Jamboree 2015 - Advance Registration is Closed

Advance Registration for the Genetic Genealogy: DNA Day Plus! Conference and the 2015 Southern California Genealogy Jamboree is now closed.

Tickets will be sold at the door for both conferences. Walk-in registration for Genetic Genealogy: DNA Day Plus! will open at 7:00 am Thursday, June 4, in the Convention Center.

Walk-in registration for Jamboree will open Friday, June 5, at 12 noon sharp inside the Convention Center at the registration kiosk.  Saturday and Sunday walk-ins can register beginning at 7:30am.

What if you've changed your mind and want to go to one of the events? Check with the registration kiosk in the Convention Center to see if meal tickets are available. You might get lucky. We'll also have a message board available in the foyer for "ticket wanted" or "ticket available" notes.

For those who registered in advance, if you ordered a ticket for a meal or special event, the ticket will be in your registration envelope. If by some chance it's not there, Louise at the registration kiosk can help you.

LAST CALL Jamboree 2015 - Advance Registration Closes at Midnight Tonight (May 23)

We are just hours away from the cutoff for advance registration for the Genetic Genealogy: DNA Day Plus! conference and the 46th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree.

What's that mean to you?

Well, if you have already registered, it means that you're relaxed, looking forward to seeing your friends and learning all about the best techniques and secrets about searching for ancestors.  We hope you've taken the time to review the schedule and planned out your first-choice and second-choice sessions, just in case.

You've checked out the various meals and bought your tickets.

But....

If you've waited until the deadline, beware.  It's almost here.  Advance registration closes at midnight tonight, Saturday, May 23.

And if you wait until May 24th:

• You will miss the meals and banquets, including Dr. Michael D. Lacopo's presentation "Hoosier Daddy Live!" on Saturday night. This is your opportunity to hear first-hand from the author of the wildly popular blog Hoosier Daddy as he relates the compelling story of his search for his past. *Note to his fans: No Duct Tape Allowed!

• The Genetic Genealogy: DNA Day Plus! luncheon featuring KTLA Newsanchor Chris Schauble.  Hear about his journey using DNA to discover his biological family.

• You'll lose the chance to order the 2015 printed syllabus.  You might want to purchase one at Jamboree, but if it's really important that you have one, you should order in advance.  We plan to order enough to have just a limited quantity available for sale at the conference.

• You'll have to stand in line when you pay to register.  It won't be a smooth process of just going to the table and picking up your registration materials.

• And...you'll pay more.

You don't want to miss out and you don't want to pay more.

So register.  Today.

Current and new SCGS members.

Nonmembers.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Michael T. Booth

Michael T. Booth is the Vice President of RootsMagic, Inc. He is an accomplished trainer, having given hands-on entertaining presentations to thousands of individuals. With over 35 years of computer programming experience, Michael's latest creations are "Personal Historian" and "Family Atlas". He is also a developer of the popular RootsMagic genealogy software. Michael lives in Ogden, Utah with his wife Sandy and their six children.

FR006 Friday June 5, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

What's New in RootsMagic 7

An introduction to RootsMagic 7, the newest version of this award-winning genealogy software. Learn about features like WebHints, File Compare, DataClean, QuickGroups, and Online Publishing. You'll also learn about the many enhanced features as well. See for yourself why Family Tree Magazine named RootsMagic "the best all-around genealogy program...for both casual and serious genealogists."

SA042 Saturday June 6, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

RootsMagic: Sharing and Publishing Your Family Tree

Don't keep your family history to yourself. RootsMagic is the award-winning genealogy software that makes family history easy. Learn how to add pictures and media, create beautiful charts and reports, publish complete books, make sharable CD's and DVD's, and easily publish your family information online, including notes, sources, and pictures.

