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| Tug McGraw |
| Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw, Jr. (1944 – 2004) was a professional baseball relief pitcher. He is often remembered for coining the phrase, "Ya Gotta Believe", which became a popular rallying cry for the New York Mets teams of the mid-60s and early 70s. McGraw was born in Martinez, California but graduated from St. Vincent Ferrer High School in Vallejo, California in 1962. He enrolled in Solano Community College and signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent after graduation. McGraw’s boyhood home is located at 312 Carolina Street in Vallejo. Photo courtesy of Google. |
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Thursday, April 3
Scottish and Northern Ireland Genealogy Research (Speaker Series)
1:30 pm ZOOM Presentation
Speaker Mark McLaren will talk about "Scottish and Northern Ireland Genealogy Research".
The population of Scotland and Northern Ireland today is less than 7 million combined. Yet, the number of people worldwide with an ancestry from those areas is estimated between 70-90 million. Chances are you or someone’s genealogy that you are working on has roots from there. This presentation will provide information to assist in Scottish genealogy research and will cover the origin of Scottish surnames and naming conventions, the intertwined history of Northern Ireland and Scotland, the impact of Scottish emigration throughout the British empire, primarily to Australia, United States, and Canada, and more.
Mr. McLaren is originally from the Philadelphia area. Mark attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he graduated with a B.S. in Business. He is recently retired from a career in the medical supply distribution business where he held a number of executive level positions.
His interest in genealogy began in the early 2000s and has expanded over the years. His current areas of focus are genetic genealogy and Scottish research. He is currently a member of the National Genealogical Society, California Genealogical Society (CGS), and the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS). In SRVGS, he is a board member and treasurer. He is a Fellow in the Society of Scottish Antiquities (FSA) and a member of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. He is also a member of several Scottish Clan societies; Clan MacLaren Society of North America (CMSNA), Clan MacLaren Society of Scotland, Clan Douglas Society of North America, and Clan Ross America. In CMSNA, he served as treasurer for 12 years and currently as its President.
In 2017, he developed an “introduction to genetic genealogy” class and has taught it for numerous genealogical societies in the Bay Area including SRVGS, CGS, Mt. Diablo Genealogical Society and Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society. He also established and leads a DNA SIG (Special Interest Group) at SRVGS and CGS. He currently is an administrator for three projects at FamilyTree DNA, including the MacLaren surname project with over 1,400 participants. Additionally, he manages or supports over 35 individual DNA kits for both family, friends, and clients.
GSVB Members will automatically receive a Zoom invitation that will be sent out a couple of days before the meeting.
Non-Members: If you are interested in attending, please send an e-mail to GSVBzoom@gmail.com to request a Zoom invitation.
The Zoom meeting time is at 1:30 pm Pacific Time. The event is FREE. All are welcome.
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Thursday, May 1
Visit the Solano County Genealogical Society Library in Vacaville (Field Trip)
9:30 am Old Town Hall 610 East Main Street in Vacaville
On Thursday May 1st the Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia will be going on a special field trip to visit the Solano County Genealogical Society's Genealogy Research Library located on the 2nd floor of the historic Vacaville Old Town Hall.
The Society's Library has a wonderful collection of research materials for genealogists. There is a fantastic helpful volunteer staff available to help assist you in achieving your family history goals.
Please go to their website Library Page for more details. Please note to get to the 2nd floor there are stairs and no elevator.
By special arrangement with The Vacaville Heritage Council we will also have a special tour of the first floor of the 118 year old building including the jail.
If you want to carpool, we will meet at 9:30 am the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum - in the back parking lot - to drive to Vacaville. Please let our President John Watson (Genealogyguy94590@gmail.com) know you want to car pool so we can be on the lookout for you.
Otherwise feel free to meet us at 610 East Main Street in Vacaville at about 10:15 am. There is plently of parking in the rear of the building.
This event is FREE. All are welcome.
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Thursday, June 5
Geography of Genealogy (Speaker Series)
1:30 pm Via Zoom
Glen Holstein holds a PhD from U.C. Davis and is retired from a career as a consulting landscape ecologist. While his professional career primarily concerned the geography of plants and animals, Glen also has a strong interest in patterns of human movements across landscapes, which is the geography of genealogy.
