About SCGS

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Southern California Genealogical Society is:

• To arouse interest among the general public in family history and genealogy;
• To provide an organization for persons interested in genealogy, local history and family history research and preservation;
• To encourage the accumulation of genealogically valuable materials;
• To provide facilities to make genealogical materials available for use by persons interested in genealogical research;
• To present lectures, seminars, workshops, classes, publications, and other activities to educate interested persons in effective genealogical research skills;
• To provide opportunities for both amateur and professional genealogists to share experiences and skills;
• To make available genealogical supplies for interested researchers;
• To preserve local California records, history and genealogy; and
• To cooperate with other genealogical groups and libraries in promoting genealogy throughout the world.

ABOUT SCGS

The Southern California Genealogical Society was organized January 10, 1964 to foster interest in genealogy, preserve genealogical materials, and train researchers in effective and accurate techniques. It is the largest volunteer-managed genealogical society west of the Mississippi.

Through its programs, the member is offered the opportunity to list queries, survey indexes, join special interest groups and provide support for other members and their activities. The Society maintains a 30,000-volume library of books, manuscripts, maps, periodicals and electronic data resources for use by its members and the general public. Library holdings include materials from every state and many countries, with emphasis on Germany, French Canadian and other special collections.

The Society is a non-profit corporation and enjoys 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Donations of cash or library materials made to the Society may qualify as charitable contributions.

The annual Genealogical Jamboree is recognized as one of the premier education and vendor events in the United States.

We are grateful for the contribution, vision and leadership provided by the past presidents of our Society:

• 1964 to 1965 Clifford Parmenter
• 1966 to 1967 Ruth Enyeart Clark
• 1968 to 1969 Foster Gilbody
• 1970 to 1971 Margaret C. Fahy
• 1972 to 1973 Troy A. Reed
• 1974 to 1975 Donald W. Franklin
• 1976 to 1981 Berni K. Campbell
• 1982 to 1983 Robert C. Emrey
• 1984 to 1986 I. Jean Nepsund
• 1987 to 1988 Janet T. Jennings
• 1989 to 1990 Brian C. Smith
• 1991 to 1992 Virginia P. Emrey
• 1993 to 1995 Patrick Flanagan
• 1996 to 1997 John M. O'Neill
• 1998 Al Lewis
• 1999 to 2001 Douglas J. Miller
• 2002 to 2003 Pat Parish
• 2004 Fred Haughton
• 2005 to 2006 Pam Wiedenbeck
• 2007 to present Paula Hinkel

Look at some photos of the people who were important in establishing SCGS's early success:.

FUTURE PLANS

As the Society enters its fifth decade, the members of SCGS recognize the responsibility to future genealogists and are pursuing an ambitious program to identify and compile genealogical resources for Los Angeles County. The GRO database will become an invaluable resource for genealogists and family researchers for generations to come.

The Society will continue to offer its renowned annual Genealogical Jamboree, spotlighting leading speakers and topics of interests to family researchers, family historians, and genealogists.

As we continue to grow and increase the value of our Library holdings, we still hold the dream of a building of our own.

The continued success of the Southern California Genealogical Society rests in the hands of the members who willingly volunteer their time, their talents, and their financial support.