Severinus Dewantara / Unsplash
and David Rumsey Map Collection,
David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries
SGS LAUNCHES EASTERN EUROPEAN SIG
Eastern Europe is a region with a rich and complex history and diverse ethnic groups. Its frequent border changes, language barriers and influences from several powerful empires can lead to challenges when researching family history. Come learn more about this fascinating region by joining the new Eastern European special interest group. The first meeting will be held February 27 at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom or in-person at the SGS library. After that the group will meet quarterly, but may expand as interest grows. If you are researching people from the Baltics to Balkans come join the first meeting of this exciting new SIG.
This meeting is hybrid. Please feel free to either join via Zoom or meet us in-person at the SGS library. Email sgseasterneuropesig@seagensoc.org.
CIVIL WAR RECORDS TO BE FOCUS
OF SECOND SATURDAY PRESENTATION
Do you have ancestors who fought in the Union Army during the Civil War? Were they in any of the other wars from the 1800s? Military records can be among the most genealogically significant sources you can find. Join Brain Rhinehart, owner of CivilWarRecords.com, on February 8, as he explains the various records available and how to access them. If you have a veteran from the 1800s in your family tree, there is a good chance that their military records are at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
This presentation is part of SGS’s Second Saturday workshops. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. To join via Zoom
NEXT MONTH: “Second Saturday” will be held Sunday, March 23, due to RootTech occurring on the second Saturday. Marie Mattson will share a presentation about land records. Sign up separately for this event.
ANNOUNCING 2024 SGS VOLUNTEER
OF FALL QUARTER
Stephanie O’Connell, Professional Genealogist
and SGS Volunteer
By Melanie Moser, Chair of Volunteers
Yes, it is winter and a snow storm may be approaching. However, as Chair of Volunteers, the seasons changed without realizing my duties to present to the Board a Volunteer to recognize and honor for the Fall Quarter. I received a glowing nomination for Stephanie O’Connell who has stepped up and taken on the rigorous responsibilities of planning 2nd Saturday programming. The Board unanimously approved and are very grateful for her contributions.
“Wow, I’m honored to be selected as Volunteer of the Quarter,” O’Connell said upon learning of her selection.
Stephanie O’Connell O’Connell joined SGS in 2018 and became a weekly desk volunteer about five years ago, when we were at the Sandpoint location. Most recently, she has taken over the responsibilities of bringing engaging and informative programs and securing speakers for the Second Saturday monthly programming.
Attending events is something O’Connell especially enjoys because “they offer opportunities to learn from experts and engage in collaborative research discussions.” The 2nd Saturday program and Open House on January 11th were very successful and the speaker O’Connell secured was well received. The topic “Research Logs, Write it or Regret it!” reminded many (most?) of us how important it is to record our findings.
O’Connell enjoys giving back to the genealogical community, because it also means she’s learning from others. She loves “helping to create meaningful educational experiences and fostering a welcoming space for members to grow in their research and collaborating with fellow volunteers who are equally passionate about family history.”
O’Connell is a professional genealogist who specializes in Irish research. Her passion lies in the study of social histories and “illuminating women’s stories.” One of her most rewarding discoveries involved uncovering the history of her 3rd great-grandmother, who entered the South Dublin Workhouse with her children in the 1860s. Understanding the social context of her ancestors’ experiences has deepened her appreciation for the resilience of our ancestors.
O’Connell also enjoys traveling with her family and fly fishing in Montana. “There’s nothing quite like the peacefulness of being out on the river.”
•••
Our organization cannot operate without volunteers, like Stephanie O’Connell. We currently have many opportunities available with an open range of possibilities. Some jobs only require a few hours and others longer hours. Please visit the website to see the listings and contact me if you have any questions.SGS LIBRARY NEWS:New Subscription Site Available
at SGS Library for German Research If you have German ancestry, you know how important church records can be. The Seattle Genealogical Society has recently added a subscription to the site Archion. This site has access a lot of German church records that aren’t available at FamilySearch, or in some cases, are only available by going to Salt Lake City. Archion makes a whole world of German church records more easily available.
Come down and try it out! What will you find?
Access to Archion will only be available on one of the Windows computers — the patron station by the window. Note that the FindMyPast subscription was removed from this same computer, but it is still available on the Windows computer by the printer.
Find Surplus Books at the Library For a Great Price
Looking for a bargain? We’ve added many surplus books to our For Sale bookcase. All books are priced. However, if you see something special, feel free to make an offer. Looking for freebies? We also have a number of free books on offer until February 15.
For a complete list of the books for sale and the freebie books email library@seagensoc.org
Looking for recent acquisitions to our collection? You can find a list of new books by
selecting “new” on the catalog search page
photos courtesy Kathy Weber
SGS GROUP TOURS
NATIONAL ARCHIVE AT SEATTLE
The January field trip to the National Archives at Seattle was a spectacular behind-the-scenes view of our national records repository campus in Seattle. With a staff of fewer than ten people, they care for vast quantities of records in a former airplane facility near the former Sand Point Naval Air Station. While the archive has been at this location since 1963, plans are afoot for a new state of the art facility in the greater Seattle area in about seven years.
Our group learned about accessing original documents and images held in the Seattle archive, including the U.S. federal records for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The microfilm held on site provides access to many more. The archive’s goal is to digitize all their microfilm in the years ahead. Currently, original records for Alaska are being transported for scanning at the new National Archives Digitization Center in College Park, Maryland, where 75 archives technicians have been hired for that job.
