HAGÅTÑA — The Kumision i Fino’ CHamoru yan Fina’nå’guen i Historia yan Lina’la’ i Taotao Tåno’ (Commission on CHamoru Language and the Teaching of the History & Culture of the Indigenous People of Guam) and CHamoru Roots will jointly host the second Fina’che’cho’ yan Finattan i Hinayen CHamoru (CHamoru Genealogy Symposium). The first symposium was held on Nov. 11-12, 2022, which generated excitement and interest in family history and how to research genealogy.
The second symposium will be held at the multi-purpose auditorium of Guam Community College (Building 300) on Friday, September 20, 2024, and Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. This year’s agenda will focus on making connections, sharing stories, and an exploration of clan names and their origins. Resources such as 18th Century Census Data, Pre-1936 Judicial Records, and DNA as a Genealogy Tool will be featured along with resources contained in the CHamoru Roots Database housed at the Kumisión’s Genealogy Lab, which will soon be opened at their office in Aniguak.
The symposium will feature exhibits highlighting family histories. Exhibits during our last symposium provided great opportunities to discover relatives and how clans are connected through common roots. There was much laughter and excitement as participants shared humorous stories, secrets, and adventures associated with family members. This year, participants are encouraged to continue in this tradition by sharing and displaying their family trees, photos, and resource documents. Exhibit space and tables will be provided for this purpose. Reserve your exhibit space when you register. Internet access to enhance displays will also be available.
Registration for the symposium began on August 19, 2024, and ends on September 13, 2024. Those interested in attending the symposium are welcome to register online at www.kumision.guam.gov on our Instagram and Facebook profiles, or via the QR Code on this page.
Each registered participant will receive a copy of the Utugrafihan CHamoru, Guåhan; Ginen i Hila’ i Mañaina-ta (Cultural Dictionary Volumes I and II), and the Kumisión’s Kao Un Hungok Report. Refreshments will be provided.
