Join us at our March meeting and program on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 7:00pm!

About the Program

Let No (Wo)Man Put Asunder: Researching Ancestors Who Divorce​

In the ideal world, marriages last “until death do us part.” But in the real world, divorces did occur. How can you determine if an ancestor’s marriage was dissolved? Explore the types of documents that give evidence, direct or indirect, that a divorce took place: vital records, censuses, resources at commercial and free websites, court documents, newspaper stories, etc. The speaker’s great-aunt Jeanette, who was married at least 3 times, and engaged in just a tad of bigamy, will provide a case study.

About the Speaker

Jane Neff Rollins is a medical writer and professional genealogist who specializes in Jewish genealogy, 19th century Russian documents, and solving brick wall problems. 

Jane’s genealogy writing has appeared in RootsKey, the JGSLA newsletter. She is the author of “Health Care Navigation 101: Make the Health Care System Work for You. 

Join us at our February meeting and program on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 7:00pm!

About the Program

They Became Citizens:  An Overview of American Naturalization Records

​This lecture presents an overview of United States naturalization records.  The first national naturalization law was established in 1790, and therefore this lecture focuses on 19th and 20th century naturalization proceedings.  Naturalization procedures and forms during two basic time periods are discussed:  from 1790 to September 27, 1906; and from September 27, 1906 forward.  Finding aids to naturalization records are discussed, and a short bibliography of key works on naturalization records is provided.

About the Speaker

Ted Gostin has been conducting genealogical research since 1980, and has worked as a full-time professional genealogist since 1994.

He has twice been President of the Jewish Genealogical Society, Los Angeles, and has taught genealogy for several adult school and university extension programs. Mr. Gostin has helped plan and organize three national genealogical seminars, and has been a featured speaker at a half-dozen such conferences. He lectures widely on Jewish genealogy, Southern California resources, and naturalization and immigration records. Mr. Gostin is the author of Southern California Vital Statistics: Volume 1, Los Angeles County 1850-1859, and the owner of Generations Press publishing company. He was featured on the Larry Lamb episode of the original UK version of the popular genealogy television show Who Do You Think You Are?

He is very active in the international Jewish genealogical community, and maintains contact with genealogists throughout the world.  Mr. Gostin is also an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
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Join us at our January meeting and program on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 7:00pm!

About the Program

Extending Your Family Tree Beyond Online Databases & Compiled Trees

​This lecture briefly covers the basics parts needed to put together a documented family tree and then three advanced research techniques (FAN, the Football Maneuver, and Surname Distribution studies). This short introduction is followed by a review of significant black holes in 19th Century U.S. records and concludes with two advanced research examples applying these advanced research techniques. 

About the Speaker

Barbara Renick taught genealogy classes, computer genealogy classes, and genealogy computing labs for more than two decades at national and state genealogy conferences; served on staff at the large Orange County Family History Library; was a contributing editor for the National Genealogical Society computer magazine for eleven years; authored Genealogy 101: How to Trace Your Family’s History and Heritage sponsored by NGS for their 100th Anniversary which was sold at Barnes & Noble and other national bookstore chains; and served on the NGS Board of Directors and the APG Board of Directors as secretary. She also served on the RootsTech 2012 program committee.