Author Archives: Charles Hansen

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

SIRI NELSON,
VOLUNTEER OF THE SUMMER QUARTER

Each quarter, the Seattle Genealogical Society recognizes one volunteer as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Our Summer Volunteer of the Quarter is Siri Nelson, Chair of our Nominating Committee.

Siri Nelson has been a member of the Seattle Genealogical Society for several years, but her interest in genealogy and family history goes back to her childhood. She learned much about her family history from her parents. In 2013, Siri completed the Genealogy and Family History program at the University of Washington. This experience inspired her to deepen her research and led her to SGS. Siri’s research focuses upon Ireland, Norway and New England. Siri takes full advantage of SGS offerings – attending the Second Saturday Speaker Series, Fall and Spring Seminars, Special Interest Group Meetings, and using the online and in-library resources. She also enjoys the camaraderie of the other members, including sharing of information, tips and resources, and occasionally breaking through that brick wall.

A little over two years ago, Siri was asked to join the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee creates the slate of candidates for our April Board elections. This involves reaching out to members by phone, email and in-person to recruit our new Board members each year. Serving as the Chair of our Nominating Committee is a challenging role – Siri contacts many people to find the right match for each critical leadership position. She hopes more people will step up. Although demanding, volunteering on the Board does not have to be all-consuming. The benefits of serving in a leadership role at SGS are rewarding. Siri hopes people using SGS resources will continue to support the organization. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee with Siri, or discussing a position on the Board next year, you may contact Siri at nominations@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org.

In addition to her time volunteering for SGS and attending our events, Siri takes classes in history and other related fields at the University of Washington. She enjoyed the course on Northwest history since her ancestors traveled along the Oregon Trail to settle in the Pacific Northwest. This summer she is taking Colonial American history.

Siri has a yellow lab puppy, Skadi (Norse goddess of hunting, winter and snow), keeping her busy. Siri also enjoys skiing.

Before retiring and devoting more of her time to genealogy, history and SGS, Siri worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Thank you Siri, for your active involvement in the Seattle Genealogical Society and for your leadership role on our Nominating Committee.

SGS AND FAMILYSEARCH

SGS library just become an Affiliate Library for FamilySearch.org. Ann Wright began working toward this goal in February, and it is now a reality! What this means is when you are inside our library, using either your own computer or our patron computers, you will be able to access the “locked” records on FamilySearch.org. Just sign into your FamilySearch.org account. If you don’t have an account at FamilySearch.org, sign up for one; it’s free.

 

SGS FALL SEMINAR IS COMING SOON!

“Sharpening Your Online Genealogy Sleuthing Skills” featuring Cyndi Ingle, genealogist and owner of the popular Cyndi’s List,  is coming your way October 20, 2018. It will be held at Fairview Christian School, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Brochures are going out in the mail shortly. Online registration will begin September 1, 2018.
THE RAFFLE IS BACK!!

We heard your requests to get the raffle back on the schedule for the Fall Seminar, October 20, and we are now accepting donations of goods or services. In the past, we have gratefully received items such as DNA kits, genealogy books, ballet tickets, quilts, and genealogy tools. Use your imagination. Proceeds from the raffle support the SGS library, and donations are tax deductible. Donated items can be brought to the SGS library or mailed to :

Seattle Genealogical Society
Attn:Ceil
PO Box 15329
Seattle, WA 98115-0329

Also please send an email message to :
seminar@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org  so we know when to expect your donation.

 

SAVE THE DATE

Unlock the Past in Seattle, the “land conference”
Seattle Public Library,
1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA
Thursday, September 6, 2018

Have you heard of Unlock the Past Cruises, genealogy on the high seas? Their 14th conference cruise will be to Alaska, Sept 7-14, and sail out of Seattle. They have put together an all day, companion “land conference” for September 6. It will be held at the downtown Seattle Public Library and it is open to all  – whether on the cruise, or not. Blaine Bettinger, Maurice Gleeson, Cyndi Ingle, and Wayne Shepheard will be the presenters.

