Monthly Archives: May 2016

Northwest Genealogical Conference August 17-20, 2016

by Charles Hansen

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Northwest Genealogical Conference, hosted by Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, Arlington, WA

 

The conference will be held August 17th – 20th and will kick off Wednesday the 17th with a Free Day for beginning genealogists.

The next three days will be filled with informative and entertaining classes by nationally known speakers:  Thursday’s theme is “Gathering Your Family’s Story” with Claudia Breland as the keynote speaker;

Friday will be “Tools to Help Tell the Story” with Lisa Louise Cooke;

Saturday’s will be “DNA, How is it a Part of Your Family’s Story?” with Blaine Bettinger.

In addition to the keynotes, all three days will include many classes taught by talented speakers.

There will be a banquet, a free taco bar reception, and other genealogically based fun events to choose from.  See www.NwGC.org for more information and to register for the conference.

 

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

** Genealogy’s Star: A Must-Read Blog (in my opinion) & YouTube Channel

** Washington’s Colville Tribes Selected For The Next U.S. Census Test

**Insects: Future Or Past Food?

**How To Ensure All Will Be Lost

 

Gen Star

James Tanner crafts his Genealogy’s Star blog nearly two times per week and I read every post and learn something new each time. Back on 5 Mar 2016, he posted about the BYU Family History Library Channel on YouTube. He was discussing a new uploaded video titled, “Why You Can’t Trace Your Family Back To Adam.” Who would not want to view this video?? Here’s how: (1) Click to www.youtube.com;  (2) select the BYU Family History Library channel; (3) Chose what you want to view from the list of over 400 videos; and (4) Click the subscribe button to get notification of new videos as they’re uploaded.

May I, as your serendipity teacher today, give you two homework assignments today? First click to www.genealogysstar.blogspot.com (note the two “s”) and sign up for James Tanner’s blog. Next click to www.youtube.com and get going with your home learning from there!

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THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM Wednesday Evening E-News 11 May 2016

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR go to www.gfo.org/calendar.htm.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-May.pdf.

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Did someone say, Genealogical Workshop??

Workshop

Where: Oregon Historical Society
When: Saturday, May 14th, 10am – noon
How: $20, or $15 for members
Let’s Get Focused! Creating a Research Plan and Staying Organized
Family history is fun and addicting! But, if you’re not careful, it can quickly get out of hand. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced researcher, come learn how to avoid getting overwhelmed with names, dates, and paperwork by setting goals, organizing your work, and making a research plan.

This workshop is presented by OHS Genealogist Hannah Allan. Visit our website to learn more about the resources available to you in our research library and at other genealogical research facilities.

(This notice is brought to by the Oregon Historical Society, with support from the GFO.)

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Don’t book that weekend! There’s a Seminar & Workshop we should all go to on Oct 15-16th!

Joshua

Come join us for…
GFO’s Fall Seminar and Workshop
Nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer and researcher, D. Joshua Taylor, will be presenting on various topics. Attend one or both sessions.

Saturday, October 15th, from 10am to 4:30pm

Sunday, October 16th, from 9:30am to 12:30pm

Register at the GFO Library. Online registration coming shortly.

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Jewish

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Some Hot Topics in Genealogy…

Toledo

Obit’s from 1837, Toledo, Ohio
If you have been researching relatives in Toledo, Ohio, but have been hitting some pesky brick walls, the Toledo Library has a treat for you! Their obituary index covers the years 1837 to present and the link to this great resource is HERE for your convenience.

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Free Sure is a Good Price, huh?

Books1
Calling All History Buffs!
To make room for newly donated genealogy books, we’ll be getting rid of a large number of books, putting them out on the “Free” table in the lobby just outside our door. This will include lots of history books over the summer; they’re great books, we just don’t have room! Check back regularly, as we’ll be adding more books every week.

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What’s Happening this Week at the GFO?

