Fresno Genealogy Happenings

On Sunday, November 8th at 2:00 p.m.  the Fresno County Genealogical Society  will present a Lisa Louise Cooke webinar, 5 Ways to Enhance Your Genealogy Research with Old Maps In this 77 minute video presentation you will learn: Which historical maps every genealogist should use, including Sanborn maps, census enumeration district maps, plat maps, and more Some of the best online resources for finding old maps How to locate offline historical maps How to create and save your own historical map collection Techniques for using old maps in your research We invite everyone to attend this free event.  Join us in the Sarah McCardle room, 2nd floor of the Central Library in downtown Fresno.  Free parking. (metered parking only on weekdays during business hours) If you have any questions, please e-mail Denise at infofcgs(at)gmail.com

Come down to the  Heritage Center  on Sunday, October 25th and join us for our LAST session of Discovering Your Roots: An Introduction to Genealogy. We start at 2:00 p.m. in the Sarah McCardle room. We'll watch Lecture 15: Extending Your Family Tree Overseas Many of our class participants arrive early to get some research done in the Heritage Center, which opens at 12 noon on Sundays. Extending Your Family Tree Overseas: Conclude the course with a peek at how to research records outside of the United States.  Focusing on his experiences in Europe, Dr. Colletta reveals what essential facts you need to know about your ancestors, and how to overcome six major challenges to accessing and using historical materials in foreign countries. Remember that you can come to the  Heritage Center  and view any of the sessions for Discovering Your Roots, as well as the session notes.

Only TWO classes left! Come down to the  Heritage Center  on Sunday, October 11th and join us for  Discovering Your Roots: An Introduction to Genealogy. We start at 2:00 p.m. in the Sarah McCardle room. We'll watch Lecture 13:  Reseaching in Your Ancestors' Backyards  and  Lecture 14:  Assembling An Account of Your Discoveries There's a short break in between sessions; and many or our class participants arrive early to get some research done in the Heritage Center, which opens at 12 noon on Sundays. Researching in Your Ancestors' Backyards :  At some point during your detective work, you'll have to actually visit where your ancestors lived.  In this helpful lecture, discover  how to use key local resources you'll need to rely on for success in your research: cemeteries, records of churches and synagogues, city directories, local libraries and historical societies. Assembling An Account of Your Discoveries :  You've learned how to

FCGS Cemetery Treasure Hunt, Saturday, September 26th We'll meet at Kingsburg Cemetery, 12782 E Clarkson Ave, Kingsburg, CA 93631 and wander the older section in search of answers to our Treasure Hunt questions! Bring a pencil and a clipboard, a camera, and a sack lunch. There will be a prize for the person or team with the most right answers! Afterward, we will drive a few short miles to the Kingsburg Historical Park, 2321 Sierra St. Kingsburg, CA 93631, where we will enjoy a picnic and some great fellowship. If you have any questions, please email us,  Infofcgs (at) gmail.com So thankful for Janelle and posting this reminder of our September activity to Facebook! (and thank you to LadyTimeless at DeviantArt for the beautiful image)

Announcing Fresno County Genealogical Society Logo Contest: To finish our 50th Anniversary year, a contest is being held for a new logo to bring us into the 21st century and launch us into our next 50 years. Eligibility:  The contest is open to all individuals How To Enter:   Entries must be submitted by email to  fcgslogo@gmail.com .  Entries submitted as an EPS are preferred,  a .jpg may be accepted with a of minimum 300 dpi  ​resolution.​ Email must include the name, postal address, phone number and email address of the Entrant. No more than three entries may be submitted per Entrant. Entries must conform to the Submission Guidelines below.  Entries which do not conform will be rejected. Entry deadline is 12:00 noon, December 31, 2015 (PST) Entries will be acknowledged within one week of receipt, however, we will not be held responsible for entries or responses lost in email. There is no fee to enter. Submission Guidelines: The purpose of the con

Come down to the Heritage Center on Sunday, September 27th and join us for  Discovering Your Roots: An Introduction to Genealogy. We start at 2:00 p.m. in the Sarah McArdle room. We'll watch Lecture 11: How to Write Biography and  Lecture 12: Dos and Don'ts of Writing History There's a short break in between sessions; and many or our class participants arrive early to get some research done in the Heritage Center, which opens at 12 noon on Sundays. How to Write Biography :  Explore the process of writing about your ancestors in a way that's memorable - but that always adheres to the truth.  Learn how to compose timelines; how to build historical context around life events; how to search for (and find) a life's central theme; how to select the right literary format; and more. Dos and Don'ts of Writing History :  Writing about the past is fraught with snares.  Find out how to sidestep them with Dr. Colletta's  do's and don't