James M. Owens
James M. Owens
James Montgomery Owens (1878-1955) was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He served with the 9th Cavalry, Buffalo Soldiers, in the Philippines (1896-1898) during the Spanish-American War. He came to Vallejo in 1903 and became an active member of the community by helping to establish many civic and fraternal orders including Vallejo’s NAACP chapter and Firma Lodge. He was also one of Vallejo’s first African-American building contractors. Photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum

Our Mission / Purpose

The Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization, created to promote interest in genealogical and historical study and research, to preserve and maintain interest in local history  and to conduct such projects as shall contribute to that end and which include the acquisition and maintenance of a genealogical library, including a Vallejo-Benicia collection, for members, non-members and the community at large.