$25 Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group 2021 Membership

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Dear BACGG Family

I hope 2021 finds you healthy, and looking forward to new BACGG programs. Our potlucks at the Family History Center are sorely missed. But the biggest loss due to COVID, was being and bonding as a genealogy family. Missed are the live sharing of stories and family history.

It is time to sign up for your 2021 membership, of $25, payable by Feb 11, the day before Chinese New Years when you traditionally pay your debts. Please consider continuing your membership and supporting BACGG with $25 online by Paypal, Zelle, Apple Pay, credit card using Square, google payment or Venmo at:  https://bacgg.org/index.php/due/   Or, you may send a check written to BACGG, 4391 26th St., San Francisco, CA, 94131-1809.  BACGG is not a nonprofit organization and your payment is not tax deductible. 

It looks like we will not be meeting live in the near term, so you probably asking why should I continue being a member? Well, it actually costs us more to run BACGG remotely due to technology costs, rather than live. BACGG cannot survive without your support as we are a 100% all volunteer organization. 

Here are some of the things we delivered in 2020, despite COVID.

New BACGG Website (bacgg.org). We had 10,033 logins viewing 19,893 pages for news, new programs and family history research tips.

1 Live Event, and 6 Webinars covering Chinese New Year, Family Associations, Chinese Night Clubs, Operation: WWII Chinese American GI, and how to use Census / Vital Records data to find your past.

Networking. Through the BACGG network, members have helped members overcome genealogy roadblocks.

Power in Partnerships. BACGG partnered with the Chinese Historical Society of America and Chinese Historical and Cultural Project resulting in our most successful webinar ever, honoring WWII Veterans with 1500 participants online!  100% of the support you made to our webinars went directly to our partners to help pay for the sessions. Thank you for helping keep us solvent.

OK, so what is in it for me in 2021?  We only have a limited number of seats available in our webinars. As a byproduct of doing online sessions, our program participation capacity spreads far beyond our original live Bay Area roots. So as a benefit of being a member, you get first right of refusal to a seat in all our programs and projects. 

Paying members are offered webinar seats first, with any remaining offered to nonmembers. Paying members also can participate in programs like posting a WWII Veteran Remembrance, https://bacgg.org/index.php/ww2-rememberances/ .  

Although 2021 is still in the planning process, we have great plans to kickoff the new year.

  • February. The year of the Ox is fast approaching. Last year David Lei shared the history of how to prepare for the new year, but did you actually follow through? Watch for announcements to help you get ready for the new year of the Ox.    
  • April. Still in the planning process, but we are working out the details for a special program to potentially include an Angel Island Immigration Center virtual tour, and a presentation on its genealogical relevance to our family history .
  • and more to come with your continuous input!

It does not go without saying that BACGG is only as good as its team. So I would like to thank the volunteer Planning Committee, Gail Chong, Jeannie Young, Leona Lau, Bruce Chin, Doug Joe and our newest member Al Low. Plus all those of you who have contributed in posting BACGG web updates. 

If you would like to assist with planning our activities, or have speakers / topics you wish to hear, please contact me.
It has been an honor to serve as Executive Director from BACGG’s inception through 2021. I look forward to “seeing” you all soon.

Until then, be well. Be safe.
\r

Ron Chan   陳光宗 , Executive Director, Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group

Get Ready for Year of the Ox

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Chinese New Year is fast approaching and we want you and your family to be prepared to welcome in the Year of the Ox. This year we would like to provide you with resources to ring in the lunar new year with family and friends.

Mark your calendars with the following dates:

·      January 31, 2021 – watch for our email for our How-To Guide of “Do’s and Don’ts” and auspicious foods/dishes to welcome in the New Year. You can also check our BACGG.org website for these details.

·      February 5, 2021 – ZOOM Meeting 1:30 PM to 3PM PST. Please mark your calendar to watch how to prepare some key dishes to celebrate the New Year.    

·      February 12, 2021 – Chinese New Years Day, Year of the Ox.  Check your email to welcome in the Year of the Ox.

Chinese New Year’s recipes – do you have a favorite? Please share your recipe with other BACGG members by sending your recipe to us at bacgg.org@gmail.com in either Word Doc or PDF format. We will post your recipe into our virtual BACGG cookbook. Start sending recipes now, and we will post as quickly as possible. Maybe one of the viewers will try out your favorite dish with their own family’s New Year reunion dinner. Recipes will be accepted through February 26, 2021.

