Frequently Asked Questions

The Southern California Genealogical Society's popular Jamboree Extension Series provides family history and genealogy educational webinar (web-based seminar) sessions for genealogists around the world.

The Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) launched its Jamboree Extension Series (JES) webinars in March 2011. SCGS was the first genealogical society to offer regularly scheduled webinar sessions. The series was developed to fulfill SCGS’s mission "to foster interest in family history and genealogy, preserve genealogical materials, and provide instruction in accepted and effective research techniques." The webinar series helps us deliver membership benefits to SCGS members who live outside the LA area and helps spread awareness of SCGS and Jamboree around the world. In the first year of the program, we did just that. We reached genealogists from 48 US states and 7 Canadian provinces, as well as England, Wales, Ireland, France, United Kingdom, Algeria, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. 

While the original webcasts are available to all genealogists, SCGS members will be able to review archived sessions at any time by accessing the SCGS members-only section of this website. Archive sessions will be available approximately one week following the webinar.

To view the webinar, you will need a computer with audio speakers or a headset. Those persons with a fast Internet connection (either broadband or DSL) will have the most satisfactory experience.

Jamboree Extension Series presentations will be scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. Saturday sessions will be held at 10am Pacific time / 1pm Eastern time; Wednesday sessions will be scheduled at 6pm Pacific time / 9pm Eastern time.

What is a webinar?

Don't be daunted by the name. A webinar is an educational class. (That's the "-inar" part, as in the word "seminar")  It's led by a professional or specialist in the topic and is delivered over the Internet. (That's the "web-" part.) Speakers typically provide a handout or article to accompany the slideshow. Sessions include a Q&A period and some include special  offers or drawings for door prizes.

How much does it cost?

Each live broadcast is open to the public for a low-cost fee. Space is limited to 1000 attendees. Webinars are recorded, archived, and available in the members-only section of the SCGS website. A 1-year individual membership costs only $40 and affords access to all JES webinars.

Donate: We welcome personal, foundation and corporate contributions of any amount to help fund this popular program. Donations can be made online or through PayPal. Those who wish to donate by check or money order should use our printable form.

How do I sign up?

Step 1
Review the list of sessions below. To sign up for a session, click on the link (the title of the webinar) for the program you want to attend.

Step 2
The link will take you to an registration page on our partner website, GoToWebinar.com. Enter your name and email address and answer a couple of questions.  You will receive confirmation of your registration by email. You’ll also receive reminders before the webinar. The reminder email will have information on accessing the handout material.

Step 3
On the day of the session, click the link that you received in your invitation to GoToWebinar.com to join the online session. 

By the way, you can participate in a webinar even if you don't have a computer, iPad or other equipment. You may also phone in to the session and listen to the presentation. You won’t be able to see the screen but you will be able to hear the speaker. Long distance charges may apply.

How do I watch a webinar?

To watch the speaker’s material and listen to the presentation, you will need computer equipment with speakers and a broadband Internet connection.

Review the technical requirements to verify whether your computer will work to watch the webinar. If you have broadband (DSL or cable) you will have a much better experience. 

Technical requirements include:

    PC-based attendees
       Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

     Macintosh®-based attendees
       Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer