Presentation: Genealogy and Family History Symposium 2026

The Genealogy and Family History Symposium 2026 is a two-day conference presented by the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) and the California Genealogical Society (CGS), featuring speakers from both SFPL and CGS, as well as other local genealogy organizations covering a diverse range of topics. You will learn about physical and electronic resources available at the library that can aid your research, as well as how to search for specific ancestors like African American, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino American, Russian American and more. The symposium will take place in the lower level of the Main Library with presentations in the Koret Auditorium (schedule below) and Latino/Hispanic Room B, discussion groups in Latino/Hispanic Room A and organizations tabling in the Koret Lobby.

Download the full two-day schedule (coming soon).

SCHEDULE OF SPEAKERS FOR KORET AUDITORIUM, DAY 2

10:15 - 11 a.m. | Wu Zeitan and Imperial Rank Badges & the Chinese Imperial Examination System
Lee Pearce, Oakland FamilySearch Center
In this session Lee will discuss the following: Wu Zetian and Imperial Rank Badges 武則天三和補子 and The Chinese Imperial Examination System 科舉制度. As the only female Emperor of China, Wu Zetian set up a national examination system for government officials and established official uniforms. The large rank badges on both front and back of the uniforms were magnificent works of art. The Imperial examination system was the formal process used to select and rank Chinese government officials. This system lasted for over 1,200 years, testing knowledge of history, culture, literature, ethics, Confucianism, law and administration..

11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Using the Library's eResources for Genealogical Research
Brian Weaver, 3rd Floor Manager, SFPL
San Francisco Public Library provides access to numerous databases helpful for genealogical research. Brian Weaver, the Main Library's genealogy point person, will provide an overview of these resources and how to access them.

12 - 1:15 p.m. | LUNCH BREAK

1:15 - 2 p.m. | Intro to Genealogy
Jen Dix, CGS
Not sure how to get started with your family research? Interested in refreshing your skills? This course discusses the basics of getting started, with a brief discussion of census records, vital records, and organizing your research.

2:15 - 3 p.m. | Researching National Archives Records Online
Marisa Lee, Library Assistant, Bernal Heights Branch, SFPL
This presentation will introduce federal government records held at the National Archives and Records Administration, and show you some of the great family history resources on the National Archives website. We'll explore the online catalog and learn how to make connections between the catalog with what's online at Ancestry, FamilySearch, and elsewhere.

3:15 - 4 p.m. | Filipino American Genealogy
Leo Esclamado
Delve into a wealth of unique archival collections (e.g., manuscripts, ephemera, maps and photographs) and learn how to uncover your Filipino American and Filipino ancestors.

See schedules for the Latino/Hispanic Room A and Latino/Hispanic Room B.

See the schedule for Day 1.