San Mateo County Genealogical Society upcoming events

DNA Interest Group (16 Jul 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The DNA Interest Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. During Shelter at Home, the group will meet via Zoom.

The purpose of this group is to help you better understand how to use DNA in your family research. We explore various ways to use testing sites like AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, and third-party DNA sites. We work collaboratively to interpret your DNA results and to help answer your DNA questions. There is no charge to attend, but membership in SMCGS is a requirement. Contact us at lindalongley@comcast.net for more information or to get on the mailing list.

☕️ Board Meeting (21 Jul 2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The SMCGS Board generally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1PM via Zoom.

SMCGS Board meetings are open to all members. To add agenda items or get the Zoom link, please contact president@smcgs.org.

Identity Resolution in Genealogy Research: A Case Study (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Susan Skilton will speak on Identity Resolution in Genealogy Research: A Case Study.

Genealogical research often presents the challenge of dealing with records for individuals with the same or similar names. Without a thorough examination and correlation of the relevant details, it is easy to erroneously attach records to the wrong individual. This mistake can perpetuate further errors, much like the game of telephone. As genealogists, it is crucial to accurately identify records for each individual and ascertain their life events with precision.

We will examine a case study of two girls of the same name whose identities were conflated. The case study sheds light on the common problems genealogists face in correctly sorting records for individuals with identical or similar names.

By recognizing and avoiding common pitfalls and using specific proactive strategies, researchers can accurately locate records for the target individual and avoid the conflation of identities. Key strategies and tools are essential for mastetring this challenging aspect of family history research.

Susan Skilton’s work as a professional and accredited genealogist includes U.S., Canadian, and European research. Two main areas of specialization are California and New York. She has enjoyed presenting on a variety of family history topics at venues including California Genealogical Society, Southern California Genealogical Society, and Roots Tech. Her presentations and publications include the topics of German immigration to the Midwest, Alta California land grant families, sorting records for individuals of the same name, and creating historical walking tours.

Education Team Meeting (10 Aug 2026)

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Team meets to discuss planning programs, field trips, seminars, workshops, and other events. Meets the 2nd Monday of the Month from 2-3PM. If you're interested in joining, please contact programs@smcgs.org.

Membership Picnic (12 Aug 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Join us for a picnic open to all our members!

German Interest Group (13 Aug 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The German Interest Group will meet the second Thursday of the month from 10 to 11:30AM. There is no charge for the group, but you must be a member of SMCGS. Come and bring your knowledge and questions to share with other researchers.

Meetings are held remotely via Zoom. For more information about the meeting, and information about how to connect, please contact historian@smcgs.org.

☕️ Board Meeting (18 Aug 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The SMCGS Board generally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1PM via Zoom.

SMCGS Board meetings are open to all members. To add agenda items or get the Zoom link, please contact president@smcgs.org.

DNA Interest Group (20 Aug 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The DNA Interest Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. During Shelter at Home, the group will meet via Zoom.

German Interest Group (10 Sep 2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Meetings are held remotely via Zoom. For more information about the meeting, and information about how to connect, please contact historian@smcgs.org.

Education Team Meeting (14 Sep 2026)

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

☕️ Board Meeting (15 Sep 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The SMCGS Board generally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1PM via Zoom.

SMCGS Board meetings are open to all members. To add agenda items or get the Zoom link, please contact president@smcgs.org.

DNA Interest Group (17 Sep 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The DNA Interest Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. During Shelter at Home, the group will meet via Zoom.

Library Team Meeting (21 Sep 2026)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

This group meets to discuss library decisions. Open to all SMCGS members who would like to contribute. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 2:00 PM. Contact librarian@smcgs.org

Crossing the Continent-1700s-1900s (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

MaryLynn Wilson will speak on "Crossing the Continent - 1700s-1900s.

Mary Lynn has been working on genealogy since 1980. She has completed the Boston University course on Genealogical Principles and is currently enrolled in the National Genealogical Society’s Advanced Skills in Genealogy course. She has a PhD in Indo-European Studies and taught history at San Jose State University for over 20 years.

German Interest Group (8 Oct 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Meetings are held remotely via Zoom. For more information about the meeting, and information about how to connect, please contact historian@smcgs.org.

Education Team Meeting (12 Oct 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

DNA Interest Group (15 Oct 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The DNA Interest Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. During Shelter at Home, the group will meet via Zoom.

Land of Opportunity: The Immigrant Experience in San Mateo County (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Carmen Blair will speak on, "Land of Opportunity: The Immigrant Experience in San Mateo County".

In 1880 and 2020, about one third of the population of San Mateo County was born in another country. In Land of Opportunity, Carmen Blair will feature some of the largest immigrant groups that have made this county their home in the years since the Gold Rush. She will discuss some of the problems that pushed immigrants out of their home countries as well as the opportunities that pulled them to California. Once they arrived, the work immigrants found reflected skills learned at home or assistance provided by other immigrants. Finally, Blair will highlight the ways immigrants and their descendants have maintained their traditions and shared them with other local residents.

Carmen Blair joined the staff of the San Mateo County Historical Associationin 1998 and has been the Deputy Director since 2007. Among her responsibilities, she is involved with school programs, public programs for adults and children, exhibit design and publications. She received her B.A. in History from GustavusAdolphus College and her M.A. in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University.

Library Team Meeting (19 Oct 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

This group meets to discuss library decisions. Open to all SMCGS members who would like to contribute. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 2:00 PM. Contact librarian@smcgs.org

☕️ Board Meeting (20 Oct 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The SMCGS Board generally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1PM via Zoom.

SMCGS Board meetings are open to all members. To add agenda items or get the Zoom link, please contact president@smcgs.org.

Education Team Meeting (9 Nov 2026)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

German Interest Group (12 Nov 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Meetings are held remotely via Zoom. For more information about the meeting, and information about how to connect, please contact historian@smcgs.org.

Library Team Meeting (16 Nov 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

This group meets to discuss library decisions. Open to all SMCGS members who would like to contribute. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 2:00 PM. Contact librarian@smcgs.org

☕️ Board Meeting (17 Nov 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The SMCGS Board generally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1PM via Zoom.

SMCGS Board meetings are open to all members. To add agenda items or get the Zoom link, please contact president@smcgs.org.

DNA Interest Group (19 Nov 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The DNA Interest Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. During Shelter at Home, the group will meet via Zoom.

Finding the Bump in the Boreen-Irish Names & Place Names (21 Nov 2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Finding the Bump in the Boreen-Irish Names & Place Names

German Interest Group (10 Dec 2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Meetings are held remotely via Zoom. For more information about the meeting, and information about how to connect, please contact historian@smcgs.org.

Education Team Meeting (14 Dec 2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 22:00:00 GMT

☕️ Board Meeting (15 Dec 2026)

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The SMCGS Board generally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1PM via Zoom.

SMCGS Board meetings are open to all members. To add agenda items or get the Zoom link, please contact president@smcgs.org.

DNA Interest Group (17 Dec 2026)

Thu, 17 Dec 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The DNA Interest Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. During Shelter at Home, the group will meet via Zoom.