It’s always inspiring to see floor to ceiling shelving with boxes three deep of original records that may contain evidence to help us answer our research questions.
Record Group (RG) 118 is U.S. Attorneys files. RG 43 includes the 1962 World’s Fair. And there’s so much more!
Research at the archive by appointment. Inquiry by email: seattle.archives@nara.org. And stay tuned for more similar tours offered by SGS.
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR SGS BOOTH
AT SEATTLE IRISH FESTIVAL
Once again, SGS will be sponsoring a booth at this year’s Irish Festival to be held at the Seattle Center Armory on Saturday and Sunday, March 15–16. Times are Noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. If you would be interested in helping staff our booth for several hours, please contact Jim Ryan @ janglinjehu@yahoo.com.
Also, an Irish Genealogy Seminar presented by the Ulster Historical Foundation will be held on Sunday, 2 March at Archbishop Murphy High School located in Everett.
For a full listing of all Irish Week events log on to the Irish Heritage Club website located at www.irishclub.org.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR SGS ELECTED POSITIONS; DEADLINE FEB. 10
The SGS Nominating Committee is seeking volunteers to run for one of SGS’s elected positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Education Director, and Library Director. If you would be interested in running for one of these positions, please send an email to nominations@seagensoc.org and we will let you know what needs to be done next. The Board of Directors needs a list of nominees by the 10 February 2025 board meeting. Please act quickly!
JOIN SGS NOW FOR EXTENDED MEMBERSHIP
During January 1st through March 31st, 2025, you may join the Seattle Genealogical Society with a membership that extends through May 31, 2026. Dues are $60 individual, $75 dual.
Enjoy a year and a half of discounted class fees, free research requests, the online Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society, and online access to exclusive SGS program videos and databases. Learn more.
Join SGS Today
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658
Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. **
Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, 1:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “I Have a Civil War Ancestor: Now What?” Presented by Brian Rhinehart. Military records can be among the most genealogically significant sources you can find. Register here.
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group.
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Topic this month: Tips for Grouping your German DNA Matches. Register on the SGS website.
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, Virtual Sunday: Something Old, Something New, We all collect, accumulate, and inherit a lot of ‘stuff’ in our daily lives. Learn how Artifcts website can help you keep track of what it is, why it matters, and what to do with it next. Speakers: Heather Nickerson and Ellen Goodwin. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Please register in advance.
Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, “Pass It On” Writers’ Group, Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW! SGS Library Evening Hours, SGS library introduces evening hours on a trial basis through April. Use it or Lose it. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Quarterly Program Planning (Virtual), be a part of SGS’s strategic planning effort, collaborate with the leaders of our education programs (e.g., SIGs, field trips, classes, seminars, discussion groups). Register here.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, 10:30 a.m., NEW! SGS Library Tour/Scanning Help, SGS library introduces tours of the library and help scanning photos and documents. This is a trial basis through April. Every 4th Saturday of the month. Tour starts at 10:30 followed by scanning help.
Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 a.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join.
Saturday, March. 4, 2025, 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list.
Sunday, March. 2, 2025, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, March. 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Sunday, March. 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.
Monday, March. 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, March 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND
“How I Learned about My Family’s Journey from Galicia to New York, with Many Stops in Between (1911–1958)” (Virtual)
the Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon
Sunday, February 2, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
After many years, guest speaker, Milton Koch opened a box of documents that his mother had saved. This started him on a journey to discover the story of his family during the Shoah. His research took several unusual turns, including donations to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), which led to unforeseen connections. Register to attend.
Fiske Genealogical Library Classes (Free)
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Feb. 5 — "Meet Your New Research Assistant: AI for Genealogists" with Sara Cochran
Feb. 12 — "Ten Things Every Eastern European Genealogist Should Know" with Lisa A. Alzo
Feb. 19 — "A Demographic Study of Siroke, Slovakia in the 1800s" with Mike Kocsik
Feb. 26 — "Using Irish Naming Convention to Discover the Family of Thomas Delaney in Mid-Nineteenth Century Ireland" with Susan McKeeFor more information and links to the meetings see the Fiske Library website.
“That Splendid Little War: Researching the Spanish-American War” (Virtual)
Eastside Genealogical Society
Thursday, February 13, 2025, program starts at 7 p.m. (Zoom opens at 6:30 p.m.)
Join guest speaker Michael L. Strauss, AG, as he focuses on service records, pensions and other primary sources covering veterans who served in both the regular army and volunteer forces during the Spanish-American War. Also included are the later Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion, and all three conflicts will be examined with research sources and methodology. For more information and to register see the website.
Family Tree Maker SIG
Eastside Genealogical Society
Friday, February 21, 2024, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
RootsTech 2025 (Virtual & in person at Salt Lake City)
Brought to you by FamilySearch
Thursday–Saturday, March 6–8, 2025
Join the world’s largest family discovery event. There are live presentations as well as on-demand video learning available. Learn more on the FamilySearch website.
Join SGS Today
February 1, 2025
SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!
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Using Social Security Records to Break Down Brick Walls
Roslyn Torella specializes in Italian and immigrant genealogy through her business, Mahoning Valley Roots. She wrote a monthly Italian genealogy column for La Gazzetta Italiana for many years and is treasurer and newsletter editor for the Mahoning County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. She has published in the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Magazine. Roslyn enjoys conducting workshops and lectures on genealogy and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She lives in Lowellville, Ohio, where she is known as her hometown’s “unofficial, self-appointed historian” and has written and published a book about her hometown’s wicked past.
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is a Genealogy & Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library in Plainfield, Illinois. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation from Dominican University.