Category Archives: Events

Re: Jamboree June 8 – 11

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Attention, all friends of IGS!

Are you thinking you’ll not attend Jamboree this year because you don’t have the time or money for a full day’s activities?

Why not just come over for an hour or two to visit the IGS table and the other exhibitors?  The Jamboree Exhibit Hall is free and open to the public all weekend.  If you’re within commuting distance, you can still participate without making a major commitment!

If you park in the lot of the Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel, you can expect to pay for parking.  But the Exhibit Hall alone — with all the displays, products, and connections-to-be-made — can be well worth it.

Don’t miss out, come on over!!

Astrid Adler’s 5/13 talk at the Library

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Thank you to all who came to hear her this afternoon, and welcome to those who plan to come on Tuesday evening to hear this engaging presentation.  Remember, May 16th at 1310 W. Magnolia Blvd. with informal reception at 6 pm and the talk beginning at 7 pm.  However, please plan on coming a bit earlier than you had planned, as we’ve received notice of filming that evening in the next block to our west — and parking could be at a premium.  [We have three lanes, for three cars each, behind our building off the alley.]

Now, here are photos from today’s talk….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you come to hear her Tuesday, be sure to sign in at the front desk.  Astrid will be selling copies of her books — which she will inscribe for buyers if they wish — so come prepared.  She has done a great job telling the story of emigration to America from her home region, and these two books will make great gifts to family members who may wonder why genealogy fascinates you so!!  The first explains what the journey was like, and why people chose to make it.  The second tells the specific stories of eight families from her home town, including how they managed to adjust to their new country.

Astrid Adler’s Tuesday talk at IGS

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This just in — there’s going to be filming activity in the next block of Magnolia Tuesday afternoon and evening.  What does that mean to us?  Simply that parking may be at a premium!

We received notice from TVM Productions, Inc. that filming will commence at 5 p.m. at 1420 W. Magnolia (Tyerman’s Automotive).  While we’ll be mostly unaffected, we learned that parking may well be restricted in front of our building, on Magnolia Blvd. all the way up to Mariposa Ave.  The West side of Griffith Park Drive, from Magnolia south to the alley, is also potentially “off limits.”

We’ve called to alert the company to our event, and it may be that part of the restricted spaces may be released for our use — but we won’t know for sure until Tuesday.  So, if you’re planning to come Tuesday evening (6 pm reception, 7 pm talk & book signing), do plan on coming early enough to secure parking.  Thanks!!

It’s happening!

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Don’t forget to come hear Astrid Adler at the IGS Library!

This Saturday, May 13th, with an informal reception at Noon, her talk about her new books at 1 pm, and a book signing afterwards (and another opportunity to ask questions or chat).  And again on Tuesday, May 16th, with reception at 6 pm, talk at 7 pm, and the book signing and questions/chat afterwards.

There will be food trays at the receptions.  Parking can be either in the lanes behind our building, or on the neighborhood streets.

And a reminder — we’re closed this Sunday, as it’s Mother’s Day….

Astrid Adler Presents: “Emigration from the German Perspective”

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During the 19th century, nearly six million Germans left their homes for other lands, and most would never see Germany again.  Ms. Adler writes about this historical migration in her new books, “Our Ancestors Were German” and “Goodbye Forever,” and has spoken previously on this topic on two occasions in Ventura County.

In “Our Ancestors Were German,” Ms. Adler discusses local emigration history from the Grand Duchy Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach region during the 19th century.  German descendants will learn about the reasons for their ancestors’ emigration.  Stories are told about the individuals and families who left Germany based on the historical evidence from passenger lists, census data, family letters, and family trees.  “Goodbye, Forever” tells about emigration history over a period of sixty years in the village of Tiefenort.  Meeting reports of the village council and weather records from the region were also analyzed, giving a unique impression about daily life in a typical German village during the 19th century.

