SAN DIEGO- On Friday, June 28, 2024, the History Section’s Genealogy & Local History Committee brings a full-day preconference to showcase and celebrate the Asian cultures and heritage that have built San Diego.

Hear from the Chinese Heritage Museum, the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, and the San Deigo Historical Society.

Tentative Agenda:

8:15-9:00 Registration/check-in

9:00-9:15 Introduction and welcome

9:30-10:15 The Asian American Experience in San Diego

Jacinta Wong from the San Diego Chinese Heritage Museum will share a brief history of the Asian-American experience in San Diego and talk about the significance of the SDCHM and the work they have done towards protecting and preserving their Chinese-American history

10:30-11:30 Mexican Genealogy for Beginners

Genealogist John Schmal will discuss resources for tracing your Mexican ancestry, including FamilySearch, Ancestry, and the National Archives

11:30-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:00 Exploring the Indigenous California Roots

Genealogist John Schmal will discuss the many dimensions of exploring your Indigenous California Roots, including resources available through FamilySearch, Ancestry, and the National Archives

2:15-3:15 Remote and Local Genealogical Resources for Southern California

We will discuss local resources, such as the National Archives and Records Administration in Riverside as well as libraries noted for their genealogical collections, such as the Huntington and Los Angeles Public Libraries. Many Southern California records are accessible remotely via websites such as the Online Archives of California and FamilySearch. We will examine their collections showing examples of information they contain.

3:30-4:30 Rick Nelson and Tyler Sterkel ProQuest/Ancestry info session

Come and hear what’s new in ProQuest and Ancestry.com

This is a ticketed event and must be purchased in additional to your 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference Registration.

Click to register today!

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the 91´«Ã½, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Learn more at