Los Angeles California FamilySearch Center/Events and Societies

May
 Yizkor Books and the Tradition of Remembrance Los Angeles Public Library Rabbi Jocee Hudson will make a presentation on Yizkor books and the tradition of remembrance for Jewish American Heritage Month. The Hebrew word “Yizkor,” means “May [God] remember,” and refers to specific memorial prayers Jewish people traditionally recite four times a year. The origins of modern day Yizkor books can be traced back to the Middle Ages and can provide a unique window into the organic expression of memory, preserved in language, culture, and memory.
 * Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 3:30 - 4:30pm
 * Location: Meeting Room B of the Central Library
 * 630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, 90071
 * Click here for more information.
 * Handout

 My China Roots Los Angeles Public Library Genealogy Garage If you have Chinese ancestry (or any other Asian heritage for that matter), you'll want to check out My China Roots--a database you can fully access from home using one of the LAPL library cards. See mychinaroots.com to get a feel for it!
 * Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11am PDT
 * Location: Live on YouTube, click here to tune into the live broadcast.

June
 The Laemmle Family of the Kingdom of Württemberg, Famous for Movie Production and Theaters, Reunites in Germany Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles In December 2016, Deborah F Blum – a member of the Laemmle family – traveled to Southern Germany with her husband and daughter to attend the opening of an exhibit honoring her ancestor, Carl Laemmle, the founder of Universal Studios. There they met other members of the Laemmle family and learned of the rich tapestry of Jewish life that was no more. This powerful experience became integrated into Laemmle’s List, a full-length documentary film chronicling Deborah’s journey to uncover the truth about Carl Laemmle and the Jews he saved from the Holocaust. Deborah’s grandfather, Kurt Laemmle (Carl’s first cousin, once-removed) worked at Universal Studios when he came to the US in 1931 and then founded Laemmle Theaters in Southern California with his brother Max. He was able to rescue his parents by signing affidavits for them. Sadly, other members of the Laemmle family were sent to camps.
 * Date: June 4, 2023 at 1:30 pm
 * Location: Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim
 * 6090 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035
 * Please RSVP to programs@jgsla.org if you plan to attend in person.

July
 CAAGS DNA Special Interest Group Meetings for 2023 CAAGS DNA Special Interest Group Meetings for 2023 will be held on Saturday April 22, July 22 and Sept 23 at 2pm in the LAFSC classroom. Seating priority will be given to CAAGS members, with a capacity of 40 people. The public is welcome as space is available.
 * Dates:
 * Saturday, July 22 at 2pm
 * Saturday, Sept 23 at 2pm
 * Attend In-Person, LAFSC classroom

Nordic Society
 Nordic Society - Facilitator: Lynn Anderson - Description: Our members share their interest in Scandinavian family history research and help beginners and each other search for ancestors in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
 * 2023 Meeting Time & Dates: 2nd Saturday (Odd months); 2:00 - 4:00pm; Jan 14, Mar 11, May 13, July 8, Sept 9, Nov 11
 * Website
 * Questions: [mailto:id_NordicGenealogy@yahoo.com Contact Us by Email]

African American Research Workshop
 African American Research Workshop - Facilitator, Pat Jenkins - This is an ongoing, free, hands-on research workshop comprised of African Americans, also referred to as Black or Afro-American, or those who harmonize with Sub-Saharan Africa, with ancestry, citizenship, or residency in the United States. The workshop is an interactive exchange of research tools, methods and systems, and discussions necessary for progress at individual levels of family histories and genealogies impacted by the 16th Century removal of Africans to America as slaves. This workshop is provided by the Oakland California FamilySearch Center. Click California FamilySearch Center/Classes_and_Workshops here for details, or send email to: [mailto:Pat4gene@gmail.com pat4gene@gmail.com]

British Isles Family History Society (BIFHS-USA)



 * Website
 * Description: The British Isles Interest Group of the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) promotes and encourages interest in family history, particularly relating to ancestry in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. We educate and encourage others in British Isles family history through research assistance, a variety of resources, and a community to facilitate the acquisition and exchange of family history research information. At monthly meetings fellow researchers are available to answer questions and provide assistance. Meetings in even-numbered months (except December) are held at the SCGS Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank, CA 92504.

California African American Genealogical Society (CAAGS)



 * Website
 * Questions: [mailto:id_info@caags.org Contact Us by Email]
 * Description: The California African American Genealogy Society is non-profit organization formed to foster genealogical research, documentation and recording of family history by the general public. They encourage the use of genealogy as a means of becoming aware of ones history, heritage and self-worth.  They encourage the collection, promotion and preservation of African American genealogical resources in local libraries and institutions.  Their substantial book collection is housed here at the LAFSL.

