The Genealogy and Family History Symposium 2026 is a two-day conference presented by the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) and the California Genealogical Society (CGS), featuring speakers from SFPL, CGS, SFgenealogy , the Oakland FamilySearch Center and others covering a diverse range of topics. Learn about physical and electronic resources available at the library that can aid your research, as well as how to search for specific ancestors like African American, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino American, Russian American and more. The symposium takes place in the lower level of the Main Library with presentations in the Koret Auditorium and Latino/Hispanic Room B, discussion groups in Latino/Hispanic Room A and organizations tabling in the Koret Lobby .
Wednesday, August 12
Time Presentation Presenter Location 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Services: Local Genealogy and Family History Organizations Koret Lobby 10:15 a.m. Intro to Genealogy Jen Dix, CGS Koret Auditorium 10:15 a.m. DNA Part 1 – Introduction to Genetic Genealogy Sue Severson, Oakland FamilySearch Center Latino Hispanic Room B 10:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open Discussions Latino Hispanic Room A 11:15 a.m. Using the Library’s eResources for Genealogical Research Brian Weaver, SFPL Koret Auditorium 11:15 a.m. Proud to be Portuguese Ralph Severson, Oakland FamilySearch Center Latino Hispanic Room B 1:15 p.m. SFgenealogy.org Ron Filion, SFgenealogy Koret Auditorium 1:15 p.m. Intro to FamilySearch.org Ralph Severson, Oakland FamilySearch Center Latino Hispanic Room B 2:15 p.m. Government Resources for Genealogists Vaile Fujikawa, SFPL Koret Auditorium 2:15 p.m. DNA Part 2 – Identifying an Unknown Parent or Grandparent Using Genetic Genealogy Sue Severson, Oakland FamilySearch Center Latino Hispanic Room B 3:15 p.m. Storytelling Using the San Francisco History Center Archives Christina Moretta, SFPL Koret Auditorium 3:15 p.m. Got Questions? Jane Lindsey, CGS Latino Hispanic Room A 3:15 p.m. Hispanic Genealogy: Finding Spanish Records Around the World Lucy Sweeney Latino Hispanic Room B
Thursday, August 13
Time Presentation Presenter Location 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Services: Local Genealogy and Family History Organizations Koret Lobby 10:15 a.m. Wu Zeitan and Imperial Rank Badges & the Chinese Imperial Examination System Lee Pearce, Oakland FamilySearch Center Koret Auditorium 10:15 a.m. Russian American Discussion Group Jim Russell, CGS Latino Hispanic Room A 10:15 a.m. Once Upon a Time…Creating Compelling Stories Out of Mundane Facts Linda Okazaki, CGS Latino Hispanic Room B 11:15 a.m. Using Newspapers for Genealogical Research Kelci Baughman McDowell, SFPL Koret Auditorium 11:15 a.m. Chinese Genealogy Discussion Group Lee Pearce, Oakland FamilySearch Center Latino Hispanic Room A 11:15 a.m. Preserving Family Collections Elise Hochhalter, SFPL Latino Hispanic Room B 1:15 p.m. Intro to Genealogy Jen Dix, CGS Koret Auditorium 1:15 p.m. Japanese American Discussion Group Linda Okazaki, CGS Latino Hispanic Room A 1:15 p.m. Using African American Funeral Program Archives to Enhance Your Research Shawna Sherman, SFPL Latino Hispanic Room B 2:15 p.m. Researching National Archives Records Online Marisa Lee, SFPL Koret Auditorium 2:15 p.m. Open Discussion Latino Hispanic Room A 2:15 p.m. African American Genealogy Discussion Group Patricia Smith Jenkins, CGS Latino Hispanic Room B 3:15 p.m. Adventures in Filipino American Genealogy Leo Esclamado Koret Auditorium 3:15 p.m. Got Questions? Jane Lindsey, CGS Latino Hispanic Room A
