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Upcoming events

  • CVGS Education Meeting

    • Tuesday, October 21, 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Bonita-Sunnyside Library, 4375 Bonita Rd, Bonita CA, 91902
    • 8 registrants
    Register

      

    Education Meeting



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"

    Join this month's class to work with fellow genealogists, ask genealogy questions and share your family tree generation chart. Working on basic genealogy skills and resources, this class can benefit any level of genealogist. Every Tuesday class is different, depending on the needs of the group.  On October 21, we will be meeting in the Bonita Museum, next to  the library.                      

    Bring your genealogy questions, genealogy difficulties and your family generation chart, if you have one (you can get help to create a family chart in class, if you don’t have one)

    One Tuesday of every month Chula Vista Genealogical Society hosts a FREE Genealogy Education Class from 1-3 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library Community Room.  Bring your laptop or tablet.   If you don’t have one, you may be able to share with someone.

    Register at:

    https://chulavistagenealogysociety.wildapricot.org/


    Walk-ins are welcome


    For further information or questions, contact:

    CVGS Education Chair:  Karen Smith

                                                  freelady72000@me.com

    There is no Zoom meeting scheduled.

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  • California Pioneer Workshop

    • Tuesday, October 28, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Be the first
    Register

           

    California Pioneer Programs Workshop

    Chula Vista Genealogical Society is please to announce a partnership with San Diego Genealogical Society’s  California Pioneer Certificate Program.  

    The California Pioneer Programs Workshop will be held on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 7 pm PST via ZOOM. 


    *** To register for the workshop go to  https://casdgs.org/calendar and click on the California Pioneer Programs Workshop calendar entry. This will land you on the registration page. ***

    The purpose of the workshop is to assist any individual researching their early California ancestors. It is not necessary to be an applicant to the California Pioneer Certificate Program or any other lineage program.

    The workshop welcomes all researchers. There is no fee for attending. The primary focus of the workshop is to assist attendees with their specific genealogical questions. After a discussion of the questions and any problems, the attendee will be assigned to one of the qualified researchers in attendance. If appropriate, the attendee and researcher will return to future meetings to report on the progress being made. Crowd sourcing will be used to elicit additional ideas and advice.  

    An additional purpose of the workshop is to provide education on early California history and its records. Knowledge of the history of an area and the time frame provides important clues to the types of genealogical records available.


    We will examine these records and the repositories which hold them, including online resources. We will cover archives in California, Mexico and the US at the state, county, local, library and university levels.


    For more information Contact Colin Whitney at: pioneercertificateprogram@gmail.com


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  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, October 29, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 35 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    Finding What You Need and Using What You Find

    Even though so much information is available for our research, getting to the specific information that we need and using it most effectively can present challenges. Discover twenty practical strategies for enhancing your research. From finding ways to use the internet more successfully, extracting hidden genealogical nuggets from the documents you find, and evaluating your evidence, we'll explore an assortment of tools for locating overlooked records, understanding codes in documents, recovering missing websites, finding evidence of name changes, and much more.


    Pam Vestal
    Pam Vestal is a professional genealogist and speaker who turned her focus to her longtime love of genealogy after a 20-year writing career. Her articles have appeared in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly and the FGS's Forum magazine, and her lectures take her from coast to coast.  Pam specializes in conducting genealogical research and then turning that information into illustrated stories that even non-genealogists can enjoy.
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    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



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  • CVGS Board meeting

    • Wednesday, November 05, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom video conference - https://zoom.us/j/97204461310?pwd=bV1NjE6TupRmZlRbg7IFeTL9aMNCl4.1
    • Be the first
    Register

     

    Board Meeting



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"

     

    The Board of Directors Meeting is held one day each month as stated in the ByLaws. The meeting is brought to order by the President of CVGS. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be one-half plus one of the current Board Members. A quorum must be present to take a vote, and a simple majority shall enact a motion.

    Standing Rules for attending members:

    1.     Non-Board Members may attend Board Meetings but may not vote and cannot participate in meeting discussions.

    2.     If there is a point to discuss, they must contact the CVGS President at least five days before the meeting to be added to the agenda.