SU009 Sunday June 7, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Personal Historian 2: Bringing Life to Your Life Stories

Personal Historian 2 is the latest version of the unique software to organize, write, and publish personal histories for yourself and other individuals. It takes this seemingly monumental task and breaks it into small, manageable pieces and then reconstructs it into a complete, publishable document. The included library of timelines and memory triggers give color and context to your writing. You can even add documents, journals, photographs, and genealogy to give it a personal touch.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Kitty Munson Cooper

Kitty Munson Cooper is a well-known blogger on genetics and genealogy. She started her blog, blog,kittycooper.com, in 2012 to keep track of her family's DNA tests as well as her genealogical research. Written for her relatives with simple step-by-step pictorial explanations, the blog soon became extremely popular and currently receives over 1000 unique visitors a day. Her interest in family history and genealogy started at her beloved Aunt Marion's funeral in 1997 when she realized that many stories had died with her aunt. She resolved not to let any more of them be forgotten and started collecting stories, pictures, and family data from that day forward. Kitty started programming computers in 1966 while still in high school and currently has her own small web development business.

She has created a number of tools for the genetic genealogy community for displaying pictures of who their DNA is from, showing overlapping segments, and grouping the DNA overlaps.  She graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1972 and is also a World Champion Bridge player.  Born and raised in New York City, she now lives in Lakeside, California with her husband Steve and their dog Navajo.

TH010 Thursday June 4,  11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Breaking Brick Walls with DNA Testing 
This session will present two case studies showing how DNA was used to break genealogical brick walls. Success story with Y-DNA: Lars Monsen. Success story with Autotsomal DNA: Anna Knutsdatter.

TH0023 Thursday June 4, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
How to do a DNA Triangulation to Confirm a Specific Ancestor
The same question seems to come up over and over again among those new to autosomal DNA testing.  If I match A and B on the same segment why is that not enough to prove they match each other and we have a common ancestor?

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Charlotte M. Bocage

Charlotte Marie Bocage is a full-time professional genealogist with more than four decades of experience. The 1977 TV series Roots inspired her to put a name to what she had been doing for so long and to formally continue her genealogical search. Charlotte has been sharing her knowledge since 1999. She is the Bloom and Bocage Family genealogist and historian, tracing her paternal family back to 19th Century Louisiana. Charlotte graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies.

Charlotte is a genealogy instructor with Family Tree University and UCLA Osher Life Long Learning Extension. She is on the Board of Directors and is the Education chair with the Southern California Genealogical Society. Charlotte has volunteered with many genealogical and historical societies in Southern California.

SU013 Sunday June 7, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Let's Get (a Family Reunion) Together

This visual aid class introduces the family reunion chair to the minutiae of planning a family reunion to bring their family together.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Kathy Warburton

Kathy Warburton has worked as a British Reference assistant at the Family History Library for 16 years and has been employed by FamilySearch for 26. Kathy grew up in a home where history and family history were emphasized. Ancestral stories were frequently shared at bedtime and at family gatherings, leading to a life-long love of family history. She studied family history and geography at Brigham Young University and has been doing family history research for nearly 30 years.

FR015 Friday June 5, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Dearly Beloved: Marriage Records and Non-Traditional Sources of Marriage Information in the US
This class will provide an overview of marriage laws and customs in the UK that may affect your ability to find marriage information for your ancestors. This session includes a look at standard marriage records (pre- and post-1837) and what information they contain, and an overview of various non-standard sources to find marriage information for your ancestors when you can't find it in standard sources.

SA001 Saturday June 6, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.  FamilySearch Sponsored Breakfast
Using Family Search to Connect with Your Friends, Associates, and Neighbors
By using the collaborative and social media tools build into FamilySearch, you can make contact with relatives and others who are searching for the same ancestors you are. Engage your friends, associates, and neighbors to use FamilySearch to help them find their ancestors and discover photos and stories about those ancestors.

SA038 Saturday June 6, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
But Wait...There's More: New and Lesser-Known Features and Tools on FamilySearch.org
Think you know what is available on FamilySearch.org? You may be surprised. Learn about new and lesser-known features on FamilySearch.org that will help you be more successful in finding your ancestors and building your tree.

