Author Archives: Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree Software SIG March 2026

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree Software SIG Meeting
Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm virtual via Zoom

This month we will be screen sharing as we look at various commands in Legacy and working through “How do I …” questions that attendee’s will have. It should be a fun meeting and I hope you will attend.

This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aide in learning more about using Legacy Family Tree software.

Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the learning. If you are just thinking about trying Legacy for the first time, you’ve been using it for a year or two or you are an old pro with many years of experience using Legacy this is the group for you.

We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

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

Monthly Calendar Reminder: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYpfuyuqDovHNwtBgxtQjWKOjDQ8k5Q9bPD/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqjIvHNKUtR-PRpwQBor4Z-7wpn5Ygo1KiD3iGzRiaDTdGehmA-p0RemJ

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82495661568?pwd=dy85YmluVzF5aEU4SzFTcTUrVDlTUT09

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US
+12532158782,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731

Find your local number:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcphK19I1E

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society US Catholic Church Records

by Charles Hansen
Italian Interest Group (IIG) March 2026 Meeting
Click here to request the Zoom Meeting Invitation
Date: March 21, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 1:30 PM (PT)Find Your Family in U.S. Catholic Church Records
Presenter: Sunny Jane Morton
Description: Roman Catholic sacramental records often contain vital
events, relationships, and overseas hometowns. They’re also confidential, so they can be tricky to access. Learn about Catholicism in the U.S., what’s in sacramental records and what they look like, how to identify an ancestral parish, and tips for accessing Catholic records.
Suzanne Russo Adams Presenter: Sunny Jane Morton
Sunny Jane Morton is a genealogy educator, editor and writer. She has expertise in U.S. records and history, and is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society, and Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States. She is Editor of NGS Magazine; Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine; an instructor at GRIP Genealogy Institute and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy; and past Editor of Ohio Genealogy News.
COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Italian Interest Group (IIG) of the Eastside Genealogical Society P.O. Box 374
Bellevue, WA 98009-0374

Heritage Quest Research Library What is Your Name

by Charles Hansen
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 March 5, 2026! Don’t miss out, sign up today!
What is Your Name? Thursday, March 5, 2026 Virgina Majewski 
Join Virgina Majewski to learn about naming patterns. She will explain the use of four research concepts to improve your success when researching surnames and given names. (“Ginny” is a fourth generation Washingtonian and descendant of a WA Pioneer family.)
Virginia has been involved in genealogy for the past 30 years. It all started with a couple of boxes of “junk” from her grandparent’s estate. She was bitten by the genealogy bug and it became one of her life’s passions. Virginia holds a Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Studies in both American Records and Methodology, from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies, Toronto, Canada. Her specialty is Mennonite Research. Currently, she is President of the Clallam Co. Gen. Society. Virginia is Past President of the WA State Gen. Soc., as well as a member of numerous other genealogical societies. She initiated the Pioneer Pursuit program with WA State.
Click Here to Sign-up
Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! BONUS RESEARCH HOURS!!! Research Sunday March 8, 2026 10am-4pm
Heritage Quest Research Library will be open on Sunday, March 8th, from 10am-4pm allowing you to come in and work on your family genealogy. As always, our very skilled Librarians will be available to assist you, so don’t miss out on these special hours! Visit our blog for great tips & hints exploring your family story! HQRL.com / Classes & Events / Contact
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society The Equality Colony of Skagit County

by Charles Hansen

Did your ancestors mysteriously appear in Skagit County in the 1900 Census? Maybe they were in the Equality Colony. Join SVGS on Saturday March 14, 2026, at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “The Equality Colony of Skagit County” with Robert Burns, author of “Rebels in the Wild: The Equality Colony and the Taming of American Capitalism”. In the late 1890s a group of like-minded individuals came from around the country to establish a socialist colony in Skagit County. Find out who they were, what motivated them, why they chose Skagit County, and why the colony collapsed. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Finding Irish Origins

by Charles Hansen

Please Join Us for 

Using U.S. Records to Find Irish Immigrant Origins

A presentation by Pamela Holland

Using U.S. Records to Find Irish Immigrant Origins

  Pam will help us with

• Discovering an Irish ancestor’s place of origin in Ireland is a much sought-after goal.

  • Successful research in Irish records first starts with thorough research in US records.

  • Learn what sources to examine, identify overlooked records,

and explore strategies to locate that elusive Irish location for your ancestor.

Date: Saturday March 07, 2026

Time: 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Location: The Hive 2904 E Sprague, Spokane, WA 99202 

Door Code: 985426#

Handouts and Zoom Link will be on the website the day prior to this event. EWGSi.org

DOORS OPEN AT 12:30 P.M.

Come Join Friends old and new.

Coffee   Cookies   Raffles   $50/50$   Free Table   

Please bring your book donations for the April Seminar Book Sale!

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG Meeting February 2026

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

We will discuss our latest discoveries using DNA and how to make the most of the various tools available.

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

Heritage Quest Research Library Midwest Genealogical Center

by Charles Hansen

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 February 19, 2026! Don’t miss out, sign up today!
Midwest Genealogy Center Thursday, February 19, 2026
The Midwest Genealogy Center is one of the United States’ preeminent resources for family history, providing access to almost three-quarters of a million on-site materials. They have access to databases, scanning and digitization stations, oral history recording kits, microfilm reader scanners, and more. MGC features 52,000 square feet of space that houses all of the free resources needed to research your family history. Learn more about how to access and utilize their incredible resources.
Click Here to Sign-up
Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! Visit our blog for great tips & hints exploring your family story! HQRL.com / Classes & Events / Contact
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Puget Sound Welsh Association Welsh Roots?

by Charles Hansen

To Washington State Genealogical Society:

Curious about your Welsh roots? Celebrate St. David’s Day in Seattle
with music, stories, tea, and a fun limerick contest.

Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 2:30–4:30 PM (doors open at 2:00 PM)

Ballard First Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA
2006 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117

The celebration features vocalist Paul Kawabori, a Washington native,
accompanied by local pianist Steven Luksan—both performers with Seattle
Opera and the North American Welsh Choir—along with community
participation in the Welsh tradition of a noson lawen: an informal,
joyful sharing of music, song, poetry, stories, humor, and a bit of
friendly fun, including a lighthearted Welsh-themed limerick contest.

In Welsh culture, gatherings like this are about welcome, not
performance. You’re free to sing along, listen quietly, laugh, or simply
enjoy the afternoon—however you choose to be present is enough.

A te bach (little tea) will be served, featuring light refreshments and
a sampling of Welsh fare, with time to mingle and relax before the noson
lawen begins.

This celebration is hosted by the Puget Sound Welsh Association
(www.PugetSoundWelsh.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing
Welsh culture and traditions in the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested donation: $10 per adult. Every contribution is appreciated and
helps PSWA continue celebrating Welsh culture with events like this.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discover-wales-music-stories-tradition-st-davids-day-celebration-tickets-1980679100508?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope to see you there!

Karyn Davies
PSWA Board