Genealogical Society of Siskiyou County California Inc

The GSSC recently had a dream come true, when we moved into a new facility on historic Miner Street, Yreka.   This facility is being shared with the Siskiyou County Historic Society, resulting in a combined collection of over 2,000 research volumes.  Many of our documents are rare, out of print editions.  Our new facility continues to provide computers, WIFI and genealogical internet resources to assist members with their research.  However, increasingly we have been focusing on the future—which we see as providing research assistance on-line, including to provide Zoom classes.  Our new facility is open for public research every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., or by appointment.  Volunteers also offer services to complete research inquiries received by phone, mail, email or Facebook.  Do you have stories waiting to be told?  Come in or contact us and we might be able to help you with your endeavors.

2024 has been an exciting year for the GSSC at our new Miner Street headquarters.  The location is perfect as it lies in the center of our county’s “old-history”.  We continue to provide assistance and training in genealogical research, both by face-to-face assistance from our volunteers and by specially- designed classes.   This year, all classes will be given using Zoom, hoping to reach a wider range of people, over a larger geographical area.  

A special research project that continues pertains to the oldest extant cemetery in Yreka, City Cemetery.   While it is suspected that over 3,000 bodies were interred there, all records were destroyed, meaning that records need to be re-established using a variety of means.  In 2022 the GSSC, in cooperation with E Clampus Vitus, and Siskiyou County Historical Society established an historic monument at the cemetery.  Other research projects completed in the last two years include a database of early-day teachers at county schools and a transcription of almost 300 original letters from the fascinating Rosborough family.  Many of these letters pertain to the tension that existed between Native Americans and the newly arrived miners.  Finally, a new research project focuses on the role of Yrekans during the Modoc Indian War.  Each of these research projects have been turned into public programs, given at Yreka Preservation’s 1881 historic structure (old St. Mark’s Church).