Saturday, January 16: John Jung Topic: About Chinese Laundry history

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Portland Chinese Scientists, Engineers, and Professional Association

Saturday, January 16,2021

08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Zoom

No need to pre-register.  if you have zoom installed, you should be able to access the streaming event.


Topic: CSEPA January Meeting

To Join Zoom Meeting use the information below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88634546341?pwd=cW95ZWoxTm9sU2E0dkZGUklVVHAyZz09

Meeting ID: 886 3454 6341

Passcode: CSEPA2021

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Back to Basics

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After many presentations on Chinese history like WW2, Nightclubs, Chinese New Year, we decided to return back to our basics of genealogy/family history techniques.

First in our series is Kelly Summers 2 parts on evaluating census records. Because of the personal relationship Gail has with Kelly during both a China visit and Henry Tom seminar, we were able to secure what normally is a fee based course Kelly wanted to contribute her part as a member of BACGG and supports out work. Kelly tailored her talk to our orientation on Chinese American family history. Kelly is an excellent teacher and explains well the nuances of using Vital Statistics. I would recommend commissioning if you need help finding your relatives whereabouts using the census reporting.

Session 1 was Zoomed on 12/2 for – Census Research training.
Session 2 was Zoomed on 12/16 for – Vital Statistic Research training.

About Kelly Summers 夏開理 sumkelly@gmail.com

  • Accredited Genealogist® – US Midwest, US Pacific, Spain, Mexico
  • Brigham Young University, Adjunct Faculty, Family History
  • Utah Genealogical Association, Board of Directors, President 2017-2021
  • Salt Lake Community College, Genealogy Program Instructor
  • Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Chinese Genealogy Course Coordinator & Instructor 2020
  • Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) Virtual, Chinese Genealogy Course Coordinator & Instructor, Fall 2021

The ICAPGenSM service mark and the Accredited Genealogist® and AG® are registered marks of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.

Because this was our first non Webinar meeting, we limited invitations in order to do a proof-of-concept trial. The meeting was a success with 9/9 responders to the poll stating they had learned new research tips from Kelly.

Thank you Gail and Kelly.

addendum: handouts pending (Jan 14)

Now through January 24: Grand Park’s Ground Our Present, Dot Our Future

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Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles

CAM is once again partnering with Grand Park for their New Year’s Eve celebration, “Ground Our Present, Dot Our Future,” a public art installation that runs through Jan. 25.

Designed to build community with enrichment, engagement, and dialogue, the art installation features the involvement of seven organizations that have collectively provided more than 74-floor markers (dots) that can be seen throughout the park walkways.

In support of the art installation, CAM has provided 10 quotes from community members Munson Kwok, Bing Liu, Suellen Cheng, Michelle Wong, Paula Williams Madison, Gay Yuen, Michael Truong, Juily Phun, Jenny Dorsey, and Jaclyn Ke Yin Kalkhurst.

Sunday, January 17 More Memories of Growing Up in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

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Book Talk via Zoom: Sunday, 17 January 2012

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm PST

Two engaging volumes about growing up in San Francisco Chinatown by Edmund S. Wong.

Click here to register

About this Event

American Born Chinese (ABC) Baby Boomers who grew up in San Francisco’s Chinatown share treasured memories and prized stories about being a part of America’s most exotic ethnic neighborhoods.

Former Chinatown kid Edmund S. Wong takes readers back to the lively streets and alleyways where he and his contemporaries worked and played in the vibrant cultures of old China and the United States during its post World War II years.

This FREE event is hosted by Clara Hsu and moderated by Cynthia Yee and Pat Nishimoto.

Click here to register

Send Comments Now: Blue & Gold Fleet Request to Permanently Stop Ferry Service (SF-Angel Island & SF-Tiburon) PUC is scheduled to make their decision soon

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Urgent share with your friend, family, and other contacts and ask them to email or write. I called the number below and the representative is not picking up messages. Send emails or write comments.