SU033 Sunday June 7, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
How to Speak Geek
Being a genealogist requires learning a new vocabulary. Being a genealogist in 2015 requires learning a tech-vocabulary, as well as a genealogy vocabulary. This class is for those who have less experience with technology and will introduce key terms and concepts that they will need to know to navigate the technology needed to be a successful genealogist.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Joel Weintraub, PhD

Joel Weintraub was born and raised in Manhattan. He is an emeritus Biology Professor at California State University, Fullerton and has won awards for his science teaching. He became interested in genealogy over a decade ago, and was a volunteer for nine years at the National Archives and Records Administration, then located at Laguna Niguel, CA.

Joel started transcribing streets within census districts in 2001 to help researchers search the 1930 US Census (released in 2002). He was joined in the venture by Stephen Morse in 2002. Over the years, Joel has produced a number of online census searching utilities for the 1900 through 1940 federal censuses, and the New York State censuses for NYC (1905, 1915, and 1925) on the Morse 'One-Step' website (stevemorse.org). Joel spent seven years with Steve and many volunteers developing data sets for the 1940 census which were used by the 'One-Step', National Archives, Ancestry.com and the NY Public Library 1940 websites, and is currently developing similar locational tools for the 1950 census (to be released in 2022).

He has given many presentations on census, immigration and naturalization, the genealogical standards, and Jewish genealogy to genealogy, natural history, and university groups and has published articles on census research and the 72 year rule. His hobbies include birding, collecting census memorabilia and making interesting PowerPoint presentations.

SU003 Sunday June 7, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Introduction to Jewish Genealogy
What sets apart Jewish Genealogy? This introduction will discuss getting started, records in time and space, research areas and major online websites, including JewishGen and Yad Vashem.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speakers: Paul Woodbury

Paul Woodbury first developed an interest in family history when he was 8 years old. His grandparents gave him a family history binder for Christmas and from that moment forward his parents could not keep him out of the family records. In 2006 the television series African American Lives and its use of genetic genealogy captured his attention and he decided that he wanted to pursue a professional career as a genetic genealogist.

Paul recently graduated from Brigham Young University where he received his B.S. in Genetics and Biotechnology while minoring in Family History. During his time there he worked for three years as a lab assistant in the BYU Family History Lab, where he taught daily classes to thousands of students. He also participated in a family history study abroad where he toured and researched 20 archives in France, Spain, Italy and the Vatican.

Paul has presented on a variety of topics at local, regional, and international famly history conferences. Paul currently works with genetic genealogists CeCe Moore and Angie Bush as part of the "DNA Detectives" team. He also takes his own clients in French, Spanish, and Scandinavian research. He is last year's recipient of the Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Student Genealogy Grant.

Outside of genealogy, Paul runs his own balloon entertaining business.  He also enjoys cooking, skiing, singing and dancing.

FR019 Friday June 5, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Genetic Genealogy and the Next Generation
Introduction to Genetic Genealogy for Youth and the role that DNA will play in the future of family history.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Lisa Louise Cooke

Lisa Louise Cooke is the owner of Genealogy Gems, a genealogy and family history multi-media company.  She is the producer and host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, the popular online genealogy audio show (downloaded over 1.5 million times!), as well as the Family History: Genealogy Made Easy podcast.  Both podcasts are available at www.GenealogyGems.com, in iTunes, and through the Genealogy Gems app.  Her podcast episodes bring genealogy news, research strategies, expert interviews and inspiration to genealogists in over 75 countries.

Lisa is the author of The Genealogist's Google Toolbox 2nd edition (NEW!), Turn Your iPad into a Genealogy Powerhouse, How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers, and Genealogy Gems.  Her most recent publication is the popular Evernote for Genealogists quick reference guide.  In addition, she's the producer of the video series Google Earth for Genealogy and over 70 videos at the Genealogy Gems YouTube Channel.

In addition to Genealogy Gems, Lisa produces and hosts The Family Tree Magazine Podcast, regularly writes for the magazine, and is an instructor and curriculum developer for Family Tree University.   Whether in person or online, Lisa strives to dig through the myriad of genealogy news, questions and resources to deliver the gems that can unlock audiences' family history treasure trove!