If you are interested, see their website :
https://www.unlockthepastcruises.com/

“A Day of Discovery with Lisa Louise Cooke”,
Puget Sound Genealogical Society,
4131 Pine Rd NE (at the Bremerton Elks),
Bremerton, WA
Saturday, September 22, 2018
8:30am – 3:30pm

Cost is $50 for PSGS members / $55 for non-members. Lunch is included and will be catered by the Bremerton Elks. For  more information and the registration form see www.pusogensoc.org/psgs/seminar2018

 

SGS 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. The SGS Library will closed September 2-4 for Labor Day.

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 8, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, (FTM) Family Tree Users Group, Reiley Kidd & Jess Ramey co-leaders, this group will begin meeting on the 2nd Saturday of every odd month (Sept 2018, Nov 2018, Jan 2019, Mar 2019, May 2019). Family Tree Maker is the genealogy software long associated with Ancestry.com

Saturday, September 8, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Beyond the Pie Chart: Making the Most of Autosomal DNA, our Second Saturday Series starts up again with Karin Borgerson presenting this program.

Sunday, September  9, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Scandinavian SIG, with Karen Knudson, Swedish and Norwegian Workshop – bring your laptops and your research. We will have resources available to help you with your hunt for your Scandinavian ancestors.

Wednesday, September 12, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, Ask the Genealogist, Have you hit a brick wall? SGS and Shoreline Library teamed up for a new program.  A volunteer genealogist from SGS will be available to answer your questions at the Shoreline Library located at  345 NE 175th St., Shoreline, WA.

Wednesday, September 12, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, MAC SIG, Sponsored by SGS and Fiske, this group meets at the Fiske Library in Madison Park. Meetings are open to the public and will address topics and resources meant for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion program in their genealogy research. $3.00 library use fee applies.
Saturday, September 15, 10:15am – 12:15pm, Irish SIG, with Jean A Roth
Saturday, September 15, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, German SIG, with Jean A Roth
Monday, September 24, 10:30 am – 7:00 pm, SGS Volunteer Recognition Day, the Board of Directors will host a Volunteer Appreciation Day for all 2017-2018 volunteers. Refreshment and a raffle. Stop by for an hour, or stay for the whole day! No need to RSVP.

 

Saturday, September 29, 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

 

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
GFO Logo Halo 2 Large

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

August 30, 2018

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?

We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932.

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here. The current Insider newsletter awaits you HERE.
***

The Early Bird Gets the Best Price! Register By October 8th!
Fall Seminar 2018 v2

You’ve probably heard of Cyndi Ingle and her invaluable website, Cyndi’s List.

Now come hear from the guru behind one of the most comprehensive reference lists there is online! GFO is proud to bring Cyndi Ingle in for our Fall Seminar November 3rd and 4th.

Topics include: Ten Resources I Use Every Day, Advanced Googling for Grandma, Unappreciated Treasures, Digital Research Plans, Google Maps & Google Earth and Online Resources for the Western U.S.

Register HERE now!
***

August’s GFO Star – Steve Turner
Turner Steve Aug 2018 Star

We’d like to offer deep gratitude to this month’s GFO Star, Steve Turner.
Steve came to the GFO’s rescue when the previous library chair resigned. Since then, he has been a regular at the library on Tuesdays, assigning call numbers to any new books received during the week. He led the Library Committee in the development of a collection development policy and selection guidelines.
Steve was instrumental in establishing a new system to renumber our entire collection, to help make things easier to find. He has assigned new numbers to about 80% of the collection. He also arranges trades of our surplus books with Wilsonville Public Library and several local booksellers—enabling the GFO to get some wonderful new selections without any cash out of pocket.

