TIP OF THE WEEK – FREE ACCESS TO OLD YEARBOOKS Labor Day Weekend special! Ancestry has an indexed collection of middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks from across the United States; yearbooks dated from 1900-1999. They are offering free access to this collection until Monday, September 2, 2019, 11:59 pm ET. With over 450,000 yearbooks and 62 million pages, see what you can find here. Speaking of yearbooks, do you know SGS has an extensive collection of Seattle area yearbooks? We have Roosevelt High School from 1923-1988. We also have Franklin, Garfield, Queen Anne, and West Seattle High Schools, as well as University of Washington “Tyee” and Eckstein Jr High. Come browse through them. Our library is closed over Labor Day Weekend, but will reopen on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
NEW COURSE WAYToGo!: A Methodology for Efficient Report Writing Registration for the newest SGS online class opens September 1st! Write as you go is a method of writing reports efficiently and accurately. SGS is calling their write as you go online course “WAYtoGO!” By focusing your attention on a single research question coupled with other techniques learned in the program, this two session course will improve the efficiency of your report writing while also increasing your accuracy and confidence in the final product. Brick wall problems, client, and research reports benefit from this approach. Sign up soon. Course name: WAYtoGo!: A Methodology for Efficient Report Writing Dates: 14 and 28 October with an interim optional consult on 21 October. Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm PT Facilitator: Jill Morelli, CG Assignments: yes, there are assignments Maximum class size: 30, priority will be given to SGS members Cost: $40 for members, $50 for non-members Registration: Sign up for WAYtoGO!
WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE IN YOUR FAMILY HISTORY Next year the Seattle Genealogical Society will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage with educational events including lectures, workshops, articles, a resource guide, and an exhibit in our library.
What were your grandmothers’ or great-grandmothers’ lives like a century ago?
Join us on a path of exploration. Learn to access and use genealogical tools and techniques to successfully discover your female ancestors and write their stories. Through genealogy and family history, learn about the expanding civic role of women, explore the changes in women’s lives and that of their families and communities, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment.
In the Fall of 2020, SGS plans to publish a special edition of our Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society with articles describing the changing roles of women’s lives from 1880-1920, especially in Washington state. We hope to hear the stories of your female ancestors; whether they resided in Washington state, or elsewhere. If your are interested in sharing a story, photo, or a genealogical gem, please contact Heidi Mair, Director of Volunteers, at : volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
We want to thank the Washington State Historical Society for their grant in support of our project. For more information, see https://www.suffrage100wa.com/ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ** Volunteer needed to sell used books at the Fall Seminar Book Sale on Saturday, October 5th from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take money, make change, write up receipts in receipt book provided. Help pack books to be carted away after the Seminar. Membership Director, Christine Schomaker, will be available to help you and answer your questions. Contact Heidi Mair, volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
** Volunteer needed. We need someone willing to work from home to research libraries that might need copies of our SGS journals or newsletters. The volunteer will need to lookup contact information for the libraries, then contact them to see if they need a copy of any of our past newsletters or journals. If they do, the volunteer will pick up the item(s) from the SGS Library Committee, package and return the item(s) to the SGS Library, where they will be shipped out. The interested person will be thoroughly trained. Please contact Linda Fitzgerald at the SGS Library (206) 522-8658 or library@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org WAKAMATSU PILGRIMAGE Coming up is the second biennial pilgrimage to the site of the first large settlement of Japanese in America. A national and state historic landmark, the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony, Placerville, CA, was established June 8, 1869 as the first Japanese colony in the U.S. It is also the birthplace of first Japanese American, and the gravesite of the first Japanese woman buried in the U.S., Okei Ito. For more information: https://www.nichibei.org/wakamatsu-pilgrimage/SAVE THE DATE Tom Jones – Guest Speaker, SGS 2019 Fall Seminar, Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th St, Seattle, WA October 5-6, 2019 Back by popular demand! We are delighted to have Dr. Tom Jones visit Seattle once again. Tom is an award-winning genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. He has co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002, and he is the author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation.
CGSI Genealogical & Cultural Conference, Lincoln, NE October 15-19, 2019
The Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI) is the leader in genealogy and family history in the geographical areas now known as the Czech and Slovak Republics. Their 2019 conference is the premier event to learn about techniques for genealogical research in those areas.
