Directory of Members

Linda Harms Okazaki is a fourth-generation Californian, active in the genealogy and Japanese American communities in California and beyond. She is passionate about teaching people to research, document, and share their personal family histories. Her other areas of research include upstate New York, England, and Australia, as well  the use of DNA in genealogy. Linda has been researching her husband’s ancestry since 2012, documenting his family in the internment camps and in Japan. A charter member of the Nikkei Genealogical Society, a research consultant for Ancestry.com’s Progenealogists and Densho.org, she is also a featured columnist for the Nichi Bei Weekly. Her column, Finding Your Nikkei Roots, is published bimonthly. She is a member of numerous Japanese American organizations, as well as the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speaker’s Guild, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Linda is a past president of the California Genealogical Society and a past board member of the Nichi Bei Foundation.

Ms. Okazaki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and a Master of Arts degree in Education.

Japanese American Research; Family History for Youth, Introduction to Genealogy, Introduction to DNA, Diversity and Inclusion

20th Century Immigrants to the West Coast and Hawaii

20th-century immigrants to the West arrived by ship through Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawai'i, and overland through Canada, Mexico, and the continental U.S. This lecture will examine the ports of entry, historical events, laws that impacted those immigrants, and the records generated. Suitable for all levels.

Angel Island: A History of the Island and the Records Generated

At roughly 740 acres, Angel Island is the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay. Today, the island is a place to hike, bike, camp, and picnic. Its history as an immigration station from 1910-1940 is also well-known, but the history of Angel Island is long and rich. Explore the history of the area as well as the diverse records available, including vital, census, land, military, and immigration. Repositories such as the National Archives and local libraries will be discussed, along with lesser-known facilities such as the Society of California Pioneers and the California State Parks Archives. Suitable for all levels.

Blending the Old with the New

Japanese immigrants and their descendants established lives in the U.S. and Hawai’i, sharing their traditions and customs while also integrating Western traditions. This lecture will examine their lives, their successes, and their hardships through education, employment, marriage, religion, and racist exclusionary tactics.

A Japanese American Family From 1902–1992:

Finding Records to Re-create the Hirai Family Story

The experience of Japanese immigrants to the U.S. and their descendants is a part of American history. This case study examines the abundance of both conventional and ethnic-specific federal and local records, and pieces together the story of a Japanese American family from immigration through World War II and beyond. Suitable for intermediate researchers.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

The Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907-1908 was an agreement between the U.S. and Japan that restricted the immigration of Japanese laborers. Wives and children of laborers were permitted to immigrate. This led rise to what is informally called “The Picture Bride Era.” Learn about the history leading up to this policy, how the agreement impacted immigrants, what records were created, and why the policy expired in 1924.

Family History for Young Children: A Developmental Approach (20-30 minutes to a series; good for community events)

Children are intrigued by their families. This hands-on approach can be tailored to the specific age-group of the children and may include story-telling, drawing family trees, and vocabulary for the younger children (2-8), simple pedigree charts for elementary school students, and computer activities with homework for teenagers.

Find Your Family, Leave a Legacy (an introduction to genealogy for non-genealogy groups, 30-45 minutes; suitable for banquets and non-genealogy events)

Family history is a gift to your family and your community. Learn how to get started and leave your family with the gift of history.

Finding Your Japanese Roots: In the U.S. and in Japan (can be one, two, or three lectures, or up to a two-day seminar; title can be adjusted)

Seminar for those researching Japanese Americans, including laws, political climate, the incarceration experience, and more. A 60–90-minute session suitable for beginners or those unfamiliar with the Japanese experience. Advanced sessions for experienced researchers or for the Japanese American community. Classes will be tailored to the specific group. Depending on the group, records in Japan can be included. (For records exclusively in the U.S., see Japanese American Genealogy below).

An Immigrant Family in Pre-1906 San Francisco – A Case Study

Despite the profound loss of records following the San Francisco earthquake and fire, family groups can be reconstructed using newspapers, maps, city directories, block books, and religious records. You will learn about the Gonzalez family, including Gibraltar immigrant Dominick, his Irish wives, and his children.

Introducing the 1950 Census

The 1950 Census was publicly released on 1 April 2022, 72 years after it was enumerated. Genealogist Linda Harms Okazaki will show you how to find the 1950 census, help you understand the nuances of data, and share strategies for locating your relatives.

An Introduction to A-Files and C-Files for 20^th Century Immigrants to the U.S.

(can be specific to Japanese Americans)

Do you have a 20th-century immigrant? Do you wonder what records there are, besides manifests? Do you know what an A-file is, whether your ancestor had one, or where to find it? Do you know what records are held by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services versus the National Archives? Did your ancestor naturalize? Why or why not? When and how? This lecture will examine all these issues. Suitable for all levels.

An Introduction to Alien Registration Forms (AR2s)

The Alien Registration Act of 1940 required the registration of all aliens in the US aged 14 and over who were not naturalized. Learn about the origins of the Alien Registration Forms, who has one, and where they are located.

An Introduction to 20^th Century Immigrants to the U.S.

Learn about the laws and events that impacted 20th-century immigration to the U.S. from the Pacific, and the Atlantic, through Canada, and Mexico. Basic records will be reviewed in addition to the laws and events.

An Introduction to Genealogy, Part I and Part II

Get your feet wet with this introduction to genealogy. These 60-minute sessions can be consecutive or stand-alone. Navigating Ancestry and FamilySearch, plus an introduction to basic record types will be covered.

