The purpose of the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America (GSHA) is to promote Hispanic genealogical and historical research, and to expand awareness and knowledge of Hispanic culture, historical contributions, and traditions. The Southern California chapter has a large collection of Hispanic genealogical records, maps, Hispanic family histories, and history books. At the GSHA-SC chapter meetings, members can check out selected books for a nominal fee, allowing you to research at home until the book has to be returned. Genealogy resources focus on the areas of Arizona, California, Colorado, Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas. The fees are used to purchase more books to add to the collections.

The GSHA-SC is a large and active group which meets at the SCGS Library four times a year, usually on the first Saturday of each quarter, from 10-4.

In addition, the third Tuesday of the month is designated Hispanic Tuesday, and Hispanic genealogical experts are available to assist researchers at the SCGS Library from 1-9pm.

Doug Daniels is the current president. The group keeps their collection of books on the shelves at the SCGS Library. GSHA-SC has special programs and offer research assistance as well. Guests are always welcome and invited to join the group.

The Chapter also co-hosts an annual Viva la Familia Fiesta in October at different sites throughout Southern California. In 2009 GSHA-SC began sponsoring lectures and research meetings at the Orange Family History Center in Orange County. They also assist researchers on Hispanic Saturday, the second Saturday of each month, at the Richard Riordan Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. Researchers meet from 11am-6pm in the History & Genealogy library on lower level 4 of the library.

The contact person for the group is Donie Nelson. For further information she can be reached at 310-204-6808 or
e-mail doniegsha@earthlink.net .

Download a copy of the newsletter here.

To download a registration form, click here.

Upcoming events include:

January 2010
•January 9, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•January 18, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

February 2010
•February 6, 10am-4pm: GSHA-SC General Meeting – SCGS Library, Burbank, CA
•February 13, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•February 16, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

March 2010
•March 13, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•March 16, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

April 2010
•April 10, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•April 13, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

May 2010
•May 1, 10am-4pm: GSHA-SC General Meeting – SCGS Library, Burbank, CA
•May 8, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•May 18, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

June 2010
•June 12, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•June 15, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

July 2010
•July 10, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•July 20, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

August 2010
•August 7, 10am-4pm: GSHA-SC General Meeting – SCGS Library, Burbank, CA
•August 14, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•August 17, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

September 2010
•September 11, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•September 21, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

October 2010
•October – date & site to be set: GSHA-SC Annual Viva La Familia Fiesta
•October 9, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•October 19, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

November 2010
•November 13, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•November 16, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

December 2010
•December 4, 10am-4pm: GSHA-SC Holiday Gathering – SCGS Library, Burbank, CA
•December 11, 11am-6pm:  Hispanic Saturday, research at the Richard Riordan Central Library, History & Genealogy Dept., Lower Level 4, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]
•December 21, 1-9pm:  Hispanic Tuesday, research at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA directions:  818/843-7247 [info:  Donie Nelson 310-204-6808 or doniegsha@earthlink.net]

Douglas S. Daniels, President