Sacramento Bee http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/8492078p-9420878c.html Genealogists to gather in Sacramento for Family History Day By Gabriel Baird -- Bee Staff Writer Published 4:20 p.m. PST Friday, March 12, 2004 Genealogists track down records of their ancestors in courthouses, churches and libraries across the country and the world. They also make pilgrimages to Salt Lake City, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have accumulated the largest-ever collection of documents for tracing family histories. But there is another great repository closer to home. The Sutro Library is about 95 miles from Sacramento, on the north campus of San Francisco State University. This is a hot spot for genealogists, hundreds of whom will be in Sacramento in May to attend the National Genealogical Society's annual conference. Many also will attend Family History Day at the California State Archives on Saturday. The free event gives beginners a chance to learn about genealogy. Genealogists say their hobby is growing fast, especially among retirees. Sharon Bias, 48, from Elverta, said it is also great for workers who only get to research every once in awhile. "Those dead people are still going to be dead in six months. They don't go anywhere," she said. "So unless you lose the ability to read and write, you never lose your ability to start it and stop it. That is, for me, what makes it a great hobby." Sutro is branch of the State Library. It has Census records on microfilm, microfiche and CD-ROM. The card catalog hasn't been updated since 1999, but it is still a resource. Upcoming genealogy events and information sources Fifth annual Family History Day, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, California State Archives, 1020 O St., Sacramento. All-day workshop introduces beginners to genealogy, software and more. For more information: www.ss.ca.gov/archives/archives.htm From March 20 until April 10, the Genealogical Association of Sacramento will present "Road to Your Roots," a series of free workshops to help residents trace their family ancestry. The classes are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Central Library, 828 I St., Sacramento. March 20: "The U.S. Census Can Show The Roads Your Family Traveled." Glenda Lloyd, a family history instructor, will help people find their families using U.S. Census records from 1790 to 1830. March 27: "Family Group Sheets And Pedigree Charts Will Map Your Family's Journey." Family historian and instructor Chuck Knuthson will explain how the use of group sheets and pedigree charts will help research efforts. April 3: "How To Climb That Stone Wall When Your Research Hits A Dead End." Pam Dallas, professional genealogist and history teacher, will help people navigate around potential roadblocks. April 10: "Help Me Find My Family History - I'm Doubled Parked!" Jim Rader, computer and Internet instructor, will discuss how the Internet can speed family history research; provide Web sites for genealogical research, tips on using the Internet and computer software programs for genealogy records. For more information about the library workshops, call the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or (916) 264-2770. National Genealogical Society annual conference, May 19-22 at the Sacramento Convention Center. For more information: www.ngsgenealogy.org. Sutro Library, 480 Winston Drive, San Francisco, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m weekdays. For more information, (415) 731-4477. Regards, Paul Kekai Manansala