"Betty Jean's Story: Forensic Genealogy and Adoption"

Betty Jean was abandoned in Asheville, NC in 1927. All her life Betty Jean wanted to know who her parents were, but her search ended abruptly in the 1950s when she was shown her very empty files by a clerk at the courthouse. Until her cousin contacts her asking about some family papers. "You know I am adopted?" and the cousin answered, "you know, helping adoptees find their families is one thing my business does?" Follow along as we work the history, we find connections and ultimately find Betty Jean’s Family.

Mags Gaulden

Mags Gaulden is a genetic genealogist based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She has dedicated decades to researching family histories and exploring the role of genetics in genealogy. Born and raised in the United States, Mags developed an early interest in family history and genealogy. She started researching her own family tree, which led her to discover the power of genetic testing in genealogy. 

In addition to being a sought-after international speaker and workshop coordinator, Mags is the founder of Grandma’s Genes, a genealogy consultation firm in Ottawa, and mitoYDNA.org, a free and accessible Y and mitochondrial DNA database for the genealogy community that is a 501(c) 3 non-profit based in Maryland.

Mags is a leader at WikiTree, a collaborative, community-based genealogy website. She works with the DNA Integrators Project to further the DNA features of WikiTree and has been recognized for her contributions to the site with the prestigious Leader badge.

She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy, among other organizations. Her passion for family history, combined with her expertise in genetics and genealogy, has helped many people uncover their family histories and connect with their roots.

The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Karen Smith. If you register for this event, you will receive an email reminder containing a link to the meeting three days before the event. If you are not receiving the invitations, please contact Karen Smith at:

presidentofcvgs@gmail.com

Admission is free for up to 100 participants so register early.  A handout will be available and sent to all society members.