Author Archives: Charles Hansen

Heritage Quest Research Library Classes Upcoming in January 2026

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! Classes Coming Up in January 2026!
Using City (and Other) Directories in Your Research  Thursday, January 8, 2026 Janice Sellers
Directories were not only for cities. Many counties and rural areas had directories, as did locations in other countries. You can also find professional directories, social directories, and more. Learn what they contain and how they can be used to flesh out your family’s lives and track them through time. 
Click Here to Sign-up
Janice M. Sellers is a professional genealogist and international speaker whose grandparents told her she is related to actor Peter Sellers and to John of Gaunt, son of a king and father of a king. Unfortunately, they were wrong, but that’s why she has been researching her family for 50 years and now helps others finds the right pieces to fit their genealogical puzzles. She specializes in Jewish, Black, dual citizenship, and newspaper research. She has done research and appeared on camera for the television series The Dead Files.
A New Strategy for Brick Walls Thursday, January 22, 2026 Kim Richardson

Ever feel like you are engulfed by a pile of research? Do you ever think, “If I could just get organized, I could solve this mystery?” If so, this presentation is for you! This session explains why complex genealogy problems feel overwhelming and how to overcome it through a new way of organizing. Click Here to Sign-up
Kim Richardson enjoys serving the genealogy community by coaching and enabling others to do their own research successfully. She assists other genealogists to accomplish their goals and helps clients solve genealogy mysteries. Kim created the Brick Wall Buster Cards to show others her secret to solving tough genealogy problems. She regularly writes for various genealogy society magazines and wrote the “Mississippi Research Guide” for Family Tree Magazine and researches for Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are?

Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! HQRL.com / Classes & Events / Contact
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Italian POWs in the US

by Charles Hansen
Italian Interest Group (IIG) January 2026 Meeting

If you aren’t a
registered member,
Click Here for
meeting registration.
Date:
Time:
Topic:


Presenter: January 17, 2026
1:30 PM (PT)
Italian POWs in the US during WWII
     and
The Ferramonti Concentration Camp in Italy
Kathy Kirkpatrick
Presentation #1: Italian POWs in the US during WWII Description: During World War II there were 1,210 POW camps, hospitals and cemeteries for German, Italian and Japanese soldiers in the United States. Among those POWs were 51,000 Italian soldiers. The camps not only gave the Italian prisoners a glimpse of American life, but enabled interaction with Americans leading to friendships and even marriage. About two-thirds of Italian prisoners chose to become Allies and served in Italian Service Units here and as part of the Allied push to liberate Italy. This presentation discusses camp life and rules, work by the POWs, and postwar activities. A variety of records and repositories in the US and Italy are described in detail with links.
Presentation #2: The Ferramonti Concentration Camp in Italy Description: This presentation takes us to Italy to learn about the Ferramonti Camp and the local Italian community. Out of the 3,823 prisoners, only fifty died. One hundred forty-one of these prisoners were Italian, the rest having fled from Europe before capture in Italy, Bengasi (Libya) and Rhodes (Greece). Most of the prisoners were Jewish and were able to observe that religion in the Camp. There were also non-Jewish people from China, France, Greece, and Yugoslavia. The cooperation between the camp staff, prisoners, and the community enabled this situation in a dark time. Sources and repositories described.
Presenter: Kathy Kirkpatrick Kathy Kirkpatrick earned her B.A. in History from Humboldt State University at Arcata, California.
She is currently President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Utah. Kathy has written family histories, genealogical and Italian research instruction, and eight volumes on American Prisoner of War Camps since 1986. Kathy speaks locally and internationally on a variety of topics since 1993, including at RootsTech, National Genealogical Society, the Foundation of Eastern European Family History Studies (FEEFHS), and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS). Kathy’s research takes her on-site to Italy (including the Vatican Secret Archives since 2015), Sicily, Greece, the United Kingdom, and France as well as close to home in the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Her extensive websites are at www.gentracer.com for genealogy
and www.gentracer.org for military research and cemeteries.
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

