SPONSORED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
FREE
Date:July 22nd and 23rd. Location: Main Library, Koret Auditorium (lower level). Time: 10 AM to 5 PM. Registration: Not required.
The Genealogy and Family History Symposium is a two-day conference featuring speakers from the
San Francisco Public Library and local genealogy organizations covering a diverse range of topics. You will learn
about resources at the library, both physical and electronic, that will aid your research, as well as how to search for
specific ancestors like Chinese, Irish, Jewish, Japanese, LGBTQ+ and more. No registration required.
SCHEDULE DAY 1 (Tuesday July 22nd)
10-11 AM | SF Public Library’s Genealogy Databases
Daniel Matsumoto, eResources Librarian, SFPL
Discover the secrets hidden within the library’s genealogical databases—Ancestry, MyHeritage, My China Roots
and HeritageHub. Join us for an illuminating session that demystifies these powerful tools for researching your roots.
11 AM-12 PM | Be a Genealogy Detective: Artifacts & Documents for Chinese Genealogy
Jeanie Low, Chinese American Historian and Genealogist
Explore historical maps, gravestone inscriptions, WWI draft registrations, naturalization records and key events like
the Transcontinental Railroad and Chinese Exclusion Act. Unravel the mystery of “paper names” and reconstruct
authentic family histories.
12-1 PM | LUNCH BREAK
1-2 PM | Historic Newspapers for Genealogy Research
Kelci Baughman McDowell, Librarian, Magazines and Newspapers Ctr., SFPL
Tips, tricks and guidance for finding obituaries and locating family information in historic newspapers by using SFPL
resources and open access newspaper databases.
2-3 PM | Discovering Your Irish Ancestors: Steps, Strategies and Resources
Maureen Hanlon, California Genealogical Society (CGS)
Discover proven methods for researching Irish ancestry using U.S. records. Learn to build timelines for life events,
map vital Irish archives, and overcome research barriers with sound strategies.
3-4 PM | Angel Island’s Immigrants from 80 Countries and Their Documents
Grant Din, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation & CGS
Angel Island in San Francisco Bay housed a U.S. immigration station between 1910 and 1940, enforcing the Chinese
Exclusion Acts but also processing immigrants from 80 countries. Learn about their stories and documents you can
find today.
4-5 PM | Government Resources for Genealogists
Vaile Fujikawa, Program Manager, Gov. Info Ctr., SFPL
Unearth rich genealogical treasures through government resources—from the Archives.gov to immigration files at
USCIS.gov. Discover the historical records from SFPL’s Government Information Center (GIC), including California
census schedules from 1852–1940 and rare San Francisco enumeration district maps. Learn the tools, strategies,
and insider tips you need to take your research further. CONTINUED >>>
SCHEDULE DAY 2 (Wednesday July 23rd)
10-11 AM | To Be Announced
11 AM-12 PM | Introduction to Japanese American Genealogy
Linda Okazaki, Past President of CGS and Mem. of Nikkei Genealogical Society
Discover essential Japanese American records—vital, census, immigration, and even incarceration. Learn how to
find the traditional and ethnic-specific records that can help you uncover and document your family’s history.
12-1 PM | LUNCH BREAK
1-2 PM | Jewish Genealogy: Fundamental Strategies
Joanna Shear, Mem. of Global Jewish Genealogy Society and CGS
Tracing Jewish ancestry can present unique challenges, from name changes to lost records and uncertain countries
of origin. This presentation will guide you through fundamental genealogical strategies to navigate these obstacles
effectively. The focus is on 19th and 20th century immigrants to the U.S.
2-3 PM | LGBTQ+ Genealogy
Stewart Traiman, Genealogist, Former BoD. of CGS
Through photographs, obituaries, census data and world LGBTQ archives, identify ancestors who may have been
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer and learn how historical context and documentation come together
to honor and preserve the narratives of LGBTQ ancestors.
3-4 PM | Storytelling Using the San Francisco History Center Archives
Christina Moretta, Photo Curator & Acting SF History Ctr. Manager, SFPL
Delve into a wealth of unique archival collections (e.g., manuscripts, ephemera, maps and photographs) and learn
how to uncover narratives of your San Francisco ancestors.
4-5 PM | Preserving Family Collections
Elise Hochhalter, Conservation Tech., Preservation Unit, SFPL
Get quick tips and advice on how to care for physical family treasured collections, including letters, official
documents, photographs, and scrapbooks, ensuring that these precious artifacts endure for generations to come.