SA007 Saturday June 5, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Google Tools and Procedures for Solving Family History Mysteries 
In this session we will put Google to the test.  Discover Google tools and the process for using them to solve the genealogical challenges you face. You'll walk away with exciting new techniques you can use right away.

SA022 Saturday June 5, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Get the Scoop on Your Family History with Newspapers 
While a fraction of newspapers are currently digitized online, your computer is always your starting point.  Discover cool new tech tools that make locating newspapers easier than ever, whether they are online or in an archive.

SA047 Saturday June 5, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Update: Google! Everything New That You Need to Know for Genealogy 
One thing guaranteed about working online is that everything is subject to change!  Get the scoop on all the latest changes you need to know about effective genealogy searching.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Pamela Weisberger

Pamela Weisberger is a professional genealogist and international speaker, having given presentations throughout the U.S. and Australia, Poland, Canada, Ukraine, England, Italy and Israel. She is also the first vice-president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles and President of Gesher Galicia, a research group focusing on the former Austrian province of Galicia. She has researched for the television show Finding Our Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and works extensively in overseas archives. She created the Galician Archival Records Project and Cadastral Map Room and has a special interest in historical newspapers, innovative methodology, "archaeological genealogy," and solving family mysteries. She holds a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.S. from Boston University.

SU010 Sunday June 7, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Cartography for Genealogists: Mapping Time and Generations 
Join us at the intersection of cartography and genealogy where your ancestors' footsteps are etched in antique snapshots. Learn how to navigate UCLA's Hypercities, Gesher Galicia's Cadastral Map Room, David Rumsey's Second Life and History Geo's land-grant maps and explore the cultural and genealogical/geographical layers of your ancestral towns.

SU020 Sunday June 7, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Jewish Geography/Jewish Genealogy: Exploring Your Jewish Roots 
Are you curious about your Jewish Roots? Most research can be done online! Learn how to identify towns-of-origins, analyze passenger records, and access archival databases to trace Jewish ancestry. We'll use census, vital and naturalization records to find clues of origin, leading to online documents from overseas repositories.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree. She writes, teaches and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical topics, ranging from using court records in family history to understanding DNA testing. A Colorado native with deep roots in the American south on her mother's side and entirely in Germany on her father's side, she is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society and numerous state and regional genealogical societies. She has written for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the National Genealogical Society Magazine, among other publications.

On the faculty of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research in Alabama, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh and Boston University's Center for Professional Education, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, from which she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist℠ and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠.  Her blog, chosen as one of the American Bar Association's top 100 in 2013 and 2014, appears at the Legal Genealogist website (http://www.legalgenealogist.com).

TH-B Thursday June 4, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Order in the Court - Hands-On with Court Records
Two-hour workshop presentation on understanding and making the most out of court records of all types from minutes and dockets to reported court decisions.
2-hour workshop.  Additional registration and fees apply.  Limited to 40 attendees.

TH020 Thursday June 4, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
DNA and the Golden Rule: The Law and Ethics of Genetic Genealogy
The ethical issues involved in using DNA evidence in genealogy can be thorny. But the Golden Rule by itself covers us in most situations -- and can keep us out of trouble.

FR014 Friday June 5, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Property Rights and Wrongs - African-Americans at the Courthouse
From being treated as property to having their property stolen by those who used the law against them, African Americans' experience at the courthouse had only one bright spot: it created records for the descendants of slaves and slave owners alike.

FR029 Friday June 5, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Inventing America - Records of the U.S. Patent Office
Americans have always been tinkerers and inventors. Records of the U.S. Patent Office can enrich any family's history. Where can those records be found today, and what can they tell us about our families?