Many of our ancestors were part of groups that left homelands at particular times and moved together to specific regions in America. For example, many people left Ireland during a blight that destroyed their potato crop and then moved to American places where they could make a living without growing potatoes. About the same time political upheavals caused many Germans to settle in quite different American regions. Such migrations are just two of many that will be discussed.
Together, they are the geography of genealogy. Your ancestors are part of this geography. (Please note, there are no handouts for this presentation. The talk includes many map slides. A bibliography of the books from which the maps and content of the presentation were procured will be provided)
GSVB Members will automatically receive a Zoom invitation that will be sent out a couple of days before the meeting.
Non-Members: If you are interested in attending, please send an e-mail to GSVBzoom@gmail.com to request a Zoom invitation.
The Zoom meeting time is at 1:30 pm Pacific Time. The event is FREE. All are welcome.
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Thursday, July 10
Summer Potluck (Annual Holiday Meeting)
12:00 pm Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
Bring a labeled dish to share for our potluck. Drinks will be provided.
Please note the 12 NOON Start Time at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.
Everyone can share what we have been working on.
We can talk about what we have found, what we are stuck on, and anything else that comes to mind. You might like to share a picture or artifact related to your search.
Please contact us at president@gsvb.org if you have any questions.
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Thursday, August 7
Tracing San Francisco's Past: Archival Photos and Records of Mechanics' Institute (Speaker Series)
1:30 pm Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
Join Librarian and Archivist Myles Cooper for a presentation exploring the rich history of the Mechanics' Institute, a San Francisco institution since 1854. Beyond its current role as a vibrant Library, Chess Room, and cultural center, the Institute played a significant role in the city's 19th-century development through its renowned Mechanics' Industrial Fairs.
This presentation will focus on these grand fairs, showcasing the burgeoning industries of the era, and will feature unique photographic treasures from its Archives. Discover:
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Images of the fairs and grounds captured by Mechanics' Institute member and motion-picture pioneer, Eadweard Muybridge.
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Early San Francisco views in Carleton Watkins' Daguerreotype stereoviews.
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Mid-20th-century architectural photography by Pirkle Jones, commissioned for the Institute's centennial.
Learn how these remarkable photographs, alongside our Special Collections and Archives, provide a window into San Francisco's past, revealing connections to figures such as Andrew Smith Hallidie and Levi Strauss. We will also discuss how Mechanics' Institute continues to preserve and share its cultural heritage, facilitating discovery for researchers and ensuring its legacy for future generations.
The event location is at Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum at 734 Marin Street in Vallejo California.
The in-person meeting starts at 1:30 pm Pacific Time. The event is FREE. All are welcome
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Thursday, September 4
A History of Mare Island Naval Hospital (Speaker Series)
1:30 pm Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
U.S. Navy (Retired) Captain Thomas L. Snyder who is Author of "Mare Island Naval Hospital: A History, 1864-1957" will give an in-person presentation at our Sepember meeting.
His book is is a comprehensive examination of the U.S. Navy's first West Coast hospital, chronicling its evolution from its establishment during the Civil War era to its significant role through World War II. The book delves into the hospital's development from a modest facility in the 1860s to a premier center for treating Marines and sailors, particularly those returning from the Pacific theater during World War II. It highlights the hospital's innovative approaches, such as the creation of tent hospitals during the Spanish flu pandemic and advancements in prosthetic limb development during World War II.
Dr. Thomas L. Snyder, brings a wealth of experience and insight to this work. Having resided and practiced medicine in the vicinity of Mare Island for over four decades,
Dr. Snyder's deep connection to the area enriches his narrative. His tenure in the Navy Medical Corps, both as an active member and reservist, provided him with unique access to resources and firsthand knowledge, enhancing the depth of his research. His passion for history is evident throughout his book, offering readers a meticulously researched and engaging account of the Mare Island Naval Hospital's pivotal role in military healthcare.
He is scheduled to discuss his work at the September 4th meeting of the Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum at 734 Marin Street in Vallejo California.
The in-person meeting starts at 1:30 pm Pacific Time.
The event is FREE. All are welcome |
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