Thank you, Steve, for your hard work and dedication!
***

History Humor – As Seen On Twitter
History Humor on Twitter

Just because we knew your week needed this!
***

New Books Bolster GFO’s Southern and African American Resources
Books Purchased Black History

Purchased, thanks to your support, from the GFO Library budget:

▪ White Slave Children of Charles County, Maryland: the search for survivors
▪ “Lazy, loves strong Drink, and is a Glutton” White Pennsylvania Runaways, 1720-1749
▪ “Sly and artful rogues” Maryland Runaways, 1775-1781
▪ “Given to drinking and whoring” White Maryland Runaways, 1720-1762
▪ The Dawes Commission: Citizens and Intruders in Indian Territory 1901-1909
Books-Donated-Hinds Black History

Donations from Harold Hinds:

▪ Black Southerners in Confederate Armies: a collection of historical accounts
▪ The Southern Debate over Slavery, volume 2
▪ Runaway Slaves: rebels on the plantation
▪ Presidential Executive Orders: Numbered Series 1862-1938, 2 volumes
▪ Tennessee Colored Confederate Veteran Pension Applications
▪ Getting it Right: the definitive guide to recording family history accurately
***

Volunteer Opportunities at GFO
support-2355701 640

Library Committee

Your Library Could Really Use Your Help!

We’re constantly adding more to our collection of nearly 50,000 holdings.

Our overworked library team needs your help with these assignments:
Evaluating, cataloging, labeling and filing books. Ongoing volunteers needed.
Assistant to the Library Chair on Wednesdays, various tasks. Ongoing volunteers needed.
Shelf reading: Review shelves using a printed list to insure books are shelved in correct order or identify missing items. Ongoing Volunteers needed.
Special review: Review items on office reserve. Use online tools to determine whether backup copies should be retained or sold. Add the keepers to the catalog. This project will NOT be long term. When the books in the workroom have been reviewed, the job will end.

Have an hour to spare two or three times a month?
Time to take on a short term project?

Remember, the GFO is an all-volunteer organization. No one’s ever been paid in 72 years. Our members keep the rent paid with their dues and donations; it’s our volunteers who keep the library operating.

Please join the team to keep the largest genealogy library in the Pacific Northwest a thriving place.

Please contact library@gfo.org to volunteer. (Please do not hit reply to this email.)
dollar-1362243 640

Grants Committee

Do You Have Experience Seeking Grants?

For 72 years the GFO has relied only on membership dues and donations to fund our services.

We’d like to increase what we offer and who we reach. That takes money. We’d like to apply for some grants.

If you have experience pursuing grants, we’d love your help!

Please contact president@gfo.org if you can assist us. (Please do not hit reply to this email.)
***

GFO Lands Hard-To-Find German Books! Can You Help Us Pay For Them?
German Books Donation Call

An expert tells us you’ll have the highest probability of finding German ancestors in church records.
We were thrilled to see Volumes 8, 20, 21, 22, and 23 of German Immigrants in American Church Records become available at a reasonable price.
The German Immigrant series of books has a history of selling out quickly when it becomes available. These are very hard if not impossible to locate, or priced outrageously when we find them.
We already have many volumes in this series and this will fill substantial gaps.

But how to pay for this sudden acquisition opportunity?

Two generous GFO members happened to be here. On the spot they gave us the money. One donated $100 outright, and the other donated $350 with the hope we can reimburse him.

These books would have been snapped up if we had not ordered them promptly, so we jumped at the chance.

Will you help us reimburse this magnanimous donor who helped us snag the books while they were available?

Please donate HERE: and specify “German Books” in the Comments field.
If you have questions, please write to library@gfo.org.
***

This week at GFO…
desk-calendar-12992149

SATURDAY, September 1st

Virginia Group 10 a.m. – noon

This meeting will include reports on our genealogy experiences over the summer, and discussion of our plans for this year. One often-requested topic is the history and genealogy research information for North Carolina. To start this topic, we will have some discussion of the very early exploration and settlement attempts’ of North Carolina.

For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines.”

