Well, it's February, which I have always felt was the cruelest month (apologies to T. S. Eliot). Those of us in California empathize with those of you in snowy, icy, cold areas of the country. It's time to bring everyone up to speed on the news and upcoming events for the Southern California Genealogical Society. The Board and officers of the Society have been seeking a faster, reliable, convenient, cost-efficient way of communicating with all of our members and potential members. This Rootsweb list is one method and we have nearly 950 subscribers. But we know there are lots of genealogists and family historians who have not found their way here. So we made it even easier. Check out the new main page of the SCGS website (www.scgsgenealogy.com). You'll see a newsfeed with items about SCGS, Jamboree, and the genealogy industry in general. We'll be keeping you updated on bargains on genealogy products, announcements of events, and other items of interest. It's an easy way to stay in touch. Some recent news stories include: - announcements of new genealogy television programs - news from the January Board of Directors meeting, including election of officers and revisions to the By-Laws - publication announcement of a new SCGS publication, California Marriages Volumes 11-15 - Jamboree speakers - SCGS's DNA interest group featured in National Geographic's Genographic Project newsletter - many others Alternately, you can sign up to receive Jamboree updates at http://genealogyjamboree.blogspot.com/, and get SCGS and general announcements at http://scgsgenealogy.blogspot.com/. -------------------------- The News & Notes Available for Download The new issue of The News & Notes is available online. Click on "The News & Notes" icon on the main page of the website to download your copy today. -------------------------- Now, on to the calendar. Lunch and Learn Saturday, February 13 Creating a Life History Presented by Jeff Fromberg. This lecture will show you how to approach a life / oral history project and what media should be considered -- photo, audio, written biography or video account. Other topics to be presented are (1) how to get started so that the effort is manageable and (2) using the interviewing method as part of the process of creating a life history. The program will also include a short video and reading from an oral history. A CPA by day, Mr. Fromberg films oral histories on videotape. He then adds other media such as photos, music and perhaps other videotapes to make a finished movie. Fromberg's interest in oral history dates back many years when he first read Studs Terkel's compilation of oral histories, Hard Times. The website www.ataleworthtelling.com includes an interview with a WW II veteran. Other interviews are in various stages of progress. Lunch and Learn Saturday, March 13 - It's a Triple Bill! Researching Your Catholic Ancestors Pam Wiedenbeck 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Catholic records are a wonderful resource. Learn why they were created and where and how to find them. Are You Lost in Louisiana Research? Charlotte Bocage 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. Let the good times roll! Learn the basics of researching in Louisiana and how it may help you trace your ancestors to French Canada. Canadian Cousins Joan Phillips 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. Arcadian, Cajun, or French Canadian? Learn the basics of French-Canadian research and how it may lead you to a Louisiana connection. Interest Group Meetings - TMG (The Master Genealogist), February 6 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Legacy Users Group, February 8 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Writers Group, February 9 - 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. - African American Interest Group, February 13 - 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. - German Interest Group, February 20 - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - RootsMagic Users, February 21 - 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Writers Group, February 21 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - TMG (The Master Genealogist), March 6 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Legacy Users Group, March 8 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Writers Group, March 9 - 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. - African American Interest Group, March 13 - 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - DNA Project Administrator's Roundtable, March 13 - 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - German Interest Group, March 20 - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Writers Group, March 21 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - RootsMagic Users, March 28 - 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Research Teams and Groups - Genealogical Society of Hispanic America - SoCal - February 6, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - United Daughters of the Confederacy - February 7, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - French-Canadian - All Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - German - All Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Hispanic Tuesday - February 16, 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m. - United Daughters of the Confederacy - March 7 - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - French-Canadian Researchers - March 21 - 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. SCGS Committees and Organization - Publications Ad Hoc Committee - February 4 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Long Range Planning - February 11 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Jamboree Committee - February 13 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - SCGS Board Meeting - February 18 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Jamboree Committee - March 13 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - SCGS Board Meeting - March 18 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Library is open to the public for research on: 10:00am - 4:00pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 10:00am - 9:00pm Tuesdays 10:00am - 4:00pm on third and fourth Saturdays 10:00am - 4:00pm on first and second Sundays Closed Mondays All activities held at the Southern California Genealogical Society 417 Irving Drive Burbank, California 91504-2408 phone: 818-843-7247 email: scgs@scgsgenealogy.com web: www.scgsgenealogy.com