Author Archives: Charles Hansen

The Sultana Disaster

by Charles Hansen

The Sultana Disaster

Dee Cody, a descendant of Daniel Garber who survived this disaster, says for those who are not familiar with the Sultana disaster, this was a steamboat built in 1863. The Sultana traveled up and down the Mississippi River between St. Louis and New Orleans carrying passengers, supplies and news. In April 1865, at the end of the Civil War, the steamship was charged with bringing home Union POWs from Andersonville and Cahaba prisons on their way to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. The soldiers boarded the Sultana at Vicksburg, Mississippi on April 21. A quick fix was made to one of the boilers which must have been having a problem.

Around 2:00 AM on April 27, 1865 the Sultana was 7 miles north of Memphis when the boiler exploded. Of the passengers, 1,164 to 1,800 individuals lost their lives including some women and children.

The Sultana Association is holding a reunion on November 13 and 14 at Marion, Arkansas to celebrate the opening of the permanent Sultana Disaster Museum. If you have a distant ancestor who survived or who was killed and would like to know more about this event and wish to attend or just want information you can contact us at:

Sultana Association: https://www.thesultanaassociation.com

Sultana Association Facebook: https://www.facebook/com/TheSultanaAssociation

Sultana Disaster Museum: https://www.sultanadisastermuseum.com

Sultana Documentary: https://www.rememberthesultana.com

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Tuesday, September 22, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

Discussion group focused on various topics regarding the use of DNA testing in genealogy.

Prior to this meeting we will watch the webinar Cousins, Clusters, and Clues: Using MyHeritage DNA for Your Genealogical Mysteries available for free on Legacy Family Tree Webinars at: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/cousins-clusters-and-clues-using-myheritage-dna-for-your-genealogical-mysteries

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:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82725316888?pwd=MDc3UEZrUVJNbmxmK2ZORmw5YzdDdz09

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US

+12532158782,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kIKCyZLQy

Fort Walla Walla Camp 3 of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War

by Charles Hansen


The next meeting of the Fort Walla Walla Camp 3 meeting of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War will be
held October 3 rd at the American Legion Hall in Benton City, WA.  Time assembling at 1100- 1130 hr. for fellowship and lunch with
a cash bar and available lunch can be purchased.  Business meeting starts at 1230 and program at 1:00pm.  

Program speaker is Mike Maltais of Chelan, a well known journalist and historian and engaging speaker. He wrote many years
 for the Quad City Herald. His wife’s great grandfather was a horse soldier in the 7th Cavalry and survived the Battle of the
 Little Bighorn in 1876. His program will center on this amazing story.

All members, spouses and interested guests are invited.  More information on Ft Walla Walla Camp 3 and events can be
found on  <www.suvpnw.org> .   Camp Commander Hank Cramer leading the meeting.

submitted by Don Jameson  Past Cp Commander FWW 3   cell 509 945 0549

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Most Used Ancestry Tricks

by Charles Hansen

Searching on Ancestry.com but not having success? Join SVGS on Saturday October 10, 2026, at 1pm for “My Most Used Ancestry.com Tricks” with Aimee Cross. Aimee is a professional genealogist and the host of YouTube channel AncestryAimee.com. Learn how to get the most out of Ancestry.com from a true power user with years of research experience. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.

America at 250 Bernhard Spangler

by Charles Hansen

David Spangler’s direct revolutionary was ancestor was Bernhard Spangler, 1745-1802 died on 7 Oct 1802, Paradise now Jackson Township, York, Pennsylvania. (WikiTree# Spangler-126, FamilySearch# L7BP-RLB). He is my 6th great-grandfather. He served in the 6th Co., 7th Battalion, York County Militia, during the Revolutionary War. His twin brother was Joseph Spangler 1745-1802 died 1 Mar 1802 in Washington, York, Pennsylvania. They were both 31 in 1776. They both died in 1802 just seven months apart. During the Revolutionary War, Joseph was a Major in the 5th Battalion in the York County Militia, which marched to form the Flying Camps in eastern NJ where George Washington was camped with his troops. Their father Jonas and grandfather Hans Caspar Spengler arrived in Philadelphia from Weiler, Baden, Reich in September 1727 on the ship William and Sarah. In 1729 they settled in what would become York, Pennsylvania. York served as the meeting place for the Continental Congress between September 30, 1777, and June 27, 1778. This move took place when the delegates were forced to flee Philadelphia as British troops advanced following the Battle of Brandywine. While gathered in York, our early leaders made several monumental decisions, most notably the adoption of the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777.,,. The Continental Congress met in the York County Courthouse.

