Linda Harms Okazaki
Helping people of all ages grow their family trees. Specializing in Japanese American heritage.
Linda's Orchard
Partner
925-451-1929
Lafayette, California
United States
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
- Other Speciality
Family History Research
- Ethnicity / Religion
- Family History Research
- Immigration / Naturalization
Speaking/Presenting
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
- Available for in-person events
- Available for virtual events
Writing/Publishing
- Author/Writer
Linda Harms Okazaki is a fourth-generation Californian who is passionate about teaching people of all ages to research, document, and share their family histories. Her areas of interest include the western U.S., upstate New York, England, Australia, Japanese Americans, and the use of DNA in genealogy. Linda has been researching her husband’s ancestry since 2012, documenting his family in the internment camps and Japan. A charter member of the Nikkei Genealogical Society, and a consultant for Ancestry’s Progenealogists, Densho, and the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, she is also a featured columnist for the Nichi Bei News. Her column, "Finding Your Nikkei Roots," is published bimonthly. Her guide to "Finding Your Japanese Roots" was updated in 2023. Ms. Okazaki is the author of numerous articles, including the National Genealogical Society’s "Paper Sons and Picture Brides," which was co-authored by Grant Din, and "Japanese American Research," published in the New York Researcher. She is a member of 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, a former board member of the Nichi Bei Foundation, and the current president of the Northern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. See Linda's Orchard (https://lindasorchard.com/) for more information.
Services
Instructor; Historian.
Geographic Specialties
CA, West, San Francisco, Japan
Additional specialities or search keywords
Japanese American heritage
Japanese American heritage
Publications/Media
NGS Magazine, "Japanese American Internment Camps and Incarceration Camps in World War II," Spring 2024
"Finding Your Japanese Roots: Guide to Japanese Genealogy," self-published, updated 2023
New York Researcher, "Japanese American Research," Spring 2021
NGS Magazine, "Paper Sons and Picture Brides," co-authored with Grant Din, March 2020;
Nichi Bei News, "Finding Your Nikkei Roots," bimonthly column, 2018 to present
The Livermore Roots Tracer, "The Descendants of Edward Emerson," Spring 2017
The California Nugget, "Ancestral Footsteps: The Okazaki Family," Spring 2013
The California Nugget, "Who Was Emerson Corville?" Spring 2012
NGS Magazine, "Japanese American Internment Camps and Incarceration Camps in World War II," Spring 2024
"Finding Your Japanese Roots: Guide to Japanese Genealogy," self-published, updated 2023
New York Researcher, "Japanese American Research," Spring 2021
NGS Magazine, "Paper Sons and Picture Brides," co-authored with Grant Din, March 2020;
Nichi Bei News, "Finding Your Nikkei Roots," bimonthly column, 2018 to present
The Livermore Roots Tracer, "The Descendants of Edward Emerson," Spring 2017
The California Nugget, "Ancestral Footsteps: The Okazaki Family," Spring 2013
The California Nugget, "Who Was Emerson Corville?" Spring 2012
Lectures
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.
A Japanese American Family From 1902–1992 – A Case Study
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 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 storytelling, 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 min; 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. 60–90-minute session suitable for beginners or those who are not familiar with the Japanese experience. Advanced sessions for experienced researchers or 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
(ready Fall 2024)
Despite profound record loss 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 Spanish immigrant, Dominick, his three wives, and his ten 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 to understand the nuances of data, and share strategies for locating your relatives.
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.
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.
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.
Who was Gus Barrango? – A Case Study
(ready Spring 2024)
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.
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.
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.
An Introduction to 20th Century Immigrants to the U.S.
This very basic class will introduce you to a complex subject. You will learn about 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. Suitable for beginners.
A-Files and C-Files for 20th Century Immigrants to the U.S.
What are A-files? Does your 20th-century immigrant have one? Why or why not? If so, where is it located? If he or she doesn’t have an A-file, is there a C-file? This class will introduce you to A-files and C-files, as well as other records held in the genealogy program at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or the National Archives.
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.
A Japanese American Family From 1902–1992 – A Case Study
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 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 storytelling, 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 min; 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. 60–90-minute session suitable for beginners or those who are not familiar with the Japanese experience. Advanced sessions for experienced researchers or 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
(ready Fall 2024)
Despite profound record loss 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 Spanish immigrant, Dominick, his three wives, and his ten 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 to understand the nuances of data, and share strategies for locating your relatives.
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.
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.
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.
Who was Gus Barrango? – A Case Study
(ready Spring 2024)
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.
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.
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.
An Introduction to 20th Century Immigrants to the U.S.
This very basic class will introduce you to a complex subject. You will learn about 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. Suitable for beginners.
A-Files and C-Files for 20th Century Immigrants to the U.S.
What are A-files? Does your 20th-century immigrant have one? Why or why not? If so, where is it located? If he or she doesn’t have an A-file, is there a C-file? This class will introduce you to A-files and C-files, as well as other records held in the genealogy program at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or the National Archives.
Repositories
Subcontractors for research at all US NARA facilities, plus repositories in the US and Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus various local municipalities)
Subcontractors for research at all US NARA facilities, plus repositories in the US and Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus various local municipalities)
Research Time Periods
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
Affiliations
California Genealogical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Densho, Genealogical Speakers Guild, Japan Society of San Francisco, Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Japanese American National Museum, National Genealogical Society, National Japanese American Historical Society, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Nichi Bei Foundation, Nikkei Genealogical Society, Utah Genealogical Association.
California Genealogical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Densho, Genealogical Speakers Guild, Japan Society of San Francisco, Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Japanese American National Museum, National Genealogical Society, National Japanese American Historical Society, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Nichi Bei Foundation, Nikkei Genealogical Society, Utah Genealogical Association.
Degrees
MA (Education), BS (Human Development)
MA (Education), BS (Human Development)