top of page
SCGS Blog
Welcome to the official blog of the Southern California Genealogical Society. Subscribe to learn about upcoming webinars, educational opportunities, events, speakers, genealogists, members, family history, DNA news, and, of course, SCGS.
Search
Ancestry Makes Newly Digitized Guinness Brewery Archives Available Free Through March 22
You may be in luck: Those long-lost Irish ancestors might be waiting for you in the more than 1.6 million historical records Ancestry.com...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Mar 13, 20242 min read
Â
Â
A Daughter Reflects As Her Vibrant Mother Retires From SCGS
by Kay Fairhurst Adkins Editor's Note: Longtime SCGS member Alice Fairhurst officially retired at the end of 2023. Well, sort of. She'll...
Kay Fairhurst Adkins
Mar 12, 20246 min read
Â
Â
Cathy Romero: In Search of Her Heritage
A retired graphic designer, Catherine Romero is on the Southern California Genealogical Society's Board of Directors. Cathy also serves...
Douglas Westfall
Mar 11, 20242 min read
Â
Â
60 Years Young! Welcome to a New Era
Note: If you came to this post from the newsletter, The SCGS Searcher Newsletter, you're in the right place. Skip over the first couple...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Mar 10, 20244 min read
Â
Â
SCGS Spotlight: The Irish Interest Group, Leader Sheila Benedict, and Where to Search for Irish Ancestors
One of the many ethnic special interest groups (SIGs) sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society is the Irish Interest...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Mar 3, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Ready for RootsTech? You Might Recognize SCGS Speakers in This Cast of Hundreds
Have you registered for the 2024 annual FamilySearch's RootsTech hybrid event, featuring keynote speaker Kristin Chenoweth? The three-day...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Feb 27, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Did Uncle Joe Go to the Very First Super Bowl in LA?
Did you know that the very first Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on January 15, 1967? Perhaps your ancestors--or maybe...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Feb 16, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Restaurant-Loving Angelenos Dined Out Even on Thanksgiving 1930, Adding Diversity to the Menu
Are you sure your Southern California ancestors gathered 'round the table and ate a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in 1930? Do you have...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Nov 21, 20232 min read
Â
Â
Vote Now: Southern California Genealogical Society Board of Directors 2024
SCGS members have until December 6 to vote for seven 2024 Board of Directors candidates. Meeting monthly, Directors: Take an active role...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Nov 17, 20231 min read
Â
Â
Veterans Day: Genealogical Sources for Researching Military Records
How do you find military ancestors? Do you even know all of your relatives who served in one or more of the wars? For Veterans Day...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Nov 11, 20231 min read
Â
Â
Every Family Has a Story: Join the SCGS Writers Group
You have plans for Sunday, November 12! The SCGS Writers Group meets online from 1 to 3 p.m., and you can join via your computer, tablet,...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Nov 9, 20231 min read
Â
Â
Mark Cross Uncovers the Rich History of Colonial Currency at Jamboree '23
Mark A. Cross brings a wealth of knowledge to Jamboree 2023 when he presents "Colonial Currency: New Money for a New Country" on...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Oct 3, 20232 min read
Â
Â
Leonard Trujillo Explores Genizaro Ancestors at Jamboree '23
Leonard Trujillo will take attendees on an important and fascinating journey when he presents "Birth of a Family Icon" on Saturday,...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Oct 3, 20232 min read
Â
Â
Sheila Benedict Reveals How to Research Irish Ancestors in the U.S. at Jamboree '23
Genealogist Sheila Benedict will present "Work Your Way to Ireland Using American Records" on Saturday, October 7, from 12:30 to 1:30...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Oct 2, 20232 min read
Â
Â
Sarah Cochran Presents'Introduction to Naturalization' at Jamboree 2023
Genealogist Sara Cochran will present "An Introduction to Naturalization" on Saturday, October 7, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Southern...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Sep 27, 20231 min read
Â
Â
Daniel Horowitz takes us 'Around the World in 20 Billion Records' Opening Night of Jamboree '23
MyHeritage senior researcher Daniel Horowitz presents "Around the World in 20 Billion Records" on Friday, October 6, from 6:15 to 7:15...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Sep 23, 20232 min read
Â
Â
Michael Provard Offers Insights Into FamilySearch Memories Tool for SCGS Jambore '23
FamilySearch Event Coordinator Michael Provard presents "Cherishing Your Family Inheritance with Michael Provard" on Friday, October 6 at...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Sep 22, 20232 min read
Â
Â
Dr. Michel Lacopo Hopes to Inspire with Keynote on Family Inheritance at Jamboree '23
Dr. Michael Lacopo will be the keynote speaker at the Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree 2023 genealogy conference, held...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Sep 19, 20232 min read
Â
Â
SCGS's Genealogy for Beginners: Kickstarting a Family Tree
A few years ago, I gave a relative a six-month membership to Ancestry.com for a milestone birthday, thinking it was the perfect gift...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Sep 14, 20232 min read
Â
Â
What We Can Learn From Southern California's 1939 Tropical Storm
Sunday's tropical cyclone, the one-time category-4 Hurricane Hilary, drenched Southern California and the West with record-breaking...
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Aug 22, 20232 min read
Â
Â
bottom of page