This was the same time as Washington’s troops were at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and it has been reported as very cold. There was also sickness and starvation. Bernhard was fortunately at home in York.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Chat September 2026

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

Please join us and let’s chat!

This is a monthly opportunity to connect with others and talk about anything and everything genealogical. The value of this meeting increases with the participation of each person that attends and contributes to the conversations. This is your chance to celebrate the breaking down of a brick wall in your research or ask questions of others that can help you find records or relatives. Everyone, members, and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.

Date & Time: Every month on the Third Tue, from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMldOCprTsqGtSoVglOBTElUaBRgTq5IEgI/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvpjgjG9eVsBmHRpwEGojCXevztmJfjbdukyniDw9xVib6A-NgALVLAY35

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87839130000?pwd=dGdHY2wrZ0d1bDNRTEQ4Uk15OVk0Zz09

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000

Passcode: 836216

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US

+12532158782,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000

Passcode: 836216

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdesX0el3t

Fiske Genealogical Library Fall 2026 Free Virtual Classes

by Charles Hansen

Here is the list of Fall 2026 Free Virtual Classes at Fiske Genealogical Library

Kenneth V. Peterson

Education Coordinator

Fiske Genealogical Library

https://fiskelibrary.org

Wednesday, September 16

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Presented by Sara Cochran

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

How much does spelling matter when we’re dealing with historical records? Why are there so many variations, anyway? Have you ever wondered if that record for Abraham Miller is really for your Abram Meuller, or why you can’t find an ancestor in the Springfield marriage records? This presentation takes a deeper look at how relying too much on spelling has the potential to trip up our research.

Sara Cochran is a full-time professional genealogist with over thirty years of research experience. She especially enjoys breaking down brick walls, discovering the stories of black sheep ancestors, and helping individuals preserve their photographic legacy. Sara holds a Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science, and is an alum of the ProGen Study Group. She is a member of DAR and other lineage societies, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Genealogical Speakers Guild. You can find her online at TheSkeletonWhisperer.com.

Wednesday, September 23

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

19th Century America: Cultural Changes and Their Effect on Records

Presented by Sylvia Tracy Doolos

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

America in the 19th century underwent geographic, cultural, and historical shifts that influenced recordkeeping, especially for women, African Americans, and immigrants. We will explore the century broadly to understand these changes.

Sylvia Tracy Doolos, owner of New Leaf Genealogy, is the President of the Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England Family History Society (WISE-FHS), and Past-President of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH).

Wednesday, September 30

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Grandma Nellie’s Scrapbook: Identifying and Interpreting Historic Photographs Presented by Tina Beaird

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Many people become heirs to a box of unidentified family photos and have no clue what to do with them. Tina Beaird will offer solutions for identifying these ‘lost’ family members by demonstrating how to use genealogy sources in conjunction with observational techniques.

Tina Beaird, owner of Tamarack Genealogy, is the genealogy & local history librarian at a mid-sized Chicagoland public library. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation, and is the First Vice-President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and board director for the Oswegoland Heritage Association.

Wednesday, October 7     

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

The Art of Self-Editing for Genealogists

Presented by Pam Anderson

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

This presentation focuses on editing genealogical manuscripts. Elizabeth Shown Mills first wrote in Evidence! Citation and Analysis for the Family Historian, 1997, “Effective source citation is an art, not a science. No formula can cover all situations.” The same applies to the skill of self-editing, which must be honed. This presentation begins with assessing our genealogical writing as a whole, progressing to paragraph development and organization, then to sentence structure, and finally to word choice, using Evidence Explained and The Chicago Manual of Style as our guides.

Pam Anderson owns Anderson CoGen in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She began studying her family history in 2010, went professional in 2014, and obtained her Certification in 2018. Pam mentored ProGen 47 and GenProof 95; and taught self-editing classes for the Applied Genealogy Institute (2023, 2024) and the Association of Professional Genealogists (2024, 2025, 2026). She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society (NGS), and genealogical societies of New England, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, and Utah. Pam has written articles for and presented to these and many other local organizations. She received the NGS “2025 Family History Writing Competition” award and “2024 Award of Merit.”

