Tracking Down Ancestors

Here are some of the organizations and resources available to help track down ancestors:

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES

North San Diego County

Genealogical Society

The society meets twice a month in the Carlsbad City Council chambers next to the library. Founded in 1968, the organization encourages the study of genealogy and the the preservation of genealogical records. It is open to any person with an interest in their family roots who is willing to support the society in its endeavors.

The society also helps support the genealogical section of the Carlsbad Library.

Society meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

For more information, call 434-2931.

Escondido Genealogical Society

The society combines genealogy and local history and has a research library in the Pioneer Room, 253 S. Escondido Blvd. The society meets once a month on alternating Wednesdays and Saturdays at various locations.

For more information, call 738-4315.

Society of Hispanic Historical

and Ancestral Research

The Hispanic historical group meets on the second Thursday of each month in the Pioneer Room, 253 S. Escondido Blvd., and supports research in Hispanic and Latin American genealogy. The society teaches how to research Hispanic records and is seeking volunteers, especially bilingual ones, for work groups and to raise funds for materials.

For more information, call 738-4315.

LIBRARIES/ARCHIVES

Carlsbad City Library

Genealogy--Local History Division

Located on the second floor of the Carlsbad City Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad. 434-2931. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Pioneer Room in Escondido

The Pioneer Room, affiliated with the Escondido Public Library, is two blocks west of the library at 253 S. Escondido Blvd. Parking and entrance to the rear.

738-4315. Hours are noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Family History Centers,

Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints

The organization offers the world’s largest collection of genealogical data and is not limited to Mormons. Information comes from more than 100 countries and is housed at about 200 branch libraries, four of which are in North County.

The main Family History Library is at 35 N.W. Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150. Family History Centers in North County are located in church buildings.

* Escondido Family History Center, 1917 E. Washington Ave. 741-8441.

* Poway Family History Center, 15750 Bernardo Heights Parkway. (Near the corner of Rancho Bernardo Heights Road and Pomerado Road.) 487-2304.

* Vista Family History Center, 1310 Foothill Drive. 945-6053.

* Carlsbad Family History Center, 1981 Chestnut Street. 729-4475.

The National Archives

The National Archives in Washington contains records dating back to the Revolutionary War and includes census information, military records and logs documenting passenger arrival into the United States. Records are available to the public for a averaging $5.

For information, write the National Archives and Records Administration, 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington D.C. 20408.

National Archives

Pacific Southwest Region

The Pacific Southwest branch of the National Archives is nearby in Laguna Niguel at 24000 Avila Road. For more information, visit the branch, call (714) 643-4241, or write P.O. Box 6719, Laguna Niguel 92677-6719.

CLASSES/BOOKS

Genealogy Class

The Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department offers classes in genealogy, which include trips to the National Archives in Laguna Niguel and the Morman Family History Libraries in North County. Cost for the nine class course is $50. For more information, call 434-2833.

Some References

“The Source,” edited by Arlene Eakle and Johni Cerny.

“The Genealogists Address Book,” by Elizabeth Petty Bentley.

“The Researchers Guide to American Genealogy,” by Val D. Greenwood.