Research in Virginia can be difficult, with the complication of burned counties, as well as the ordinary difficulties of using historical documents. But it is not impossible. We discuss the history of Virginia and explore various methods to do sound genealogy research. We hope to foster collaboration among our many Virginia researchers and work on our varied research problems, our brick walls, together. Each month we will have a discussion or presentation on a topic related to our research. There will also be time each meeting for discussion, suggestions, and perhaps research on individual research. We’ll also explore the settlement of Kentucky, the Carolinas and Tennessee. Group leaders include Judi Scott and Carol Surrency.

German Group 1 – 3 p.m.

Christine Rainer will talk about visits to several ancestral villages on a trip to her native country, Germany. The German Interest Group was formed in the spring of 2011. It is intended to be a source of information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. One goal is to provide information on a variety of topics related to Germanic history and migration. We also will provide time for members to share their research journeys and connect with others who may be researching the same region or time period. Mike Fernandez and Tia Cobb facilitate this group.

SUNDAY, September 2nd

Manuscripts Work Party 9 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 3rd

Labor Day Library Closure Free First Monday will be observed on September 10th. Come on out and give us a visit.

WEDNESDAY, September 5th

Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon

Learn and Chat reconvenes following its summer hiatus welcoming your voice as we plan our 2018-2019 calendar, structure with lots of room for spontaneity.

As a group we support one another sharing skills and resources. As we parted company in June thoughts included “Back to the Basics: Walking the Shelves” and “Selecting a Software Program: Featured and Foibles.” What do you need? What can you contribute? Facilitated by Jean Quan.

DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m.

Lisa McCullough will be available to help answer your DNA questions, whether you are new and just getting started or have more involved questions. Questions? Write to Lisa.

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Falling under the “you really just never know what you’re going to find” category, here’s my story. Visiting the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society’s fantastic library, I only had time to browse the shelves. (They have feet and feet and feet of books on shelves.) And I came across this:

Tracing Your Icelandic Family Tree, by Eric Jonasson, 1975, published in Winnipeg, Canada. Of course this 20-page, mimeographed guide was (I assume) muchly antiquated, but still. To find such a guide in a little genealogy society library? Made me wonder what other treasures did this library hold?

And what treasures does the genealogy society library in your area hold that you don’t even know about? Perhaps you might ought to go take a looksee?

Did learn from this guide (well, from something stuck in) that an Icelandic gastronomic delicacy includes pickled ram’s testicles.  Okay….

 

FGS September Class

by Charles Hansen

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is pleased to announce the September 2018 webinar, “Using Classes and Research Trips to Expand Your Membership,” presented by Pat Stamm.
Societies are always looking for ways to expand their membership. One of the best ways is to offer benefits. Two potential added values are educational classes and research trips. Learn how to establish these types of programs.
This webinar will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time, and will be recorded for viewing on the FGS website shortly after its conclusion. Please register in advance.

Register here: Complete Flyer 

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society September Program

by Charles Hansen

I’d like to let you know about an upcoming educational program we are offering on September 8, 2018 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in partnership with Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. The topic of the program is “Google Tools for Genealogists” and will be presented by George Ridgeway. This event is free and open to the public. I’ve attached a flyer with more information. Please feel free to forward or post on any wall you wish! We appreciate your help in getting the word out, because we would like as many people as possible to benefit from our programs.

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Kathleen Headden, Reference Librarian

Burlington Public Library

820 E. Washington Ave.

Burlington, WA 98233

360-755-0760, ext. 7906

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

by Charles Hansen

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair 2018

October 24, 2018 – Save the date!

Sixth Annual Virtual Genealogy Fair

Every year, the National Archives hosts a virtual Genealogy Fair via live webcast on YouTube. The sessions offer family history research tools on Federal records for all skill levels. Thousands of family historians participate in the live event.

As a virtual attendee, you can:

  • Watch the entire day on YouTube.
  • Join us – from wherever and whenever.
  • Participate with the presenters and other family historians during the live event.
  • Watch individual sessions and download the materials at your convenience — live or after the event.
  • Attend free of charge and registration!