For additional information and registration, visit the website: www.cgsievents.comSGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather. In observance of Labor Day, our library will be closed August 31 through September 2. SEPTEMBERSunday, Sept 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, chair person Cary Bright, Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro
Saturday, Sept 14, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Maker (FTM) Users Group, co-leaders Reiley Kidd and Jesse Ramey, FTM is the genealogy software long associated with Ancestry.com
Saturday, Sept 14, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series – “Tracing People Through Time and Space Using Timelines” presented by Mary Kathryn Kozy, Come learn how timelines can help answer your family history research questions!
Tuesday, Sept 17, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com Thursday, Sept 19, 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm, “DNA Learning Series”,at Mountlake Terrace Sno-Isle Library, Seattle and Sno-Isle Genealogical Societies are co-sponsoring the “DNA Learning Series”. Class 6 of the 7 class series is “Getting the Most Out of Ancestry DNA & My Heritage”.
Pre-registration and class assignments are required. To register send an email to sgsdnasig@gmail.com
Saturday, Sept 21, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Saturday, Sept 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth OCTOBERSaturday, October 5, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, SGS Fall Seminar with Tom Jones, at Fairview Christian School. The SGS Library will be closed so our volunteers may attend the seminar.
Sunday, October 6, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright. Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro. Saturday, October 12, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly. Rescheduled date & time due to the seminar on October 5.
Saturday, October 12, 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm, SGS Fall Membership Meeting
Saturday, October 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series – topic TBD
Sunday, October 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Special Interest Group – meets quarterly with Karen Knudson. Share info and discuss researching your Scandinavian ancestors.
Tuesday, October 15, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com Thursday, October 17, 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm, “DNA Learning Series”,at Mountlake Terrace Sno-Isle Library, Seattle and Sno-Isle Genealogical Societies are co-sponsoring the “DNA Learning Series”. Class 7 of the 7 class series is “Intro to Advanced Techniques”.
Pre-registration and class assignments are required. To register send an email to sgsdnasig@gmail.com
Saturday, October 26, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, this group meets quarterly at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Co-chaired by Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel. For more information contact sgsdnasig@gmail Saturday, October 26, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Saturday, October 26, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
If
you use Legacy Family Tree Software for tracking your genealogy
research, there is a Legacy Users Group that meets monthly to discuss
tips, tricks and problems. You will always come away with some new
ideas. The meetings are held regularly on the first Monday of the month.
Members and non-members are welcome.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH BOOK CLUB
Mon, 2 Sept 2019: 12-1:30 pm
CCGS Library
There
are many “research rich” books of genealogical historical collections,
as well as “how to” books on methods, collection and data storage of
genealogy research. This group delves into one book at a time and
discusses how to make the best use of it. Join this casual group as they
delve into their favorite topic of books on family history discovery
and sleuthing. (Brown baggers welcome!)
WEBINAR: COMBINING DNA AND TRADITIONAL RESEARCH USING CASE STUDIES
Wednesday, September 4, 2019, 11 am-12:30 pm
CCGS Library
DNA
testing has exploded onto the genealogy scene in recent years and is
now one of the most important tools available to advance family tree
research. In order to successfully use DNA testing for genealogy,
however, it’s essential to combine it with traditional research. This
Legacy Family Tree webinar will concentrate on several in-depth case
studies to verify family tree lines, break brick walls, test hypotheses,
and solve of hitherto unfathomable mysteries.
UNFOCUSED GENEALOGY DISCUSSION GROUP
Thu, 5 Sept 2019: 1-3 pm
CCGS Library
There’s
no meeting agenda, no special topic, just a group of curious people
bringing genealogy research notes, questions, brick walls, etc. to share
with the group. Get ideas for the next steps you should take in your
research.
FREE INTRO TO GENEALOGY CLASS
Saturday, September 7, 2019 – 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
CCGS Library
Just
getting started on your genealogy quest? Stuck at a stubborn brick
wall? Come in the first Saturday of the month and let the experts at
Clark County Genealogical Society teach you what you need to know to
successfully navigate your family tree. The Clark County Genealogical
Society will have beginning genealogy classes on the first Saturday of
each month. These classes are designed to interest brand new students
as well as those who want to revive dormant skills.
TECH SATURDAY AT CLARK COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Second Saturday of every month, 10 am-3 pm
CCGS Library
We
are all grateful to the ancestors who painstakingly researched our
family history writing letters, documenting the family tree with pencil
and paper and passing along volumes of resources. Today, there are many
technological resources that are taking us into the times when we can
often get an immediate answer to our genealogical research and
questions. If you need help jumping onto the technological bandwagon,
drop into Tech Saturday at the Clark County Genealogical Society and
receive gentle advice for how, you too, can become internet savvy with
genealogical research.
WEBINAR: RESEARCHING LATIN AMERICA ON THE INTERNET WITH GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES
Wednesday, September 18, 2019, 11 am-12:30 pm
CCGS Library
This
Legacy Family Tree webinar will refer to many genealogical and general
resources, computer databases, cemeteries, immigration, and citizenship
records available in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia,
Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico,
Venezuela, and the Caribbean. The instructor provides a brief overview
of government records available online, how to access them or get in
touch with organizations, schools, clubs, cemeteries, newspapers,
genealogical societies, and more.
SCANDINAVIAN ROOTS FOCUS GROUP
Mon, 16 Sep 2019: 2-3:30 pm
CCGS Library
If
you want to discover your Scandinavian roots, attend this monthly
meeting and learn how to conduct your research. Meet with other
like-minded individuals who have discovered their ancestors going back
many generations. Geographic areas include Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. This group meets regularly on
the third Monday of the month, September-May. Members and non-members
are welcome.
CLASS: SEARCHING AMERICAN CHURCH RECORDS
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2019, 9-11 am
CCGS Library
Prior
to records being maintained with a local city clerk, vital family
records were kept in the family’s church parish. Births, baptisms,
marriages and deaths are key clues in building a family story. In this
class, you will learn the many family denominations in early American
and how to locate them and their records. Tuition for each class is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Advance registration is requested to guarantee reservation. Walk-ins subject to available seating.
GENERAL MEETING FOR GENEALOGY ENTHUSIASTS
Presentation: History of Fort Lewis and Military Records
Tuesday, Sept 24, 2019: 7-9 p.m.
Clark County Historical Museum,1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA
Lewis
Army Museum Archivist Jenn Jett will speak about the history of Fort
Lewis, the history of military records, and the research request process
at the Lewis Army Museum. She will also cover common federal and
private resources available to researchers.
.
WEBINAR: MEANINGFUL TABLES AND GRAPHS FOR CORRELATION IN FAMILY HISTORY
Sept 25, 2019, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
CCGS Library
The objective of this Legacy Family Tree webinar is to give viewers concrete examples of how tables and graphs can be used in family history reports and presentations. Learn how to better communicate your family history to descendants.
The Northwest Genealogy Conference had an astounding attendance of 412 patrons over the course of 4 days and the planning team is hard at work planning NwGC2020 “A World of Discoveries” … we’re planning special events to coincide with the 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower – SAVE THE DATE – August 12 to 15th in Arlington, WA.
Please remember that the GFO Library will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Our usual Free First Monday for the public will be honored one week later on Monday, Sept. 9.
Newspapers
can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves,
business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. The GFO provides
access to several newspaper subscription sites, plus additional
databases. Join
GFO’s Janice Sellers for a half-day workshop to get an overview of what
is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding
information about your relatives. Janice is a professional genealogist
who specializes in forensic, Jewish, Black, and newspaper research. The
session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, September 8, from 9:30
a.m. – Noon. For more detailed information, download the flyer. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members.
As we prepare for our upcoming Fall Seminar this October, can you help? We need items for our raffle. Do you have anything to donate? If your item is not new, it must be in exceptionally good condition for us to be able to offer it. Suggestions
include genealogically-related books, household decorations, carry
bags, certificates toward GFO membership or research costs, and computer
items. Leave
the item(s) at the library reception desk with a donation form noting
that it’s a donation for the seminar treasures raffle. At
the seminar, tickets are sold for $1 each or 6 for $5, and they are
placed in separate paper sacks for each prize, so you win only something
you want. Thanks so much!
The
GFO’s own Janice Sellers will be delivering a presentation entitled
“Jewish Genealogy: How Is This Research Different from All Other
Research?” at the upcoming September meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State.