SATURDAY, MAY 14th
Illinois Group 9:30am – 11:30am

The Illinois Interest Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30am (except Jul/Aug/Dec) in the GFO Library. All interested researchers are welcome to join us. Just drop in and share the workshop when you can and when you are interested. The group leaders are Kristy Gravlin and Harlene Patterson. For more information, feel free to call 630-621-5166 or email hannah@teleport.com.

Genealogy Book Group 11:45am – 12:45pm

An Australia Story: The Saga of an Australian Family Over Two Centuries, by Gordon Smith. The author writes about his family descended from transported convicts who arrived in New South Wales in 1801. This is a story of redemption and turmoil, violence and ambition, love and loss, and of course, Australia. Interested parties can also email Bonnie Randolph at bonnierandolph2066@gmail.com.

Writers’ Forum 1pm – 3pm

This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at peggy@familypassages.com or 503-916-9410.
SUNDAY, MAY 15th
Library Work Party! 9am – noon

There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9am and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so and you’re welcome to do the same. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there!

Family Tree Maker 1pm – 3pm

Facilitated by Laurel Smith and Stephen Morgan, this group meets monthly, on the third Sunday of each month, 1:00-3:00 PM, at the back of the GFO Library. If you have some Family Tree Maker topics you’d like covered, please email Laurel Smith at bearpair@comcast.net, or Stephen Morgan at ceanothus1@comcast.net. This special interest group, like all the others that meet at the GFO, is free and open to the general public.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18th
Learn & Chat 10am – noon

Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Connie Lenzen.

DNA Q&A 1pm – 3pm

Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion.

Eastside Genealogy Society May Meetings

by Charles Hansen

EGS

EASTSIDE GENEALOGY SOCIETY MAY 12TH MEETING INFORMATION

 

“Discover Yourself at the Discovery Center” is the topic for the Eastside Genealogy Society’s Thursday, May 12th, meeting at 7:00 p.m., in the main meeting room on the first floor at the Downtown Bellevue Library.

 

Representatives from the newest family history center here in Bellevue will be at the EGS meeting to tell us about this exciting multimedia Discovery Center.  Designed to interest all ages, including your grandchildren, you can learn the origin of your name, see where your family migrated from on a large touch screen map, and record stories in the state of the art recording booths.  At this meeting on May 12th, you can sign up to join the field trip to the Bellevue Discovery Center that will take place on Thursday, May 19th.

 

This unique Bellevue Discovery Center is free and open to the public by appointment.  However, EGS has reserved the entire Center for a Thursday, May 19th field trip for EGS members, from 6-8 pm.

 

Bring a jump drive/memory stick with you on 5/19/16 to take your stories home and share them with others.

 

Remember, sign up at the Thursday, May 12th EGS meeting to join this field trip!

See What You Can Do With an Innovative Grant

by Roxanne Lowe

Last year, the Washington State Genealogical Society announced the creation of the “WSGS Innovative Grant Program.” The grants, up to $100, were designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Five societies received grants at the 2015 Annual Conference in Ellensburg:

Dead tree slated for removal

Chelan Valley Genealogical Society – Purchase of a computer, solely for genealogical research, at the Chelan Public Library. The computer will have access to Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society – Removal of trees that are endangering the safety of people and protection of grave markers at the Evergreen Cemetery, a local cemetery near Colville.

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society – Purchase of a new laptop computer to be used for society presentations and transcription of documents from the Northwest Regional Archives in Bellingham.

Tri-City Genealogical Society – Funds will support the society’s “Archived Records Contest” which encourages individuals to share records they have obtained by various means other than just downloading an image from the Internet.

Software purchase

WAGS was able to purchase a second FileMaker Pro 12 software program that doubled the access time for dedicated volunteers who work many hours maintaining and improving the WAGS Library collection.

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – Purchase specialized computer software to enable more than one volunteer to enter data related to local obituaries, cemetery records, World War I records and more.

The 2016 deadline for submitting a grant proposal is JUNE 1. The simple one-page application and additional information are available here.

Contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition and Special Awards chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com if you have questions.