To write a public opinion (see below instructions), email ( public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov), or call the CA PUC (telephone at 1-866-849-8390) to not allow Blue and Gold Fleet to stop their ferry service between San Francisco and Angel Island.  If this ferry service is allowed to stop service, visitors will only be able to get to Angel Island from Tiburon, which means  added cost and time to get to Tiburon.  As a senior citizen this has a negative impact and makes Angel Island less accessible.  

Please note there are two Proceeding Numbers –

San Francisco – Angel Island State Park Ferry 2009004 

San Francisco – Tiburon Ferry 2009005

Please read the following directions first. If I knew how to make submitting public comments easier, I would have. This is my fifth attempt.

Sorry, you need to remember 200, 900, and 4 to make public comments about San Francisco – Angel Island State Park Ferry Service

Click the blue Click here to write your public comment online button below

After Proceeding Number Search enter 2009004

Click the Search button

Click on the left A2009004 ACTIVE

Click on the upper right tab Public Comments

To make a public comment about San Francisco – Angel Island State Park Ferry Service

Sorry, you need to remember 200, 900, and 5 to make a public comment about San Francisco – Tiburon Ferry Service

Follow the above directions.

Click the button below to write your public comment online.

Click here to write your public comment online

Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

Please reference Application A.20-09-004 and A.20-09-005 in your communication.

Phone: 1-866-849-8390

Mail: CPUC Transportation Licensing and Analysis Branch, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102

Please reference Application A.20-09-004 and A.20-09-005 in your communication.

Public comments should be made immediately, because I understand these two proposals will be reviewed by the CPUC this coming week.

Updated: 12/10/2020 The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing the matter has not issued a scoping memo setting the timeline for the application.  The ALJ required Blue and Gold to post public notice at their docks for 30 days and the 30 days has only just started.  The PUC will write instructions about what your options are to submit comments and ways to participate,

Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation December 2020 E-News

It has come to our attention that the Blue and Gold Fleet has submitted a request to permanently stop their ferry service between San Francisco and Angel Island as well as between San Francisco and Tiburon. This would mean that the only way to get to Angel Island would be to drive to Tiburon and take the Angel Island Ferry. At AIISF, we are concerned that without any direct ferry service from San Francisco to Angel Island, visitation to the island (when it is safe to do so) will drop dramatically and will negatively impact preservation and education efforts. It is estimated that half the visitors who go to Angel Island have taken the Blue and Gold Ferry. The CA Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to make their decision in the coming week.


If you would like to submit a public comment to CA Public Utilities Commission about this, you can do so at:

Click the button below to write your public comment online.

Click here to write your public comment online

Please note there are two Proceeding Numbers –  A2009004 and A2009005. Do not include spaces or hyphens.

Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

Phone: 1-866-849-8390

Please reference Application A.20-09-004 and A.20-09-005 in your communication.

Mail: CPUC Transportation Licensing and Analysis Branch, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102

Please reference Application A.20-09-004 and A.20-09-005 in your communication.

Thank you

Oakland Chinatown Today, Oakland Chinatown Tomorrow

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Oakland Asian Cultural Center is very grateful to our event partner, Eastwind Books, for collaborating with us to present the 2nd event in our 2-year humanities program series, “Community Voices to Empower Change”.

The Oakland Chinatown Today, Oakland Chinatown Tomorrow panel was on Saturday, October 24, 2020.

You can view the recording below or here: https://youtu.be/FOkWPqJfnNc

Many resources were shared in the chat by panelists and audience members during our event (listed in the order of posting). 

– William Gee Wong’s Oakland Chinatown book available at Eastwind

– Asian Health Services (AHS)

– Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) (IG: @apen4ej)

– Chinatown Improvement

-Displacement Strategies Document

– East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC)

– Eastwind Books of Berkeley (IG: @eastwindbooks)

– Friends of Lincoln Square Park

– Good Good Eatz

– National CAPACD

– National CAPACD’s AAPI Anti

– Oakland Asian Cultural Center (IG: @oaklandasiancc)

– Oakland Chinatown Coalition

– Story of Oakland Chinatown dentist whose grandfather made aviation history

– Ted Dang: twd113@aol.com

If you would like a copy of the chat transcript, it is available upon request at programs@oacc.cc.

Thank you again for your support and we hope to see you again at a future OACC event.  

OACC Programs

Click here to visit the Oakland Asian Cultural Center website

– A performance by the first Chinese orchestra created in Oakland Chinatown