Meet Our
SCGS Officers 2024
SCGS officers and board members bring diverse career and educational backgrounds to the organization, which is what makes everything work. We plan activities, events, educational opportunities, the Genetic Genealogy Jamboree, Jambo-Free, and, of course, the internationally recognized Jamboree, which has been held since 1969.
Louise Ratliff
President
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Louise retired in 2019 after over four decades as an academic librarian, first at California State University, Northridge and then at UCLA. A native of Los Angeles, she holds a bachelor's degree in French and a master's degree in Library Science, both from the University of Southern California. Her passion for genealogy stems from her parents, who embarked on extensive family research travels during the 1980s and 1990s, tracing their ancestral lines to 12th-century England and Germany. At the SCGS Library, she catalogs books and collaborates with volunteer librarians on collection management and building maintenance. In 2024, she served as president of SCGS. She maintains memberships in several other genealogical organizations, including the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the International Cody Family Association, and genealogical societies in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Through her research, Louise continues to find joy in uncovering the stories and historical contexts of her ancestors.​
Debbie Davenport
First Vice President
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Born in LA, Debbie is a Registered Nurse and worked in emergency medicine and public health for over 40 years, She earned a BSN and a Masters in Public Administration. In 1976 she began researching her family at the West LA Family History Library, where she discovered a SCGS Jamboree flyer. Now retired, her focus is on improving her genealogy research skills while also helping others discover their ancestors and volunteering at the library. Debbie was Jamboree Speaker Chair for two years. In 2023, she served as Treasurer for SCGS. This year she's working with the Board President on the fall conference as well as managing membership registration and renewals. If members or others have questions, contact Debbie at deborah@scgsgenealogy.com
She is a member of the SCCAPG, APG, NGS, DAR, DUVCW, National Society U.S. Daughters of 1812, Colonial Dames 17th Century, UGA, and NYG&B. Research interests: 17th and 18th Century Americas and the Caribbean, Ulster Scots Irish, Colonial Dutch ancestry, and anywhere there is a family story to discover!
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Kathy Holland
Recording Secretary
A San Fernando Valley native, Kathy traced her ancestors all the way back to the mid-1600’s. She received a Certificate in Genealogical Studies-American Records from the National Institute of Genealogy, is in the German certificate program, is a ProGen grad and completed the DAR genealogy courses. She has attended the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy every year since 2013, working on German studies and methodology. Kathy is a member of NGS, SCGS, APG, and the Southern California chapter of APG, the DAR, and the DUVCW. Kathy has BA and MA degrees in Political Science. She is a college professor of Political Science and Women in Politics. She also presents DAR application workshops at the SCGS Library on the third Saturday of most months.
Diane Adamson
Treasurer
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Los Angeles native Diane joined SCGS in 2009 and most recently served as the organization's President and Jamboree Co-Chair. She is a graduate of Cal State University, Northridge, with a degree in Business Administration/ Accounting Information Systems. Diane was a programmer and manager for the IT department of ARCO for 22 years. She also worked in the IT department at the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center. Diane earned an MBA with an emphasis on information systems from USC, and a second BS in psychology and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Cal State Northridge. Previously, Diane was SCGS's Volunteer Coordinator and a member of the IT Department.
Empower
Growth