 

 

Dave Sachi Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Dave Sachi

Dave Sachi

Today we’re introducing Dave Sachi of Port Townsend, Washington, who was nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS). He was recognized for his dedicated efforts to keep the local society members informed and involved.

Mr. Sachi has assumed the vital job of compiling the JCGS quarterly newsletters for the past few years. Under his guidance, the newsletter has increased from eight pages to twelve. Each issue features a calendar of events letting JCGS members know the subject and speaker for the general meetings and when the society’s different interest groups meet. Each issue also includes the president’s message about the society business, a member-written book review, a list of new resource books and/or CD’s in the library, a story on the history of the county, and/or a family history story contributed by a JCGS member.

Mr. Sachi is an appreciated, diligent member of the JCGS, and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Washington Trivia

by Charles Hansen

Today I would like to introduce a new feature for our WSGS blog…. a Washington Trivia feature which hopefully will appear every Wednesday.

I figure we all live, work and love in this wonderful state so perhaps we might want to, or ought to, know a tidbit or two more about Washington.

For openers:  Did you realize that Washington is the only state named after a U.S. president?

WASH

Northeast Washington Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

NeWGS LOGO cropped

11 May 2016 meeting of the “Colville” group… any interested genealogist in the area is welcome to attend!

Another month and our May meetings are this next Wednesday, the 11th. The Computer Interest Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the meeting room down the hall from the Family History Center at the LDS church on Juniper. Norma Yost will introduce us to GEDmatch.com, which according to wikitree.com, “helps find shared ancestry between persons who have uploaded their autosomal DNA (atDNA) results from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder.” She will share with us how it can help get the most from your DNA results. Be sure to download the three handouts that Norma has prepared by logging in to the Members section of our website, then selecting Secure Downloads, and then the Computer Meeting Handouts. The three files should appear at the bottom of the list and be flagged “New” with titles starting with “GEDMatch.”

After a break for lunch, our afternoon meeting will be held in the same place at 1:30 p.m. After a short business meeting Dennis Vaagen, the new President of the Stevens County Historical Society, will give us an update on the Keller Heritage Center and share his future plans for the museum. Pat Graham will then try to stump us with a fun trivia game on local knowledge.
It should be a fun and interesting day and we hope to see you Wednesday. … Susan

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

How many presidents have visited YOUR town?

Ancient Mohawk Cemetery in New York

Eight Critical Thinking Skills

Oregon-California Trails Association

Is there a book with my family mentioned?

Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia

Blurb in our daily paper explained that Spokane has been visited by a dozen U.S. presidents plus some VPs, wives and others. Our list is Taft, Harding, both Roosevelts, Truman, Carter, Nixon, Clinton, Reagan, Ford and GW Bush. How about your town? How many presidential visits do you mark?

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Cemeteries have always been of great interest to family historians. It’s always interesting to me to read about cemeteries of yore and of other cultures. In December 1634, three men set out from Fort Orange (now Albany) New York to make contact with the Mohawks to convince them that the Dutch made better trades than the French or English. They visited a series of villages, “surprising Harmen with their level of civilization. They encountered cemeteries, surrounded by palisades, ‘so neatly made that it was a wonder,’ and graves painted red, white and black. A chief’s tomb they found was large enough to have an entrance and was decorated with carvings and paintings of animals.” (From The Island at the Center of the World: Epic Story of Dutch in Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America, by Russell Shorto, 2005.)

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Bainbridge Island Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

Bainbridge Island

The Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) will meet Friday, May 20, in the Bainbridge Island Public Library Meeting Room from 10:00 AM until noon.  Joleen Aitchison, Director of the Family History Center in Poulsbo, will be discussing how to use FamilySearch effectively.

If you have questions about this fantastic resource and use of its website, bring them to the meeting.  Free to members, a $5.00 donation is suggested for nonmembers.  For more information go to   http://www.bigenealogy.org, or call 206-842-4978.  BIGS is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.

 

Thank you!

Sylvia H. Nelson

Director Publicity and Public Relations

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS)