 CEMETERY & FUNERAL HOME RESEARCHSecond Saturday: Jan. 10, 1:00 p.m.Join us in welcoming Lisa Gorrell, CG, presenting on researching cemeteries and funeral homes.
This presentation will be broadcast at the SGS library in conjunction with the holiday open house. If you’ve been missing in-person meetings, this is an opportunity to share your thoughts with other members face-to-face.
Lisa Gorrell has been an instructor for a range of genealogy programs, where she has taught intermediate and advanced hands-on courses. She also volunteers with the Contra Costa Historical Society as a board member and archives assistant, and has held leadership roles with both the Contra Costa County and California Genealogical Societies. Additionally, she has led research trips to Salt Lake City for CGS. Sign Up Today!NEXT MONTH’S SECOND SATURDAY: “Lost in Translation: Deciphering Foreign Names, Places, & Documents,” presented by Margaret Fortier. Sign up separately for this event held Feb. 14.
Correction:There was a glitch with the Zoom registrations for upcoming events that may affect you.
The Zoom link for the March 14th membership meeting and Second Saturday presentation was provided in error as the registration for the Second Saturday presentations in January and February. The correct links are on the SGS website and provided below for your convenience.
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cemetery & Funeral Home Research
Presented by Lisa Gorrell
To view via Zoom, register here.
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Lost in Translation: Deciphering Foreign Names, Places, & Documents
Presented by Margaret Fortier
To view via Zoom, register here.
Saturday, March 14, 2026, noon
March membership meeting and TBA Second Saturday presentation
To view via Zoom, register here.
Hope to see you at all three events, and apologies for any inconvenience. image of church cemetery courtesy of Oleg Yudin / Unsplash
document images courtesy Library of Congress 
GET ORGANIZED WITH HELP FROM SGS CLASSManaging all the information that is collected when recording family history is a challenge. Papers, both physical and digital, accumulate and can be easily lost. To help researchers SGS will be offering an “Organizing for Genealogy” class in February. Through targeted and thoughtful presentations and exercises, instructor Susan McKee will help participants create a system of organization, or adapt their current system, to meet their specific research needs.
Successful organization starts with organizing ourselves. Over the course of four sessions we will look at why and how we research as the foundation of an effective personal organizational system.
Questions about who, what, where, and when we research clarify how best to apply our time, energy, and resources. This enables us to create and maintain a system of organization that best supports our needs as we engage in genealogical research.
Four weekly, two-hour class sessions: Session 1: Organizing Our Self – Our thoughts, actions, time, and space Session 2: Organizing Our System – Paper systems and Digital Systems Session 3: Organizing Our Workflow – Research, Records, and Resources Session 4: Pulling it all together – Developing a tailored organization system
Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., February 3–24, 2026
Online via Zoom
Limited to 20 participants
Class Fee: $100 (SGS members $80)Sign Up for the Class
 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSEJoin Us for Our Annual Holiday CelebrationWith the holiday rush over, let’s celebrate the New Year. Bring cookies to share and say hello to your SGS friends in person at the library. Come early, come late (not too late). Stay and join us for the Second Saturday Zoom presentation at 1pm Catch (or ask for) a demo of library subscriptions and/or equipment Sneak in a little research (It’s World Logic Day!) Celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day (but you must leave that rascal at home) Contact Volunteers@seagensoc.org if you would like to help with this event.
image courtesy Ksenia Yakovleva / Unsplash UNLOCK THE STORYTELLER INSIDE YOU Year-Long Writer’s Workshop for Genealogical Writing Launching Soon Lisa Oberg Have you ever noticed how easy it is to click through hints and match names—yet how hard it can be to write about the discoveries you make and the mysteries you solve? Have you discovered that when you practice a new skill—and get a little coaching from someone more experienced—you get better, faster, and more confident?
Writing is one of the most powerful tools we have as family historians. It’s how we share our discoveries with relatives, preserve our stories for future generations, and contribute to the wider community of researchers.
That’s why we’re launching a 2026 Writer’s Workshop for Genealogical Writing — a hands-on, supportive space to help you grow your writing skills, find your voice, and gain the confidence to see your work in print.
Whether you’re just beginning to write or already drafting family stories, this workshop is for you. You’ll start from where you are and build toward sharing your discoveries in a clear, professional, and compelling way.
What to Expect A Writer’s Workshop is a small, committed group—about ten participants — each setting a personal writing goal. There will be monthly meetings (likely on Saturday mornings), both in person and virtually, under the guidance of Lisa Oberg, experienced genealogist, family historian, and SGS Vice President. Along the way, you’ll receive ongoing support, feedback, and encouragement.
So — have you ever solved a research problem and thought, I should write that up someday? This is your opportunity to make “someday” happen. Join us and let your research discoveries take their place in the record.
