Welcome to the History
of
Fresno County Genealogical Society!

Overview

Recorded here is a glimpse into the history of the Society and how it has become such an integral part of the Fresno County Library as well as Fresno County itself. We are pleased to share pictures of early Society past Presidents as well as other snapshots into our past. 

Do you have a picture or story about the FCGS Society that you think will be of interest to others? Write in care of the FCGS at PO Box 1429, Fresno, CA 93716. Your originals will be returned after they are scanned.

Books In the Trunk of a Car?

Humble beginnings?  I would say so.  The Society started out in 1965 with the library of the FCGS in the trunk of Bobbie Badger's car.  The library traveled to hospitality rooms of businesses, school auditoriums and the Family History Center on Echo Street.  It also traveled to the member's home where the meeting was to be held.  It must have been quite a challenge to check out a book!

Space of Our Own

By 1968 the Society had secured a space in the basement of the Fresno County Public Library.  The Society members worked diligently to obtain more space upstairs in the main Library.   It was a long struggle and resulted in the present location on the second floor in the California History and Genealogy Room.

Since moving upstairs, the Society's library has grown from about 60 books to over three thousand and growing each year.   As well as books, the Society has CD's, microfiche, microfilms, computer w/laser printer, LDS programs, periodicals, and much more.  A partial list can be seen at the Library Resources page.  Drop by and say "Hello" when you are in town.

Dedicated Workers

We are very fortunate to have a very dedicated and hard-working Librarian by the name of Mary Lou Talens.  It has been because of her diligence that the FCGS Library has increased in size each year.    Zelda Dubel has been in charge of the periodicals for several years now and has done a fantastic job.  Without her, Mary Lou would have had a much more difficult job.  The Assistant Librarian is Kay Brimhall. Volunteers are contacted and scheduled by Sandra Larson, she is new and so she has not had many headaches in her job as Library Coordinator.  Thanks go out to all the dedicated and helpful volunteers who staff the Genealogy Room.  Many thanks also to William B. Seacrest, Jr. who is employed by the Fresno County Public Library and is in charge of the California History and Genealogy Room.  His endeavors have fostered a very positive and encouraging relationship between the County Library and the Society.  We are indeed very fortunate. 

Society Photos

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Picture 2 - Virginia Doolittle

Picture 3 - Standing: Lavinia Penner, Berenice Bennett - Seated: Marj Jauron, Val Howland

Picture 1        Picture 2            Picture 3

About 1975

Picture 4        Picture 5        Picture 6

        Pictures 4 & 5 - Display case with genealogical information    

        Picture 6 - Sylvia Cake, Mary Reinero

Standing: Marilyn Hobbs, Joanne Klein, Murial Woodlaw, Berenice Bennett, Mary Reinero, Virginia Doolittle, Roberta "Bobby" Badger - Seated: Kay Sheidt, Hazel Calvert, Mildred Beasley

Marje Jauron supplied all the great pictures above

Volunteers are what keep the Society going.  Below are listed some very dedicated members whose presence guaranteed a truly fun and successful day for us.

In alphabetical order, they are:

Aileen and Gene BOS, Myrna CECARELLI, and Corky PETERSON.

Mary HILPERT supplied these lovely photos below.  Click on photo to enlarge.

            1                                2                            3              

            4              

1. Anne ZAHLIS checking the list before opening

2. Aileen and Gene BOS

3. Corky PETERSON & Ellie LOMPREY

4. Myrna CECCARELLI & Terrilyn MEYERS