Promoting the study of history and genealogy since 1957
Located within the Central Park branch of the Santa Clara Library
Classes, seminars, and consultations are available: See our event calendar for more information
View our large collection of genealogy & local history materials
Welcome to SCCHGS
SCCHGS is proud to provide frequent classes, seminars and speakers on both local history and genealogy topics. Our volunteers offer free consulting and low-cost research services and continue to index local genealogical records not available elsewhere. Please explore this site to see all of these great resources and more.
Our general meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month. Check below for time, Zoom Meeting particulars, and registration requirements for specific events.
Join SCCHGS genealogy consultants for a Genealogy Basics Special Interest Group (SIG). If you are new to genealogy, returning to genealogy or simply want to review the basics, this group is for you.
Our DNASIG is a discussion group that meets to share information and learn from each other. If you have done a DNA test with Ancestry, FTDNA, MyHeritage or 23andMe and would like to learn more about what your results might tell you about your family tree, you are welcome to join us. This is not a class but rather a sharing forum. We combine our genealogy with a pinch of DNA to learn more about how to build our own family trees.
Join SCCHGS genealogy consultants for a Genealogy Basics Special Interest Group (SIG). If you are new to genealogy, returning to genealogy or simply want to review the basics, this group is for you.
Tom Calarco will discuss his research of local history that led him to write eight books and become a nationally-recognized expert about the Underground Railroad. He will show you why you should never give up searching for information because the next library, the next archive, the next document, the next page you view may lead you to what you are seeking. Sometimes, it happens just by accident. But those accidents, those serendipitous occurrences only happen if you are persistent. Tom Calarco is the author/editor of seven books and numerous articles on the Underground Railroad. He has presented papers at the National Parks Service's “Network to Freedom” Conference and the Underground Railroad Project of the Capital Region conference as well as numerous other speaking engagements.
Join SCCHGS genealogy consultants for a Genealogy Basics Special Interest Group (SIG). If you are new to genealogy, returning to genealogy or simply want to review the basics, this group is for you.
Our DNASIG is a discussion group that meets to share information and learn from each other. If you have done a DNA test with Ancestry, FTDNA, MyHeritage or 23andMe and would like to learn more about what your results might tell you about your family tree, you are welcome to join us. This is not a class but rather a sharing forum. We combine our genealogy with a pinch of DNA to learn more about how to build our own family trees.
Join SCCHGS genealogy consultants for a Genealogy Basics Special Interest Group (SIG). If you are new to genealogy, returning to genealogy or simply want to review the basics, this group is for you.
Join SCCHGS genealogy consultants for a Genealogy Basics Special Interest Group (SIG). If you are new to genealogy, returning to genealogy or simply want to review the basics, this group is for you.
SCCHGS is continuing to provide services as best we can during the pandemic closure period. Look for announcements on this page.
Meetings, classes and groups are conducted via Zoom Meeting. The links to each meeting are sent out by email — see the particulars in the announcement details ('More' links).
Our general meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month. Topics are shown below. These meetings will be held virtually via Zoom for the remainder of 2020. Members will be provided with the meeting link via email. Others should contact the prior to the meeting (until 5 pm the day of the meeting) for the link.
SCCHGS Genealogy Consultants are offering limited consulting services via email and zoom. Send an email to with your question or for more information.
SCCHGS Researchers are also offering limited research services via email. All local repositories and archives are currently closed, but the researchers do have access to some materials. See Research Services or contact for more information.
Special interest groups continue to meet, via Zoom Meeting. Watch for announcements on this page.
Board meetings continue on their normal schedule, via Zoom Meeting. Members may check the Members Area page for more info.
Be safe.
What else is happening? Join us on Facebook today!
