Genealogical Society to Celebrate Release of 1940 Census Data

Genealogical Society to Celebrate Release of 1940 Census Data

JOIN THE SBCGS INDEXING PROJECT FOR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY:

1940 Census Indexing Project for Santa Barbara County

As soon as the images are ready for Santa Barbara County, members and others will be able to join our project the Society has adopted for indexing all 70,555 residents of Santa Barbara County.

But first, those who have not indexed before using the FamilySearch.org indexing program software are encouraged to download the indexing program at Getting Started Try indexing some other projects so you will become familiar with the process.  It is really quite easy.  One batch to index will consist of around 40 lines (one census sheet).  This can be done at your convenience at home any time of the day or night in your jammies. Indexing can be done at the Sahyun Library. You can index as many batches as you wish—one or many, it all helps.

Our Society goal will be to finish before other counties and other societies.  We may have local Society contests for the fastest indexer or the indexer who indexes the most batches or names. 

Instruction for those who need it will be available the last week in March at the Sahyun Library.  Contact Dorothy Oksner, the administrator for the Society project, with your enthusiasm and support. 

NARA video of the importance of the 1940 census

A general overview of the 1940 census as the "permanent inventory of the nation," this film emphasizes the responsibility of all citizens to participate. It reviews the three main parts of the census, including the population, agriculture, and housing schedules, and delves into the background of the census and the reasons behind the questions. The duties of the enumerators are also reviewed, highlighting the three major principles of accuracy, complete coverage, and confidential answers.

Backing up your genealogy data

Dick Eastman writes a blog about genealogy with a focus on technology. He posts excellent reviews of equipment and software related to genealogy. He also posts a reminder each month about the importance of backing up your data that you worked so hard to accumulate. We thought we'd share  his monthly reminder. Hope you find this information useful, please post your comments.

Dick Eastman's Blog

Registration Under Way for Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar - Noozhawk.com

Registration Under Way for Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar - Noozhawk.com

Conejo Valley Genealogists on Field trip to the Sahyun Genealogical Library

A group of genealogists from  the Goebel Center Genealogy Group from Conejo Valley brought 31 individuals on a Research Field trip to the Sahyun Library last Wednesday, Feb.29th.  (also one very young researcher - Baby Aurora)  Her mother, Kathy Wittes organized the trip and worked with our own Marsha Martin to plan the day. 

They were at the library by 9:30 am and stayed until 3:00 closing.  What a wonderful sight to see practically every chair in the main room filled with researchers!  They utilized every room we had and availed them selves of all of our resources including the computers, scanners, our book collection, the Surname and Locality files and especially loved the CD collection. Even the Patio tables and chairs were utilized for a quick snack and lunch.

Working with Marsha to assist our visitors were Kristin Ingalls, Dorothy Oksner, Diane Sylvester and Kathie Morgan.  President Mary Hall stopped by to do some finance work and ended up staying to help with the group as well. 

All in attendance were just amazed at our "new" facility.  The individuals who had been here previously just could not believe the amazing transformation.  Also Bill Hurley a researcher with this group shared with us the results of some research he has been doing concerning Revolutionary military men that were from Weymouth, Mass.  He has left some materials that will be available for us to review including pictures of A monument in Weymouth erected to members of the military that served in all wars.  The visitors were thrilled with their visit and the group made a very generous contribution to our library.   They  are already looking forward to their next field trip here!

California State Genealogical Alliance Holds Board Meeting in Santa Barbara

Last weekend the CSGA held their annual board meeting here in Santa Barbara, the group met at the Sahyun Genealogical Library in the newly remodeled Jackson Community Room.

As part of their annual session they put on a free seminar on Saturday.The seminar was generously hosted by the Church of Latter Day Saints in Santa Barbara.

The four presentations were well attended and enjoyed by all.