How We Can
Help You
SCGS's educational outreach programs are designed to assist you in learning and connecting with people who share your passion for genealogy, family history, and DNA
Our Programs
Beginners' Classes
You've taken a DNA test. Now what? Try an introductory class to learn more about genealogy and how to do family research. Free to SCGS Members and open to the public for a small fee, our Beginner's Classes are among the SCGS's most popular educational programs. Join us for the next one!
Free and open to the public, Lunch & Learn is a core program offered by SCGS that consists of a 2-hour presentation by a guest lecturer. Guests are welcome to bring their lunch and learn more about family research. It meets online the 2nd Saturday of every month from 12 noon to 3 p.m.Contact education director Charlotte Bocage for more information. See calendar for current information.
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Monthly, Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Saturdays at 10 a.m.
Open to the public as part of SCGS's mission to provide an outreach of educational services; these one-hour webinars are live broadcast presentations by professional genealogical speakers and expert lecturers. Through internet technology, we bring these sessions into your home! The Webinar Series is one of the most celebrated SCGS programs. They are the perfect educational choice for anyone with a busy schedule who wants to learn more about ways to find historical information. Archived broadcasts are available 24/7 to all SCGS members.
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Presented by the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) and co-sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) and the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America—Southern California (GSHA-SC), Genealogy Garage webinars are usually offered on the third Saturday of most months (except December). Check the calendar for dates and times. Join scheduled presentations online via LAPL's YouTube channel. Genealogy Garage workshops for family researchers at all levels of expertise are held periodically onsite at the LAPL's Central Library, 630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90071. Whether you're a beginner or have been researching for years, this is a fantastic opportunity to "tune up" your research skills or learn something new about family history research. Guest speakers are featured each month.
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Genealogy Jamboree 2024
Coming in the Fall
SCGS's annual conference attracts in-person and online attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and volunteers and is one of the most popular genealogical events in the United States. Last year's keynote topic was "Cherishing Your Family's Inheritance." As in the past, we were fortunate to have world-class speakers present relevant and cutting-edge topics. Highlights included:
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Sponsored talks from David Horowitz from MyHeritage and Michael Provard from FamilySearch
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Speakers on Saturday were Sheila Benedict, Charlotte Bocage; Sara Cochran, Mark Cross; Jean Wilcox Hibben, Marti Lewis; Leonard Trujillo, and Franchesca Werden
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Presentations focused on colonial currency, U.S. naturalization, enslaved ancestor records, and unusual records, as well as German, Hispanic, Irish, and Italian research
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