Wednesday, October 14

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Google for Genealogists

Presented by Tina Beaird

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Google can be a useful tool for genealogical research. Utilizing services like google maps, google news and google books can make you feel like Indiana Jones. But be wary, google has some traps and pitfalls as well! Tina will discuss ways to get the most out of google so you can find your holy grail. This webinar will not cover specific uses of Google’s AI tool, Gemini.

Tina Beaird, owner of Tamarack Genealogy, is the genealogy & local history librarian at a mid-sized Chicagoland public library. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation, and is the First Vice-President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and board director for the Oswegoland Heritage Association.

Wednesday, October 21

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Prior to Departure: Uncovering Overseas Emigration Information

Presented by Lisa Vogele

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Most genealogists focus on arrival records, but valuable clues often exist before an immigrant boarded a ship. Explore passports, emigration permissions, military clearances, police registrations, health certificates, parish records, censuses, departure lists, and other pre-departure sources that document the decision to leave. Through examples from Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, Ireland, and beyond, learn effective strategies for locating and interpreting these records to uncover ancestral origins, migration stories, and clues that may help solve genealogical brick walls.

Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and certified travel advisor (CTA). She is the Chief Tree Climber at Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure, a full-service family history research, travel planning and tour operator. In 2016, Lisa authored Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a guide book to assist travelers with incorporating festivals into their itineraries and experience local culture through food and historic events. Her travel tips have been featured in the Huffington Post, 1000traveltips.com and her travel blog, LisaLovesToTravel.com.

Wednesday, October 28   

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Faith and Founding Fathers: Religion’s Role in America’s Story

Presented by Sylvia Tracy Doolos

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Beginning with the American Revolution, religion has shaped our ancestors’ lives. Discover faith-driven events that can help unlock your family’s story.

Sylvia Tracy Doolos, owner of New Leaf Genealogy, is the President of the Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England Family History Society (WISE-FHS), and Past-President of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH). 

Wednesday, November 4  

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

FREE LAND: Homesteading on the Frontier

Presented by Tina Beaird

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed any qualified individual to claim up to 160 acres of free land. Over 1.6 million people rose to the challenge and claimed 270 million acres of land of which an estimated 17 million Americans are descendants. Original homestead claims are a fantastic collection of documents, including applications, land descriptions, citizenship affidavits and more. Learn how to access these great records and how they can fill in the gaps to your research.

Tina Beaird, owner of Tamarack Genealogy, is the genealogy & local history librarian at a mid-sized Chicagoland public library. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation, and is the First Vice-President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and board director for the Oswegoland Heritage Association.

Wednesday, November 11

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Navigating Ancestral Arrivals: A Genealogist’s Treasure Map to Immigration Records

Presented by Lisa Vogele

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Your ancestors’ arrival in the U.S. is a key chapter in your family’s story—are you searching in the right places? This session will guide you through the intricacies of immigration records, helping you decode passenger manifests, interpret cryptic notations, and uncover the stories of those “Held for Inquiry.” With research tools, proven strategies, and real-life case studies, you’ll gain skills to track down elusive ancestors and bring their immigration journey to life.

Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and certified travel advisor (CTA). She is the Chief Tree Climber at Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure, a full-service family history research, travel planning and tour operator. In 2016, Lisa authored Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a guide book to assist travelers with incorporating festivals into their itineraries and experience local culture through food and historic events. Her travel tips have been featured in the Huffington Post, 1000traveltips.com and her travel blog, LisaLovesToTravel.com.

Wednesday, November 18

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Free Virtual Class)

Shaky Leaf Syndrome: Using Website Generated Hints More Effectively

Presented by Sara Cochran

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Indexing, optical character recognition, and computer algorithms make finding obscure records about our families easier than ever! Unfortunately, computers can’t distinguish between people of the same name who lived in different places or at different times. Using real examples, we’ll practice evaluating hints and attaching the keepers to our trees.

Sara Cochran is a full-time professional genealogist with over thirty years of research experience. She especially enjoys breaking down brick walls, discovering the stories of black sheep ancestors, and helping individuals preserve their photographic legacy. Sara holds a Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science, and is an alum of the ProGen Study Group. She is a member of DAR and other lineage societies, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Genealogical Speakers Guild. You can find her online at TheSkeletonWhisperer.com.