Learn how to research your German ancestors

Toni Perrone will speak on “Researching your German ancestors” at the Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society’s general meeting on Feb. 8 at 1:30. Photo provided by Candy Petersen.

Toni Perrone will speak on “Researching your German ancestors” at the Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society’s general meeting on Feb. 8 at 1:30.

Toni has been speaking to genealogical societies nationally since 1981. She spoke at the International German Genealogy Conference in Minneapolis in July 2017. Her experience stems from researching her German and Italian ancestry, as well as 37 years of volunteering at the Immigrant Library in Burbank, California.

Toni is the co-founder of the Immigrant Genealogical Society and of the Temecula Valley Genealogical Society. She served as vice president and program chairperson of the Temecula Valley Genealogical Society for two years and was an advisor to the Board of Directors. She has a life membership there.

Presently, she is the president of the Pommern Interest Group of the Immigrant Library. She is also a member of the San Diego Genealogical Council and a leadership member of the International German Genealogical Partnership. She has served on the Speakers Committee for the past two years and at present is working with the Research Committee for the International German Genealogical Partnership.

Toni has published articles in genealogical publications and has completed two books on her Claussen and Wiederrecht Families. She continues to work for several private clients assisting them with their genealogy. She also volunteers at the Latter Day Saints Family History Center in Murrieta when she can.

Toni received an award as lecturer in both 1999 and 2000 at The Federation of Eastern European Family History Society International Conventions. She also received an award from the city of Temecula for founding the Temecula Valley Genealogical Society.

The Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society meets monthly on the second Thursday (except for July and August) from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Mission Trail Community Library, 34303 Mission Trail in Wildomar. Visitors guests are welcome. The group is run by two Canyon Lake residents: President Candy Petersen and Vice President Jane Dague.

“We have quite a few Canyon Lake members,” said Candy. “We don’t have a Canyon Lake group so we meet in Wildomar.”

For more information, contact Candy Petersen at jandcpetersen@roadunner.com or 951-246-2028, or visit bakerfamily.org/legs.