Author Archives: Charles Hansen

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Italian Military Records

by Charles Hansen
Italian Interest Group (IIG)October 2025 Meeting
Italian Soldiers Click Here for meeting registration
You will get a reminder email with the same Zoom meeting link on October 10th and 17th.
Description: This presentation will cover the wealth of genealogical information available in Italian military records, which have existed since Italian unification in the 19th century and in some places as far back as 1792. The records discussed will include conscription lists (Liste di Leva) detailing biographical and physical information for all eligible males, and military service files (Fogli Matricolari) tracking a soldier’s service history, promotions, and assignments. Additionally, four other lesser-known Italian military records will be covered. Since these records are organized by military district and province rather than by town, they are especially useful for tracing ancestors whose specific hometown is unknown. The Presentation will guide researchers on accessing these records, whether by requesting them from a provincial State Archive (Archivio di Stato) in Italy, searching digitized records on sites like FamilySearch or Portale Antenati, or understanding the location of military archives based on the time period.”
Kerri Tannenbaum Speaker Bio: Joel Cole was born and raised in Padova, Italy. He has been involved with Italian Family History for over 30 years. He accompanied his father Trafford for his first genealogical research in Maniago, Italy, when he was 15 and since then he has been fascinated by family history. He has worked as a researcher for over 25 years, visiting almost every State Archive in Italy and almost 1,000 parish archives. He is familiar with paleography having taken several classes in Italy, and with Latin documents, having studied it for over 10 years. Joel has presented in many international genealogical conferences about Italian Family History and has worked for years for private companies performing research in all of Italy, consulting Civil records, Parish and Diocesan Catholic records, Notary records and many more sources. In 2015 he moved to Utah covering several roles for FamilySearch. He is currently the content strategist for Southern Europe, including Italy. Joel’s research specialties are: Italy, Southern Switzerland and Istria-Croatia. Expert at deciphering ancient Italian and Latin documents.
COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Eastside Genealogical Society
– Italian Interest Group
P.O. Box 374
Bellevue, WA 98009-0374

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society The Role of Convents and Monasteries in the 15th-19th Centuries

by Charles Hansen

Join Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Saturday, October 11, 2025, 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “The Role of Convents and Monasteries in the 15th-19th Centuries and How They Affected Our Ancestors”with Milan Pohontsch, President, Federation of Eastern European Family History Societies. Learn about the social and economic impacts of monasteries and how the lives of those that lived and worked on monastic estates differed from peasants under noble rule.  Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org. Thank you,

Puget Sound Genealogical Society Alienation of Affection: Divorce in the US

by Charles Hansen

Our monthly PSGS Program this month will be “Alienation of Affection:  Divorce in the US” with Christine Cohen.  It will be on Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 1pm. Social time starts at 12:30pm. The program will be hybrid with in person at the Sylvan Way Library and on Zoom.  The Zoom link will be posted the day before on our website (psgsociety.org) and our Facebook page.

Divorce is not just a 20th Century phenomenon. At first, granted by

the State Legislature and then by the Courts, these are public

records. The case files can include marriage date and place, names

and ages of children, current and former residences, and affidavits

by the spouses about their marriage and reason for divorce. Clues

are in the Census, City Directories, Military Pensions, County

Histories, County Courthouses & especially in Newspapers. This

could be the reason for a “lost spouse”.

Clallam County Genealogical Society The Joy of Genealogy Travel

by Charles Hansen

The Joy of Genealogy Travel will be the subject of a presentation by Sandra Ristow of the Clallam County Genealogical Society Saturday, September 27th at 10:00 AM. 

Sandra has studied her family genealogy for nearly 20 years, and has traveled through out the United States and parts of Germany and Poland to see their origins.  Most of her ancestors were German immigrants. Her English ancestors,  who arrived in 1660, and their participation in the American Revolution qualified her to become a member of the local Michael Trebert Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a lecturer and teacher, sharing her expertise in German Genealogy.

Her lecture will relate some exciting discoveries of both German and Polish ancestors that her travels have produced.  She has been to Germany five times, and to Pomerania, Poland where she has found living relatives.

The program will be presented, live, at the CCGS Research Center located at 403 E. 8th Street in Port Angeles or via Zoom.  To obtain the Zoom codes or get more information, please call the Society at 360-417-5000 or email your request at askus@clallamcogs.com  Tuesday through Friday from 10 am – 4pm.

