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.
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.
Worth More than Gold or Silver – MyHeritage’s U.S. Naturalization Records, Northern California, 1852-1989 Collection
This Index is all about immigrants – over 544,000 of them – and spans 137 years! They came to California for various reasons and took a chance for a new life as a US citizen. Finding an immigrant is easier due to multiple search options. Minimal info is not a problem!
This Index is all about immigrants – over 544,000 of them – and spans 137 years! They came to California for various reasons and took a chance for a new life as a US citizen. Finding an immigrant is easier due to multiple search options. Minimal info is not a problem!
Settlers in California’s Sacramento Delta – History and Resources
Upon completion of the Transcontinental and other railroads throughout the American West, many Chinese immigrant railroad workers went to work building levees in the Sacramento River delta. This process reduced flooding and created rich farmland. Many ethnic groups have farmed in this area and their children had to attend segregated schools for a number of years. Learn about this fertile ground, the people who lived there, and what they left behind.
Upon completion of the Transcontinental and other railroads throughout the American West, many Chinese immigrant railroad workers went to work building levees in the Sacramento River delta. This process reduced flooding and created rich farmland. Many ethnic groups have farmed in this area and their children had to attend segregated schools for a number of years. Learn about this fertile ground, the people who lived there, and what they left behind.
Few events in America have had the impact of the California Gold Rush and the desire to have a better life; an event that lasted seven short years. The Gold Rush swelled the population of California by the hundreds of thousands. And, it was all for the little flecks of…
Few events in America have had the impact of the California Gold Rush and the desire to have a better life; an event that lasted seven short years. The Gold Rush swelled the population of California by the hundreds of thousands. And, it was all for the little flecks of…
What resources are available for researching your California ancestress? California women received the right to vote in 1911 which results in records nonexistent in some other states but other activities like club memberships, church activities, and work leave even more. Periodicals, directories, cookbooks, and organizational records leave…
What resources are available for researching your California ancestress? California women received the right to vote in 1911 which results in records nonexistent in some other states but other activities like club memberships, church activities, and work leave even more. Periodicals, directories, cookbooks, and organizational records leave…
The story of California is the story of its diverse ethnic population. Rich records exist to trace the citizens of California in archival, library, museum, historical and genealogical collections. Learn more about these collections documenting the lives of the Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, African Americans, and Native Americans in California. We
The story of California is the story of its diverse ethnic population. Rich records exist to trace the citizens of California in archival, library, museum, historical and genealogical collections. Learn more about these collections documenting the lives of the Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, African Americans, and Native Americans in California. We
Not all California courthouse records are at the courthouse. And for most courthouses, the researcher must rely on paying for a search which may or may not result in the records they need. Knowing the structure of the California court system and how to access records is important in order…
Not all California courthouse records are at the courthouse. And for most courthouses, the researcher must rely on paying for a search which may or may not result in the records they need. Knowing the structure of the California court system and how to access records is important in order…
In this webinar we look at the printed word. Newspapers provide us with the details of everyday life that are hard to find anywhere else. Digitized books span the realm of the local history and biography which helps to tell the story of places and people. Where can you find…
In this webinar we look at the printed word. Newspapers provide us with the details of everyday life that are hard to find anywhere else. Digitized books span the realm of the local history and biography which helps to tell the story of places and people. Where can you find…
Counting California: Censuses, Directories, and Voter Records
One of the first things we do as family history researchers is to track our ancestor in the federal census. This provides us with a time and place for our family. But there are other records that can also provide that information. Aside from the federal census, it's important to…
One of the first things we do as family history researchers is to track our ancestor in the federal census. This provides us with a time and place for our family. But there are other records that can also provide that information. Aside from the federal census, it's important to…
California land ownership has changed over time starting with Spanish land grants. Understanding where the records are depends on the historical time period. A good map of California is a must and over time the map of this state has evolved from showing California as an island to the California…
California land ownership has changed over time starting with Spanish land grants. Understanding where the records are depends on the historical time period. A good map of California is a must and over time the map of this state has evolved from showing California as an island to the California…
Researching in California – Libraries, Archives and Online
Have California ancestors? Where do you start looking? Trying to figure out what is available can be intimidating and time consuming. In this webinar we look at what you need to know to start your California research. We'll explore repositories for research starting with archives, libraries, and museums and then…
Have California ancestors? Where do you start looking? Trying to figure out what is available can be intimidating and time consuming. In this webinar we look at what you need to know to start your California research. We'll explore repositories for research starting with archives, libraries, and museums and then…
To Live and Die in California: Researching Vital Records
Birth, marriage, death, and a final resting place. These are all important events in documenting our ancestor's life. California officially started recording BMD events in 1905 but what counties started the process earlier? What alternative sources exist for vital records when a government issued certificate is not available? Once you…
Birth, marriage, death, and a final resting place. These are all important events in documenting our ancestor's life. California officially started recording BMD events in 1905 but what counties started the process earlier? What alternative sources exist for vital records when a government issued certificate is not available? Once you…
Genealogy Meets the Internet Archive and AI: A Comprehensive Review
Wed, January 7 2026: 16:30 UTC
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
AI as Partner, Not Replacement: Human-Led Research Planning in the Sally Keaton Case
Wed, January 7 2026: 17:45 UTC
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
From Problem to Solution: A Case Study Approach to Using AI in Genealogy
Wed, January 7 2026: 20:30 UTC
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
La fotografía de un desconocido: ¿punto de partida para una genealogía?
Tue, January 13 2026: 14:00 UTC
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
Using MyHeritage in Your Genealogical DNA Testing Plan
Tue, January 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
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