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. 2010 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. SCGS "tree shirt" from Cafe Press
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

Who Do You Think You Are: Susan Sarandon on April 23

"Who Do You Think You Are?" returns to television this Friday night 8pm, 7pm Central time.  Did I see Megan Smolenyak in the preview for this episode?  Why Yes I Did!!  Watch her on Friday night and then visit with her in the SCGS Booth 130 at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday or Sunday.  She'll be selling and autographing copies of her companion book to the series "Who Do You Think You Are."

I know the celebrities are the main focus of this program, but I think the genealogists are *our* celebrities!

Megan will also be one of the featured speakers at the 2010 Genealogy Jamboree. In addition to three lectures, she will also be giving the Saturday banquet talk on the search for Michelle Obama's roots.

WDYTYA Renewed by NBC

Hurray! We're hearing today that NBC has renewed Who Do You Think You Are? for a second season. No specifics yet about when the new programs will air or who will be featured, but this is great news for genealogy.

The Brooke Shields episode that aired on Friday night got the highest ratings for the time spot, which was very good news. The program's audience had consistently grown over the weeks, and NBC saw a good thing and renewed.

As we reported in an earlier post, the schedule has been adjusted somewhat. Upcoming episodes are scheduled as follows:

- April 9th – Sarah Jessica Parker (Repeat)
- April 16th – No episode
- April 23rd – Susan Sarandon
- April 30th – Spike Lee

Remember that Megan Smolenyak2 is one of the genealogists that appeared in Emmitt Smith's episode, and she'll be in our Festival of Books booth the very next day, autographing her companion book to the television series. Be sure to stop by, pick up your copy, and have it autographed on the spot.

Who Do You Think You Are: Brooke Shields on Friday April 2

This Week’s Episode – Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields’ episode is the most royal of the series, taking viewers to New Jersey, Rome, and Paris. In the episode, Brooke seeks to learn more about her father’s aristocratic roots and to learn the origins of the “Torlonia” family name. Watch for Brooke’s visit to the New Jersey State Archives in Newark and the New York Historical Society.

Check out the teaser featuring Brooke Shields, and tune into NBC for the full episode on Friday at 8/7c.

Last Week’s Episode – Matthew Broderick

In last week’s episode, award-winning actor and performer Matthew Broderick set out to learn more about his father’s side of the family. Matthew begins his journey by visiting battlefield grounds of north-eastern France, where he finds out his grandfather served as a medic in World War I. Matthew is surprised to learn that through his grandfather’s heroic military sacrifice, he was awarded the Purple Heart and recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross. But Matthew’s military roots don’t stop there. On a trip to Connecticut, Matthew discovers his great-great-grandfather served in the Civil War and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. The last leg of Matthew’s journey leads him to Marietta, Georgia, where he visits his great-great-grandfather’s grave site and also solves a 150-year-old mystery.

If you missed the episode, watch it here.

Who Do You Think You Are: Change in Episode Schedule

NBC has altered a few of the Who Do You Think You Are? episode dates. The updated schedule, provided by Suzanne Russo Adams of Ancestry.com is as follows:

-          April 2^nd – Brooke Shields

-          April 9^th – Sarah Jessica Parker (Repeat)

-          April 16^th – No episode

-          April 23^rd – Susan Sarandon

-          April 30^th – Spike Lee

Who Do You Think You Are: Matthew Broderick on March 26

This week’s episode takes a different turn with award-winning actor and performer Matthew Broderick, who sets out to discover more about his father’s side of the family, whom he never knew. As he learns about his ancestors’ heroic military service and sacrifice, Matthew gets closer than he ever imagined to Captain Robert Shaw, who he portrayed in the epic Civil War movie Glory. Watch for Matthew’s visit to the National Archives in New York City, the Connecticut State Archives, and the Marietta National Cemetery in Georgia.

Check out the teaser featuring Matthew Broderick, and tune into NBC for the full episode on Friday at 8/7c.

Last Week’s Episode

Last week’s episode starring Lisa Kudrow was one of the most riveting of the series. In it, Lisa visits the small shtetl of Ilya, Belarus, where her great-grandmother was executed during the Holocaust. Lisa’s father always wondered what happened to Yuri, a cousin who had escaped from Ilya to Poland and who delivered the news of Lisa’s great-grandmother’s death, but was never heard from again. On a visit to Gdynia, Poland, to discover Yuri’s true fate, Lisa is shocked to learn that Yuri was still alive! Despite the tragic history Lisa uncovers, the episode ends with a silver lining – a beautiful reunion between the two families that had been separated by the tragedies of the Holocaust.

If you missed the episode, watch it here.

Who Do You Think You Are: Lisa Kudrow on Friday, March 19

It appears the success of the Who Do You Think You Are? premiere wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. In fact, more Americans tuned in to watch the second episode than the first!

This Week’s Episode
You won’t want to miss this week’s episode. Lisa Kudrow sets out to learn the hard truth about what really happened to her Jewish ancestors who remained behind in Belarus during World War II. Despite the cold details of how the Holocaust impacted her family, Lisa’s episode ends with a silver lining.