Heritage Quest Research Library Citing Your Sources: It’s Easier than You Think!

by Charles Hansen
Don’t Miss Out… Sign Up Here for Sept. 18th Class! Citing Your Sources: It’s Easier Than You Think!  September 18, 2025 11am to 12pm PDT (Online only via Zoom)  Do you find the process of writing source citations intimidating? Citation resources published by leading genealogists tend to be lengthy and differ in their approaches. Trying to use and reconcile them can feel overwhelming. This presentation will explain the process of creating source citations that comply with genealogical standards in plain language. Learn some simple strategies for crafting clear, reliable citations for many commonly-used sources.  CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP Shelley Bishop is a professional genealogical researcher, writer, and speaker with a passion for finding and preserving the stories of our ancestors. She is a frequent contributor to Family Tree Magazine, NGS Magazine, and other publications. As the owner of Buckeye Family Trees, Shelley specializes in Ohio and midwestern research. Her projects often involve work with military, court, and land records. Shelley is President of the Great Lakes Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild. Learn more about her at www.buckeyefamilytrees.com.   UPCOMING CLASSES! Check them out! Beginning Your Family History, Getting Started October 16, 2025 11am to 12pm PDT Online via ZOOM or Limited In Person (8) at HQRL
LEARN MORE HERE! or SIGN UP HERE!
Inspiring the Next Generation of Genealogists November 6, 2025 11am to 12pm PDT
LEARN MORE HERE!
  Home About Us Members Gallery Newsletter   Heritage Quest Research Library 2102 East Main Avenue, Suite 105 Puyallup, WA 98372 (253) 863-1806

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society September DNA SIG Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Tuesday, Sept 23, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

We will discuss GedMatch and their offerings.

Download: 1745378587_DNASIGMeetingInvite.pdf

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

Whitman County Genealogical Society Microfilm Viewer-Printer

by Charles Hansen

Whitman County Genealogical Society is moving to a new space and needs to get rid of a microfilm reader.

It would need to be picked up in Pullman

Here is the microfilm reader information:
Minolta RP 503 Microfilm viewer-Printer
We also have two toner cartridges.
Comes with a roll around table as well. (Can’t take the table without the microfilm reader!)

Contact Monica Peters mgpeters@frontier.com

Fiske Genealogical Library September October & November Virtual Classes

by Charles Hansen

Wednesday, September 17

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

Getting Unstuck: Working Through Research Problems

Presented by Claire Smith

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

Break down your genealogy brick walls. Learn techniques to evaluate your sources, mine all of the clues, find the context, and discover your ancestor’s neighbors and friends. Get out of your comfort zone and make progress.

Wednesday, September 24

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

Chasing Claire: The Treasures of Genealogical Travel

Presented by Karin Borgerson

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

Learn about how chasing one ancestor can lead to travel across multiple states, new friendships, and literally getting your hands dirty while doing genealogy! Plus tips for making the most of genealogical travel.

Wednesday, October 1     

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

Canadian Genealogy

Presented by Jenny Warner

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

Learn about the history of Canada, what genealogical records are available, and how to find them.

Wednesday, October 8     

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

AN INTRODUCTION – to Find My Past Records

Presented by Steven W. Morrison

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

Findmypast (FMP) is a subscription website and is one of the BIG FIVE genealogical companies. Across the pond, it partners with several family history organizations, major libraries and archives. As a result, some of its British and Irish records are unique, and unavailable on other genealogy websites. Presented in a case study format.

Wednesday, October 15   

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

Adoption Meets DNA

Presented by Beth Swartz

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

Overview of the availability of Adoption records and the impact of taking a consumer DNA test, which can open doors to finding biological family.

Wednesday, October 22   

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

If These Walls Could Talk – House and Neighborhood Histories

Presented by Mary Kircher Roddy

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

I don’t know of many genealogists who aren’t also historians.  It’s in our natures to be curious of what went on before,  to understand our family’s history – but it’s also interesting to learn more about that place where we spend our daily lives – our homes.  Who was here before me?  How might they have used this home?  What tales did they bring home from their work or school at the end of the day?  Who were their neighbors?  Has my house always looked this way?  Learning about your house and neighborhood can increase your sense of place and help you to connect on a deeper level with that place you call “Home.”

(After Mary’s talk, bring stories of any “hauntings” related to a particular place in your family history!)

Wednesday, October 29   

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

Ancestors Calling: Science, Synchronicity and Sources

Presented by Judy Nimer Muhn

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

Our ancestors want us to find them!  Using our intuition, developing our luck, creating vision boards and using classic detective techniques, YOU can have their help and do thorough genealogical research.  Learn how to tap into some key scientific principles and hands-on techniques to drive your discoveries.

Wednesday, November 5  

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

What the Law Put Asunder: Divorce in America

Presented by Sara Cochran

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

Historically, divorce in the United States was rare, but not unheard of. This class considers changing laws and social attitudes as they relate to marriage and divorce, how those laws and attitudes affect our research and the records, and provides tips for determining if there was a divorce and accessing those records.

Wednesday, November 12

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

Point of Origin: How to Find Your Ancestral Village

Presented by Lisa Vogele

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

Don’t know where overseas your family originated from? This presentation covers a variety of sources to explore to locate your ancestor’s point of origin before arriving in the United States. Examples and strategies will be provided including: resources for locating town of origin, strategies for name changes, tips for boundary changes, and overcoming handwriting & language challenges.

Wednesday, November 19

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

What’s New in Genetic Genealogy

Presented by Karin Borgerson

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

The landscape of genetic genealogy is always shifting. Explore recent updates from DNA testing companies and third-party tools to make the most of DNA for genealogy.