The meeting will be held beginning at 7:15 p.m. Monday evening,
September 9, 2019, at the LDS Factoria Building, 4200 124th Ave SE,
Bellevue, WA 98006 Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Doors
will open at 6:30 p.m. for all to enjoy the extensive JGSWS Library’s
genealogical resources, including free access to the Family History
Center computers and genealogical websites! Free Wi-Fi is available.
Come early to network with other attendees!
There’s
a genealogy conference coming up next month in our own backyard. The
St. Helens Public Library is offering a full day of genealogy classes in
its Bridges to the Past conference on Saturday, September 21. You can choose from a cavalcade of GFO stars to hear from. Every single speaker is a GFO Member! Kate
Eckman offers the keynote address. Laurel Smith teaches four classes,
Gerry Lenzen two, and Janice Handsaker and Sue LeBlanc each teach one. Oh, and here’s a really special feature. This conference is entirely free to attend! Registration is limited. Only 80 seats are available. If you would like to attend, you may register here.
The Historical Oregonian
is an amazing resource for finding obituaries, death and funeral
notices, and even researching your house history. The Multnomah County
Library will be offering a class to help you learn the skills and
techniques for searching this computer-based archive of local newspaper
articles. There
will be two offerings of this class. Registration is currently open for
the class offering at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the
Central Library Computer Learning Center, 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland,
OR 97205.
Registration will open September 1, 2019 for a
second offering of the class to be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September
22, 2019 at the Library’s Belmont Reading Room, 1038 SE César E. Chávez
Boulevard, Portland, OR 97214. Seats are limited and you can register here.
Railroad Expert Explains Train Dilemmas Near GFO
Fifty-year
railroad industry employee Bill Burgel gave an eye-opening presentation
at the Ford Food & Drink cafe above the GFO library on Monday about
why we see so many trains blocking the roads near the Ford Building. Bill
did not speak on behalf of any company, but he’s been intimately
involved in rail operations in Portland for years, so he knows the ins
and outs of the rail lines and roads. Thirty-six people came out to hear
him, including State Representative Rob Nosse and employees of the city
of Portland.
GFO
President Vince Patton spoke up for our 1088 members, expressing
concern about the safety risk of people getting trapped – literally –
either on 11th Ave., or in the parking lot, by the stopped trains. Vince says he was “gobsmacked” by a couple of details:
Trains leaving the Brooklyn Yard just southeast of the GFO can stretch
to 8,000 feet – more than 1.3 miles long. Before a train leaves, a
brakeman must do an important safety test at the rear of the train, then
walk more than a mile to the front of the train before it can move.
Vince says he was dumbfounded to learn that the Union Pacific considers
this the most efficient way to operate. Next time you see a train
parked for 45 minutes to an hour, there’s a good bet they’re waiting for
the brakeman to walk the entire length of the train.
Sometimes we receive books that have nothing at all to do with genealogy. Here’s a perfect example. The Home Book of French Cookery by Mme. Germain Carter includes a foreword by T. C. Rapp, British Ambassador to Mexico. Carter
wrote this recipe book in 1950, eleven years before Julia Child
released her tome on French Cooking. What is most remarkable is that she
wrote the bulk of it while a prisoner of war during World War II,
exiled to four different internment camps, as Germany controlled her
French countryside.
Rapp, who was imprisoned with her, writes, “unbelievably
succulent food was produced from the contents of Red Cross parcels (and
how sought-after were the occasional American and Canadian parcels with
their tin of real butter!)” Read about her remarkable story, and learn the cooking at which she excelled. Recipes
include Duck with Orange, Veal Cutlets with White Wine, Potato
Croquettes, and Hasty Cake. This 278 book features recipes and suggested
menus for all seasons. This
book is in sound, sturdy condition, with a few stains on pages and many
yellowed edges from age. Someone previously (and oddly) encased the
cover in shelf paper. Your price to pickup at the GFO Library: $14 Price to mail it: $19 Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it. (Please don’t just come to the library to get it.)
