Who Are We?

The Contra Costa County Genealogical Society (CCCGS) is engaged in helping its members research and trace their family trees and to advance the best practice principles of genealogy. 
 
Located in the San Francisco East Bay Area, we bring the California spirit to promote genealogical research and to provide educational experiences on the tools and techniques that lead to discovery and breakthroughs. We welcome people of all genealogical skill levels from beginning to advanced.
 
The CCCGS is one of the few genealogical societies in the area that holds meetings in the evenings allowing those who work to attend and participate. Our meeting presenters are experts in myriad topics related to genealogy and are eager to share their knowledge with our members and guests who attend free of charge.
 
We were founded in 1975 and are a non-profit organization. We are not affiliated with any political or religious organization.  


Operating Year: January - December 2023


Board of Directors
President: Joseph W. Palmer
1st Vice President Programs: Karen Janette Hunt
2nd Vice President Membership: Sharon Harris
Treasurer: Dee Lemons
Secretary: Ms. Charlene Staricco
Director: Tess McIntosh
Director: Kristen Ockert
Director: Mrs. Judie Lynn Palmer
Director: Linda Schmidt
Alternate: Ms. Sharon Elaine Garrison
Alternate: Mr. Charlie William Meiser
Alternate: Mrs. Fran Marie Shockley
Alternate: Kristin Stabb
Alternate: Jenn Jo Thomas
Alternate: Mr. Bob Michael Weinberg
Ex-Officio: Jackie Hein
President Emeritus: Madeline Yanov
 
CCCGS Specialists
Web Administrator: Joseph W. Palmer
Web Administrator: Deb McNaughton
Descendants Newsletter Editor: Tess McIntosh
Genealogy Roundtable Chair: Lisa Gorrell
Sunshine Manager: Patty Click
 
CCCGS Communications Committee
Communications Committee Chair: Deb McNaughton
Communications Consultant: Linda Butler
Communications Consultant: Sharon Harris
Communications Consultant: Karen Janette Hunt
Communications Consultant: Linda Johnson
Communications Consultant: Tess McIntosh
Communications Consultant: Madeline Yanov
 
CCCGS Query Committee
Query Committee Chair: Madeline Yanov
Query Consultant: Sharon Harris
Query Consultant: Linda Johnson
Query Consultant: Mrs. Judie Lynn Palmer
Query Consultant: Linda Schmidt
Query Consultant: Jenn Jo Thomas
 

Meetings

General Meetings
These evening meetings feature a guest presenter on a genealogy topic and are free to both members and the public.
Time and Date: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 2nd Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, November
Address: Until further notice, meetings are online via Zoom. 
 
 
Other Activities and Events
In-Person Meeting Events
Beginning in 2023, the CCCGS is reintroducing in-person meeting event(s) for its local members. Scheduled events will feature a guest speaker. The date and location are determined several months in advance. 
 
Monday Morning Roundtable
This is a group that meets to share information on helpful genealogy research and to assist each other with their personal genealogy projects. The meetings take place via Zoom. 
  • Day and Time: Fourth Monday of each month at 10 a.m. 
  • Contact Lisa Gorrell at snrylisa@gmail.com for information on how to join
Annual Fall Seminar/Webinar
This popular event, usually held in October, features one or more professionals from the genealogy field who conducts a deep-dive into a broad topic of interest. Since Covid began, the program has been held online via Zoom. Beginning in 2022, the program became a "members only" event, free of charge. Non-members can join the society and view the program for free as a member.   
 
Descendants Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter, Descendants, is published ten times per year (not in August or December) and is included with every Membership. You must be a member to receive or have access to the newsletter located in the Members Only section of this site. The newsletter covers a variety of topics including: 
  • President's Message
  • Special interest stories 
  • ​Contra Costa County research and historical information 
  • Calendar of CCCGS hosted events 
  • Interviews and tips from genealogy experts, including our own member experts
  • Event notices for local area, Northern California, and national genealogical societies 
​Feedback, ideas and suggestions for the newsletter are welcomed at Newsletter@cccgs.net