Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society - SCCHGS

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Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society - SCCHGS

The Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society - SCCHGS was formed 29 May 1957 as a non

The Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society - SCCHGS was formed 29 May 1957 as a nonprofit educational organization to promote the study of history and genealogy.

06/04/2026

Through the Lens of Time: How the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition is Viewed Today by Pam Marino - Zoom Event

June 16, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Online meeting via Zoom, register here.

https://scchgs.org/

In 1976 the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition was celebrated with a major reenactment, celebrations and parades. Fifty years later the reaction is more muted. See how changing attitudes are impacting how we as a society view Anza's accomplishment.

Pam Marino is an award-winning journalist who was born and raised in Los Altos and graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino. She studied political science and journalism at San Diego State University and has spent nearly all of her professional life as a news reporter. In 2016 she was hired by the Monterey County Weekly, covering local governments, housing, homelessness, health, tourism, military and veterans and higher education. Today she is a senior staff writer with the paper, and well as the company's online product, Monterey County Now.

https://scchgs.org/

All events are free, please register in advance at our website.

05/24/2026

Fantastic free event to join in person!!
Heritage Expo: Research and Resources - in-person event

https://scchgs.org/

June 13, 2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Redwood Room and Margie Edinger Room, Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA

Join us for a free and exciting afternoon dedicated to discovery. We’ve gathered some of the region’s top lineage societies, historical organizations, and genealogy experts. Explore informative displays, enjoy brief presentations, view vintage cars, and even sample some historical local cuisine while you network with fellow researchers. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s a seat at the table for you!

Heritage Expo: Research and Resources - in-person event

Find more information at our website!
https://scchgs.org/

05/04/2026

May General Meeting:
The Journey: Mapping Your Ancestors by Carla Zimowsk - Zoom Event

May 19, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Online meeting via Zoom, register here. https://scchgs.org/

Trace your ancestors’ journeys using mapping tools like Google Earth, ArcGIS, and built-in mapping features of genealogy software. Explore ancestral homes and neighborhoods through current and historical maps, discover their F.A.N. (friends, associates, neighbors) networks, and learn about key resources such as the David Rumsey Map Collection, Sanborn Fire Maps, and Bureau of Land Management Maps. Basic map skills are helpful.

Carla Zimowsk holds a Masters in Information Studies from Rutgers University, a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has been published in the Chicago Genealogist. Carla is owner of Ancestor Tech® LLC and specializes in teaching technology-focused genealogy classes.
https://www.ancestortech.com/about.html

Meetings are free, please register in advance at our website.
https://scchgs.org/

04/15/2026

Migration Pathways Between Canada and the United States You Haven’t Considered by Kathryn Lake Hogan - Zoom Event

April 21, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Online meeting via Zoom, register here.

https://scchgs.org/

Migration between Canada and the U.S. wasn’t always straightforward. Families crossed the border repeatedly, drawn by opportunities, community, and survival. Explore lesser-known cross-border movements, from New England Planters to Black Loyalists, lumber workers, and Depression-era families, and learn how to track them through records in both countries. Develop practical strategies to uncover hidden migration stories in your family tree.

A native of Southwestern Ontario, Canada, Kathryn Lake Hogan, UE, PLCGS, is a professional genealogist and educator with deep roots in Canada through her five Loyalist ancestors. Since founding Looking4Ancestors in 2007, Kathryn has helped family history researchers discover their Canadian ancestry, blending her expertise with an approachable and insightful teaching style.

Our meetings always free and open to the public. Registration required: tap to meeting date.

https://scchgs.org/

03/12/2026

Book of Clues: Using County Histories as a Resource by Kim Harrison - Zoom Event

March 17, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Online meeting via Zoom, register here
https://scchgs.org/

Published county histories are a popular resource, but the researcher needs to understand their limitations as well as the rich clues they provide. These clues may yield some of the best information about local and county issues, including tips about disasters, economic growth, business activity, and the ethnic makeup of the community.

Kim S. Harrison has been doing genealogy since 1974, and in 1998 was fortunate to turn her passion into her vocation. She is a past president of the Michigan Genealogical Council and the Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board (AzGAB). Her most interesting ancestor was Lot Little, a freed slave from New Hampshire, who enabled her to join DAR under his service.

Tap to wevsite for information and zoom registration https://scchgs.org/

Kim's presentation will not be recorded.

