San Diego Genealogical Society upcoming events

Class - SDGS Orientation (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

9am Class

Topic: SDGS Orientation

Speaker: Marjorie Geiser, Julie Barelka, and Doug Shaw

Discover what SDGS has to offer! This introductory session walks through our programs, resources, and member benefits—perfect for newcomers and a valuable refresher for current members wanting to explore more of what we provide.

Classes on genealogy, family history, media/technology, and computer skills are held at 9 am (PT) on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of most months except January, September, and December. Classes are designed for a variety of interests and ability levels and are often used as a refresher.

For questions email education@casdgs.org.

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be sent to registrants a few days before the meeting.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS Ask A Genealogist (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Ask a Genealogist Special Interest Group

This session is a forum where your genealogical questions can be answered by our panel. You may also talk about any genealogical successes you have had, problems you are encountering, or share with the group some of your current research. It is a chance for you to interact with your fellow genealogists so that we can all learn from each other. I invite you to come and have some fun with us.

Panel members: Colin Whitney (host), Christy Dolan and Barbara Stanculescu

We encourage you to send your questions, two days prior to the session, to cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

For questions contact Colin Whitney at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.

The public is welcome! to register and attend.

California Pioneer Programs Virtual Workshop (28 Jul 2026)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

California Pioneer

Programs Workshop

Topic: This workshop is designed to assist any individuals researching their early California ancestors. Its primary focus is to address their specific genealogical questions and assign qualified researchers when required. An additional purpose is to provide education on early California history and its records. We will cover archives in California, Mexico and the United States at the state, county, local, library and university levels.

Workshop Host: Colin Whitney

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual meeting via Zoom.

Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS DNA SIG-Virtual Meeting (01 Aug 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:30:00 GMT

DNA Special Interest Group

Topic: Ancestry and a DNA Case Study

Speaker: Colin Whitney

Ancestry is the premier DNA website with over 30 million DNA testers, 140 million trees and 65 billion genealogical records. It is the place where you are likely to find the most matches. We will provide brief overview of Ancestry and focus on using Ancestry Clusters to identify unknown matches. Techniques will be demonstrated with a three Non-parental Event case study.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS Reunion Users Group (04 Aug 2026)

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Reunion Users Group

Topic: TBD

Speaker: Anne Alves

For questions contact Anne Alves at fansvsdgs@gmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

Class - Lesser Known Parts of the SDGS Website (08 Aug 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

9am Class

Topic: Lesser Known Parts of the SDGS Website

Speaker: Doug Shaw

Explore some of the resources on the SDGS website that you might not be aware of or have used previously. Learn about material published by SDGS including the Leaves & Saplings research journal, SD County Records, ways to find and communicate with other members with similar research interests, on-demand webinars by Thomas MacEntee, links to other resources, and more. This will be a primarily live demonstration and deeper dive into parts of the website that will be briefly introduced in the 25 July SDGS Orientation.

For questions email education@casdgs.org.

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be sent to registrants a few days before the meeting.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

Monthly Program for August (08 Aug 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Monthly Program

Join us for a presentation with Colin Whitney, where we will learn about the California Pioneer Certificate Program.

In the 2nd session Dona Ritchie and Nancy Sprotte will be presenting and we will learn about the history of California that affected its population makeup, culture, and government,

so that you can be prepared to efficiently and effectively research your own pioneer ancestors in our state, celebrate their contributions, and share their story.

Session 1 presented by Colin Whitney, " California Pioneer Certificate Program"

The California Pioneer Certificate Program is a lineage program honoring early California Pioneers related to selected key historic events: California Statehood, the Gold Rush, the iconic California Missions, and the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. This talk will provide an overview of California's early history, the records available, where to find them, and a discussion of the features and benefits of the program.

Session 2 presented by Dona Ritchie and Nancy Sprotte, " Early California History and its Pioneers"

The lives of early California pioneers available through biographies and autobiographies provide a glimpse into the daily lives of some settlers. We will provide examples of those heroic individuals illustrating the conditions they encountered as they helped shape this state.

PRESENTER WEBPAGE

Biographies:

Colin Whitney was born in London, England, and emigrated to the United States in the 1960s to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received a Ph.D. in physics and a professorship in the Electrical Engineering Department. From there he accepted a research position in Massachusetts at the Central Research Laboratory of a major corporation. His research interests brought him to California in the 1970s where he joined an aerospace company. He retired as the Technical Director of an 11,000-person organization.

