Welcome to the website of CGS (a 501c3 non-profit group) !
GENERAL MEETINGS AND CLASSES:
WE BEGAN MEETING IN PERSON AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2021, BUT WE ARE STILL CAUTIOUS AND PREPARED TO BACK-PEDAL, AS NEEDED. WE CANNOT PREDICT AT THIS TIME (OR EVER) WHAT TOMORROW WILL BRING, LET ALONE WHAT THE SITUATION WILL BE NEXT MONTH OR EVEN NEXT WEEK. THE MOST UPDATED INFO WILL BE PROVIDED HERE AND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
FOR INFORMATION ON OUR TUESDAY AFTERNOON CLASSES, PLEASE CHECK THAT PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE. SOME EXCITING NEW CLASSES AND FREE GENEALOGY INSTRUCTION ARE ON THE SCHEDULE. COME TO FIND OUT WHAT WE ARE SHARING IN 2026!
NEXT IN-PERSON GENERAL MEETING: 6 July 2026, Gather at 6:00 pm
Sara Cochran, professional genealogist
“What the Law Put Asunder: Divorce in America”
Historically, divorce in the United States was rare, but not unheard of. This presentation considers changing laws and social attitudes as they relate to marriage and divorce, how those laws and attitudes affect our research and the records, and provides tips for determining if there was a divorce and accessing those records.
Please return here during the week before the program to download the handout.
Sara shares some of her experiences that took her to the path of research:
“Every person that starts researching their family history does so for a different reason. For some, they feel disconnected from themselves or seek understanding about modern issues from the past. For others, the genealogy “bug” bites when a family member asks them for some help with research. For me, it was a desire to learn about the people I came from, all these marvelous looking people in my Grandma’s photo albums.
“The Egyptians believed they were immortal if they were remembered. By seeking out our ancestors, we give them immortality. Someday, perhaps, someone will do the same for us!
“I’m just a little passionate about family history. A good friend helped me paint this on my wall and my long-suffering husband hung all the pictures.
“I have returned a few “long-lost” family members to their spot on the family tree. Through research, I was able to discover what happened to a Great-Grandfather and one of his daughters on one side of the family, and a 2nd-Great Grand Aunt and 2nd-Great Grand Uncle on the other side.
“I’m not done with them yet, there are still puzzles to solve from the in-between years. But I can mark the places where they lie and there is some closure for the living family that has wondered what happened all these years. Each of them appears on the tree.”
Her genealogy education is detailed on her website: The Skeleton Whisperer
THIS IS A HYBRID PROGRAM . . . folks can come to the library for Sara’s in-person program is open to all at no charge, or members may view off site with the Zoom link, provided a few days before the presentation. The in-person gathering will take place, either in the Hi-Desert Room (in the children’s section) or the Martinez Community Room (off the lobby).
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We usually meet in the Martinez room, off the lobby of the library; but there are times we move ourselves to the Hi-Desert room, unless changes take place. Verify when you arrive. There may be a room reassignment from time to time, so be sure to check with the desk when you arrive.
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During in-person gatherings, basic protocol (as dictated by the library, county, state, and US government) will be followed for the health and safety of all.
Board meetings will continue to be held virtually via Zoom with no plans to change that arrangement.
Return here or check our Facebook page for the latest. Questions? Concerns? Email webmaster to contact any of the officers.
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Your board continues to meet and plan for the continued genealogical education of its members. Meetings, via Zoom, take place the third Monday of every month. Open to all members. To join us or ask us to add something to the agenda, contact webmaster Jean Hibben, she will forward the email to the proper officer.
The CGS website is in compliance with the 2018 GDPR requirements, click here to view our Privacy Policy.
In-person meetings are held the first Monday of every month* from 6:15 – 7:45pm (with networking, socializing, and program set-up at 6:00pm). In the event that the first Monday is a holiday, meetings will be shifted to the second Monday (see meeting schedule for clarification).
CORONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
650 S. Main St. (at 6th), Corona, CA 92882
To find out which meeting room is to be used, please refer to the information above or the Meetings page.
To network, get to know each other, or receive/give genealogical research assistance, “early birds” are welcome to gather at 6:00pm. ——————-
The society is open to anyone who wishes to research his/her family history. Monthly programs are offered to assist us in successfully identifying our ancestors of all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, religions, etc. Members are also encouraged to assist others by presenting a topic that will be of interest to the rest of the group and/or participating in the various projects the society hosts.
MISSION STATEMENT: To promote interest and education in genealogy.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, as of April 2025 :
Pamela Coleman – President
Jean Wilcox Hibben – 1st Vice-President (programs) & Webmaster
Dottie Laird – 2nd Vice-President (membership) & Facebook Admin Co-Chair
OPEN – Secretary & Facebook Administration Chair
Kay Anders – Treasurer
Carolyn Hughes – Correspondence Secretary
Len Enlow – Newsletter Editor & Education
Donna Polentz – Publicity & Facebook Co-Administrator
Maggie Rawlins – Historian
Lyle Rawlins – Member at Large
Mary Anne Vincent – Member at Large
Helen Woods – Member at Large
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VISIT WITH US ON 
To access our members-only page, click on the instructions below: 
You must be a Facebook member to join the group (click here or the image above). When you click on the request to join, that will be sent to Donna Polentz, Susan Tseko, or Dottie Laird, our Facebook co-Coordinators, who will get back to you. Once verified, you will then receive notification that you are “in” and you can start posting or responding to other members right away. Please be respectful of each other (no spamming or other inappropriate messaging – violators will be removed from the list). Use this to communicate about genealogy events you have become aware of, ask for help or suggestions in your research, invite society members to “friend” you, etc. This is a great way to maintain contact with each other between meetings, so consider checking this group periodically. (Note: no sales or commercial use permitted)
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For dues information and to join the society, attend the next meeting we hold in person and fill out an application or see the Membership page on this website. For questions, contact Jean Hibben, CGS webmaster CoronaGeneaSoc@gmail.com ——————- To see the schedule of our upcoming meetings, check the MEETING CALENDAR page.