Who We Are

The Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group (BACGG) was founded so family historians may network, socialize, and learn about the past to preserve it for future generations. It provides a forum for family historians to share their research and provide advice and assistance to others just starting their roots search.

Prior to the pandemic, BACGG met on the third Wednesday of every other month at the Family History Center at 4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA. (The Family History Center has a phenomenal genealogy library with free access to over a dozen paid sites like Ancestry, Fold3 and more.) For the time being, we have pivoted to online Zoom meetings. Click here to view recordings of our prior meetings.

History of the BACGG

The San Francisco Bay Area is rich in Chinese-American history.

In the 19th century, financial opportunities were few and far between in the Pearl River Delta, due to the conflicts and natural disasters aggravated by the decline of the Qing (大清) Dynasty. San Francisco became the main terminus for most Chinese to enter the United States and seek steady work. The port of San Francisco was the jumping off point for newcomers to find opportunities in gold mines, manual labor, farming, fishing, manufacturing, and food processing throughout California.

Despite this rich history, there has never been a group dedicated to sharing and researching Chinese family heritage and genealogy in the San Francisco Bay Area. Genealogy is a “lonely hobby.” Even though studying family heritage is important in mainland China, many Chinese-American genealogists are dismayed about the lack of shared interest from their immediate and extended family. Hence, the BACGG came together to pool experiences, resources, journeys, trials, travails, and tribulations with the shared goal of helping each other find their roots.

Contacts

Ron Chan, Executive Director: bacgg.ron@gmail.com

Bruce Chin, Planning Committee; Zoom Task Force: bacgg.bruce@gmail.com

Gail Chong, Planning Committee; Events & Evite®: bacgg.gail@gmail.com

Jeannie Young, Planning Committee; Events; Roster: bacgg.jeannie@gmail.com

Leona Lau, Planning Committee; Financial Oversight: bacgg.leona@gmail.com

Al Low, Planning Committee; Bookkeeper: bacgg.allow@gmail.com

Calvin Fong, Planning Committee: bacgg.calvin@gmail.com

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