He has presented technical papers across the globe, including the United States, Mexico City, London, Stockholm, and Grenoble, and holds numerous patents. He was an active participant in several prestigious conferences, such as the Government sponsored Infrared Imaging Symposium (IRIS) in Washington DC in 1998 and 1999. He was a session chair and member of the paper selection committee for the Third NATO/IRIS Joint Symposium in Quebec in 1998. He also hosted the 1998 IRIS Specialty Group in Arizona and chaired both the 1998 and 1999 Electro-Optical Technology Conferences in Washington, DC and El Segundo, California.

Since his retirement, he has attended many major genealogy conferences over the years, such as RootsTech, the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference in Sacramento, CA, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conference in Fort Wayne, IN, the I4GG Conference in San Diego, CA, and the Southern California Genealogical Society Conference, Jamboree, in Los Angeles, CA. In 2023 he presented at the Allen County Public Library Lectures Series in Fort Wayne and his work in genealogy was featured in the San Diego Tribune. He has presented genealogical papers to over twenty genealogical organizations including the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree Webinar Series in 2024. That year, he presented at the American Library Association Conference in San Diego and the Irish Genealogical Research Society in Dublin, Ireland.

Since joining the San Diego Genealogical Society in 2018, where he is a Board member, Colin has helped expand its educational opportunities and continues to lead the British Isles, the DNA, and the Ask a Genealogist Groups. He also founded and chairs the California Pioneer Certificate Program, an early California lineage program which has attracted over a dozen partner organizations.

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Dona Hale Ritchie has been researching her family history, and that of her husband,
for over 40 years, tracing Colonial New England roots, Quakers and Mennonites, German and Swiss ancestors, Welsh and Scots-Irish.

She was also a desktop publisher/graphic artist for many years, and gained skills in that field that have allowed her to help a number of people publish their family history books (editing and designing the books for printing) and to restore many old photographs for herself and others. She has taught a number of classes for various societies around San Diego County, led several long term Special Interest Groups, and served in positions with the German Research Association, Computer Genealogy Society, British Isles Genealogical Society, and SDGS.

Although she has no early California roots (nor does her husband's family), she is proud to be a Californian and to help share the stories of its pioneers and help those researching their history.

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Nancy Sprotte has been doing family research since middle school. Luckily, she had a great aunt and a grandmother who had saved material that would help with the research. A mystery 2^nd great grandfather was found through a DNA match, leading that line back to a Revolutionary War patriot. She can now show a fan chart with 5 previous generations completed and some lines going back 10 generations to early New England and Virginia.

A long-time member of the San Diego Genealogy Society, Nancy has served on the Audit Committee and is an alternate on the Nominating Committee; she also participates with the Reunion Users Group and the German Interest Group. Nancy is a charter member of the California Pioneer Certificate Program Committee and has received an Earthquake Survivor certificate for her second great grandmother.

Nancy’s other main interest is travel. Some has been for family research, but most of her travel has been to explore the world. Her most recent adventure was to Mongolia.

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Click on the "Register here" button to register on Zoom and receive your Zoom log in information.

(contact the webmaster at webmaster@casdgs.org if you don't receive your registration email from Zoom)

This program will be recorded and placed in the "Members Only" section.

The public is always welcome!

British Isles Interest Group- Hybrid Meeting (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:30:00 GMT

British Isles Special Interest Group

Topic: Researching the British Isles with Newspapers

Speaker: Colin Whitney

Newspapers are a source of information which should be part of very genealogist's research. They often provide information about our ancestors which cannot be found in other types of records. We can discover facts from the mundane to the effect of world events upon their life. Using AI and OCR, newspapers are being digitized and placed online at a rapid rate. We will examine some of the major newspaper sites, familiarize you with their use, and show you which papers are available for different regions of the British isles.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at the San Diego FamilySearch Center in Mission Valley, 4195 Camino del Rio S San Diego CA 92108

The public is welcome to register and attend.

AI for Genealogy SIG (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Topic: AI for Genealogy Special Interest Group

Have you used any of the many Artificial Intelligence tools (chat bots, image creators, research assistants, etc.) in your genealogy research? If so, share the tools, prompts, and procedures that have worked well for you. What didn't work? If you haven't used AI tools yet, learn about how you can use them in your research.

This SIG will include presentations on topics of interest and opportunities to share your experiences and questions.

Host: Doug Shaw

For questions email education@casdgs.org.

