Page Last Updated 24 Feb 2009
The following outline of the purpose of CSGA and a chronology of the activities and achievements of the Alliance was prepared by J. Carlyle Parker, CSGA Historian. It is good to remind ourselves of where we have been, where we are going and the valuable contributions provided by the Alliance. With the assistance of many dedicated volunteers, the Alliance has produced numerous directories and other publications, provided speakers lists, completed the 1890 Grre. The Alliance looks forward to continuing to provide assistance, encouragement, communication and education to genealogical societies and individual researchers in California.
Purpose
The purpose of the Alliance is to provide for the public benefit a statewide organization:
to aid genealogical societies and interested individuals by forming strong communication links among all California genealogists, providing a basis of exchange for ideas and infeat Register project, set up a legislative watch committee and much more; the Alliance looks forward to continuing to provide assistance, encouragement, communication and education to genealogical societies and individual researchers in California to aid genealogical societies and interested individuals by forming strong communication links among all California genealogists, providing a basis of exchange for ideas and information and for the coordination of activities and dates, yet at all times respecting the complete autonomy of member societies to encourage the identification, maintenance, and accessibility of records of genealogical and historical importance, and to educate the public as to the value of such records to promote ethical and professional standards in genealogy to instruct the public in the educational and historical values of genealogical research -- By-Laws, June, 1990
CSGA Chronology
2 June 1982, The latest in the series of formation meetings for the California Alliance of Genealogical Societies - newsletter cover. January 1983, Volume 1 No.1 California State Genealogical Alliance [Newsletter] 20 May 1983, First Annual Meeting hosted by and in conjunction with the regular meeting of Los Angeles Westside Genealogical Society. July/Aug. 1983, Non-governmental California Records Survey for microfilming by the Genealogical Society of Utah (Family History Library) launched. Conducted by Thea Roberts of Monrovia. 1984, California Vital Records County Availability Survey conducted by Thea Roberts of Monrovia. 1984, Nine Regions with Directors established. May 1984, Speakers List. First Edition. Compiled by Gladys Muller of Whittier. 25 May 1984, Second Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the National Genealogical Society's Conference, Sheraton-Palace Hotel, San Francisco. 1984-1985, Inventory of California Records for microfilming by the Genealogical Society of Utah (Family History Library) 7 May 1985, Letter to California Law Revision Commission requesting change in a law that permits relatives not closely related to execute an affidavit to establish their right of inheritance and explaining the possibilities of interjecting into public records erroneous information. Written by Carlton M. Smith of Santa Rosa. June 1985, Annual Directory of California Genealogical Societies, Second Edition. Compiled by Mary Schwartz of Culver City. 1985-1986, Special Publication #1: California County Recorder Office Survey. Compiled by Betty Stevenson of Santa Monica and Thea Roberts of Monrovia. May 1986, Genealogical Society Idea Book. Compiled by Merrill R. Pracnar. June 1986, Annual Directory of California Genealogical Societies, Third Edition. Compiled by Mary Schwartz of Culver City. 1987, CSGA Awards Standing Committee formed May 1987, Annual Directory of California Genealogical Societies, Fourth Edition. Compiled by Nancy Keeler Kepley of Lake Elsinore. May 1987, Speakers List. Third Edition. Compiled by Gladys Muller of Whittier. June 1988, Annual Directory of California Genealogical Societies, Fifth Edition. Compiled by Verl F. Weight of Carmichael. March 1989, Speakers List. Fourth Edition. Compiled by Wendy Elliott of Anaheim. 1989, Annual Directory of California Genealogical Societies, Sixth Edition. 1991-1993, Writing Contest. Chair, Jean Nepsund of Fullerton 1991-2002, 1890 California Great Registers Project. Chair, Janice G. Cloud of Santa Barbara. 1993-2004, California State Legislative Watch. Iris Carter Jones of Sacramento. 1994, Family History Month. Alton Sissell of Orangevale and Barbara Edkin of Oakley. Speakers List. Compiled by Evelyn Mayfield of Bakersfield. 1997, California Family Researcher's Directory. Barbara Edkin of Oakley 1998, Nominations for the National Genealogical Society Hall of Fame 1998, Website established. www.csga.com 1999-2002, Family History Month. Jo Russell of Santa Rosa. August 7-10 2002, Federation of Genealogical Societies/CSGA Conference, Ontario. "A Goldmine of Diversity." October 2003, CSGA Special Event "California Conference" and "Researching Northern Calif." Foster City. San Francisco Bay Region of CSGA. October 2003, A Genealogical Research Guide." San Francisco Bay Region of CSGA. 2009, Award Recipient's Data Base added to the website. October 2009, 1890 Great Register of Voters of California database added to the Member's Corner.
CSGA Presidents
1983-1984, Sandra K. Ogle of Napa 1984-1985, Wendy L. Elliott of Anaheim 1986-1987, Carlton M. Smith of Santa Rosa 1987-1989, Nancy Kepley of Lake Elsinore 1989-1990, Todd Kepley of Lake Elsinore 1990-1998, Wendy L. Elliott of Anaheim 1998-2001, Barbara Edkin of Oakley 2001-2002, Sheila Benedict of Santa Ynez 2002-2004, Barbara Edkin of Livingston 2005-2007, Lisa B. Lee 2008, Everett B. Ireland of San Diego, President Pro Tem 2009, Sue M. Roe
