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 Main 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 library with presentations in the Koret Auditorium and Latino/Hispanic Room B (schedule below), 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 LATINO/HISPANIC ROOM B, DAY 2
10:15 a.m. | Once Upon a Time…Creating Compelling Stories Out of Mundane Facts
Linda Okazaki, CGS
(description coming).
11:15 a.m. | Preserving Family Collections
Elise Hochhalter, Book Conservator, SFPL
Get quick tips and advice on how to care for physical family treasured collections, including letters, official documents, photographs and scrapbooks, ensuring that these precious artifacts endure for generations to comes.
12 - 1:15 p.m. | LUNCH BREAK
1:15 p.m. | Using African American Funeral Program Archives to Enhance Your Research
Shawna Sherman, Program Manager, African American Center, SFPL
Funeral programs are a unique form of remembrance prevalent in African American communities. Produced at death and often part of homegoing ceremonies, these programs record biographical details along with family names, dates, hobbies and religious affiliations. Learn more about where to find funeral program collections and how they might inform your information gathering.
2:15 p.m. | African American Genealogy Discussion Group
Patricia Smith Jenkins, CGS
Patricia Smith Jenkins will facilitate a discussion group and share her knowledge about some of the historical challenges to researching African Americans in the United States and some strategies to help break through brick walls. All questions and comments welcome..
See schedules for the Koret Auditorium and Latino/Hispanic Room A.
See the schedule for Day 1.
LOCATION:Main Library - Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room B CLASS:PUBLIC TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VALARM TRIGGER:-PT1440M ACTION:DISPLAY DESCRIPTION:Event Reminder - Presentation: Genealogy and Family History Symposium 2026 END:VALARM END:VCALENDAR