Ms. Adler grew up and still lives in the village of Tiefenort in the former East Germany.  For the past ten years she has specialized in genealogy, especially emigration to America from the Grand Duchy Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach region during the 19th century.  She was honored by the State of Thuringia for her first research exhibition, and is also building an extensive private emigrant database for the South Thuringia area.

Two dates are available to hear her at the IGS Library in Burbank in May.  She will speak on Saturday, May 13th at 1 pm, and again on the evening of Tuesday, May 16th, at 7 pm.  Both talks will be preceded by informal receptions (Noon on the 13th, and 6 pm on the 16th), and will be followed by a further opportunity to meet and converse with our speaker.  Signed books will be available for purchase.  [Idea:  Plan to see our Thuringia resources (on the shelf, or in our vertical files) while at the Library, and bring anything you may have on this interesting area of Germany to share with others.]

Our Library is located at 1310 W. Magnolia Blvd., between Mariposa and Griffith Park cross-streets.  Limited parking is available behind the Library, and may be accessed via the alley.  Other parking is available on Magnolia Blvd. or on the residential streets close by the Library.

2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference Registration – early bird ends on March 31

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IGS members are invited to the 2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference.  Many of you have already registered.  Thanks to each of you.

The early discount price expires this Friday!  We encourage you to register before April 1 to receive the partner discount.
As you know the 2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference will be hosted by GGS and takes place July 28 – July 30, 2017 at the Marriott Northwest Hotel in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park.  The conference will feature 40 speakers and over 70 presentations about Germanic genealogy.  It is an exciting opportunity to experience the first-ever International German Genealogy Partnership Conference.
We invite you to consider attending, and look forward to seeing you there.
The registration for the 2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference has been open for less than two months and there are already over 440 people registered to attend.
Learn more about the conference.
If you wish to volunteer, there are many opportunities to help with the conference.
This is going to be fun!!!

Free Family History Mini-Seminar on DNA

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THE VENTURA COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS:
Free Family History Mini-Seminar on Saturday, April 15, 2017
at the Camarillo Library Community Room, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA

Presentations by Kathy Johnston:
1:00 P.M. DNA USES IN PEDIGREE BUILDING
Learn about the different types of DNA and which direct-to-consumer test companies will be most helpful to you. Find out how to navigate the maze of information that is out there. Examples will be provided for beginners.

2:30 P.M. AUTOSOMAL AND X CHROMOSOME SEGMENTS IN COMMON
Have you ever wondered where those DNA matching segments come from? Why is the basic science important in genealogy? Kathy will explain the practical uses of DNA segments found among your cousins and close family matches. Learn how to interpret segment matches in a browser. Success stories will be discussed.

Kathy Johnston is a retired dermatologist who has been actively researching her family tree for over 25 years. She is one of the administrators for the Southern California Genealogical Society DNA Interest Group and has been involved in developing techniques for chromosome mapping for genetic genealogists.

11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.: VCGS DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING
Join us for discussion on using DNA results to further your genealogy research. Please bring your DNA User Name & Password; also bring your family tree (paper or electronic). If possible, bring your laptop, tablet or other portable device; this will facilitate your research.

And then there were Fourteen

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Yes, fourteen members of the Immigrant Genealogical Society &/or the IGS Pommern group will be attending the International Germanic Genealogy Conference in Minnesota in July 2017 — along with one spouse.  But most of us have multiple memberships in partner organizations, so it took a little sleuthing to come up with the current number of attendees.  Here’s a breakdown by principal genealogical partner organization:

IGS — 5 (plus the spouse); our IGS Pommern group — 4; the host society, GGS — 3; and the San Diego Gen. Soc. German Interest Group — 2.

And here’s the breakdown by state:  California, 9+1; Arizona, 1; Minnesota, 1; Nevada, 1; Pennsylvania, 1; Virginia, 1.  Of course more are welcome!!  Visit the IGGP website for information….