Follow eNews and the SGS website for sign up information.SGS LIBRARY NEWS A Troll Through the SGS Bulletin (now the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society) By Kathi, SGS Director of LibraryOn numerous occasions during 2025, I found I was searching through old issues of the Bulletin looking for information on SGS activities. SGS started publishing a two-page weekly Bulletin in 1952. Initially, the content was mainly devoted to announcing upcoming meetings, listing members (54 in 1952) and being a resource for members to exchange information – the infamous Queries section. By 1955 the content had expanded to include member submitted transcriptions of Bible records, maternal and paternal lineages, family histories, census indexes, early King County marriage records, as well as other odds and ends. Not all content published in the Bulletin was related to Seattle, King County or Washington, and one may find a transcription of a Virginian’s will or probate, a Revolutionary War or Civil War Pension application from Kentucky or New York, a survey of cemeteries in Ohio and a myriad of other transcribed material. I’ve searched for information from some of the Bulletins and, in some cases, I was unable to locate the specific item on Ancestry, FamilySearch or any other genealogical-related website. In conclusion, don’t overlook genealogical society publications, such as the Bulletin. Seattle Public Library (SPL) has a large collection of society publications from most, if not all, states.
An index of both the Bulletin and the Journal is available at the SGS website. Through a collaboration with SPL, one can access issues of the Bulletin and Journal through the SPL website.
Show Your Research Chops With January 2026 ChallengeWhat was the Borrowed Time Club of Seattle? When was the Club established? What was the purpose of the Club?
Send your responses — with short, informal source citations — to research@seagensoc.org.
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
Saturday,Jan. 3, 2026,10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. FamilySearch SIG, 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, Jan. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month.
Monday, Jan. 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, Jan. 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org NOTE: Meeting date change this month only and New Zoom link.
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month.
Saturday, Jan. 10,2026, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Holiday Open House, Join us for our annual holiday celebration in the SGS library at the Good Shepherd Center.
Saturday, Jan. 10,2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Cemetery & Funeral Home Research” Presented by Lisa Gorrell. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month.
Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors 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, Jan. 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, Jan. 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 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. NOTE: New Zoom link for 2026.
Wednesday, Jan. 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.
Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m. Family Tree Maker SIG, Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
Saturday, Jan. 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, Jan. 17 2026, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Register on the SGS website.
Monday, Jan. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month.
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-noon, “Pass It On” Writers’ Group, Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. The group may be accepting new members. Send queries to SGSPassItOn@seagensoc.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month
Monday, Jan. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month.
Tuesday, Jan. 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, Jan. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link starting this month.
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., DNA SIG (Virtual), Join our quarterly meetings to discover what’s new in genetic genealogy and learn more about select, in-depth topics. Email SGSDNASIG@seagensoc.org to join.
Sunday, Feb. 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, Feb. 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. NOTE: New Zoom link for January – June.
Monday, Feb. 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, Feb. 4, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website. NOTE: New Zoom link for the rest of 2026.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org. NOTE: New Zoom link for 2026.
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, 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. NOTE: New starting time!
Monday, Feb. 8, 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, Feb. 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors 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, Feb. 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, Feb. 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 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. NOTE: New Zoom link for 2026.Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org. NOTE: New Zoom link for 2026.Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, 1:00 p.m-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Lost in Translation: Deciphering Foreign Names, Places, & Documents” Presented by Margaret Fortier. Register here.
OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND
“Getting Started with AI in Family History” with Andrew Redfern Eastside Genealogical Society
Thursday, Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) (Zoom open at 6:30 p.m.)
Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just getting started, this talk will provide you with valuable insights and strategies for using AI to uncover your family’s unique story. Learn more and register.“Latest MyHeritage Technologies for Genealogy” with Daniel HorowitzJewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
Sunday, Jan. 18, 11:00 a.m. (virtual) (Zoom open at 10:30 a.m.)
MyHeritage is constantly introducing new features and content to help users take their research to the next level. In this session, Daniel will give a detailed walkthrough of the latest features, show you how to make the most of them, and give a peek behind the scenes at how they were developed. Learn more and register.
GRIP Registration for 2026 Opens
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh
Tuesday, Feb. 3
This year the GRIP offers two sessions of classes: June 22-26, 2026, on Zoom and July 12-17, 2026, in-person! Learn more and here.“Decoding Your Ancestors: The Tech Edition” with Cyndi Ingle Olympia Genealogical Society
Saturday, Feb. 7, 8:50 a.m. — 2:30 p.m. (virtual)
Four one-hour presentations focused on technology tools for genealogy. Learn more and register. Lower Columbia Genealogical Society
Various Fridays, 9:45 a.m. (virtual)
February 13: The 1890 Census
Speaker: Sara Cochran
March 13: Your Ancestor’s Occupation: Exploring the 1821 Irish Census.
Speaker: Steven Morrison
April 10: Jumping the Pond: Connecting Immigrants to Their Homeland.
Speaker: Mary Kircher Roddy
Learn more and register here.
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
EXPAND SEARCH PHRASES
Think beyond full names when querying records databases.
Names are useful, but try applying them in different ways. Instead of searching just for the full name of an ancestor try a combination of just an ancestor’s first name with their spouse’s (or other family member’s) first name — with no surnames. This method might help get around spelling irregularities in their last name.
Try searching for an ancestor’s address in a city directory — this method may discover other individuals living at the same address.
Try searching an ancestor’s profession in their community. There may be guilds or other organizations that could give insight into an ancestor’s life — perhaps records of that organization are available.
As more details about an ancestor emerge use those details to explore other possible search queries. These may lead to even more discoveries.
Join SGS Today* to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page
and click the green renew membership button.
DONATE TO SGS
Your 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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Explore the Exceptional Genealogy Classes at HQRL! Join us online via Zoom or in person at HQRL and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts who share your curiosity and drive—together, we can explore the fascinating world of family history! Just a reminder of upcoming class January 8th! Don’t miss out, sign up today! 
