and an emphasis on economic questions. Some standard questions were dropped, while new ones were added. The changes were not without controversy. The census is being digitized by the National Archives and will be available on-line. It is unlikely there will be a name index available on opening day (April 2, 2012), so initially, geographic means for finding people will be necessary. Dr. Weintraub will discuss the 1940 enumeration and its questions, the on-line 1940 geographic tools he has produced for the Morse One-Step website, and why we wait 72 years to see a U.S. population census.

Born and raised in Manhattan, Dr. Joel Weintraub is Professor of Biology Emeritus at California State University, Fullerton. He became interested in genealogy about 12 years ago, and volunteered for nine years at the National Archives. Joel transcribed streets within census districts in 2001 to help researchers search the 1930 U. S. census. In 2002, he was joined by David Kehs and Stephen Morse; together, they have produced several on-line census-searching utilities for both the federal and New York State censuses on the Morse One-Step website .

Plan NOW to attend this informative event!!

Ancestry.com Military Records Free Nov. 11-14

Ancestry.com is providing free access to its military records collection from November 11 through November 14th. What a great opportunity to search their records for information about your military ancestors. Revolutionary War Rolls, the Union Civil War Pension Index, WWI and WWII draft registration cards, and many other records related to military service are available this weekend.

Family History Month

Join us for FREE CLASSES to celebrate

FAMILY HISTORY MONTH 2010

Getting Started

(The Hunt Begins)

Tuesday, October 5, 7 p.m. Norma Storrs Keating

PLACENTIA LIBRARY - 411 East Chapma Avenue

One-Line Tools for Genealogists

(Using Your Most Important Tools Effectively)

Wednesday October 13, 7 p.m. Barbara Renick

YORBA LINDA LIBRARY - 18181 Imperial Highway

The Family History Library System and FamilySearch.org

(Gold Mines-In Your Back Yard and On Your Computer)

Wednesday, October 20, 7 p.m. Beth J. McCarty

YORBA LINDA COMMUNITY CENTER - 4501 Casa Loma Ave.

Beginning the Search in Vital and Census Records

(Digging Through the Dust and Cobwebs)

Wednesday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. Brenda Danielson

CANYON HILLS LIBRARY - 400 S. Scout Trail, Anaheim

Presented by your local library, the Genealogical Society of North Orange County, California and volunteer members of the Southern California Chapter, Society of Professional Genealogists

For more information, please call GSNOCC at 714-996-9511

ALICE COLBY VOLKERT -Digital Photography for Genealogists

GSNOCC Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, September 15, 2011

The digital camera can be one of your most valued research tools. It can help you acquire records, preserve documents, cut reproduction costs, use your time more effectively, and have more fun--without buying expensive equipment. Among Ms. Volkert’s topics will be using your camera at libraries, other archives and cemeteries without glare and shadows, and taking pictures of microfilm.

Alice Colby Volkert is a professional genealogist and a board member of the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is also a member of both DAR and DAC, as well as UGA, NGS and MENSA. Ms. Volkert works primarily in New England, particularly Massachusetts, research, as well as general United States genealogy. Her specialty is coaching: helping people make their own discoveries and organizing their data.

Associated with the Orange Regional Family History Center for many years, Ms. Volkert has presented at regional genealogy conventions, teaches classes for community groups and school districts, and frequently speaks to genealogy societies. She is also a principal of Sunburst Genealogy Charts.

Beginners and visitors welcome!

7 p.m.: Business meeting (really short!)

7:15 p.m.: Program (really interesting!)

At the end: Refreshments (really tasty!)

Yorba Linda Community Center

4501 Casa Loma Avenue (at Imperial Highway)

Sixth Annual Light Impressions Workshop

The annual Light Impressions Workshop, sponsored by Light Impressions, the Orange County Historical Commission, OC Parks, and theOld Courthouse Museum Society, will be held Saturday, October 9, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.at (of course!) the Old Courthouse in Santa Ana (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA).

Among the five classes will be:

ABCs of Archival Care

Matting and Framing Artwork

Preservation of Audio-Visual Materials

Making the New Social Media Work for You.

Pre-registration will be $12.50, at-the-door will cost $15--and lunch is included--what a deal!

Printable registration forms will be available at http://www.ocparks.com/oldcourthouse

This is a great learning opportunity for our members.