SGGS Spring Seminar on Saturday, April 8th from 8:45 to 3:45

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Liz Shaw, Publicity representative and Facebook administrator for the Sacramento German Genealogy Society (SGGS), wishes to extend an invitation to all IGS members to attend their upcoming seminar.  The seminar will be held at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, and features Michael Lacopo, DVM a veternarian who retired in 2013 to become a professional genealogy researcher and has 30+ years experience in genealogical research.  He will present two lectures on “Using DNA to Further Your Family Tree” and two lectures on “Overcoming Brick Walls in German-American Research.”  He is a knowledgable and engaging speaker.  SGGS members have enjoyed his quick wit and willingness to answer their questions.  His science training makes him especially qualified to discuss and explain DNA testing and its use in genealogy research.

Brochures for this event will be available at the IGS researcher “Stammtisch” we’re holding this coming Sunday, beginning at 1 pm.  Or, just visit the SGGS website and click on “Spring Seminar.”  Here you’ll find cost and optional lunch details, and a map to the location.  Registration is by PayPal or mail-in form (but registration should be received by April 1st to avoid late registration pricing).  And, be aware that space is limited, and that registration may close if the event is as popular as in past years!!  Special questions or concerns?  Just email Liz or call her at 916.337.1830.

Intermediate German Genealogy Course at IGHR July 23-28, 2017

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The following is a news release from Laura W. Carter, MEd, MLIS, SLIS.  She is the Director of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society.  Questions may be directed to her at IGHR Publicity….

F. Warren Bittner, a renowned expert on German genealogical research, will be teaching Intermediate German Genealogy at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), July 23 – 28, 2017, in Athens, Georgia at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. You can view the daily schedule for this course on the IGHR website http://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-2017/courses/intermediate-german-genealogy.

The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) provides an educational forum for the discovery, critical evaluation, and use of genealogical sources and methodology through a week of intensive study led by nationally renowned genealogical educators. Students choose one course that lasts throughout the week.

Intermediate German Genealogy is targeted for students “who have dabbled enough in German research to be confused by localities and challenged by the difficult handwriting.” One main goal of this class is to teach students to use the gazetteers and finding aids needed to identify places in Germany, and a full day will be spent teaching students to read Gothic German Script. Additional topics include an overview of German History 800 to 1989, German church records, marriage customs and records, feudal records, military records, websites, published sources, and Ortsfamilienbücher. This week-long course is open to anyone interested in German research. Some previous German research experience is helpful, but not required. 

Warren Bittner is a genealogical researcher and lecturer. He holds a Master of Science degree in history from Utah State University. He was a winner of the National Genealogical Society 2011 Writing Contest, with his article “Without Land, Occupation, Rights, or Marriage Privilege: The Büttner Family from Bavaria to New York.” This article was also awarded the National Genealogical Society, Award for Excellence, 2012 which is presented annually for an outstanding article published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. He has coordinated German research tracks at the Samford Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) in Birmingham, Alabama, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). For six years Warren Bittner was the German Collection Manager for the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He has researched in more than fifty German archives and in more than forty U.S. archives and record repositories. 

In addition to excellent courses and opportunities to network with fellow genealogists, IGHR attendees benefit from access to the world-class libraries of the University of Georgia including the law library and special collections libraries. Researchers may also enjoy making the short drive to Morrow, GA to visit the National Archives at Atlanta (NARA’s southeast region facility) and the Georgia Archives. For more information about the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, now hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society, please visit our website ighr.gagensociety.org and follow us on social media.

June 24, 2017 Save the Date!!

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The full arrangements are still to be made.  But the Immigrant Genealogical Society is proud to announce that it will hold an all-day workshop featuring Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG®.  This IGS workshop will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library.  They have a classroom that will accommodate the audience we hope to attract.  The workshop will have four lectures, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, as follows:

  • Some Tips for Genealogical Research
  • Historical Events that Affect German Genealogical Research
  • Using Meyer’s Gazetteer
  • Beyond the Obvious Reasons:  Practical and Social Decisions for Emigration to America.

You’ll want to reserve this date on your calendar NOW, while you’re thinking about it!!