02/11/2026

Practical Uses for AI in Genealogy by Nancy Moffett - Zoom Event

February 17, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Online meeting via Zoom. Tap to our website for link.

https://scchgs.org/

This talk is designed for genealogists who want to learn how AI can help with their research, organization, and documentation. You will learn how to:

Analyze documents and extract data quickly.
Transcribe difficult records with high accuracy.
Organize massive amounts of research efficiently.
Generate research plans and summaries.
Quickly create emails and letters.
Create (or polish) your family history stories and poems.
Avoid poor AI-generated results.
Nancy Moffett’s passion for family history began with a junior high schoolproject, igniting a lifelong dedication to the field of genealogy. Over the decades, she has cultivated a diverse research toolkit rooted in bothtraditional methodology and modern technical expertise.

As a long-term member of the Santa Clara County Historical and GenealogicalSociety (SCCHGS), Nancy has served as Board Secretary, Vice President,President, and newsletter editor. She continues to support the society as LeadConsultant, Genealogy Techniques seminars Instructor, and co-teacher forthe genealogy toolkit classes.

Nancy leverages her background in Computer Science and Applied Mathematicsto bring an analytical lens to genealogical problem-solving. Above all, she isdriven by a desire to share her experience and mentor others as they navigatethe complexities of their own family histories.

https://scchgs.org/

01/13/2026

January 2026 Event

Beyond Names and Dates: Filling in the Stories of Our Female Ancestors

With Pam Vestal

Zoom Event
January 20, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Online meeting via Zoom, register here.(at our website) https://scchgs.org/

For most of recorded time, women didn't leave much of a paper trail, but they still had remarkable stories to tell. Although it may appear that they haven't left many documents behind, deeper research into underutilized records often leads to a better understanding of the women in our family trees. In this talk, we'll explore a variety of records, and also look at local history, the law, politics, and the cataclysmic events that confronted them to help us bring their hidden stories to light.

Pam Vestal is a professional genealogist and speaker who turned her focus to her longtime love of genealogy after a 20-year writing career. Her articles have appeared in the National Genealogical Society Magazine and The Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and her lectures take her from coast to coast. Pam specializes in conducting genealogical research and then transforming that information into illustrated stories that even non-genealogists can enjoy.

Meetings are free and open to the public.

Register at https://scchgs.org/

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

Create and share your family history stories from all traditions to modern day tables with family and friends in our community.

From all of us at Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society. We are grateful for all you.

We are thankful for our many volunteers who continue to support our society and community research resources.

https://www.scchgs.org/

11/15/2025

SCCHGS Nov 2025 meeting

The Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society presents:
The DNA Didn’t Lie:

Unraveling Family Secrets Through Genetic Genealogy

Presenter is Tara Crawford

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025
6:30-8:30 p.m. PDT

on Zoom

In this engaging presentation, Search Angel Tara Crawford from DNAngels will guide participants through the powerful role of genetic genealogy in helping individuals affected by adoption, donor conception, or a DNA surprise uncover their biological roots. This session is ideal for genealogists, hobbyists, or anyone curious about the intersection of DNA and family history when the paper trail ends.

Tara Crawford, a talented California-based Search Angel, brings years of genealogical experience, formal education through Boston University’s Genealogical Principles Program, and a heartfelt passion for helping others uncover their biological truth. Her journey began with her own family mystery, and she has since become a respected educator and one of the most-watched content creators on the YouTube channel.

Our meetings are always free and open to the public.
Registration is Required at our website.

https://scchgs.org/

07/12/2025

General Meeting:“Dissecting a Civil War Pension Record—Union and Confederate”
Online meeting

Presenter: Jill Morelli, CG®, CGL®
When: Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 6:30 - 8:30 pm PST
Where: Online meeting via Zoom Meeting

https://www.scchgs.org/events/general-meeting-2025-07-15.html

Pension packets are rich in genealogical information as well as historical context for your ancestor. We will look at the laws establishing pensions; what is typical to find in a pension packet; how to analyze a packet; and how to obtain pension packets.

Jill Morelli, CG®, CGL®, is a writer, lecturer, and co-founder of the online Applied Genealogy Institute providing “Learn by Doing” educational opportunities for intermediate and advanced genealogists. She also founded the Certification Discussion Group, an online series discussing the certification journey of herself and others. She lectures nationally and has written articles for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Swedish American Genealogist, Minnesota Connections, and many others. Jill is past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, program director for the Puget Sound-APG chapter, and a member of many local and national genealogical societies.

Our meetings are free and open to the public.

July 15:

The meeting will be conducted via a Zoom online meeting.
Pre-registration is required.
Please register; a meeting link will be sent to your email.

https://www.scchgs.org/events/general-meeting-2025-07-15.html

Address

Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road
Santa Clara, CA
95051

Website

http://www.scchgs.org/

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