Japanese American Genealogy

Japanese began immigrating to the U.S. in large numbers after the implementation of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. In this lecture, we will explore both conventional and ethnic-specific U.S. records as they pertain to those of Japanese ancestry. This lecture begins with a brief overview of history in Japan and is followed by a chronological review of U.S. laws and historical events that impacted both the immigrants and their descendants. The plethora of documents generated (census, court, immigration, land, military, vital, etc.) will be discussed. After the lecture, attendees will feel confident researching Japanese immigrants to the U.S.

Japanese Immigration to the U.S.

Japanese began emigrating to the U.S. and the territory of Hawai’i soon after the Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted, though some had arrived earlier. Laws and events in the U.S. and Japan shaped the immigration experience, including who could travel and when or whether they could emigrate. Immigration documents and laws will be examined to better understand the Japanese immigration experience from the earliest days through the 1950s.

Once Upon a Time…Creating Compelling Stories Out of Mundane Facts

She was born, she married, she had children, she died. You’ve spent countless hours researching your family history. You’ve gathered the basic facts, resolved conflicting data, analyzed and correlated the data, and cited your sources. But does that translate into a story that will interest your relatives or readers? This lecture will help you create a framework for telling your story in a meaningful and relatable way.

Organize Your Genealogy

Researching your family history is a labor of love. But do you sometimes feel like you are

drowning under a pile of paper, have no idea what to do with all your findings, or

worse, can’t find those records on your hard drive? There are as many ways to organize

your data as there are researchers. The only “right” way to organize your genealogy is

to do it in a way that you will consistently follow! Genealogist Linda Harms Okazaki will help you tackle that growing mountain of data. She will share strategies to help you start your research, keep track of your findings, and establish naming conventions for both digital and paper files.

A Tale of Two Ancestors: The Angel Island Experience (20-30 minutes, good for luncheons).

The Immigration Station on Angel Island operated from 1910-1940. This presentation compares the different experiences of an Asian immigrant and a British employee who were “on” the island at the same time.

Weaving the Threads of Evidence to Tell a Multigenerational Story

Sansuke Nii immigrated from Japan to Mexico in 1907, eventually settling in Placer

County, California. The story of his life, his Hawaiian-born wife, and his descendants can be reconstructed using federal records, manuscripts, photos, and oral histories.

Volunteers: Recruitment, Training, and Retention (20-30 minutes; for boards and non-profits)

Is your organization suffering from volunteer fatigue? Are your older volunteers feeling under-appreciated? Do you need to recruit new volunteers? Learn about simple techniques you can use to recruit, train, and retain your volunteer pool.

Weaving the Threads of Evidence to Tell a Multigenerational Story: A Case Study

Sansuke Nii immigrated from Japan to Mexico in 1907, eventually settling in Placer

County, California. The story of his life, his Hawaiian-born wife, and the lives of his ancestors and descendants can be recreated using federal records, manuscripts, photos, and oral history.

Who was Gus Barrango? A Case Study

Gus Barrango left his name carved in the cliffs above Raton, Colfax, New Mexico. But who was he? This case study follows the documents to recreate his family, from Sicily to New York, to the coal mines of Colorado and New Mexico, to the city of San Francisco. Unexpected twists and turns include a murder, a suicide, and a questionable death.

Who's in Your Neighborhood? A Discussion About Diversity and Inclusion.

(best for genealogical societies looking to increase diversity among their members)

Genealogists utilize the F.A.N. principle, broadening their research to include entire communities. But what about genealogical society F.A.N clubs? Is your organization inclusive? Does your membership reflect the diversity of your community? This lecture examines ways to identify and embrace those ethnic groups that are underserved by many genealogical societies. This lecture is meant to be for boards and genealogical society leadership. A presentation about the diverse local population, as well as the types of records to look for, will facilitate a discussion about the importance of inclusivity in our genealogical societies.

World War II “Internment Camps and Mass” Incarceration in the U.S.

Enemy aliens, along with American citizens, were incarcerated in the U.S. during WWII. The sites of confinement and the records created will be examined. World War II was the defining moment of the 20th-century Japanese American experience on

the West Coast. More than 125,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry were detained in various facilities around the country. The details of their experiences have been documented in federal records and manuscript collections.

What’s All the Fuss About DNA?

Are you thinking about purchasing a DNA kit? Not sure which brand to buy? Wondering how the results can help you with your genealogy? Overwhelmed with the data? This introductory presentation about genetic genealogy is designed for those who are new to DNA. Attendees will learn about the most common brands of test, the types of tests available, interpreting the results, and connecting with potential relatives. Additionally, ethics and privacy concerns will be discussed. We will briefly touch upon third-party sites, but these will not be the focus of this introductory lecture. Suitable for individuals who are curious but have little to no experience using DNA for family history.

Will present remotely or in-person.

Densho Genealogy Series

Japanese American Community and Cultural Center "Your Family, Your History," a nine-part genealogy series culminating in a Shutterfly book, 2022-2023

Legacy Family Tree Webinars, 2021, 2022,  2023

National Genealogical Society, May 2022

Shasta Genealogical Society, 2023

Sonoma County Genealogical Society, 2023

Tennessee Genealogical Society, 2023

Brentwood Library, Long Island, May 2022