Christine Cohen

Biography

I am a long time member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) and I am currently the Program Director. In addition to WAGS, I'm also a member of the El Redondo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Past 1st Vice Regent), the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

My interest in genealogy began in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series "Roots". My enthusiasm was piqued when I was given a typed pedigree chart, commissioned by my maternal grandfather, of our Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1650's. I am a native Californian, a graduate of UCLA in Political Science and have recently retired to pursue my genealogy interest full time.

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The Library opens at 9:00 am for in-person attendees.

10:10 AM - Mysterious Codes: Passenger Manifests Letters And Numbers

What do those letters, numbers, stamps, and pencil marks mean on Immigration Passenger Manifests? Does your ancestor have the letter "D" or "X" next to their name? Do you know what V/L, # 404, USB, Transit, CL, N.O.B, C/A, LPC, SI, NQIV, BSI, PV or C-XXXXX mean? We will learn if and when to contact the US National Archives or USCIS to get more genealogical information from these codes. Plus, what insight we can learn about your ancestor's immigration experience based on these notations.

 

11:15 AM - Grand Army Of The Republic - Researching Your Union Civil War Veterans

Do you have a Union Civil War Veteran? Did you know that in 1890 there were over 400,000 Veterans who belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R)? This organization existed from 1866 to 1956. It generated records noting Civil War service, birth, marriage, death, residences, occupations, detailed biographies and even photographs. I will show you where and how to find these hidden gems.

 

Handouts, when available, are in Member's Only on the Speaker Handouts page.