Each Learning From Members Class (formerly known as Intermediate Genealogy Class) will take an in-depth look at a record group focusing on the origins of the records, the information provided by the records, their importance to genealogy research, and ways to access the records both online and off.
- 2nd Tuesday of the month (except December)
- In-person: City of Carlsbad Faraday Administration Building in Room 173B
- Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
- Virtual via Zoom: Registration link below
- Presentation: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- All meetings will be hybrid (in-person and virtual)
- Presentation recordings are available to current NSDCGS members
Upcoming Speakers & Events
March 11, 2025 – HYBRID
Researching English Locations: Did My Family Really Move That Much?
presented by Cynde Durnford-Branecki.
Speaker will present in-person/Presentation will be recorded
Virtual Attendees – Register HERE
Did my great-grandfather really move over 13 times? First, he was born in Walworth, Surrey, in 1864. Two years later, he was in Newington, Surrey, and then in 1867, he was in Southwark. But the last one, the index also has Walworth and Newington listed. What is going on?
Understanding English counties and districts can be confusing, especially in big cities like London. First, the county and district borders moved or were combined, and then recombined a few years later. Then there are Boroughs which are found in large cities. Also depending on the document, the information could be completely different. It’s all very confusing to American researchers.
We will go over the different ways you can pin down the actual area. The tricks and where to find helpful maps—maps are our friends—and what information to pay attention to that gives you clues.
Cynde Durnford-Branecki has been researching the Durnford name for over 30 years. Upon discovering she was the only Durnford in the Toronto phone book she realized her name was rare. Later she decided to brave the new World Wide Web and created a very crude genealogy page. Shortly after, she was contacted by a Durnford in New Zealand, and so started her whole-name research. Now her database has over 9,000 names, and the fruits of her research has morphed into online groups, blogs, and two “family” reunions. The irony is when DNA became available, she jumped on the bandwagon and discovered she was not a Durnford by birth! This opened a whole new world with her Nova Scotia McDonalds and she recently discovered three half-siblings in England. The twist to the story is that Maritime Acadian and Newfoundland genealogy is such a tangle bramble that she discovered she is still a Durnford four generations back and related to her stepfamily!
Cynde graduated from National University in 2005 with a BA in multi-media and graphic design. She is also a retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate, serving 21 years in the Navy and Naval Reserves. She worked for 17 years as an in-house graphic designer with American Specialty Health, retiring in 2018, and now does free-lance work. She also has a sewing business making quilts and priest stoles.
April 8, 2025 – HYBRID
Four Ways to Access Digital Images on Family Search
presented by Mary Van Orsdol
Past Topics
2025
- January: Genealogy is History. Linking your Family with History presented by Bill Graham
- February: Fun with Maps presented by Jennifer Anklesaria
2024
- January: Age of Immigration, Part II presented by Tom Cousineau
- February: Think outside the Box presented by Mary Van Orsdol
- March: Family Tree Maker presented by Cynde Durnford-Branecki
- April: Going Paperless presented by Mary Van Orsdol
- May: Exploring Human Traits and DNA presented by Ron Velarde
- June: Showcase Your Heirlooms presented by Jennifer Anklesaria
- July: Exploring the SLC Family Search Center presented by 2024 SLC Trip Attendees
- August: Exploring the Newly Released Features for the Family Search Website presented by Colin Whitney
- September: Get to Know the Genealogy & Carlsbad History Division at the Georgina Cole Library presented by Library Staff Members
- October: Stumble-Bumbling through AI for Genealogists presented by Mary Van Orsdol
- November: Early California History and the California Pioneer Certificate Program presented by Colin Whitney