    3.     They are allowed to speak for no more than four(4) minutes.

    The meeting will start at 12:00pm Pacific and is hosted by the President of CVGS. 

    Send all questions, concerns, or points of discussions to

    Terri Seat - presidentofcvgs@gmail.com

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  • CVGS Research Group

    • Wednesday, November 12, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom video conference - https://zoom.us/j/98167320740?pwd=pJtNHwliEix5p0bQDA3qxUZQ0OsLbm.1
    • 2 registrants
    Register

      

    Research Group



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"



    Join us for this monthly meeting and learn about genealogy news, tips and techniques and how they could help you in your genealogy research.

    The meeting will start at 12:00pm Pacific and will be led by our host Randy Seaver. 

    If you register for this event an email reminder containing a Zoom link to the meeting will be sent three days before the event. If you are not receiving the invitations, please contact Randy Seaver at:

    randy.seaver@gmail.com

    Admission is free for up to 100 participants, so register early.

    A handout will be available after the meeting and sent to all society members. For non-CVGS members, please email Randy if you attend the meeting and want the handout.

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  • CVGS Family History Roundtable

    • Wednesday, November 19, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom video conference - https://zoom.us/j/95146372813?pwd=iTgm9pR2alafCEemZHzWN0RQ82ogq0.1
    • Be the first
    Register

      

    Family History Roundtable



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"


    You’re Invited to the New CVGS Family History Roundtable!

    As announced at the August meeting of the DNA Interest Group, the stand-alone DNA Interest Group meetings have been discontinued. In their place, we are pleased to introduce the Family History Roundtable, which will convene on:


    Date:  Third (3rd) Wednesday of each month

    Time:  12:00 PM Pacific Time.


    The Family History Roundtable will focus on the following topics:

    • Capturing, reviewing, and organizing family photographs, slides, video tapes, home movies, cassette tapes, and similar materials
    • Preserving and organizing family papers, memories, oral histories, artifacts, and other personal records
    • Converting these materials into digital formats, such as typed documents, websites, books, digital audio, or video
    • Creating and recording personal memoirs, family stories, ancestor and descendant reports
    • Ensuring the long-term preservation of these materials for future generations
    • Identifying both free and paid tools and services to assist with these tasks


    Randy Seaver will serve as the initial moderator of this group. However, individuals with relevant expertise and enthusiasm are warmly encouraged to step forward to co-host or assist in facilitating future sessions.


    Please note that topics related to DNA will now be included in the CVGS Research Group meetings, held on the second Wednesday of each month.


    For additional information or to share suggestions, please contact Randy Seaver at: randy.seaver@gmail.com

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  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, November 26, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 5 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    Understanding AI In Genealogy: Foundations And Tools

    Learn how artificial intelligence can help with your family history research. This presentation covers what AI is, how it works, and which tools are most useful for genealogy. We’ll look at popular AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini and discuss what each one does best. You’ll learn how to work effectively with AI, including how to ask questions that get the best results and how to verify the information it provides. Whether you’re new to AI or already experimenting with it, this session will help you understand how to use these tools responsibly in your genealogy work.

    Diana Elder

    Diana Elder AGⓇ, AGLTM, is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States. She is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and co-author of Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. With her daughter Nicole, Diana leads study groups and an eCourse that teach the Research Like a Pro methodology using comprehensive video instruction and interactive learning modules. She shares genealogical research strategies on Family Locket (familylocket.com) and co-hosts the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast with Nicole. A sought-after speaker, Diana presents regularly at major conferences, including RootsTech and the National Genealogical Society Conference. She also enjoys conducting webinars and seminars for genealogical societies throughout the United States and abroad.

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    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details

  • CVGS Board meeting

    • Wednesday, December 03, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom video conference - https://zoom.us/j/97204461310?pwd=bV1NjE6TupRmZlRbg7IFeTL9aMNCl4.1
    • Be the first
    Register

     

    Board Meeting



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"

     

    The Board of Directors Meeting is held one day each month as stated in the ByLaws. The meeting is brought to order by the President of CVGS. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be one-half plus one of the current Board Members. A quorum must be present to take a vote, and a simple majority shall enact a motion.