Last Week’s Episode

Faced with the obstacles that surround African American family history research, football legend Emmitt Smith sets out to learn about his enslaved ancestors. The trail takes him to Monroe County, Alabama, where Emmitt traces his family back to his 3rd great-grandfather, Prince Puryear. Prince is found in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, along with several other Puryears – including one 55-year old woman named “Mariah.” Emmitt calls it destiny when the family historian uses Book 22 (his jersey number) to confirm Mariah is Prince’s mother. Mariah then leads Emmitt on a journey that introduces him to the slave trade in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Seeking his African origins, Emmitt takes a DNA test that guides him to the shores of Africa.

Who Do You Think You Are: Emmitt Smith on Friday March 12

This Friday night, football legend Emmitt Smith will travel across the U.S. and all the way to the African coast to reveal important answers about his slave ancestry — and his own identity. Click on the image to watch a clip from Friday night's show.

Who Do You Think You Are? is a unique show that takes a personal look into the family stories of seven celebrities, while helping people everywhere understand what they could discover about their own family history.

Genealogy on Oprah Today!

Don’t miss Oprah today. She’s shining her very bright light on family history, with guests Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Lisa Kudrow, Emmitt Smith, and others. Check Oprah’s website for background stories, clips of today’s program, and related links, including Megan Smolenyak2’s companion book to “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Check your local listings so you don’t miss this program.

WDYTYA: WDYT?

All right. What Did You Think of the program, Who Do You Think You Are? that premiered last night on NBC? Didn't watch it? Well, you can catch it online at NBC

Next week's celebrity is Emmitt Smith, former pro football player and winner of "Dancing With The Stars" a few years ago. Maybe you can get your football-loving family members to watch it by telling them it's a sports show. Just an idea...

Holy Smokes! It's Genealogy All Over the Place!

Suzanne Russo Adams of Ancestry.com just sent out a schedule for programs that will feature Who Do You Think You Are?

In the coming weeks, Who Do You Think You Are? is going to be spotlighted in several major media outlets. Among them, Oprah will designate an entire hour to family history next Tuesday March 9!

Here’s a list of a few shows to watch for (all dates/times are subject to change):

Wednesday, March 3
* Today Show (NBC) – 8-9 am
* The View (ABC – check your local TV listings)
* The Joy Behar Show (HLN – Headline News) – 9 pm ET

Friday, March 5
* Today Show (NBC) – 10-11 am

Monday, March 8
* Martha Stewart (check your local TV listings)

Tuesday, March 9
* Oprah (check your local TV listings)
* Craig Ferguson (CBS late night)

Friday, March 19
* Bonnie Hunt (check your local TV listings)

In case you’re curious about the celebrity line up and timing for the episodes, here is the current schedule according to NBC:

* March 5 – Sarah Jessica Parker
* March 12 – Emmitt Smith
* March 19 – Lisa Kudrow
* March 26 – Matthew Broderick
* April 2 – Brooke Shields
* April 9 – Susan Sarandon
* April 23 – Spike Lee

Become a Standard Bearer for Genealogy

Are you prepared to help capitalize on the opportunity that television programs like "Faces of America" and "Who Do You Think You Are" offer for societies like the Southern California Genealogical Society?

As a genealogist, you are in a position to help others understand the joy of unveiling a new generation in your family.  You can help share your passion and knowledge.  Let's think about some things that each of us can do to help spread the word.

For example, you can start water-cooler conversations "Did you see last night's 'Who Do You Think You Are"?  Once people know that you've an experienced genealogist or family historian, you will become a resource and they will look to you for advice.

If you find someone interested starting their own research, take the initiative to invite them to a genealogy program or visit a library. Offer to go with them to introduce them or show them around. You'll gain a research buddy and someone with whom to share your discoveries and your challenges.

Offer to do a look-up, or have them watch over your shoulder as you use Ancestry.com or FamilySearch to find a record for their family.  Remember how you felt the first time you saw your great-grandfather's name on a census record? You can give that feeling to someone else.

Carry a few copies of  your society's membership brochures in your purse or briefcase. Encourage them to explore membership.  Explain that they can learn effective search techniques and help them avoid the mistakes that we all made when we started.  Show them the Society's website and help them understand the education and resources available to them at a very nominal cost.  Have copies of the Society newsletter or journal to show, too. 

Contact your local PBS and NBC stations and provide them with contact information for your genealogical society.  Write a letter on the station's website and invite them to interview members -- a student member, a beginner, experienced professional, someone with a particularly interesting ancestor. 

Some churches, employers, schools have informal sessions where someone talks about their hobby or interest. Jump in and offer to lead one of those classes.

Individuals genealogists, as well as genealogical organizations, can help spread the word about family history.  What other ideas do you have to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity?

I'd love to hear them.


#WDYTYA  #SCGS

"Who Do You Think You Are" Promo

I am so excited about the upcoming debut of Who Do You Think You Are.  Here's another teaser to whet your appetite.

Sneak Peek at "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Genealogists from Hawaii to Maine are anxiously awaiting the debut of the NBC program, "Who Do You Think You Are?" Modeled after the successful UK series, the NBC version starts on Friday, March 5, at 8:00 p.m.

Watch the trailer to get a sneak peek at the series:

US version of "Who Do You Think You Are" on NBC's Schedule

The long-awaited US version of the popular British television program, "Who Do You Think You Are" is now slated to premier on Friday, March 5 at 8pm, 7pm Central. According to NBC's announcement, the show will run through April 30.

We hope this program will spur a renewed interest in genealogy, like what occurred following "Roots." It's a wonderful time for all of us to bring new members to the SCGS Library and into the Society. The newcomers will be grateful for the information and the Society will continue to thrive and grow.