Southern California Genealogical Society and Family Research Library

Today, the Southern California Genealogical Society celebrates a very special honor bestowed upon one of our own.

Longtime SCGS member and volunteer Jane Van Tour was posthumously awarded the National Genealogical Society's 2026 Shirley Langdon Wilcox Award for Exemplary Volunteerism during the NGS Family History Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jane was known throughout the genealogy community for her kindness, generosity, and willingness to help wherever she was needed. From SCGS Jamborees and conferences to national genealogy events, she devoted countless hours to serving others and advancing family history education.

Many of us remember Jane's warm smile, welcoming spirit, and extraordinary dedication to volunteer service. We are proud to see her legacy recognized on a national stage.

Congratulations to Jane's family and friends on this well-deserved honor.

Read more on the SCGS blog: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/post/ngs-honors-jane-van-tour-with-posthumous-volunteerism-award

🧬 Are your DNA matches piling up faster than you can make sense of them?

Join the SCGS DNA Interest Group on Saturday, May 30, for a special hybrid meeting featuring genetic genealogist Dr. Kathy Johnston, who will present: "A Modified Leeds Method for the Organization of Family Networks"

The Leeds Method has become one of the most popular ways to organize DNA matches and identify family groups. Dr. Johnston will share a modified approach that can help genealogists better understand complex family networks and make more effective use of their DNA results.

Kathy has more than 20 years of experience in genetic genealogy and has presented at genealogy conferences, including the SCGS Jamboree and the Institute for Genetic Genealogy. Her research on visual phasing has been published in the Journal of Genetic Genealogy.

📅 Saturday, May 30
⏰ 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. PT
📍 Attend in person at the SCGS Library in Burbank or online

Whether you're new to DNA research or already working with match lists and clustering techniques, you'll come away with practical strategies you can apply to your own family history research.
Learn more and register: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/dna-group-kathy-johnston-md

This Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to honor those who served — and if family history is calling, SCGS has one special opportunity this Saturday. 🇺🇸📜

Join us for DAR Application Assistance at the SCGS Library in Burbank. Whether you're exploring Revolutionary War lineage, curious about DAR membership, or need help gathering documentation, this is a great chance to get expert guidance on your family history journey.

Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective holiday weekend. ❤️

More info: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/dar-application-assistance-2026-05-23-11-00

Have you searched far and wide for family records while overlooking treasures already inside your own home?

Join the Southern California Genealogical Society on Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. PT for a fascinating webinar with genealogist Mark Cross:

🗂️ “Don’t Forget Your Home Sources: Fabulous Finds With Family And What They Can Lead To”

Many genealogists focus on online databases and distant archives, but some of the most valuable clues can come from letters, photographs, family Bibles, scrapbooks, keepsakes, and items tucked away in relatives’ homes. In this presentation, Mark Cross will share real-life examples of how everyday family artifacts can unlock new discoveries and lead to deeper, more complete research.

Whether you’re just beginning your genealogy journey or have years of experience, this webinar offers fresh ideas and practical strategies for uncovering hidden family history sources right under your nose.

📅 Wednesday, May 20, 2026
⏰ 6–7:30 p.m. PT
💻 Online Webinar

Register here:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5644908541936289369

Learn more: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/webinar-mark-cross

Looking for ways to grow your genealogy skills and connect with fellow researchers this weekend? Join us at the Southern California Genealogical Society for three great events!

🇮🇹 Saturday: Italian Interest Group Meeting
Explore Italian genealogy research, share discoveries, and connect with others researching Italian roots.
https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/italian-interest-group-meeting-8

🇩🇪 Saturday: German Interest Group Meeting & Speaker Presentation
Join the German Interest Group featuring speaker Milan Pohontsch for an informative and engaging program focused on German genealogy research.
https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/german-interest-group-milan-pohontsch

💻 Sunday: RootsMagic Software User Group
Whether you’re new to RootsMagic or an experienced user, this group is a great place to learn tips, ask questions, and improve your family history workflow.
https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/roots-magic-software-user-group-2026-05-17-14-00

We hope to see you there!

Make the most of your genealogy weekend with SCGS—join us online or in person!

