Genealogy and Family History Symposium

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 SFPL, CGS, SFgenealogy, the Oakland FamilySearch Center and others covering a diverse range of topics. 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 takes place in the lower level of the Main Library with presentations in the Koret Auditorium and Latino/Hispanic Room B, discussion groups in Latino/Hispanic Room A and organizations tabling in the Koret Lobby.

Wednesday, August 12

TimePresentationPresenterLocation
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Services: Local Genealogy and Family History Organizations Koret Lobby
10:15 a.m.Intro to GenealogyJen Dix, CGSKoret Auditorium
10:15 a.m.DNA Part 1 - Introduction to Genetic GenealogySue Severson, Oakland FamilySearch CenterLatino Hispanic Room B
10:15 a.m. - 3 p.m.Open Discussions Latino Hispanic Room A
11:15 a.m.Using Newspapers for Genealogical ResearchKelci Baughman McDowell, SFPLKoret Auditorium
11:15 a.m.Proud to be PortugueseRalph Severson, Oakland FamilySearch CenterLatino Hispanic Room B
1:15 p.m.SFgenealogy.orgRon Filion, SFgenealogyKoret Auditorium
1:15 p.m.Intro to FamilySearch.orgRalph Severson, Oakland FamilySearch CenterLatino Hispanic Room B
2:15 p.m.Government Resources for GenealogistsVaile Fujikawa, SFPLKoret Auditorium
2:15 p.m.DNA Part 2 - Identifying an Unknown Parent or Grandparent Using Genetic GenealogySue Severson, Oakland FamilySearch CenterLatino Hispanic Room B
3:15 p.m.Storytelling Using the San Francisco History Center ArchivesChristina Moretta, SFPLKoret Auditorium
3:15 p.m.Got Questions?Jane Lindsey, CGSLatino Hispanic Room A
3:15 p.m.Hispanic Genealogy: Finding Spanish Records Around the WorldLucy SweeneyLatino Hispanic Room B
TablingTimeLocation
The following organizations will be tabling and providing information about their genealogical and family history resources in the Koret Lobby during Day 1...  
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Koret Lobby

Thursday, August 13

Time                    PresentationPresenterLocation
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Services: Local Genealogy and Family History Organizations Koret Lobby
10:15 a.m.Wu Zeitan and Imperial Rank Badges & the Chinese Imperial Examination SystemLee Pearce, Oakland FamilySearch CenterKoret Auditorium
10:15 a.m.Russian American Discussion GroupJim Russell, CGSLatino Hispanic Room A
10:15 a.m.Once Upon a Time...Creating Compelling Stories Out of Mundane FactsLinda Okazaki, CGSLatino Hispanic Room B
11:15 a.m.Using the Library's eResources for Genealogical ResearchBrian Weaver, SFPLKoret Auditorium
11:15 a.m.Chinese Genealogy Discussion GroupLee Pearce, Oakland FamilySearch CenterLatino Hispanic Room A
11:15 a.m.Preserving Family CollectionsElise Hochhalter, SFPLLatino Hispanic Room B
1:15 p.m.Intro to GenealogyJen Dix, CGSKoret Auditorium
1:15 p.m.Japanese American Discussion GroupLinda Okazaki, CGSLatino Hispanic Room A
1:15 p.m.Using African American Funeral Program Archives to Enhance Your ResearchShawna Sherman, SFPLLatino Hispanic Room B
2:15 p.m.Researching National Archives Records OnlineMarisa Lee, SFPLKoret Auditorium
2:15 p.m.Open Discussion Latino Hispanic Room A
2:15 p.m.African American Genealogy Discussion GroupPatricia Smith Jenkins, CGSLatino Hispanic Room B
3:15 p.m.Adventures in Filipino American GenealogyLeo EsclamadoKoret Auditorium
3:15 p.m.Got Questions?Jane Lindsey, CGSLatino Hispanic Room A
TablingTimeLocation
The following organizations will be tabling and providing information about their genealogical and family history resources in the Koret Lobby during Day 2...  
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Koret Lobby