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be sent to registrants a few days before the meeting.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

German Interest Group (19 Aug 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

German Interest Group

Topic: 1776 America and the German Language

Speaker: Fritz Juengling

Host: Amy Chidester

For questions contact Amy Chidester

at gig.sdgs@gmail.com

This meeting will be a hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at the San Diego FamilySearch Center, 4195 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, California 92108

Zoom information will be sent in the week prior to the meeting to those that register.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

9am Class (22 Aug 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

9am Class

Topic: TBA

Speaker: TBA

For questions email education@casdgs.org.

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be sent to registrants a few days before the meeting.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS Ask A Genealogist (22 Aug 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Ask a Genealogist Special Interest Group

Panel members: Anne Alves (host), Debby Warner Anderson and Diane Gould Hall

We encourage you to send your questions, at least two days prior to the session, to fansvsdgs@gmail.com

For questions contact Anne Alves at fansvsdgs@gmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting via Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to attend.

California Pioneer Programs Virtual Workshop (25 Aug 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

California Pioneer

Programs Workshop

Workshop Host: Colin Whitney

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual meeting via Zoom.

Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS DNA SIG-Virtual Meeting (05 Sep 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 18:30:00 GMT

DNA Special Interest Group

Topic: Genetic Communities and Ethnicity

Speaker: Colin Whitney

Ethnicity is a part of our ancestry and provides a sense of identity. We will examine what we can learn from our DNA results and show you how to interpret them. Ethnicity can be an important tool in understanding your relationships to your matches.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

Fall Seminar - Save the Date (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Fall Seminar

Save the date for our Fall Seminar!

We are pleased to have Mary Sayles presenting at our Fall Seminar. The seminar will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and Zoom options.

Times and location will be announced soon.

Session 1: Going on an Ancestor Hunt – Part One

Session 2: Going on an Ancestor Hunt – Part Two

Session 3: Finding Genealogy Information Gaps to Complete Your Ancestor’s Story

Session 4: Planning an International Genealogy Trip

Presenter bio: Ms. Mary Sayles has been a part-time genealogist for more than 45 years, and enjoys spending time researching genealogy and local history, plus teaching genealogy classes.

Mary holds a certificate in Advanced Genealogical Skills from the National Genealogical Society, has taught genealogy classes for more than 11 years, in the Sacramento region and in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as working as a genealogy docent. She has published multiple genealogy articles in the US and Canada, writes the “Did You Know” column in the PRESERVES, a Root Cellar – Sacramento Genealogical Society Journal. She is the current President of the Sacramento Regional Genealogical Council and co-coordinated the 2024 Family History Week – Digging for Family Treasures in April 2024, in the Sacramento Region. Mary has a Master’s Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing with a Second Major in Sociology.

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The seminar will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person (location TBD) and Zoom options.

Registration will open soon.

This program will be recorded and placed in the "Members Only" section for a limited time.

For questions about this program contact programs@casdgs.org.

British Isles Interest Group- Hybrid Meeting (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

British Isles Special Interest Group

Topic: Directories and Electoral Rolls

Speaker: Colin Whitney

There are a number of business and government record types which provide information about your ancestors apart from vital and census documents. We will examine directories, Electoral rolls and Tax lists, find where they can be accessed, and what information they contain. Some of these list living people and so are important when privacy laws hinder our research.

and what information they contain.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at the San Diego FamilySearch Center in Mission Valley, 4195 Camino del Rio S San Diego CA 92108

The public is welcome to register and attend.

California Pioneer Programs Virtual Workshop (22 Sep 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMT

California Pioneer

Programs Workshop

Workshop Host: Colin Whitney

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual meeting via Zoom.

Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

Salt Lake City FamilySearch Library Research Trip (27 Sep 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Annual Salt Lake City

Research Trip to the

FamilySearch Library

September 27- October 4, 2026

You are invited to join us for this director-led trip which allows researchers an opportunity to access millions of records from all over the world, attend classes taught by FamilySearch experts and collaborate with fellow member researchers!

The trip includes hours and hours of valuable research time in the library and access to helpful research volunteers as well as a group of great people supporting each other in our endeavors to find ancestors. You won’t want to miss this. Yes, prices have gone up, but that’s the way of the world, as you know, and we’re doing all we can to keep those increases to a minimum.

Check the website calendar and the link to register. Members, log in to access the registration. Be sure to fill out and submit your form as soon as possible. There are a limited number of rooms with 2 beds, so if you are planning to share a room, send that in asap with your deposit. Deadlines are noted on the registration form. Questions can be sent to SLCtrip@casdgs.org. See you in the library stacks!

What is Included?

