The Renton Historical Society has recently changed its name (DBA) to include Genealogy Center.
Our annual meeting will be Sunday, May 31st at 2pm at their new location – 1025 S. 3rd St. Renton, WA 98057.
Our website is: RentonHistory.org
Thank you,
—
Carrie Bergquist
President – Renton Historical Society & Genealogy Center
206-276-7889
In the carriage house adjacent to the Campbell House in Spokane was a most interesting display of a Woman’s Safety Bicycle in the 1890s. “Medium-sized wheels and a chain drive eased the physical strain of bike riding. A string skirt guard, hygienic breathable leather seat, and pierced metal chain guard made riding safer for women.” The image is of Helen Campbell riding on the handlebars of just such a bicycle. Below is that bicycle.
Bicycles revolutionized women’s lives. It necessitated changes in clothing (shorter skirts and (horrors) trousers); it offered independence from home or husband; it became a symbol of women’s liberation and a tool for the feminist movement.
These early bicycles were heavy (up to 50 pounds) compared to today’s bikes at 20-30 pounds. In 1890, a new safety bicycle cost between $100 and $150, roughly $3000 to $4500 in today’s money, making it a luxury item for the wealthy. Prices did drop to an average of $75 by the mid-1890s due to increased competition. They represented a significant investment, often costing one to two month’s wages for an average worker. So Google says.
What garb do you wear when riding your bike? And what is your bike like? Aren’t you once again you live today and not in the 1890s?
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We hope to hear from you soon! And don’t forget to encourage your Society members to subscribe to the Blog for the most up-to-date information from around the state.
Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2025 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing the late Bill Grant of Arlington, Washington who was selected by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Bill began as a volunteer with SVGS in 2017 and continued supporting the society until his death earlier this year. He served as a volunteer librarian, working every Saturday afternoon. He also served as Education Chair for several years. He had deep roots in New England and Nova Scotia and was a great resource for people looking to research those areas. He was a member of the monthly New England Research Group where his knowledge was especially appreciated. He counted Benjamin Franklin and five other signers of the Declaration of Independence in his “family tree.”
Bill’s cheerful smile and helpful attitude will be missed by all.
For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org.
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Join us as we discuss various topics relating to the uses of DNA in genealogical research.
Calendar reminder: TPCGS DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Every month on the Fourth Tuesday beginning at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqdeyrrz0iEtx-c_J3gNfcI8mebT1zajLo/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTkvGdWTuBGPRpwQB4joZ-nzmCFHj7dF0RzaKXNUTAX1H7pPN7BLQcLR
Join Zoom Meeting:
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Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888
Passcode: 811780
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Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888
Passcode: 811780
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kIKCyZLQy
Only 6 more days to buy your tickets!   PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS through May 24th! SCAN THE QR CODE or CLICK HERE to PURCHASE TICKETIf you need help purchasing a ticket or have questions, please call the library at 253-863-1806, Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm  As we celebrate the history of our great country and help raise critical funds for the library, come meet Vern Frykholm portraying George Washington who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), leading the colonies to independence from Great Britain. You don’t want to miss it! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US |
| Italian Interest Group (IIG) June 2026 Meeting |
| Date: Time: Topic: Presenter: June 20, 2026 (Saturday) 1:30 PM (PT)Uncovering the Stories of the Italian Women of the Resistance Suzanne Cope |
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Description: In her talk, Suzanne will discuss the genesis and research journey of her narrative nonfiction book WOMEN OF WAR: The Assassins, Couriers, and Spies Who Fought the Nazis. She’ll tell how she first uncovered the stories of these intrepid women through what they left behind and give insight into her archival and on-the-ground research that led her to tracing the footsteps of these partigiane. Suzanne will also speak how her own Italian American heritage connected with these stories – particularly as this research intersected with her own pursuit of dual citizenship, shedding light on personal genealogical research. To order Women of War see Amazon: Order link & Elliott Bay Book Company Order Link |
 Presenter: Suzanne Cope is a scholar and narrative journalist, and is the author of Women of War: The Italian Assassins, Spies, and Couriers Who Fought the Nazis and Power Hungry: Women of the Black Panther Party and Freedom Summer and Their Fight to Feed a Movement. Her work on themes of political and social change, feminism, food, and culture has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Los Angeles Review of Books, Food & Wine, BBC, Washington Post, Aeon, and others. She is a professor at New York University. |
| COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING: |
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| Italian Interest Group (IIG) of the Eastside Genealogical Society P.O. Box 374 Bellevue, WA 98009-0374 |
America 250 – Joseph Guess by Angela Michener
Joseph Guess was born about 1762 in Fairfax, County in the Colony of Virginia. His family moved to Orange County, in the Province of North Carolina when he was young and he was drafted in the local militia when he was of “age”, usually 16. He served as a private for 9 months in the New Levies (emergency conscripted soldiers in 1778 and 1779 authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly) under Capt. William Jamieson and Lt. Col. Archibald Lytle. They marched to Charlotte, then on to South Carolina; Charleston, Purrysburg, Two Sisters and Turkey Hill on the Savannah River. He was discharged at a place called Stono, according to his pension information.
A short time after his discharge, he was again drafted as a private and served for 3 months under Capt. Davis Gresham, Lt. Col. Thomas Taylor and Col. Francois DeMalmedy in the North Carolina Light Dragoons. The Dragoons were trained to fight on both horseback and foot, playing a crucial role in the American Revolution. They went against the Tories on the Pee Dee River and had many skirmishes with them. The prisoners they took were sent to Gen. Henry William Harrington, who was in the field not far from them.
Joseph Guess was my 5th great grandfather. He applied for a Revolutionary War pension and was placed on the pension roll on 14 March 1833. He died on 13 Jan 1835 in Caldwell, Kentucky. There is no marriage record and in order to continue to receive his pension, his widow Constance (Taylor), appeared in the Princeton, Kentucky courthouse on 17 May 1841 and testified under oath that she and Joseph were married on 11 Jan 1785 in North Carolina.
Angela Michener, Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/432j5fvu
More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is