Rich Venezia
Rich Roots Genealogy

RICH VENEZIA is a nationally-recognized Genealogist and Genealogical Lecturer. He is an expert in the research of 20th-century immigrant ancestors, especially in underutilized record sources and federal records. He is the go-to guy for assistance with dual citizenship applications for Italy and Ireland. Other main areas of focus include Italian, Irish, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New Jersey research. Rich treats all family histories as his own, and finds a great deal of joy in sharing this information with others. He believes that learning about your ancestors allows you to learn about yourself.

Venezia was a member of the research team of Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) for two seasons and also consulted on Follow Your Past (Travel Channel). He has researched family histories for private clients, TV shows, attorneys, and other genealogical research firms. He has been quoted in CNN, Washington Post, CBS News, Thrillist, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rich is a recognized leader in his field in the research of immigration and naturalization. He has coordinated week-long courses on these topics for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, and has lectured at national conferences from Washington State to New Jersey, and everywhere in between. He spoke at TEDxPittsburgh in 2017, and has appeared regularly on Pittsburgh Today Live. His writings have been featured in Family Tree Magazine, Irish Lives Remembered, as well as various blogs and newsletters.

Venezia currently serves as a Member At Large on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists. He received his Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2015, and is the Immediate Past-President of North Hills Genealogists in Pittsburgh.


January 8, 2022 - LIVE Webinar!

Register for the Zoom meeting at OCCGS-01-08-Venezia

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.


10:10 AM - Unsung Immigration Records of NARA: Contextualizing Recent Immigrant Ancestors

The National Archives (NARA) holds various records that can provide a treasure trove of information on twentieth-century immigrant ancestors that made America their home. Learn about INS Case and Correspondence Files, Bureau of Naturalization Correspondence Files, and Alien Personal History and Statement forms.

11:15 am - Ship Manifest Indexes: A New Look at an Old Resource

Searching and searching and still no ship manifest? Learn about the various indexes available to help locate an ancestor's elusive arrival record.

 

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

 

General Meetings

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Contact OCCGS:

Orange County California Genealogical Society
c/o Huntington Beach Central Library
7111 Talbert Avenue
Huntington Beach, California 92648

General Information: info@occgs.com

Find more email addresses at our Board Members page.