The President's blog - NEW!

Today I attended my first virtual genealogy conference. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) , is an organization supporting member genealogy societies, disseminating genealogical knowledge and promoting ethical standards in genealogical research and practices. Following the conference, it will merge with the National Genealogical Society, so this is its last conference. I decided to attend to learn more about expanding our own society and maintaining a society that has purposes similar to those of FGS.

https://fgs.org/annual-conference/

Following the introductions and history of FGS I attended two of the live sessions. The first was given by Judy G. Russell called Quarantined! Genealogy, The Law & Public Health. Judy submitted the proposal for this presentation about a year ago. How prescient were both she and FGS? This engaging presentation gave us knowledge about all the unusual places we can research to embellish the stories of our ancestors who were involved in epidemics. Her advice is to “Think As If There Is No Box.” Look at burial permits, death certificates, funeral home records and quarantine station records. Then look for clues in news beyond headlines such as ads and photos. She showed an early 20th century photo in which the mother had just died, and the remaining family members, including the cat, were masked. She asks us to explore what this photo means. Move on to history books of the location your ancestors are from, family papers, legal papers and even land records. She showed us how to find clues in each of these.

Does it work to attend a virtual conference? For me, it is excellent. Once I’ve mastered the online system, I can find what I need easily. I don’t spend time scurrying around to find the correct room, or to get from one presentation to another. I am also able to both see and hear the presentations. The downside? I don’t make connections with people who might help me achieve my goals or just be new friends. The lack of networking must lead me to find other means of making those connections.

Tomorrow I’ll tell you about my second presentation.

Kara Rosenberg, President SMCGS

It's a great time to be a genealogist!

Your correspondent has recently heard from John Gleed who's just come back from attending a talk at the Devon Family History Society. I'm sure it was fascinating and he learned a lot. But how did he get there and back so quickly?

You may be aware that genealogical events have changed in the last few months. SMCGS is now holding everything online via Zoom. Even our classes are online - which is why we have students from around the US.

What does this mean for us? For some societies, it means there are no meetings, no classes, and no access to archives. For the rest of us, it means that we can now attend meetings in Reykjavik, Iceland, if we so choose.

Just look at the offerings from the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

https://www.americanancestors.org/index.aspx These are online, many are free, and anyone can register. 

Want to go further abroad?

The National Archives UK has a series of talks from authors with Q&A sessions. 

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/visit-us/whats-on/events/

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Here are some examples:

Dermot Turing: The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park
9 September | 19:30 to 20:30
In discussion with our Collections Expert, Mark Dunton, Dermot Turing will discuss his latest book which examines the lives of the brilliant and eccentric individuals who cracked the seemingly unbreakable Enigma code.

Trevor Barnes: Dead Doubles
7 October | 19:30 to 20:30 
In conversation with Professor Chris Andrew (author of the official History of MI5, The Defence Realm), Trevor Barnes will discuss his new study on one of the Cold War’s most notorious spy cases – the Portland Spy Ring.

Roger Dalrymple: Crippen
23 November | 19:30 to 20:30
110 years to the day after the execution of Dr Crippen, Roger Dalrymple will talk about how the murder caused a sensation at the time that still resonates today. Roger will draw on official records to examine the case itself and the public’s fascination with the brutal crime.

Since we were talking about Devon:  

http://www.devonfhs.org.uk/calendar/  

They have virtual talks on a regular basis, and you might get to ask questions.

The UK Society of Genealogists also have online talks.

http://www.sog.org.uk/books-courses/events-courses/

A friend in Gloucestershire just mailed me some information about the History Festival, an annual event of talks and tours.  This will be the first time I'm actually able to go....and I won't need a plane ticket!

https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk

What part of the world did your ancestors come from?  Take advantage of the opportunity NOW to attend events around the world, and to interact with experts and ask questions.  

- Margaret Melaney

The Quonset Huts of San Mateo County

 The Quonset huts of San Mateo County

Part 1

 If you know where to look you can see them, hidden behind store-front façades or boldly announcing their presence to the street.

Quanset huts were manufactured starting in 1941 to provide the US Navy with lightweight prefabricated buildings.  The original buildings were 16 X 36ft., with the later models 20 X 48 ft.  After the war the surplus were sold to the public for use as storage, businesses, or even homes. (1)

The remaining huts in San Mateo County tend to be clustered in industrial areas east of Old County Road in San Carlos, and just west of Bay Road in Menlo Park. There are no doubt others you know of.

 

Huts can sometimes be identified by the presence of a false front facing the road and a glimpse of rusted metal behind.  Another way to spot them is on Google Maps Satellite view.  The curvature and color is a giveaway.  

Here’s an aerial shot of 2645 Fair Oaks Ave. compared to the street view.  Who would guess?

 

 

 

Here’s a side view of the property at 701 Hurlingame.  It’s been cleverly divided to provide an auto repair shop in the back, with a cut-out entrance for cars.  A large can opener??

 

Where have the Quonset huts gone and why were they put here in the first place?

Lost huts include:

Redwood Trading Post:  Redwood Trading Post began in a Quonset hut down at Five Points, near El Camino and Woodside Road, in 1952. (2)

Quonset on East Bayshore Road - Redwood City - gone

Old Cargill Site, Seaport Rd  Architectural review board says "nothing of interest here".

 

Were they possibly used as airplane hangers?

See Part 2 next week for the Old San Carlos Airport theory and "Sanborn Maps tell a story".

 -  Margaret Melaney

Do you know of a hut we've missed?  Email me at publications@smcgs.org and I'll include it.

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1.  Michael Lamm (Winter 1998), "The Instant Building". Invention & Technology, Volume 13, Issue 3, pp. 68–72.   From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quonset_hut

 2.  https://www.redwoodtradingpost.com/about