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Headliner: Dr. Michael D. Lacopo

Dr. Michael Lacopo was born and raised in Northern Indiana surrounded by extended family always willing to tell tall tales. Intrigued by these, he took to genealogical research in 1980 to substantiate these family stories. Combing libraries, archives, cemeteries, and courthouses as a teenager, Michael gained the skills needed to become a keen researcher. His first major research challenge undertaken in 1982 was to locate the birthparents of his mother, who was adopted as an infant. You can read about this adventure at his blog Roots4U.blogspot.com with some engaging story-telling, plot twists and new findings!

Michael completed his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1991. As befitting a doctor, he treats his genealogical research as he would medicine - carefully, methodically and completely. In 2013 Michael retired from his medical career to pursue genealogical research full-time as a profession. He has contributed to numerous periodicals and has helped numerous people in their quests to locate their relatives - living and dead. His national lecturing began in 2004, and has continued with several local, state, national, and international conference speaking engagements to this present day. He believes that as genealogists we should tell the tales of our ancestors and is a vocal proponent for learning the social history that interweaves our ancestors into the fabric of the past.

FR022 Friday June 5, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Methods for Identifying the German Origins of American Immigrants
If all you know from conventional records is "Germany" as a place of origin, then this lecture will help you mine other resources to locate WHERE in Germany your ancestor came from.

FR032 Friday June 5, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Finding and Utilizing German Church Records
Many of us have German-speaking European ancestors but are afraid to tackle the next steps across the Atlantic. Your lecturer will show examples of German church records, how to decipher them and how to overcome the fear of German script.

SA026 Saturday June 6, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
Magnificent, Magical, Mesmerizing Manuscript Collections!
These types of records form an enormous part of most archival collections, yet most genealogists grossly underutilize them. This lecture will help you locate them, understand what information they can yield and use them to break down brick walls!

SA053 Saturday June 6,  7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Saturday Banquet
Hoosier Daddy LIVE!
The online community begs for each new installment of his blog, "Hoosier Daddy," which relates the compelling story of the search for his past. His engaging storytelling skill and infuriating cliffhangers have moved his blog to the top of the "must read" list. Before you hear the story first hand from Michael, do yourself a favor. Read his blog in advance, and be sure to start with the first post.

SU032 Sunday June 7, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Incorporating Social History into Your Genealogical Research
Family history should be more than names and dates. What motivated our ancestors? Why did they migrate? Who did they interact with? How do social customs of another era affect our research? Social history and its bearing on genealogical research will be covered, as well as a discussion on why it is so necessary to bringing our ancestors to life.

Jamboree - Blogger Badge Contest Update

As we've mentioned before, Jamboree doesn't designate official bloggers like some other genealogy conferences.  To us, every attendee, every blogger, every social media user, every exhibitor, speaker or sponsor is equally important.  Instead, we use the term "honorary blogger" for all of our friends.

On April 25th, one lucky social media user will be chosen at random to win a free registration to Jamboree.  To participate in our contest, just download the "I Am SO There" badge and put it on your blog, Facebook or other social media page, Twitter feed, or Pinterest board and link to the Jamboree website http://www.genealogyjamboree.com.  

To be eligible to win the free registration, don't forget to play by the rules and include your URL so we can link back to you. The winner will be selected from the growing list of submissions emailed to socialmedia@scgsgenealogy.com by midnight on April 24. The winner may use the registration himself or herself or use it for a promotion on a social media platform. 

While we would love for everyone to attend Jamboree, we know that it is not always physically possible.  Just because you aren't physically able to attend doesn't mean that you can't participate, or win.  There are lots of ways you can be part of the Jamboree experience from afar, including joining us for our outstanding live-streamed sessions.

Here are the blogs that are participating to date.  If you have sent us your information, and it's not on this list, please get in touch.

Make sure you are included!  Enter our contest today!

List of Honorary Bloggers

Aha! Seminars

Confuse The Dead

Fickett Street Genealogy

Finding Family 101

Gates to the Past

Geneabloggers

Genealogy Lady

GeneaSpy

Homestead Genealogical Research

Linda's Orchard

Marin County Genealogical Society

Organize Your Family History

Pennington Research Association

The Genealogy Search