Survey Results: Fire Survivors
Not many of you reported the impact of fire on your ancestors. Percentages approximate:
5% forest fire 5% major city fire 45% other fire events 45% don’t know But those who responded shared stories of loss and survival. (Responses have been edited for brevity) A Christmas Eve fire broke out in my grandparents’ house while they were babysitting an infant cousin. Everyone survived unharmed and my cousin has a tale for her children and grandchildren.My maternal grandfather lost his first wife and their two infant children to a coal oil explosion/stove fire in 1888. He then married his second wife (my maternal grandmother) in 1895.My great-grandmother’s skirts caught fire while she was cooking … She was badly burned and although it was 1924, they did skin grafts, and these were effective. It is amazing to me that she lived before antibiotics.My great-grandparents had just immigrated from Switzerland. They were living in Bakeoven, Wasco County with their first child. A chimney fire chased them out of the house, and they lost everything. But Aunt Minnie always said, “They saved the most precious thing, me!” Bakeoven, remains today only as a cemetery.
New Survey: Other Natural Disasters
If we haven’t hit on a natural disaster that impacted your ancestors—perhaps this is the week for you: Landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and more.
Sunday, September 1st Library Work Party – Manuscripts 9:00 a.m. – Noon Explore our manuscript, personal papers and Bible collection while we organize, scan and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org. Monday, September 2nd GFO is closed in observance of Labor Day. Our usual Free First Monday for the public will be honored next week on Monday, Sept. 9. Tuesday, September 3rd Italian Ancestry Group 10:00 a.m. – Noon This month’s topic: Find your ancestor’s naturalization records. Your Italian immigrant ancestor’s journey to U.S. citizenship comes alive in U.S. naturalization records. Learn the twists and turns your ancestor navigated when we learn about the naturalization process, what laws governed the application process, and where to find this genealogy gold during the Great Migration of paesani from Italy 1880 – 1924. Instructor: Nancy Bronte Matheny. If you have questions or want more information, email italian@gfo.org. Wednesday, September 4th Learn & Chat 10:00 a.m. – Noon Co-facilitator Sandy Alto aptly named Learn and Chat as a “genealogy self-help” group. We are reconvening after the traditional summer hiatus. Please bring tales of your latest genealogy related adventures and a wish list of subjects to build our calendar. If you have questions or want more information, email learnandchat@gfo.org. DNA Q&A Beyond the Basics 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Emily Aulicino will be joining us and giving her presentation “DNA Led the Way: A Y-DNA Case Study” Do you have Y-DNA matches for which you cannot find the common ancestor(s) even though the genealogy time frame is reasonable? Have you hunted all over the web to find the answer, but are still fighting that brick wall? Learn how several Y-DNA matches were able to find their common ancestor(s) in just one day! You can download the handout here. Lisa McCullough leads this group..Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.
Online Irish Records @ Find My Past & Ancestry. HQRL welcomes back, Steven Morrison. Tuesday, September 10th, 1–3 p. m. Most of us start our family history with what we’ve been able to collect at home. How does that line up with the historical records from the Emerald Isle? Explore and compare Irish records available on both Find My Past & Ancestry before paying for a subscription.
“What I Wish I Had…” with Janet Camarata Wednesday, September 25th, 1-3p.m. This is an interactive class with Janet, as the facilitator, among attendees where experienced genealogists share their genealogical knowledge with beginning genealogists. The following topics may be covered: cite your sources, the importance of the original, people married more than once, the importance of location, it might be a mistake, we can always learn, relatives are everywhere, importance of law, public or private sharing, problems with technology and the access to on-line sources. Don’t miss this class, a lot of knowledge is to be gained by attending.
Class Price: $20.00 members, $25.00 non-members To reserve a spot for class, please call: 253-863-1806 or stop by HQRL at 1007 Main Street, Sumner, WA and we will add you to our list of attendees. If you find you cannot attend, please let us know so that we may make room for others as our space is limited.
NEW HOME FOR CCGS!
Correction: The building is 2500 square feet.
Break out the horns. Bang a drum! After months of searching, CCGS has
acquired a new home! Last week we signed a lease on the ex-Chase Bank
Building at 3205 NE 52nd St. It is between St. Johns and St.
James Roads, across the street from the High School Pharmacy. We will
have a fabulous space in which to carry out our mission of Collection,
Preservation, and Education. The owner is in the process of removing the
bank furniture (we’ll still have the vault). We are in the process of
planning how we will configure ourselves in ~5200 square feet of modern,
well-lit building. Tentative time line has us in before the holidays.
Woo Hoo!
Brian Runyan
We
have some new footage for the inside of the new library as we begin
renovation. Take a look at the footage (provided by Steve Young) as we
begin our journey.
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