Thursday, March 18, 2010

That's a Wrap! HOW-TO Seminar with 'The Genealogy Guys'

A grand time was had by all at the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society's annual Seminar on Saturday, March 6!

Over 165 attendees enjoyed a variety of topics ranging from "The Genealogist as 'CSI'" to "Where's the Book with My Family in It?", as well as Census Research expert techniques and understanding the family history that resides in our DNA. 


Our Keynote Speaker, esteemed Santa Barbara City College History Professor Emeritus, Dr. Curtis Solberg, started the day off on a touching & personal note as he described his search for Norwegian roots and showed us a film he produced highlighting these Norwegian immigrants to the Midwest.


And did we learn to "Social Network"!


The Podcast Parlour Cafe was abuzz with polka music and images of our ancestors, both on the walls and in a running digital display. 













The Seminar Raffle was a big hit, with the Grand Prize of an Ancestry.com World Deluxe annual subscription won by lucky Claudia C and several other attendees winning prizes such as a Godfrey Library subscription, World Vital Records subscription, discount for Family Tree DNA testing and 1 Hour Consulting with 3 local genealogy experts.
Last minute Book & Sales shopping was greatly enhanced by the live & lively sounds from the jazzy "Newcats" band, from the Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy.

The day ended with the podcast recording of Episode #199 of "The Genealogy Guys" semi-regular weekly radio program.   


The Genealogy Guys Podcast
Episode #198 even gives a preview of the day and a wonderful review of our Sahyun Library by two professionals genealogists who know a great research facility when they see one.

Thanks to the more than 40 volunteers that made this event such a successful, educational, and fun for all (Flowers by Lydie)! 
(And special thanks to those whose efforts held the rain at bay until the seminar was over.  Whew!)