Events
Genealogy Fair
Are you interested in learning more about your family? Here’s your chance to take a trip back in time to meet your ancestors! The Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a Genealogy Fair on Saturday October 15, from 1-3 pm in the library’s Community Room.
Friendly VCGS volunteers will look up online records and answer your genealogical questions. Learn about resources to discover your family history and find out what life was like for your ancestors. There will be new and used books for beginners at the VCGS Sales Table.
We hope you’ll join us for this informal, drop-in event.
This program is sponsored by the Camarillo Public Library.
Want to Learn How To Find Your Ancestors? Please join the Ventura County Genealogical Society (in association with the Camarillo Public Library) for our Genealogy Fair.
When: April 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: The Community Room at the Camarillo Public Library.
The Genealogy Fair is open to everyone. You don’t need to be a member of the society and guests are encouraged to attend. All levels from those just starting (or thinking about starting) to research their ancestors to those looking for help to break down the last “Brick Wall” are welcome.
- Volunteers will be there to answer your questions
- You will be able to browse our Special Interest Group Tables
- In addition, you will be able to ask volunteer’s help to search records
“Overcoming Brick Walls with DNA”
Cheri Mello
Learn from 4 case studies how DNA was used to overcome a brick wall that stood since the 1950s using Y-DNA, solved the mystery of the mother of two sisters using mtDNA, a surprise revealing step-grandpa was really dad using autosomal DNA, and lastly, one that solved a case of an unknown father by using the X match. Also included is an overview of the 4 types of DNA used in genealogy: Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), autosomal DNA (Family Finder) and X Match and how to decode the confusing terms of DNA.
Professionally, Cheri Mello is a math teacher with degrees in psychology, sociology, human and child development, and master’s in education. She became a National Board Certified Teacher, the most prestigious and highest teaching credential in the educational world.
The genealogy bug was planted in Cheri, a South Bay native, with the 5th grade history project. Her maternal grandmother gave her some material for her project. She used it later for a Girl Scout badge and pulled out the information many times and wondered about her family and how she could learn more. Some of this material is still incorporated into her current presentations.
Cheri began her active adult research over 25 years ago, after the death of her remaining grandparents. She has done research in many states, even taking trips overseas in search of her Portuguese ancestry. Thirteen years ago, she became involved in DNA, and was recruited as the Project Administrator for the Azores DNA project. She runs five DNA projects and manages mailing lists involving PortugueseAzorean genealogy. Cheri lectures now not only on Portuguese and DNA topics, but a host of other topics including software programs and Find-A-Grave.
Virtual Meeting, For more info, contact Colleen Yinger at csyinger@roadrunner.com
[VCGS and Conejo Valley Genealogical Society DNA SIGs are coordinating topics and are alternating hosting meetings for our combined DNA SIG memberships. (Note that CVGS’s DNA SIG meets on Friday afternoons.) This meeting will be held online with Zoom and an invitation will be sent out to the CVGS DNA SIG via email about 12 hours prior to the meeting. If you are not already on the CVGS DNA SIG email list you may contact Colleen Yinger (csyinger@roadrunner.com) to be added.]
Nancy Loe
Archivist and genealogist Nancy Loe provides expert guidance on information management and US and European research. Her monthly newsletter and genealogy e-books are available at sassyjanegenealogy.com. She has presented in the US, Canada, and Australia. Nancy works on her own tree in the US, Scotland, Prussia, Austria, Norway and Sweden.
US and European Genealogy Research
https://www.sassyjanegenealogy.com/
Register for this free event on our website www.slocgs.org/events. Hover over the date on the Calendar to RSVP.
The Zoom link will be sent to all who register two days before the event.
“Finding Family with DNA Testing”
Richard Hill
Learn how adoptees and others find biological parents and siblings through DNA testing. Review the case that started it all and see today’s recommended strategies. View examples of surprise discoveries and see the tools used to identify relationships.
Richard Hill was the first adoptee to identify his birth family through genetic genealogy DNA testing. This was so remarkable at the time that his story was later told on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. In 2012 he described that story in his book Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA.
His presentations on DNA testing have been well received at national and regional conferences, including RootsTech, the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, and Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE in England.
Virtual Meeting, For more info, contact Colleen Yinger at csyinger@roadrunner.com
[VCGS and Conejo Valley Genealogical Society DNA SIGs are coordinating topics and are alternating hosting meetings for our combined DNA SIG memberships. (Note that CVGS’s DNA SIG meets on Friday afternoons.) This meeting will be held online with Zoom and an invitation will be sent out to the CVGS DNA SIG via email about 12 hours prior to the meeting. If you are not already on the CVGS DNA SIG email list you may contact Colleen Yinger (csyinger@roadrunner.com) to be added.]