Excess history and genealogy books available for a small donation. More books added monthly. Click 'More' for list and instructions.

Our DNA SIG 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.

Genealogy Techniques examines different strategies and tools for effective genealogy. Each month, we do a deep dive into a one topic and learn how to add this tool or process into our personal genealogy toolbox. Examples of past classes include city directories, newspaper research, reading between the lines to get the most out of records, property research, finding record images, and case studies on a variety of topics. Most classes are recorded and archived in the members‐only area of the SCCHGS website. This is not a beginner course, but genealogists of all levels should find something in each session that will help advance their research.

The Irish Genealogy Special Interest Group is a group of people interested in Irish Genealogy. We meet monthly (except August and December) to share tips, tools, strategies, and struggles. We love to learn from each other. Please join us on our quest to identify and learn about our Irish ancestors.

The County of Santa Clara includes fifteen cities and towns: Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San José, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale. After discussing the County as a whole, this talk will focus on a key archive or other resource or two in each of the county’s cities or towns for researching their local and family history.

You have identified who you want to know more about but “where do you look”? This class will help give you a basic tool box of resources online and locally. We will show you how research will be enhanced by learning what is available in our area. We will teach you how to find online databases without having to pay a subscription fees. You will receive hints on how to search online resources to get the best results and what sites may have the documents you are looking to find. This class may give you a kick start for finding those hidden secrets and give you new places to look. Join us as we explore together.

What is documentation? This class will explain what a “source” is and how to document it. We will also explore the organization of your genealogy materials. View how seasoned genealogists organize their materials. We will also review some of the different genealogy reports to help you analyze your findings. Looking for a Genealogy Program for your computer? You will learn what to look for when choosing a computer program.