Bargain Alert: All I Want from You this Year is Spit

Are you looking for an unusual gift that could unlock the secret to a brand new branch of the family?  Whether you're giving the kit to a family member, asking for a contribution of spit or a cheek swab, or upgrading your own test results, do we have a deal for you!

Family Tree DNA has just announced their Holiday Sale for new DNA kits and upgrades to existing kits.

If you already have a DNA kit and want to order an upgrade, please go to your FTDNA kit personal page and click on ORDER TESTS AND UPGRADES. Sale prices are already listed for each sale kit or upgrade.

If you've never tested before, order your new kit through this link: http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=SCGS


Here are the details from FTDNA: 

Effective immediately through December 31, 2011.

Current Group Price  SALE PRICE
Y-DNA 37    $149    $119
Y-DNA 67    $239    $199
mtFullSequence    $299    $239
SuperDNA (Y-DNA67 and FMS)    $518    $438

Family Finder    $289    $199

Family Finder + mtPlus    $438    $318
Family Finder + FMS    $559    $439
Family Finder+ Y-DNA37    $438    $318
Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-67)    $797    $627
Upgrades
Current Group Price    SALE PRICE
12-25 Marker    $49    $35
12-37 Marker    $99    $69
12-67 Marker    $189    $148
25-37 Marker    $49    $35
25-67 Marker    $148    $114
37-67 Marker    $99    $79
Family Finder    $289    $199
mtHVR1toMega    $269    $229
mtHVR2toMega    $239    $209

This promotion is not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or coupons. At this time, FTDNA will not be offering discounts for the Y-DNA111 new kits or upgrades. Those may be offered at a later time pending the lab volumes with the tests under promotion.

Family Tree DNA
www.familytreedna.com

Top Ten Holiday Gifts that Support SCGS

Here's the SCGS top ten list .....

10. SCGS logo items (e.g., mugs, caps) from Cafe Press
9. Genealogical research by the SCGS staff
8. 2011 Jamboree Syllabus – CD Version
7. SCGS gift certificates
6. 1892 Los Angeles Great Register - Vols. 1 & 2
5. Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California - Vols. 1, 2 & 3
4. "My Heritage is Here" t-shirts
3. Who Do You Think You Are by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
2. Family Tree DNA test kits
1. SCGS memberships for all of your family members and friends

Our on-line store is full of great gift ideas that when purchased also help fill to our coffer.

SCGS at CafePress
SCGS Shopping Cart
SCGS discounts at FTDNA
My Heritage is Here t-shirt orders

The Civil War in California: The California Hundred and California Battalion

Two articles about the California 100 and the California Battalion, both formed in San Francisco, can be found at the California State Military Museum's website on the subject. Written by Wayne Edward Sherman.

Volunteer Opportunity: Nov 29-30 Mailing

What: Stuff and label SCGS Century Club letter

Date: Tues., Nov. 29th and Wed., Nov. 30th
Hours: 10am to 4pm
Where: SCGS library

We are looking for volunteers to assist with this large mailing activity.  Please drop by.  No RSVP necessary.

Thanksgiving Week Library Hours Update

Library hours Thanksgiving week:

Special closures:
November 23 (Wednesday) CLOSED
November 24 (Thursday) CLOSED


Return to normal operating schedule:
November 25 (Friday) OPEN
November 26 (Saturday) OPEN
November 27 (Sunday) CLOSED

Don't Forget to Vote - SCGS Board Elections

SCGS ballots have been mailed - if you are a voting member, check your mailbox.

This year SCGS has a slate of four candidates for three board positions. Ballots are due back to the SCGS Library by December 9th.

Winners will be announced at the 2011 Annual Meeting to be held at the Library on December 10th from 11 am to 3 pm.

RootsMagic User Group Meeting Nov 20

The next meeting of the SCGS RootsMagic User Group will be held this
coming Sunday at the usual time and place:
Date: Sunday, November 20, 2011
Time: 2-4 PM
Place: SCGS Library
           417 Irving Drive (near Glenoaks) in Burbank
Program -  Topics to be discussed at our November meeting will include the following items:

- Sam Ward will follow up on a question that arose at our October meeting: How does the RootsMagic duplicate records merging function work? He has done some testing of this capability and the results were not what he expected. Come and hear about what he discovered and what changes to RootsMagic this might suggest.

- Bill Miller will tell us about his recent work scanning old photos and other documents to add to his media files. He will also tell us about the media file naming rules he developed for use in this effort.
Bill also suggested that a future meeting we discuss how to easily/quickly preview a "narrative report" on a portion of an RM database. What he has in mind is a Preview option such as one gets in a "print preview" screen with other software. This would allow you to quickly see what the narrative report would look like when printed after an addition or edit of an individual's information in the database.

At our last meeting Sam discussed some highlights of  the newly-released Personal Historian 2 software package which will assist you with writing your own history or that of another family  member. He highly recommends that you view the webinar "What's New in Personal Historian 2?", no. 25 in the RootsMagic Webinar series, to learn more about the program and how to use it. (See link to webinars below)

As always, we encourage you to bring your RootsMagic questions and problems for discussion by the group.

