 SHARE WITH SGSSGS Fall Seminar, November 7Have you… had a breakthrough in your research? discovered a favorite source or resource? picked up a tip or trick other genealogists might find useful? Share it with us! We’re looking for SGS members to give a brief 2- to 5-minute presentation. This is an opportunity to come together, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. It doesn’t need to be formal, just something from your own research that others would enjoy hearing about. To volunteer, email your name and a sentence or two about your topic to education@seagensoc.org. Please respond by Saturday, October 10. The SGS Fall Seminar will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Wallingford Senior Center, located inside the Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N #140, Seattle, WA 98103). This is the same building that is home to the SGS library. base images courtesy of mikolaj / Unsplash and Rawpixel / Shutterstock, montage by Sheyna Watkins  3-Week ‘DNA for Beginners’ Class Begins October 21Interested in using DNA for your family history but not sure where to begin? In this three-week class, instructor Kathy Weber will introduce students to the basic elements of genetic genealogy and provide a foundation for working with their own DNA results. Class dates: Wednesdays, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Pacific, October 21, 28 & November 4.Students will become familiar with key tools and concepts and learn how to begin applying DNA evidence to their own research. By the end of the course, students should feel comfortable working with their test results and be ready to identify their next steps, whether through the SGS DNA SIG, additional webinars and courses, or more intermediate and hands-on DNA study. It is recommended that students complete an AncestryDNA test before the class begins. Class fee $80 (SGS members $60) Maximum enrollment: 24.Learn More and RegisterDNA image courtesy Warren Umoh / Unsplash  Sunday, October 18, 2:30 p.m.Join Amber Brock and Lisa Oberg for an inside look at the historic mausoleum at Acacia Memorial Park in Lake Forest Park. We’ll share stories of those interred there – some famous and others not so famous – and discuss the history of mausoleums in cemeteries. We’ll also introduce you to the extensive grounds, which you’ll be free to explore on your own, weather permitting. Meetup details provided to registrants prior to event.Tour of Acacia Memorial Park in Lake Forest ParkSunday, Oct. 18, 2:30pm Cost: $10 members, $15 non-members limit 25 peopleSign Up for the Tourstock photos of cemeteries Adam Young and Adrienne Merritt / Unsplash, montage by Sheyna Watkins  base image Timur Shakerzianov / UnsplashUSE AI EFFECTIVELY IN YOUR RESEARCHSecond Saturday, October 10, 1 p.m.See how AI works in real genealogy research through hands-on examples. We’ll learn how AI can assist with common research tasks, such as creating timelines and source citations, logging research, and preparing reports. You’ll see examples of AI tools in action and learn what they excel at (and where they fall short). Leave with practical tips and specific examples you can use in your own family history research.Diana Elder AGⓇ, AGLTM, is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States. Diana authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-authored the companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. Diana and her daughter, Nicole Dyer, host the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast and share research tips on their website, FamilyLocket.com.Sign Up SGS ANNOUNCES WRITING CONTEST WINNERSSGS is delighted to share the results from the SGS Writing Contest held in connection with this year’s America 250 celebration. A rich tapestry of entries were submitted, telling America’s story from coast to coast, from the earliest days of the colonies to the atomic age. The judging panel awarded top honors to: First Place: My American Story: Thomas Bedford by Susan Aumaier Second Place: Six Hours at Schell’s Bush: A Family Under Siege on the New York Frontier by Maureen Breakiron-Evans Third Place: An Unsanctioned Family: The Biracial Children of William Owens Flowers (1813-1890) of Amite and Pike Counties, Mississippi by Robert Battle In addition, I am delighted to also recognize ten Honorable Mentions for their fascinating glimpses into American history: The Doctor and His Spirits by Catherine G. Blosser My Woods, Leggett, Atha, and Wells Ancestors of Ritchie County, West Virginia, During the Civil War by Ellen D. Bowman Frederick Breakiron At the Epicenter of the Civil War by Maureen Breakiron-Evans Does It End with Me? by Greer Grenley Lt. John Sawyer, Quartermaster of the Continental Army (1745–1805) by Bruce Harrington The Story of Frederick Buzzard Is Part of America’s Story by Linda Laing Mother’s Rye Bread by Jill Morelli Girls With Game by Sue Mortensen Genealogy in the Nuclear Age: Homer Thompson Gittings and the American Nuclear Rocket Program by Karen Portzer Populism and the American Dream: Isaac Kester of Greenwood County, Kansas, Supports “Free Silver” by Sheyna Watkins Congratulations to all the winners! Your participation helps preserve history and add to SGS’s legacy to “search and prove.” Look for the winning entries in the Fall issue of the SGS Journal and in future issues. YOU’D LOOK GOOD IN A SPEAKERS’ BUREAUA group of volunteer speakers representing SGS, our mission, and the pursuit of genealogical research can help our members connect with others and learn too. Local genealogical and historical societies often want a speaker for their membership meetings. We could share our expertise, meet other researchers, and learn from specialists in related fields. A speakers’ bureau also supports King County 4Culture’s diversity goals and strengthens our ability to continue receiving important grant funding. We’re looking for a few experienced and passionate members who would be willing to give a presentation one or two times each year at another genealogy or historical society in our region. We even have a Microsoft PowerPoint template that you could personalize to give a talk. If you’re interested, please email Gail Thompson at grants@seagensoc.org, and we’ll work together to create a plan. Thanks for considering this opportunity to represent SGS and share your interests and knowledge!. SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday ** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. Meeting content is for personal genealogy learning and may not be recorded or transcribed. All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch Users Group, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. Sunday, Oct 4, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join. Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Publishing SGS Journal, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m-2:15 p.m., Second Saturday, “AI in Genealogical Research: A Practical Approach” presented by Diana Elder. Register here. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information. Monday, Oct 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. NOTE: Zoom link alternates between 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org. Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list. Saturday, Oct. 17 2026, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group. Saturday, Oct. 17 2026, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Get information and help with your Germanic-area research. Register on the SGS website. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Field Trip: Acacia Cemetery, Join Amber Brock and Lisa Oberg for a private tour and inside look at the historic mausoleum at Acacia Memorial Park in Lake Forest Park Learn more and register. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org. Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. NOTE: Zoom link alternates between 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join. Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information. Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch Users Group, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information. Monday, Nov. 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. NOTE: Zoom link alternates between 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Publishing SGS Journal, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org. Check the calendar on the SGS website for the most recent dates and times and for additional events as they are added. OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND The DNA Detective: A Day with CeCe Moore Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, Level 1 – Auditorium Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Join internationally recognized genetic genealogy expert CeCe Moore for a day exploring how DNA can uncover answers once thought impossible to find. Learn more and register at the Seattle Public Library. Learn more and register. “How an Emigration Record Got Me Across the Pond,” with Stephen Wendt Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Thursday, Oct. 8, 9:45 a.m. Learn more and register. “Google Books: the Tool You Should Use Every Day,” with: Lisa Louise Cooke Eastside Genealogical Society Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m Discover what a long-forgotten book can reveal about your ancestor’s life. Google Books gives you access to millions of digitized volumes filled with local histories, family stories, maps, photographs, and clues you may never find in a conventional genealogy search. Learn more and register. Fiske Library Fall Programs Fiske Genealogical Library Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon Check out the fall lineup of Weekly Wednesday programs at the Fiske Genealogical Library! This season’s topics include editing your family history writing, using Google for genealogy, emigration research, homesteading records, and making the most of website hints. For detailed event information see the Fiske Genealogical Library. Learn more and register. Oct. 7: “Irish Friends Migration to Pennsylvania – Uncovering an Ulster Family Story,” with Steven W. Morrison Oct. 14: “Google for Genealogists” with Tina Beaird Oct. 21: “Prior to Departure: Uncovering Overseas Emigration Information,” with Lisa Vogele Oct. 28: “Faith and Founding Fathers: Religion’s Role in America’s Story,” with Sylvia Tracy Doolos Nov. 4: “Free Land: Homesteading on the Frontier,” with Tina Beaird Nov. 11: “Navigating Ancestral Arrivals: A Genealogist’s Treasure Map to Immigration Records,” with Lisa Vogele Nov. 18: Shaky Leaf Syndrome: “Using Website Generated Hints More Effectively,” with Sara Cochran TIP OF THE WEEK — ASK AI, ‘WHAT RECORDS OR REPOSITORIES HAVEN’T I SEARCHED? ‘By Susan Aumaier When research stalls, it’s easy to keep searching the same familiar records. AI can help identify possibilities you may have overlooked.Instead of asking:“Where else should I look for John Smith?”Try:“I’m trying to identify the parents of John Smith, born about 1820 in Boone County, Kentucky, and living in Washington Territory by 1860. I’ve searched census, marriage, and probate records, and Find a Grave. What other record types, jurisdictions, repositories, or research approaches should I investigate? Explain how each could help answer my question. Before recommending a record or repository, verify that the record was created for the relevant time and place, that it survives, and where it is held.”Include your specific research question, what you already know, and the records and repositories you have already searched. Don’t forget unsuccessful searches. This helps AI suggest different approaches instead of sending you back to sources you’ve already tried.Then you must evaluate AI’s suggestions. Verify its claims about the records and repositories yourself, and prioritize the most promising possibilities.Remember, AI is a research assistant, not a genealogical source. Its suggestions are possibilities to investigate, not evidence. Verify record availability and examine the records yourself.Learn more about using AI to research your family by attending the Second Saturday presentation at 1 p.m., Oct. 10. For more information about the event see the story above. Join SGS Today* to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page. DONATE TO SGSYour donations represent a significant part of the SGS budget. Your continued generosity helps us increase our financial security and expand our services for everyone. We make it easy for you to contribute appreciated stock from your portfolio. We have a brokerage account established and ready to receive your donation from any firm. For details, write treasurer@seagensoc.org. For questions about our needs and our vision, write president@seagensoc.org. | |
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