🖥️ Live Webinar – Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m. PT
Join us for a special presentation by genealogist Karen A. Fortin:
“Recreating Life in a Community Using Death Certificates”

Death certificates reveal more than just dates—they offer powerful insights into how our ancestors lived and died. In this fascinating talk, Karen explores records from Attleboro, Massachusetts (1916–1920) to show how examining death certificates as a group can uncover the story of an entire community.

👉 Register now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8718983624011793243
👉 Event details: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/webinar-karen-a-fortin

📍 TMG User Group – In Person (Saturday at 2 p.m.)
Prefer hands-on collaboration? Join us at the SCGS Library for our TMG User Group meeting. Whether you're experienced or just getting started, come connect, ask questions, and share insights with fellow researchers.

👉 Learn more: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/tmg-user-group-2026-05-02-14-00

From online learning to in-person connection, SCGS is here to support your family history journey. We hope to see you this weekend!

This weekend at SCGS: real breakthroughs in your family history!

🔍 Saturday: Ever wondered if you qualify for DAR? Get expert, in-person help with your application and lineage research—no guesswork required. Get details: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/dar-application-assistance-2026-04-25-11-00

🌍 Sunday: The British Isles Interest Group features Anita Sohus, who will virtually present ""The View from Space: How You Can Use Space-Age Technology to Visit Your Ancestors’ Lands." Learn how hidden documents can reveal entire missing generations. Details: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/british-isles-group-anita-sohus-1

Two days, two completely different ways to make meaningful progress on your genealogy. Which will you choose?

Looking for something interesting this weekend?

🔹 Saturday: A compelling talk on Ottilie Assing and her collaboration with Frederick Douglass
🔹 Sunday: Hands-on help and tips with RootsMagic genealogy software

Two programs—history + practical tools—all in one weekend.

Join us and grow your genealogy skills!

Details:
https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/german-group-jana-bickel
https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/roots-magic-software-user-group-2026-04-19-14-00

It’s a full and inspiring weekend with the Southern California Genealogical Society—whether you’re researching, writing, or working with your favorite genealogy software, there’s something for everyone!

📌 Saturday, April 11 | Lunch & Learn (FREE)
“Tracing Your 20th-Century Immigrant Ancestor and Your Portuguese Ancestors” with Cheri Mello
🕐 1 to 2 PM PDT
Explore strategies for uncovering immigrant stories and Portuguese roots in this engaging session.
👉 https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/lunch-learn-cheri-mello

✍️ Sunday, April 12 | Writers Group Online
🕐 1 to 3 PM PDT
Looking to turn your research into meaningful stories? Join a welcoming group for writing, sharing, and inspiration.

💻 Sunday, April 12 | Family Tree Maker Users Group
🕓 4 to 6 PM PDT
Connect with fellow users, ask questions, and build your skills in this quarterly virtual meet-up.
👉 https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/family-tree-maker-5

🧬 Monday, April 13 | Legacy Family Tree Users Group
🕕 6 to 8 PM PDT
A monthly forum to learn, share tips, and get more out of Legacy Family Tree software—perfect for all experience levels.
👉 https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/legacy-family-tree-2026-04-13-18-00

Wherever you are in your genealogy journey—researching, writing, or organizing your tree—we hope you’ll join us this weekend!

✨ Happening Saturday at the SCGS Library ✨

Make last-minute plans to join us for a full day of genealogy support and discovery:

🤝 Member2Member (11 AM – 3 PM)
Get personalized help with your family research—whether you're just starting out or working through a brick wall. Bring your questions (and your laptop, if you like!).

📚 Special Library Offer
Free books and state periodicals available to members as part of our digitization efforts
• In person only
• First come, first served
• No holds

📜 DAR Application Assistance (11 AM)
Thinking about joining DAR? Get expert guidance on your application and research.

📍 SCGS Family Research Library
417 Irving Drive, Burbank

Details:
Member 2 Member: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/member-2-member-1

DAR Workshop: https://www.scgsgenealogy.com/events/dar-application-assistance-2026-03-28-11-00

Come connect, learn, and maybe go home with something from our shelves!