Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia

Photo courtesy of Benicia Historical Museum

Pictured: The Commandant's Residence was built in 1860 on the grounds of the Benicia Arsenal. It was designed in the Greek-Revival style as a 20 room mansion, complete with Greek inspired columns, hipped roof, 14 foot high ceilings and thick double walls. Many of the interior artistic features were of imported Philippine mahogany. Original construction cost was $35,000. This photo was taken circa 1912. In 1964 the Arsenal closed and the building was no longer government property. For several years it served as a restaurant (called "Commandant's Residence Restaurant" of course). The building still stands across the parking lot from the Clock Tower.

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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

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Thursday, August 27

Learn to Zoom! (Training)

1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Zoom isn't just for work anymore. Zoom is now the way to attend classes, church, family functions, and meetings of the Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia! But many of us are not comfortable with this new (to us) platform for interacting. This meeting is to familiarize yourself with the basics of online teleconferencing. It will answer such questions as: How do I log in? Why can't everybody see and/or hear me? Why can't I see and/or hear the other people? How can I see just the person speaking? How can I ask a question without interrupting the speaker? What is the etiquette involved with teleconferencing? Is there a way people won't see my messy house? How am I supposed to attend a Zoom meeting when I don't know how to Zoom?? The answer to the last question is to call us at: (707) 334-0675, e-mail us at: Web-Manager@gsvb.org, or use the Web Contact Form on our "Contact Us" page and we will get you started.

Thursday, September 3

Guest Speaker Lisa Gorrell presents: What's The News? Your Ancestors in Newspapers (Training)

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Virtual via zoom

Newspapers are an excellent source of genealogical, social, and historical information about our families and their communites. Newspapers reveal what was happening in a time and place -- something other records might not tell us. This presentation will cover newspapers found on free sites and subscription sites.

Lisa S. Gorrell is a Certified Genealogist®, who is a graduate of the ProGen program and an alumnus of the following genealogical institutes: Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research in Birmingham, Alabama. She teaches genealogy courses, lectures to societies, and researches for others.