Full Flyer

Seattle Genealogical Society is Now a Family Search Affiliate Library

by Charles Hansen

GREAT NEWS!
We have just become an Affiliate Library for FamilySearch.org. This means that when you are inside our Library either using your own computer or our Patron Computers you will be able to access the “locked” records on FamilySearch.org. You will be prompted to sign up for a FREE account through FamilySearch.org, or to sign in to your own account and then you can access the records. We are very excited about this affiliation with FamilySearch.org.

Sue Schack Jensen

Library Director
Seattle Genealogical Society
6200 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
206-522-8658

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

A connection between Napoleon I of France and Seattle??? Yepper. Keep reading.

Ever been to the Fiske Genealogy Library in Seattle? This is a wonderful private library and well worth the time, trouble and effort to get there. Ask Google for more information.

Last fall when I was there, Gary Zimmerman, current director of the library, gave us the tour and told us the story of how Napoleon has a connection to the Fiske Library……

Of course you cannot read the story, written by Gary, so here goes:

“Genealogy brings many surprises into our lives. We need to be open to those little moments of “aha!” when we become aware of a new connection or new relationship that is totally unexpected.

“Take the Emperor Napoleon I, for instance. In the Fiske collection, I came across a very clear picture of the house of his exile on the small island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. It was accompanied by the story of his final days, in poor health, far removed from his beloved France, where he hoped that his ashes would be laid to rest on the banks of the Seine. But that was not to be. He died on 5 May 1821. He was dressed in his favorite uniform and covered with the cloak he wore at the battle of Marengo. He was buried “in a lonely spot near a spring shaded by two weeping willows.”

“And there is the “aha.” There is a weeping willow here on the property where the Fiske Library is located. That tree has an interesting “genealogy.”

In 1835, a French naval officer took cuttings from the grave of Napoleon and they were presented as a gift of the French nation to the United States. The cuttings were planted at Mount Vernon next to the grave of George Washingon, where they thrived.

“Following the end of the Civil War, an officer who was preparing to move west, brought similar clippings from the now flourishing willows at Mount Vernon, to Washington Territory. They were planted at the officer’s new home on the hill above downtown Seattle. They thrived in this climate as well.

“In 1962 the State of Washington decided that I-5 should be built across the property of the now deceased Civil War veteran. His son, James Vernon Metcalfe, had grown up with the story of the willow tree in the yard and he felt it was worth saving from the bulldozers. He convinced the City of Seattle to take cuttings and plant them in appropriate locations to maintain the lineage of the St. Helena willow.

“Metcalfe also happened to be the historian of the Pioneer Association of Washington and he arranged for the city arborist to place some cuttings of the willow on the property at Pioneer Hall. Once again, a few feet from the shores of Lake Washington, the tree thrived. For the past 40 years it has graced the building that the Fiske Library now calls home.

“It may be far-fetched to trace the story of a tree for 180 years, in four widely separated physical locations, and call it genealogy, but the parallel is not too far removed from what we seek whenever we trace the peripatetic path of our predecessors.’

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

Many of us are bird watchers. Some casual, some hard-core. Me, I’m casual but I do enjoy Close Encounters of the Avian Kind.

My son, Timothy, took this photo of baby barn swallows on the cusp of fledging (they were gone next day). Momma built her nest in a hollow of an upright dock-holding-log on Lake Coeur d’Alene.  Barn swallows, with their blue and white coloration, and forked tail, are widely recognized all over the U.S. Might say they’re everybody’s most-recognizable bird. Did you know they can swallow 60 insects per hour? Or a whopping 850 million in one day??

Don’t you think our ancestors were bird watchers too? I’ve read diaries where New England,  Atlantic seacoast transplants and immigrants from forested countries to the mid-western prairies missed their birds (among many other things). There were none-to-few trees and hence, no birds. Another culture shock for sure.

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