HQRL Happenings
October 2026
Turning Over a New Leaf—Your Guide to Getting Involved This Fall
Holiday “Fun-Raising” Bazaar
Our Holiday Bazaar is returning for year two!
“My kids don’t want it!”
Does this sound familiar? We have a solution to this, not uncommon, situation. Before the “kids” back their pickup truck to your front door, you can make a real “feel-good” decision by donating to our Holiday Bazaar Fundraiser that starts on December 2nd. The fundraiser makes money to keep our lights on so we can continue with our mission of helping families find the stories of their ancestors.
We will accept donations beginning Monday, November 2nd. The items that were successful last year were:
Handmade crafts and creations
Vintage holiday items
Christmas home and tree decorations
100% cotton fabric
Crafting supplies
Thank you for your continued support and participation.
We appreciate you!
All proceeds help pay the bills!
Upcoming Events
HQRL Class
Thursday, October 1
11 am to 12 noon
One Name Studies:
What Are They and How can they help your Research
Join Michael Cassara to understand in-depth research on all occurrences of a single surname. His presentation includes case-studies and discussion of the latest software.
Register in the HQRL Store, $20+tax for members, $25+tax for non-members. HQRL classroom in-person (limit of 8 persons) or via zoom – a zoom link will be sent to your email 1-2 days before the class along with any handouts.
Proctor Farmers’ Market
Saturday, October 3
9 am to 2 pm
N. 27th and N. Proctor Streets
Tacoma, Washington
Beyond Treaties: Native Stories of Survival and Strength
John Halliday – Presenter
Muckleshoot Tribal Member
Saturday, October 3
10:30 am
Puyallup Nazarene Church
1026 7th Ave SW Puyallup, WA
Courtesy of Eliza Jane Meeker Chapter DAR
Holiday Bazaar Planning Meeting
Thursday, October 13
10:30 am to 12 noon
HQRL Classroom
Beginning Your Family History
FREE CLASS
Heidi Geise – Presenter
Thursday, October 15
11 am to 12 noon
Register in the HQRL Store, at the Library or by phone
HQRL Classroom and Zoom
HQRL Board Mtg
Tuesday, October 20
1 pm – 3 pm
HQRL Classroom
Management Team Mtg
Wednesday, October 21
12 noon to 2 pm
HQRL Classroom and Zoom
2027 Dinner Auction Meeting
Tuesday, October 27
10:30 am
HQRL Classroom
Falling into Family History
Five Autumn Activities to Help Connect with Your Ancestors
As the leaves change and crisp breezes roll in, October brings more than just pumpkin spice—it marks National Family History Month! Autumn is the perfect season to step away from the computer screen and connect with your roots in tangible, festive ways.
Whether you want to enjoy the cooler weather or curl up indoors with a warm drink, here are five seasonal activities to breathe fresh life into your genealogy research this October.
- Take a Fall Cemetery Field Trip
Summer heat and overgrown weeds can make cemetery research exhausting. October offers the ideal weather for a walk through local or ancestral burial grounds.
Pro Tip: Bring a soft brush to clear away loose leaves or debris from headstones. Remember never to use harsh chemicals, wire brushes, or shaving cream on old stones, as these can cause permanent damage.- Capture the Perfect Tombstone Photo
The lower angle of the autumn sun creates fantastic natural shadows that can make faded inscriptions much easier to read.
Pro Tip: If a headstone is in a shady spot, don't use a flashlight or chalk. Instead, bring a small hand mirror to catch the sunlight and bounce it across the face of the stone at an angle. This will instantly illuminate worn letters and numbers for your camera.- Dig Into “End-of-Life” Records
With Halloween right around the corner, lean into the darker side of history by dedicating some research time to death records.
Pro Tip: Don't just stop at death certificates. Look for probate packages, wills, and estate inventories. Historically, many farmers and land-owners finalized these legal documents in the fall after the final harvest, making autumn a goldmine for local court records.- Map Out the Harvest Heritage
Did your ancestors farm? Fall was the most critical time of the year for agrarian families.
Pro Tip: Look at historical maps or the U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (specifically the Agricultural Schedules). These records can tell you exactly how many acres of corn, wheat, or pumpkins your ancestors harvested, and what livestock they were tending to before winter set in.- Cook an Ancestral Autumn Recipe
Family history isn’t just about dates—it’s about culture and sensory experiences. Recreate a traditional fall dish or baked good that your ancestors would have enjoyed.
Pro Tip: Dig through old family cookbooks for apple crisp, hearty stews, or traditional heritage breads. Bake a batch, gather the family, and use the opportunity to share a favorite story about the ancestor who passed the recipe down. Did You Know?
The original Jack-o’-Lanterns weren’t made from pumpkins at all, but rather from turnips, beets, and potatoes.
The tradition comes from an Irish myth about a man named “Stingy Jack” who tricked the Devil and was cursed to wander the Earth with only a burning coal inside a carved turnip. When Irish immigrants moved to America, they discovered pumpkins were much larger and easier to carve.
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US
Presenter: Debbie Gurtler, AG®, graduated with honors from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Family History. She has made research trips to Spain, Portugal, Virginia, and North Carolina. Fluent in Spanish, she can also read genealogical documents in Portuguese, Italian, and French. Debbie holds five AG® credentials they include the U.S. Mid-South region, Spain, Mexico, Chile, and Portugal.
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