·        Pre-Trip Meeting

·        Webinar by Patricia Diane Godinez: “Preparing for a Research Trip”

·        Seven-night stay at the Hyatt Place Salt Lake Downtown: each room has its own refrigerator and coffee maker. Address: 55 N 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

·        ‘Shared’ microwave (off the lobby, open access to all)

·        Free hot and cold breakfast, coffee & tea

·        Three group dinners at local restaurants

·        Easy access to a nearby grocery store

·        Easy access to the FREE Trax transit system

·        Tour and Orientation to the Library’s many collections and resources

·        Two classes taught by FamilySearch genealogists

·        Experienced co-directors on-site to assist you at the hotel and library

·        SWAG Bag containing fun and useful items, including snacks

·        Uncovered parking available for $10/night fee

·        Outdoor pool and hot tub open until approx. 10 PM until November

Member Registration Fees: This event is open to SDGS members only. Members, log in to access the registration. However, non-members can register by paying a $30 SDGS (single) or $50 (family) membership fee. casdgs.org/Membershipform

· Single Registration* – For those who would like their own room: Early Bird Pricing (pay by August 1) $1,477.00, Pay between August 2-22, the cost is $1,500.00.

Double Registration* – If two people are attending and would like to share a room, the cost for the room is the same, paid with one credit card, NOT per person; the deadlines remain the same.

*The fee is by the room –One person registers at the hotel and is in charge of collecting the room fees from their chosen roommate. If their roommate cancels after the due date, the person in charge will be responsible for the entire cost of the room. Rooms contain either 2 queen beds or a king bed; there are a limited number of each.

There are no refunds for meals. To-Go bags are an option worth considering. No refunds after September 1, 2026.

If any guests are invited to join the group for meals in Salt Lake City, they will have a separate bill and pay separately from the group.

Airfare and land transportation are not included.

Group size is limited by room availability, so register early! A $100 non-refundable deposit, per room, due by July 31, 2026, holds your reservation. The remaining balance is due no later than Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Not everyone who was there is in this photo, but they were there in spirit! We had a great time and can’t wait to do it again!

SDGS DNA SIG-Virtual Meeting (03 Oct 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:30:00 GMT

DNA Special Interest Group

Topic: Show and Tell

Speaker: Group Members

This is your opportunity to discuss the DNA researching you have been doing. You may address your successes, the brick wall problems you are having or other topics of interest to the group. Throughout the year I will be soliciting presentations.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

Monthly Program (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Monthly Program

Save the Date!

Join us for a presentation by Jim Jackson.

Session 1: Putting it All Together

Session 2: Michigan Biographical Index

Presenter Bio:

PRESENTER's WEBSITE https://michlist.com

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Registration will open early fall.

This program will be recorded and placed in the "Members Only" section.

The public is always welcome!

For questions contact programs@casdgs.org

California Pioneer Programs Virtual Workshop (27 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 02:00:00 GMT

California Pioneer

Programs Workshop

Workshop Host: Colin Whitney

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual meeting via Zoom.

Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS DNA SIG-Virtual Meeting (07 Nov 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 19:30:00 GMT

DNA Special Interest Group

Topic: What's in a Picture

Speaker: Kathleen Fernandes

This presentation describes the questions to ask when evaluating a visualization and then reviews the various approaches to displaying information about family relationships, DNA inheritance, matches in a family tree, and shared segments and matches.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

Monthly Program (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Monthly Program

Join us for a presentation by Amy Carpenter.

Session topics are still being discussed. Once decided upon, they will be added here.

Please check back here for an update.

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Registration will open fall of 2026

The public is always welcome!

For questions contact webmaster@casdgs.org

California Pioneer Programs Virtual Workshop (24 Nov 2026)

Wed, 25 Nov 2026 03:00:00 GMT

California Pioneer

Programs Workshop

Workshop Host: Colin Whitney

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual meeting via Zoom.

Registration will open about a month ahead of the meeting.

The public is welcome to register and attend.

SDGS DNA SIG-Virtual Meeting (05 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 19:30:00 GMT

DNA Special Interest Group

Topic: MyHeritage

Speaker: Colin Whitney

Myheritage is a website which has been growing rapidly over the last few years. Each year it adds numerous tools and features to help us analyze our DNA results. It has now added a low cost whole genome sequencing test for autosomal DNA. With a database of close to 10 million which also supplies segment information, it is a must use site.

For questions contact Colin Whitney

at cwhitaz05@hotmail.com

This meeting will be a Virtual Only meeting on Zoom.

Registration will open about a month in advance.

The public is welcome to register and attend.