Special Interest Groups

Do you have an interest in genealogical writing, a mentored intermediate genealogy study group,
Czech Slovak genealogy, Jewish genealogy, or Colonial Dames 17th Century?

Check out our special interest groups below

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Genealogical Writing

Special Interest Group - Genealogical Writing (SIG-GW) is an opportunity for SLO Genealogy Society members to hone their genealogical writing skills. Our goal is to benefit both the local organization and the larger genealogical community by enhancing the body of knowledge upon which we all draw. Participants are expected to bring their own expertise and interests to the table so that we may learn from each other.

Activities include:
  • discussion of published materials
  • review of fellow group members' work
  • member-led tutorials on citation and evidence analysis
    • These writing groups are sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society and are open to members only as a FREE benefit of membership. They are held on the second floor of the San Luis Obispo City/County Library, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo (see map below).

    RESERVATIONS: Groups I and II shown below are both full. Contact Ginger Goodell to put your name on the waiting list for a third group.


    Genealogical Writing (SIG-GW-I)

    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM on the fourth Friday of each month except November and December.

    Facilitated by Ginger Goodell and Sharon Whitney.



    Genealogical Writing (SIG-GW-II)

    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on the second Friday of most months except December.

    Facilitated by Lynn Storrs.

    San Luis Obispo City/County Library
    995 Palm Street
    San Luis Obispo, CA




    Mentored Intermediate Genealogy Study Group

    Beginning in March 2012

    This group will help “treasure hunting” genealogy hobbyists advance into the ranks of analytical genealogists – researchers who can solve problems with conflicting or absent direct evidence. Discussions and suggested assignments will focus on:

    • Source citation
    • Source analysis
    • Evidence development
    • Evidence correlation
    • Proving family links with conflicting evidence or no direct evidence
    In other words > accessing a wide-range of record groups and getting the most out of them to blast through brick walls.


    Pre-requisites:
    • 3+ years of genealogy research experience or completion of NGS course, American Genealogy;
    • SLOCGS member;
    • Can find records NOT on the Internet; examples: an obituary, a probate, a military pension file, a land record


    Recommended references:
    • Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills (we have copies in both libraries, but you will probably want your own)
    • QuickSheet: Genealogical Problem Analysis: A Strategic Plan by Elizabeth Shown Mills
    • Evidence Analysis: A Research Process Map by Elizabeth Shown Mills
    • The Family Tree Problem Solver by Marsha Hoffman Rising

    Mentor: Cafi Cohen; email Cafi to join this group. To ensure that participants get the most out of this group, space is limited.


    Mentored Intermediate Genealogy

    1 PM - 2:30 PM on the second Friday of each month except December, unless the San Luis Obispo City/County library is closed.

    Meet at the San Luis Obispo Genealogy Library on the second floor of the San Luis Obispo City/County Library.

    San Luis Obispo City/County Library
    995 Palm Street
    San Luis Obispo, CA




    Implementing Professional Standards: Advanced Genealogy Discussion
    "Professional" in the discussion group title does not mean that the group is restricted to those who take paying clients. Instead "professional" in this context means that group members will focus on application of professional genealogy research standards as detailed in the following references:

    		* BCG Genealogical Standards Manual
    * Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills
    * Professional Genealogy edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills
    * National Genealogical Society (NGS) Genealogical Standards and Guidelines

    Prerequisites? All participants should be familiar with these four references, should be able to list the five elements of the Genealogical Proof Standard and should have at least three years of research experience. Each participant should bring at least one question, case study, research problem, group exercise, citation issue, or resource recommendation to these meetings.


    Implementing Professional Standards

    3:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of each month unless the main library is not open.

    Meet at the Arroyo Grande Genealogy Library,
    located upstairs in the
    Arroyo Grande Public Library
    South County Regional Center
    800 W. Branch Street
    Arroyo Grande, CA.

    Email Cafi Cohen for more information.

    Arroyo Grande Public Library
    South County Regional Center
    800 W. Branch St.
    Arroyo Grande, CA 93420





    Czech Slovak Genealogy
    Share research ideas, finds and breakthroughs and provide assistance to others who are interested in Czech and Slovak lands.

    Email Dave Hanush or phone him at 805-227-6391.




    Jewish Genealogy
    The goal of our discussion group is to inspire and help one another to research our own family history At our monthly meetings we share our successes and frustrations as well as show each other techniques, websites, and materials that have been helpful. We welcome interested beginners and as well as more seasoned researchers.

    Jewish Genealogy

    10:30 AM - 12 NOON on the last Wednesday of each month.

    Meet at
    Congregation Beth David
    10180 Los Osos Valley Road.
    San Luis Obispo, CA.

    Contact: Email Carol Stern or
    phone her at 805-528-6557

    Congregation Beth David
    10180 Los Osos Valley Road.
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93420





    Colonial Dames 17th Century
    The Sierra de Santa Lucia Chapter, located in San Luis Obispo, invites interested women who may have ancestors who resided in the colonies before 1701 to visit one of our meetings. Purposes of the Colonial Dames XVIIC include:

    • Preserving records of US historic sites
    • Fostering interest in historical colonial research
    • educating youth
    • commemorating noble and heroic deeds of ancestors
    A Library of Heraldry and Coats of Arms of our ancestors is preserved at the National Society in Washington, DC.

    Colonial Dames

    11:00 AM for lunch on the first Wednesday of November, January, March and May.

    Meet at
    The Elks Club
    222 Elks Lane.
    San Luis Obispo, CA.

    For information and reservations contact
    Mary Bhuta at 528-5979
    or e-mail Mary Bhuta

    Elks Club
    222 Elks Lane
    San Luis Obispo, CA