If you have them, please bring to the meeting your laptop and/or your copy of Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic 4.

You are also encouraged to send us your suggestions for future meetings. At each meeting we try to cover topics of interest to both beginners and more experienced users.

RootsMagic Webinars - Do you have some favorites from among the 26 Roots Magic webinars that have been presented? See the RM webinar page at http://www.rootsmagic.com/Webinars/ for a complete list. At the meeting, please tell us about one you have found to be helpful. The first webinar of the series, "Getting Started with RootsMagic" (January 8) is an excellent introduction to the program. Whichever one you watch, we suggest you download it per their instructions so you can view it, pause, go back, etc. at your leisure. Let us know if you have any questions about accessing or using the webinars.

Next Month's Meeting - December 18, 2011 (Scheduling of this meeting will be discussed at our November 20 meeting.)
Future Meetings - January 15, 2012, February 19, March 18

Latest Version of RM4 - Version 4.1.2.1 (20 Sep 2011). For more information see the RootsMagic blog. (http://blog.rootsmagic.com/)

For further information about the meeting or the user group, contact Jay Holladay: jholladay@ca.rr.com

REMINDER: Photo Scanning Sunday November 20

REMINDER

We wanted to remind you about the great event happening at the SCGS library this Sunday, November 20, from 11AM-2PM. 1000memories, a popular photo sharing and genealogy website, will be co-hosting "How to Go Home" with SCGS. This free event will include free photo scanning, a show and tell of great old photos, and a short class on family secrets hidden in your shoebox. 1000memories will also be demonstrating a fun new activity for sharing photos and stories with your family this Thanksgiving.

For your benefit, all photos scanned will be archived online at 1000memories.com under your secure account by the Internet Archive. Having your photos online will allow you to access them from your home computer and to share them with your friends or family if you choose to do so. You won't need to bring a thumb drive since the photos will be stored online.

A few reminders:
• Don't forget to bring your shoebox full of old photos
• If you have an iPhone or iPad, please bring them it. 1000memories will hold a tutorial on using Shoebox, their free app that turns iPhones into scanners.
• If you don't have an iPhone, we will provide scanning assistance

Please let us know if you have any questions in advance. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

We appreciate it if you would REGISTER in advance.

PS - stay for the RootsMagic interest group that starts at 2pm

The Civil War in California: SoCal Encampments

According to the California State Military Museum's website, "When the {Civil War} erupted in April of 1861, the California Legislature declared the State for the Union {..} and pitched in with raising volunteers for the cause. By December of 1861, California had raised two regiments of cavalry and five regiments of infantry for the Union."

"Later, three more infantry regiments would be enlisted along with a battalion each of 'Mounted Infantry' and 'Native Cavalry' for a grand total of sixteen thousand plus Californians enlisting as volunteers during the war."

All the troops raised in California as volunteers served in locations in Southern California such as the Drum Barracks in Wilmington, Camp Fitzgerald (Imperial County), Two Harbors Isthmus, and Camp Latham on Ballona Creek in Culver City (intersection of Jefferson and Overland Boulevards).

See the Los Angeles Almanac(TM) Los Angeles Area Civil War Barracks  for more information.

Annual Meeting and Silent Auction - Dec 10

Date: 10 December 2011
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Location: SCGS Library, 417 Irving Drive, Burbank (818-843-7247)

 

Annual business meeting

Newly elected will be announced

Long time members & past presidents will be honored

Year-end activity summary from SCGS leadership

Silent auction**

Bring your cash, checks and credit cards to shop

Food

Bring your favorite holiday potluck dish to share

Jamboree 2012 sneak preview

Breaking news about speakers and activities

Jamboree 2012 full conference registration raffle

**Note: we are looking for new or gently used donations for the Silent Auction

You are Cordially Invited: "A Guide for Going Home"

Just as families everywhere drag carry-ons through airport terminals and merge onto construction-plagued highways to visit grandma's independent living condo, the Southern California Genealogical Society and website 1000memories.com have joined forces to help preserve and share your cherished memories - forever.

On November 20, 2011, from 11am to 2pm, SCGS and 1000memories.com will hold "A Guide for Going Home," an event to provide scanning of treasured family photos, videos, stories, letters and cards. The event is free and open to the public.

As SCGS president Heidi Ziegler noted, "This could be a great event for you and your family. In particular, it is a perfect opportunity to digitize old photos before Thanksgiving so that you can share them with family over the holidays."

The event will include free scanning, a "show & tell" of great old photographs, a short class on vintage photography, and instruction on using the 1000memories.com website and mobile app.

Bring a shoebox of your old photos and join us!

Register Now!

If you have any questions about the types of materials that can be scanned, please contact scgs@1000memories.com.

Thank you for your continued support of the programs and activities of the Southern California Genealogical Society. We look forward to seeing you on November 20th!