    Standing Rules for attending members:

    1.     Non-Board Members may attend Board Meetings but may not vote and cannot participate in meeting discussions.

    2.     If there is a point to discuss, they must contact the CVGS President at least five days before the meeting to be added to the agenda.

    3.     They are allowed to speak for no more than four(4) minutes.

    The meeting will start at 12:00pm Pacific and is hosted by the President of CVGS. 

    Send all questions, concerns, or points of discussions to

    Terri Seat - presidentofcvgs@gmail.com

    Show details

  • CVGS Research Group

    • Wednesday, December 10, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom video conference - https://zoom.us/j/98167320740?pwd=pJtNHwliEix5p0bQDA3qxUZQ0OsLbm.1
    • 1 registrant
    Register

      

    Research Group



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"



    Join us for this monthly meeting and learn about genealogy news, tips and techniques and how they could help you in your genealogy research.

    The meeting will start at 12:00pm Pacific and will be led by our host Randy Seaver. 

    If you register for this event an email reminder containing a Zoom link to the meeting will be sent three days before the event. If you are not receiving the invitations, please contact Randy Seaver at:

    randy.seaver@gmail.com

    Admission is free for up to 100 participants, so register early.

    A handout will be available after the meeting and sent to all society members. For non-CVGS members, please email Randy if you attend the meeting and want the handout.

    Show details

  • CVGS DNA Interest Group

    • Wednesday, December 17, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom video conference - https://zoom.us/j/95146372813?pwd=iTgm9pR2alafCEemZHzWN0RQ82ogq0.1
    • 1 registrant

      

    DNA Interest



    "Helping our members meet their genealogy goals"



    Join us for this monthly Chula Vista DNA Interest Group meeting. We will discuss basic DNA science and how it could help you in your genealogy research.

    The meeting will start at 12:00pm Pacific and will be led by our host Randy Seaver. 

    If you register for this event an email reminder containing a Zoom link to the meeting will be sent three days before the event. If you are not receiving the invitations, please contact Randy Seaver at:

    randy.seaver@gmail.com

    Admission is free for up to 100 participants, so register early.

    A handout will be available after the meeting and sent to all society members. For non-CVGS members, please email Randy if you attend the meeting and want the handout.



    Show details

  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, January 28, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 3 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    Research in the South and Everywhere Else: Review, Prepare and Plan

    Major concepts to consider with your family research project include migration, settlement patterns, religion, land, and geography. Learn how to find available resources and develop a strategy to find ancestors.


    J. Mark Lowe


    J. Mark Lowe describes himself “born to be curious”. He is a professional genealogist and educator who specializes in original records and manuscripts throughout the South. He coordinates “Research in the South” courses at IGHR, SLIG and TIGR, worked on several TV series, hosts a You Tube channel and does webinars.

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    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details

  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, March 25, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    Registration is closed

      

    General Meeting



    Indexes Are The Key To Unlocking The Records

    Indexes make your searches so much easier, but what if you are lost on how to use the index? Indexing systems are so complex that they require guides, keys, or tables to decipher. We will review and master these indexes: Burr Record, Campbell, Cott System, Liber Index, Page Margin Key Tables, Paul Company Key Table, Russell Key Index, Split Column Indexes, Soundex and Vowel Index. They are often the essential to locating ancestors in Probate or Land records online or at a courthouse.


    Christine Cohen


    Christine’s interest in genealogy began in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series “Roots”. Her enthusiasm was piqued when she was given a typed pedigree chart, commissioned by her maternal grandfather, of their Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1650’s. Christine is a native Californian, and a graduate of UCLA in Political Science. She is retired and pursues her genealogy journey full time.  Christine is a long-time member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) and currently is the Program Director. In addition to WAGS, she is a member of the Tualatin Chapter of the DAR, the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames, and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

        ========================================

    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details

  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, April 29, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 2 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    The 15 Habits of Highly Frugal Genealogists

    Who said genealogy and the hunt for your family history has to be expensive? Just as in any other industry, there are some tricks to getting the best deals and bargains in the genealogy marketplace. With The 15 Habits of Highly Frugal Genealogists you’ll learn the tricks and also how to think like a savvy frugal genealogist! Learn how savvy genealogists are find success with 15 basic habits of frugality. You’ll not only find a list of key resources but more importantly you’ll learn how to embrace the “mind set” of finding the best ways to save money while researching your ancestors.


