Youth Ancestral Project
The Youth Ancestral Project is a program that teaches East Bay youth how to use research and storytelling techniques to gain a deeper understanding of their own ancestral roots. Initiated in 2011 by Supervisor Keith Carson with the help of the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California and the Oakland Family History Center, the project has reached more than 300 youth. In 2012-13, the project expanded to include youth in the Jewish, Latino and Asian communities, as well as youth in the Alameda County Probation Department Weekend Training Academy. Project participants learn how to interview their relatives and fictive kin, use online research tools to find ancestors, and develop writing and digital media skills to tell their stories.
Please review our video documenting the work of Youth on the Ancestry Project:
Resources and Information
Read media coverage of the 2012 project
McClymonds High students learn about their family histories with ancestral research project, Oakland North, May 24, 2012. http://oaklandnorth.net/2012/05/24/mcclymonds-high-students-learn-about-their-family-histories-with-ancestral-research-project/
Read media coverage of the 2011 project
Read about students like Elliot Spillard of Berkeley, who found his great grandparents on the 1930 census and discovered relatives who fought in World War II. http://www.aagsnc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=170&Itemid=136
Visit the Oakland Family History Center
Located at the Mormon Temple on Lincoln Ave. in Oakland, this library is free and open to the public. Use their computers to access commercial genealogical websites like ancestry.com. Browse through their collection of microfilm and old books that chronicle the history of the East Bay and beyond. https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Oakland_California_Large_Multi-stake_Family_History_Center
African American Genealogical Society of North California
Connect with a group of passionate community members who gather every month at the Dimond Library in Oakland to trade research tips and learn about African American genealogy. Check out their website for information about Black Family History Day and other community events. http://aagsnc.org/
San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society
Connect with professional genealogists and dedicated volunteers who meet monthly in San Francisco or Oakland. Attend one of their clinics or read one of their newsletters. http://www.jewishgen.org/sfbajgs/
California Genealogical Society and Library
Located in downtown Oakland, CGS offers events, resources and support for members of the public who are interested in researching ancestors from California and around the world. http://www.californiaancestors.org/