P.S. - If you are not in the Southern California area and would like information on digitizing your vintage photos or would like to sponsor a similar event in your area, please contact scgs@1000memories.com

Download the flyer here

Area Event: FamilySearch at SB Genealogical Society - Nov 19

We pass this on for our friends at the Santa Barbara  Genealogical Society:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Event Date Nov. 19, 2011

Dr. Richard D. McBride to present FamilySearch™ at SB Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society holds its monthly general meeting on Saturday, November 19^th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance at State Street, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. 

Dr. Richard D. McBride will discuss "Finding Records using FamilySearch.org."  

Dr. McBride has been the director of the Los Angeles Family History Library for nearly seven years. He oversaw the multi-million dollar renovation that has made this state-of-the-art facility the largest Family History Library outside of Salt Lake City. He has been involved in family history research for more than 40 years.

FamilySearch™ contains records from countries all around the world and has almost 2 billion names indexed in its database. FamilySearch™ also has hundreds of audio and video research courses available online.  It is an invaluable tool for anyone serious about family research.

Come join us. You do not need to be a member to enjoy this wonderful presentation. A calendar of genealogical events can be found at the Society web site.

 Media contact: Glenn Avolio, PR Chair, glennavolio@gmail.com  (805) 886-5438

LA Westside Genealogical Society Annual Show and Tell Potluck - Nov 15

We pass this on for our friends at the Los Angeles Westside Genealogical Society:

Annual Show and Tell Potluck 

This month members provide the program for our annual Show and Tell.  Everyone is invited to participate by sharing a short family story or anecdote, showing a family heirloom or photo, or relating some research breakthrough or experience.  If you would like to join in, feel free to get on the agenda by calling Tom Lane at 310-393-5574.  Or see Tom first thing at the meeting if you would like to join in, or just put your family item on our special display table with a short note of explanation. 

You don't need to bring a Show-and-Tell object or story to have a good time (although it really does help make friends with other attendees). Although everyone is welcome to bring a "pot" for the potluck, brand new visitors need not.

Members of the Board are bringing extra amounts to be sure everyone is covered. Long time members, we look forward to enjoying your food contributions and your stories! Let's learn, laugh, and visit with old and new friends.

Visitors Welcome!

Tuesday, November 15th
 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
6:30 pm-9:00 pm
Potluck set-up 6:30–7:00 pm
Annual Potluck 7:00-7:20 pm
Society Business 7:20-7:30 pm
Show and Tell 7:30-9:00 pm

Family History Library
on the Westwood Mormon Temple grounds
10741 Santa Monica Blvd. @ Overland Avenue
Get directions from Tom Lane at (310) 393-5574
Check out their website at: www.lawgsweb.org

The Civil War in California: LA Mounted Rifles

Did you know that there was a Confederate Militia in California? "They were members of a bona fide company of California Militia - the Los Angeles Mounted Rifles. As the only Free State militia unit that 'went Confederate,' their story is unique in itself."  Maybe your ancestor was one of the 64 privates listed on the initial muster roll?

Assigned to: First Brigade
Location: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Organized: March 7, 1861
Mustered Out: 1861

Learn more at this wonderful site, California's Confederate Militia, hosted by the California State Military Museum.  A link to the initial muster roll can also be found here.

SCGS Lunch and Learn, Civil War Records - Nov 12

 LUNCH AND LEARN
@
Southern California Genealogical Society and Family Research Library
417 Irving Drive, Burbank, California 91504
818-843-7247

Saturday November 12, 2011
Doors open at 12noon

Lunch - 12:00 noon to 1p.m.
Sit, chat, and share your genealogy stories and questions while eating your brown bag lunch.

Learn - Presented by Kim vonAspern-Parker
1:00 to 2:00 "Grand Army of the Republic" lecture
2:00 to 2:15 break
2:15 to 3:15 "National Civil War Association" lecture

"Grand Army of the Republic"

Do you know what it was, who was involved and where to find the records? Was your ancestor a member"

"National Civil War Association"

Have you looked everywhere?  Really? This lecture will provide you with where else to look for Civil War military records besides NARA.

Kim vonAspern-Parker left the world the Journalism (she has a BA in Journalism) and took up chasing dead relatives more than 20 years ago. Kim now works with clients organizing and verifying existing research, and doing research to uncover new genealogy.  An ardent attendee of genealogical conferences and other methods of learning genealogy she hopes to take all that knowledge and parlay it into a certification or an accreditation.  

The library will not be open for research.

Any questions please contact Charlotte rubymoon01@yahoo.com

The Civil War in California: Seccessionists Right Here in LA

In the 1860s, there were about 5,000 people in Los Angeles. It took 12 days for news of the start of the Civil War to reach LA. Did the Civil War affect their daily lives?

Read a fascinating article, by Nathan Masters, to find out that indeed the Civil War was front and center.

Civil War: How Southern California Tried to Split from Northern California
by Nathan Masters

Part of KCET's SoCal focus on history.