Chinese Family History Group of Southern California (CHFGSC)



 * Website
 * Questions: [mailto:id_info@chinesefamilyhistory.org Contact Us by Email]
 * Facebook
 * Instagram: cfhgsc
 * Description: The Chinese Family History Group of Southern California is a non-profit organization which seeks to inspire people to discover their family histories by providing a community for the exchange of information and support for those interested in researching, recording, and preserving the experiences of their Chinese and Chinese American ancestors. The organization presents monthly programming which pays special attention to the implications and impact of the Exclusion Acts (1882-1943) and restrictive quotas, which did not change until the late 1960s.

Genealogical Society of Hispanic America (GSHA-SC)



 * Website
 * Questions: [mailto:id_gshasocal@gmail.com Contact Us by Email]
 * Description: The Genealogical Society of Hispanic America – Southern California (GSHA-SC) was founded in 1992 to promote Hispanic genealogical and historical research with a focus on the American Southwest and Mexico.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles (JGSLA)



 * Website
 * Description: The Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles (JGSLA) is a non-profit organization, founded in 1979, dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with those who are interested in Jewish genealogy and family history. Monthly meetings provide lectures and films to assist members in their family history research and twice-yearly research workshops are held with volunteer helpers and translators.  This library houses a 670+ JGSLA Collection of books, journals and Holocaust resources pertaining to Jews who lived all over the globe (including Australia, Germany, England, France, Israel, Russia, Poland, Iran, Israel, Lithuania, and Ukraine)  as well as items for Sephardic research (including Jews from Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, and the Middle East).  An INDEX to this extensive collection can be searched on the JGSLA website.

LA WestSide Genealogical Society



 * Website
 * Description: LAWGS was founded in April 1982 for the purpose of supporting and promoting genealogical activity in the Westside of Los Angeles.

Nordic Society



 * 2023 Meeting Time & Dates: 2nd Saturday (Odd months); 2:00 - 4:00pm; Jan 14, Mar 11, May 13, July 8, Sept 9, Nov 11
 * Website
 * Questions: [mailto:id_NordicGenealogy@yahoo.com Contact Us by Email]
 * Description: Our members share their interest in Scandinavian family history research and help beginners and each other as we search for our ancestors in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Polish Society



 * Website
 * Description: The Polish Genealogical Society of California is a non-profit organization established in 1989 for the purpose of assisting interested researchers in their quest to discover and preserve the details of their Polish family history. There is a substantial collection of Polish research resource books available at the library.

Sons of Liberty (Sons of American Revolution)



 * Website
 * Description: The Sons of Liberty is a Los Angeles chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). We are a historical, educational, and non-partisan patriotic organization.

Other Societies - meet sporadically

 * Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Saturday, Jan 7, 2023 - 10:00 am
 * Jewish Genealogical Society of Conejo Valley Website
 * Mayflower Society

British Isles Family History Society - U.S.A.

 * British Isles Family History Society - U.S.A. Holdings at LAFHL
 * BIFHS-USA British Isles Links

California African American Genealogical Society

 * African American Research Center! on Ancestry.com

German

 * German Interest Group

Hispanic America

 * Genealogical Society of Hispanic America-Southern California Chapter

Jewish

 * The Gesher Galicia website
 * Jewish Genealogy Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County
 * Additional Links of Interest to Jewish Researchers

Other Southern California Societies and Organizations

 * Antelope Valley Genealogical Society
 * Association of Professional Genealogists - Southern California Chapter
 * Genealogical Society of North Orange County California
 * Hemet -San Jacinto Genealogical Society
 * Pomona Valley Genealogy Society
 * Federation of Genealogical Societies

Southern California Historical Societies

 * The Anaheim Historical Society
 * The Balboa Island Historical Society and Museum
 * Buena Vista Heritage 1879-present
 * California Historical Society
 * Coronado Historical Association and Coronado Museum
 * Costa Mesa Historical Society
 * Downey Historical Society
 * Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society
 * Fallbrook Historical Society
 * Los Angeles City Historical Society
 * Manhattan Beach Historical Society
 * Mariposa Museum and History Center
 * Martinez Historical Society
 * Merced County Historical Society and Courthouse museum
 * Mill Valley Historical Society
 * Mohahve Historical Society
 * Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum
 * North Lake Tahoe Historical Society and Museums
 * Orange County Historical Society
 * Pacific Railroad Society, Inc.
 * Pacifica Historical Society
 * Palm Springs Historical Society
 * Palo Alto Historical Association
 * Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
 * Placer County Historical Society
 * Redlands Area Historical Society
 * Rocklin Historical Society
 * San Benito County Historical Society
 * San Francisco History Association
 * San Francisco Museum & Historical Society
 * San Fernando Valley Historical Society
 * San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
 * San Juan Capistrano Historical Society
 * San Mateo County Historical Association
 * Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society
 * Santa Monica History Museum
 * Santa Ynez valley Historical Society
 * Society of California Pioneers
 * Solano County Historical Society
 * Sonoma County Historical Society
 * San Luis Obispo County Historical Society
 * Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
 * Victorian Preservation Association of Santa Clara Valley
 * Whittier Historical Society and Museum
 * The Willow Creek- China Flat Museum
 * Yolo County Historical Society