Winter in the San Ramon Valley Photo courtesy: Ted Shapas
General Meeting (On Zoom)
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 10-12 p.m.
FamilySearch Center Oakland Tour
Theme: You Are Not Alone
Theme: Working on genealogy can be a complex undertaking as the hobby genealogist works on understanding family histories, changes in boundaries, deciphering handwriting, understanding their ancestors’ cultures, digitizing photographs, slides and films, learning how to use ever changing genealogical software and research databases and so much more. This work can get overwhelming. You are not alone. There is help available in many forms. This presentation introduces the audience to an integrated set of resources specifically designed to support the hobby genealogist.
Target Audience: Beginner and intermediate genealogists
Length: 90 minutes without Q&A. Allot 2 hours.
Outline:
Introduction to the presenters, any specific questions to be addressed?
FamilySearch Overview (10 min) – Extent of research capabilities, fundamental organizational approach, mission of FamilySearch, capabilities FamilySearch brings to the public.: Research Database, Personal Account and FamilyTree, Memories, Infrastructure.
Research Database and Personal Account (45 min) – Fan Chart capabilities, Research Helps, Research Wiki, how to create a FS Account, how to populate your tree (type it in, find it, GEDCOM import)
Memories (20 min) – Demo of the FS Gallery and Memories App, including the sharing of stories and culturally important information for children via email, etc.
Infrastructure (15 min) – Description of the infrastructure supplied by FamilySearch, including FamilySearch Centers (1:1 help, scanning, premium websites), phone 1:1 support, FSC combined calendar, training capabilities, RootsTech videos.
Q&A (30 min) – could be done at the end of each section.
Outcome: Based on previous sessions, we expect the audience to walk away with a sense of excitement for continuing their own family history efforts. They will feel more comfortable in knowing bout additional resources, available free of charge, designed specifically to help them.
View Feb. 17, 2026 Video
We had a last-minute cancellation of the scheduled February presentation and Mark McClaren, our DNA SIG leader came to our rescue with a DNA update on the major U.S. DNA test purveyors. The video and handout from the February 17, 2026, Mark McClaren, DNA Update presentation will be available for one month by logging into the member section of our web site.
Newsletter
Our newsletter is published monthly, except for August and December. In it you will find information on our next speaker, a summary of the last speaker's presentation, the date and location of the current month’s Special Interest Groups, educational opportunities available in the local area and on-line, a list of webinars you can access from your home computer and other timely notices of genealogical interest. You can look through this month's newsletter or browse previous issues.
Special Interest Groups
SIG Meetings Will Be Online: Most SIG groups are using Zoom to meet on-line. SIG Leaders will email call-in instructions to SIG members. To be safe, check with your SIG leader before attending any SIG meetings. Review the latest 5 events (on right side of this web page), or click right below on "View Full Listing" to see the latest 10 events.
SRVGS has had a number of Special Interest Groups over the years in addition to the seven that now meet monthly. We encourage members to start their own SIG meetings on topics they are interested in, as a way of learning by teaching. The SIGs come and go, over the years but we promote them and they are a vital part of our Society. There have been SIGs on Macintosh, Azores Research, Using Computers and the Internet, RootsMagic and more. If you are interested in a topic not currently covered please volunteer to lead the group and we will publicize and arrange a meeting time/place. Our SIG on-line sessions are a very convenient place to meet.
Danville FamilySearch Center
The Danville FamilySearch Center (DFSC) address is: 2949 Stone Valley Rd, Alamo, California 94507. The Director is Kevin Ganschow. You may call 925-209-5489 or email them.
2026 DFSC Hours:
- Monday: 10:00am - 1:00pm & 6:30pm - 9:00pm
- Tuesday: 2:00 - 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 1:00 - 4:00pm
These pay-for subscription websites are available for free, during your visit. It could save you quite a bit of money.
- 19th Century British Library Newspapers
- Alexander Street
- American Ancestors
- Ancestry Institution
- ArkivDigital
- FamNet
- Findmypast
- Fold3
- Geneanet
- Goldie May
- Irish Ancestors
- MyHeritage Library Edition
- NewspaperArchive
- Paper Trail
- Puzzilla
The DFSC needs shift volunteers to help patrons with their research. It's pretty amazing how much you know, and can help others by volunteering. So, to volunteer or if you have other questions, contact the DFSC Director Kevin Ganschow by email.
Visitors please also know that county guidelines are followed so masks are optional and the six foot rule is no longer required. Those that need to avoid climbing steps should call the center prior to coming. We will unlock the side & back gates so they can enter the building thru the back entrance. Additional information is available on the FamilySearch Wiki.
About the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 with the idea of providing resources, assistance and educational opportunities in a social environment that would allow its members to successfully research their ancestry. To fulfill these goals the society offers monthly Zoom meetings with speakers presenting topics covering various aspects of genealogical research. It publishes a monthly newsletter (with all issues available to the public) to keep our membership informed of the latest happenings. It offers many Special Interest Groups (SIGs), where members with common interests can meet and discuss their specific areas of research. It provides website resources, for example local genealogical libraries. All is done within a community of like-minded individuals ready to encourage and assist others and to share their experience. And, there is a members-only section accessible after Login with a number of areas including the most recent recorded presentation and handout, a photo album, new member resources and other society information.
Facebook Page
We have a public Facebook Page where comments from club officers and visitors are made. Usually the posts are helpful genealogy tips that can be acknowledged and commented on. Join us in educating our genealogy community.
BOD Meetings
We have a Monthly Board of Directors meeting, currently via Zoom, where any member of our Society is welcome to attend. To receive a meeting invitation, please email our president at president@srvgensoc.org before the meeting. The BOD meetings begin on the 4th Tuesday of each month, at 10 a.m. and last between 1-2 hours. The BOD does not meet in August or December. Also, please see our About page for more info about our officers.
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