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society No December Meeting

by Charles Hansen
Italian Interest Group (IIG) NO DECEMBER MEETING
Tanti auguri di buone feste!
(Best wishes for happy holidays!)
Save the Date
DATE:
TIME:
 January 17, 2026
1:30 PM (PT)
COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Italian Interest Group (IIG) of theEastside Genealogical Society P.O. Box 374
Bellevue, WA 98009-0374

Longview Family Search Center

by Charles Hansen

Hello – this is Michael and Barbara Berry – we are Directors of the Family Search Center located in Longview within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We are actively looking for volunteers to come and help individuals interested in doing Family History work.  Although we are located within the church ALL PEOPLE interested in Family History are welcome.  In fact we could use additional volunteers from varying backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. We feel diversity is really important as we try to reach out to all peoples.  

We simply want to share this valuable resource and have an opportunity to help people who may be struggling in finding resources, reference documents and navigating various softwares.  We find that many people would like to do Family History work, but don’t know where to start.  Family Search accounts are FREE and consultants offer a wide array of skills associated with gathering and verifying accurate information.  Our current volunteers are wonderful, welcoming and friendly.  We staff the center on Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3pm, Tuesdays from 10 am to 1pm and 6:30 pm to 9pm.  Even just one shift a month would provide considerable help, given we like to have at least 3 volunteers to every shift, both for adequate coverage and safety.  Our center offers 9 computers, a printer and scanner and a wealth of seasoned ideas for gathering information across various sites.  

We would LOVE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS and hope you might want to join our team.  

Give us a call – Mike 406-596-2008 and we would gladly meet you at the center and discover how you could become a part of our team.

Our best,

Michael and Barbara Berry

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society United Empire Loyalists

by Charles Hansen

Do you have colonial New England roots and Canadian cousins, or vice versa? In 2026 our nation celebrates its 250th birthday. SVGS begins our 2026 Winter Speakers Series by recognizing that not all Colonists supported the Patriot cause. Some Colonists were Loyalists who supported the King, and many families had relatives on opposing sides. Join SVGS Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “United Empire Loyalists” the Colonists loyal to the Kingwith Brian McConnell. Brian is a Canadian Author, Genealogist and Historian. Come learn about the Colonists that opposed the American Revolution and resettled north of the border in Canada.  Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.

Heritage Quest Research Library Holiday Bazaar

by Charles Hansen


Want to learn fun facts about genealogy & get inspired doing your family research? CLICK HERE to read our blog!!!!!!! You won’t be disappointed!
Taking genealogy classes is a great way to enhance your family research and history. While it’s possible to do research on your own, classes offer formal training and essential methodologies that can make your efforts more successful, accurate, and fulfilling. CLICK HERE to check out our exciting classes in 2026! You can attend via Zoom online or in person at HQRL.
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Chat Meeting December 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat Meeting
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

Please join us and let’s chat!

Discussion starter topic: What are some of your family’s holiday traditions, why and how are you preserving them for future generations?

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.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below.

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

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club December 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club
Saturday, December 20, starting at 4:00 pm via Zoom

Please join us as we discuss a fictional genealogical book, The Indelible Stain, the second book in the Esme Quentin series, by Wendy Percival..

More information at:
Amazon: The Indelible Stain
Kindle Unlimited: free

This book may also be available in print from various book stores or libraries.

TPCGS Book Club Zoom Meeting
Every month on the Third Sat beginning at 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUkfuCqrzgsG9RrrhNAdU65Lz86P0s92mu1/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGppzIjGNWWthiHRpwcHYr4XerzmHZdjfpvjg3tLQFXV1WjGvgaZIIvA4GC

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81999213610?pwd=Qkk2WFZTZ2Rzdzc1Z0szN1AzdEZCUT09
Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610
Passcode: 479394

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US
+12532158782,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610
Passcode: 479394

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