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.

09/27/2026

October Meeting
Las Californias: Alta, Baja, and Beyond with Lisa Medina- Zoom Event

October 20, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Online meeting via Zoom register at our website. https://scchgs.org/

Learn about key records and repositories to support your research of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century ancestors from present-day California and nearby regions. We will also cover important historical events and context to help identify additional resources for your research.

Lisa Medina is a professional genealogist and experienced lecturer who applies her background in teaching and training to all of her presentations. She is an alumna of several genealogical institutes and education programs, including ProGen, SLIG, and Gen-Fed, and her research expertise is in Mexican genealogy. When not researching, Lisa is the Director of Admissions & University Registrar at a California State University.

A recording of the presentation will be available in the Members Area on www.scchgs.org . A handout will be available for this session.

Free to attend, please register first at our website https://scchgs.org/

09/04/2026

Finding and Sharing the Stories in Your Family History with Marilyn McPhie- Zoom Event

September 15, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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

Birth, marriage, death dates and other facts? So important to family history research. But we know what really sticks are the stories – those quick, fascinating tales of romance, humor, triumph, tragedy that paint a picture and grab attention. A shipwreck, a satisfying comeuppance, a chance but significant meeting, a cooking disaster, a “clothing malfunction,” or an accusation of witchcraft – all possibilities for getting the attention of relatives whose eyes usually glaze over with the conversation turns to genealogy. Join Marilyn McPhie, professional storyteller and (very) amateur genealogist for ideas and resources for finding the stories and ways to share them.

Marilyn McPhie is a professional storyteller, speaker, and teaching artist, creating, performing, and teaching stories of all kinds – personal, literary, traditional, and more – for audiences of all ages and levels of storytelling experience. She has coached storytellers from school students to professionals preparing important presentations. She has performed nationally and internationally, and has been seen in venues as diverse as the Exchange Place of the National Storytelling Festival and the TEDx stage. Marilyn is the president of Storytellers of San Diego and the past Pacific Region Director for the National Storytelling Network. She describes herself as “a very amateur genealogist.” She tells stories about ancestors in Dover, England; Salem, Massachusetts; Jamestown, Virginia; Aalborg, Denmark; Dinkelsbuhl, Germany – and has done presentations for both storytellers and genealogists on how to find and craft stories from your genealogy that don’t make people’s eyes glaze over.

A recording of the presentation will be available in the Members Area on www.scchgs.org . A handout will be available for this session.

07/18/2026

UPDATE: New Speaker for SCCHGS July 21st General Meeting!
Due to a scheduling change, we are excited to welcome Colette Hokanson as our guest speaker for this Tuesday’s meeting.
🗓️ When: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at [Time, e.g., 6:30 pm PM]
📍 Where: online https://scchgs.org/
Join us for an incredible presentation as Colette shares her genealogical expertise and insights. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just starting your family history journey, you won't want to miss this.
Spread the word, tag a fellow researcher, and we’ll see you Tuesday!

https://scchgs.org/

07/11/2026

Amazing Finds in the Dusty Archives: Creative Uses for Primary Sources

by Robert M. Senkewicz and Rose Marie Beebe - Zoom Event

July 21, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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

In this Zoom presentation we will share with you our experience as "archive rats" in the many repositories where we have conducted research here in the United States as well as Mexico and Spain. Our discoveries have had a tremendous impact on the trajectory of our research interests and publications.

Rose Marie Beebe is Professor Emerita of Spanish literature at Santa Clara University and Robert M. Senkewicz is Professor Emeritus of History, also at Santa Clara. They have received numerous teaching and scholarship awards at the University.

Rose Marie and Bob have collaborated on a number of books on the history of Spanish and Mexican California, including The History of Alta California; Lands of Promise and Despair: Chronicles of Early California, 1535-1846; and Junipero Serra: California, Indians, and the Transformation of a Missionary. Their latest publication is "Write Long and Beautiful Letters": The Vallejos' Californio Correspondence, 1846-1888.

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

https://scchgs.org

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/

Address

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

Website

http://www.scchgs.org/

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