    Thomas MacEntee

    Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago, and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals. 

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    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details

  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, May 27, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 2 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    Grandma Nellie’s Scrapbook: Identifying and Interpreting Historic Photographs

    Many people become heirs to a box of unidentified family photos and have no clue what to do with them. Tina will offer solutions for identifying these ‘lost’ family members by teaching attendees how to use genealogy sources in conjunction with observational techniques.


    Tina Beaird


    Tina Beaird is owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is also a Genealogy/Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library in Plainfield, IL. Tina lectures extensively on topics including genealogical methodology, military research and archival preservation. She is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the Association of Professional Genealogists as well as First V.P. of the Illinois State Genealogical Society and Board Director for the Oswego Heritage Association. She volunteers her time with several historical and genealogical societies across Illinois. Tina has provided research assistance for nearly twenty years and has been researching her family’s history, as time permits, for over thirty years. She is a rabid baseball fan and her and her family have visited 26 out of 30 Major League Ballparks across the U.S.

        ========================================

    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details

  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, July 29, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 2 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    Getting to Know The Genealogy Center: Researching from Home

    Discover how you can access one of the world’s largest genealogy collections without leaving your home. The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center offers a wealth of free digital resources to help you uncover your family history, wherever you are. This session will introduce the Genealogy Center, highlight key online databases and tools, and guide you step-by-step on how to begin—or continue—your research remotely. Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced researcher, you’ll learn practical tips for making the most of the Genealogy Center’s resources from the comfort of your home.


    Allison DePrey Singleton


    Allison DePrey Singleton, MA, MLS, has presented at major genealogy events including RootsTech (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025), the Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference, and the Indiana Genealogical Society Conference, as well as numerous other conferences and seminars nationwide. She co-chaired the 2018 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference as part of her role at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she serves as Genealogy Services Manager. In addition to her speaking work, Allison is Northeast Regional Co-Coordinator for National History Day in Indiana and serves as the President of the Indiana Genealogical Society and Vice-President of the Fort Wayne Sister Cities International. 

        ========================================

    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details

  • CVGS General Meeting

    • Wednesday, August 26, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • https://zoom.us/j/98924816884?pwd=M0RVzvAaXDoHF3LfaHLtKz8TSaEEA3.1
    • 2 registrants
    Register

      

    General Meeting



    Using Lists to Find Proof

    Genealogists examine lists nearly every time we conduct research, whether it be in the form of censuses, tax lists, directories, petitions, and hundreds of others. The Genealogical Proof Standard requires reasonably exhaustive research, analysis and corroboration of evidence. This presentation will demonstrate how lists can be used to meet those standards and offers methods and tips for examining lists as a tool for proving the identity of our ancestors.  (There is a class participation component to this lecture.)


    Cari A. Taplin


    Cari A. Taplin is related to Roy Rogers. Or at least that’s what her family told her. As a result, finding her true heritage has been her focus since the year 2000. She is a native of Wood County, Ohio but now lives in Longmont, Colorado. Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for state, local, and national societies. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking services. She also lends help and shares her expertise as an administrator on the highly popular Facebook Group “The Genealogy Squad.” Cari currently works for Ancestry ProGenealogists. Cari’s personal research focuses on midwestern and Great Lakes states. When she’s not working on her genealogy, she is a wife, and a mother of two young adults.


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    The General Meeting will start at 12:00 pm Pacific time and will be led by our President, Terri Seat. 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 Terri Seat 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.



    Show details



Address:

5073 Central Avenue, #1242

Bonita, CA 91908

chulavistagenealogysociety@gmail.com

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