Spring 2026

Section 4699 of LL505
Special Interest Discussion Groups -- : Feb 26 - May 21 2026
Class Focuses on Southern Genealogy. In this course we will learn how to find and research ancestors in the states comprising “the American South” (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV). We will focus on the unique challenges of, and sources for, Southern genealogy. Topics include finding records for southern colonies, Native Americans, slavery (enslavers and enslaved), African Americans, Women in the South, migration, land grants and settlement, religions and church records, wars and military records (French and Indian War, War of 1812, Revolutionary War, Civil War), Reconstruction and more. Even if you don’t think you have any Southern ancestors, please join us!

No office hours

M.S., San Francisco State University, Health Science

B.S., University of California, Berkeley

Professional development (most recent):

  • “1/32nd” on Louisiana, Dr. H. David Head, TNGS (Feb 2026)
  • “Finding the Last Enslaver,” Robyn N. Smith, TNGS, (Feb 2026)
  • “Tennessee State Library and Archives- Patriot Paths- Finding Your Tennessee American Revolutionary War Patriots,” Melissa Barker, TNGS (Jan 2026)
  • “The Draper Collection,” Lee Draper, TNGS (Jan 2026)
  • “Tracking Our Ancestors: from Virginia to North Carolina, Tennessee and Beyond,” Barbara Vines Little, TNGS, (Nov 2025)
  • “NARA Myth Busters: Your Family IS in the National Archives,” Judy Russell, TNGS (Nov 2025
  • “Follow the Money,” Judy Russell, TNGS (Nov 2025)
  • “Blackstone’s Common Law,” Judy Russell, TNGS (Nov 2025)
  • “Rogue Ancestors,” Judy Russell, TNGS (Nov 2025)
  • “Who Were the Record Makers,” TNGS (Nov 2025)
  • “In the Beginning, All America was Virginia,” Ann Blomquist, TNGS (April 2025)
  • “Vertical Files- What Are They and How to Use Them,” Melissa Barker, TNGS (Mar 2025)
  • “Tennessee Online Genealogy Resources,” Merle Ilgenfritz, TNGS (March 2025)

 

Academic Experience

Full-time faculty, Health Science Department, Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, California (19 years)

Adjunct faculty, Health Science Department, Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, California (10 years)

I have been teaching in one form or another since I was 19 years old when, as a student at UCB I taught elementary school students anatomy.  I went on to coordinate community education programs for the American Lung Association and ultimately, became an instructor at Diablo Valley College where I taught for almost 30 years.  I had the privilege of teach, and learning from, over 10,000 students.  I am thrilled to join the Lifelong Learning Program at Santa Rosa Junior College as an instructor in the genealogy program.

Professional Areas of Interest

I have studied genealogy for many years.  I am a member of the Sonoma County Genealogical Society and the Tennessee Genealogical Society.  Genealogy is one of my passions, and learning about my Southern ancestors and the historical context of their lives has become a particular area of interest.