San Diego Genealogical Society upcoming events

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

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:30:00 GMT

British Isles Special Interest Group

Topic: Records of the Poor

Speaker: Colin Whitney

For questions contact Colin Whitney

Many of us believe that our ancestors were not poor. However, the estimated percentage of the population who were officially classified as such was as high as 10% at times and 20% in certain localities. In this session we will trace the history of the Poor Law system to uncover a multitude of records which name our impoverished ancestors. Then we will highlights those websites containing the best collections.

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: Getting all the information from a DNA match

Speaker: Marshall Clow

Abstract:

So you have taken a DNA test, and you have gotten your results back. You have a list of matches.

What information can you extract from a match?

Using Ancestry as an example, Marshall will show the kinds of information that you can record about a match (and maybe about the match’s family)

Audience: Beginner and Intermediate researchers.

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 (22 Aug 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 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: 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

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 Reunion Users Group (01 Sep 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 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.

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.

SDGS Fall Seminar (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

SDGS Fall Seminar!

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

Program: 10 am - 3:30 pm pst

Location: Virtual on Zoom and In-person at Phil's BBQ Event Center, 3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 (map)

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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This will be a Hybrid Webinar where you can join us locally in person or via Zoom. The speaker will be presenting in person.

Location: Virtual on Zoom and In-person at Phil's BBQ Event Center, 3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 (map)

Note that this program will start later than other Fall Seminars in the past.

In-person attendance information:

9:30 am - Check in and mingle (in person)

10:00 am - Program starts

Lunch is catered, so make sure you register by September 7th to make sure your registration is in the count.

Any registration on or after September 8 is not guaranteed a lunch.

Your lunch options are:

Regular lunch is a choice of Pulled Pork or Tri-tip (deli sliced) sandwich with 2 sides, coleslaw and fries. You will make the selection of sandwich at lunch.
Vegetarian lunch is a Veggie burger with 2 sides, coleslaw and fries.

(The coleslaw and fries are vegetarian friendly.)

Virtual attendance information:

9:50 am - Meeting will open up

10:00 am - Program starts

You will receive your Zoom login information in the week prior to the seminar. If you have questions, please contact webmaster@casdgs.org.

Price:

Members:

Registration for in person is $10. - Includes lunch

Registration for virtual attending via Zoom is free.

Non-members:

Registration for in person is $60. - Includes lunch

Registration for virtual attending via Zoom is $50.

No refunds of no-shows.

Last day to register is September 10, 2026.

Become a member and save!

To join SDGS first, you can go to the online form or here for more membership information.

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

For questions about membership contact Margie Geiser at membership@casdgs.org.

For questions about this program contact Neva Van Loton at programs@casdgs.org.

For questions about registration contact Regina Gigl at webmaster@casdgs.org.

German Interest Group (16 Sep 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

German Interest Group

Topic: Partitions of Poland

Speaker: Greg Nelson

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.

RootsMagic User Group (16 Sep 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

RootsMagic User Group

Topic: Working with Places

Speaker: Jerry Domier

Jerry will share information from recent discussions on the RootsMagic Facebook group about using Places.

RootsMagic is a comprehensive software tool which helps you research, organize and share your genealogical information. It is appropriate for all levels from beginner to professional. In this Group we will discuss RootsMagic's many features and show you how to obtain maximum benefit from them.

This meeting will be a virtual meeting conducted via Zoom.

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

The public is welcome to register and attend.

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.

AI for Genealogy SIG (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Topic: AI for Genealogy Special Interest Group

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.

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.

9am Class (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

9am Class

Topic: TBD

Speaker: TBD

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 (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Ask a Genealogist Special Interest Group

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.

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: Michigan Biographical Index

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

British Isles Interest Group- Hybrid Meeting (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 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.

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.