Author Archives: Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History

Wednesday, September 9, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.

Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

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

Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMoc-2qqDMjHNXnACfWJ0dop_pMeQXMRoYM/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqz8uGNKduR-GRpwEGY-gLOrwplxEgo1lkj7GBRd5Mgf5Jt1SH7dOKPXi

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87544268961?pwd=oNtdztP51tePuSn3bt45J3wuxnGXzl.1

Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961

Passcode: 328639

One tap mobile:

+12532158782,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US (Tacoma)

+12532050468,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US

Dial by your location:

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 253 205 0468 US

Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961

Passcode: 328639

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kclCP1SsOV

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting

Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom

This month using notes provided by Siri Nelson we will review and discuss:

Tagging/Hashtags and things that might be useful to hashtag 

How to find unattached persons/trees

Using the Split Screen View to compare two FDB files

Source Writer – Examples of citing Newspaper articles, FamilySearch records, and Find A Grave memorials

This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aid 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

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

Washington State Historical Museum 1889 Washington Constitution

by Charles Hansen
 Invitation:Washington’s Original 1889 Constitution Viewing

This modest structure is the Territorial Capitol Building in Olympia, where the original State Constitution was drafted and signed. Image credit: Territorial Capitol Building, ca. 1899, Asahel Curtis, Susan Parish Photograph Collection, 1889-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives.

Greetings!

I would like to personally invite you to a significant event at the Washington State History Museum. For one day only, we are bringing the original 1889 Constitution of the State of Washington out of the vault to be put on display for our community. This opportunity is presented in partnership with the Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Archives.

Event Details

· Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

· Time: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Free admission from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM)

· Location: Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA

Highlights

· Opening: At 1:00 PM, hear brief remarks from special guests, including Lt. Governor Denny Heck.

· Q&A: Guests will have an opportunity to ask archives staff questions about the document and its history.

· Special Exhibition: Explore our special exhibition, An American Experiment (*Washington’s Version), along with additional statehood artifacts from the Washington State Historical Society’s collection.

This foundational document brought forth Washington’s statehood, and we are honored to share it as part of Constitution Day, the Day of Civic Engagement and America’s 250th. We look forward to seeing you there.

Learn More

Sincerely,

Nicholas Vann

Director, Washington State Historical Society

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Researching Scottish Ancestors

by Charles Hansen

Please note the date: 

The first weekend in September (9/5) falls on the Labor Day weekend, 

 so the EWGS meeting will be the following Saturday (9/12)

Date: September 12, 2026

Time: 12:30 PM to 03:00 PM

Doors Open at 12:30 p.m. for social time Program/meeting starts promptly at 1:00 p.m.

Location: THE HIVE 2904 E Sprague (door code: 985426#)

 HYBRID MEETING: IN PERSON AND VIA ZOOM

Zoom Link and Program Handouts will be on the website the day prior to the presentation. (EWGSi.org)

Researching Scottish Ancestors: Civil and Parish Records in Scotland

  presented by Melanie McComb

Researching Scottish Ancestors: Civil and Parish Records in Scotland

Researching civil registrations and church records of births/baptisms, marriages, and deaths is often the first thing that family historians do when they learn they have ancestry in Scotland. In this lecture, our expert reviews what information is provided in each record type and how to locate and access these resources.

The EWGS Auction is fast approaching.  It will be at the Fall Seminar on 10/3/26

More info on the auction to come later this week

If you have any donations for the auction, please bring them to the September Meeting.

Clallam County Genealogical Society Importance of Planning & Creating a Genealogical Research Paper

by Charles Hansen

Saturday, September 19th, the Clallam County Genealogical Society will feature Sue Mendenhall at their general meeting starting at 9:30 am.  Citing from her own experience, she will answer the question in the title of her lecture:

What is the Importance of Planning and Creating a Genealogical Research Paper for Publication and How to Succeed?

Publishing a research paper transforms a casual hobby into an authoritative contribution to a lasting historical record.  Your research and discoveries are important for bridging disconnected members to their families, and providing historical context. Your conclusions and discoveries represent an investment of your time and consideration. Preparing a research paper is the next step for the genealogist.

Ms. Mendenhall has prepared and published several research papers telling the history and stories of family members.  For a publication to accept one’s work, several aspects must be considered.  Sue will discuss and describe the process of preparing a research paper for publication.  The application of the Genealogical Standard of proof, proper citation and what an editor may require will be addressed.

All are invited to join us for this free lecture which will be given live in Sequim at the KSQM-FM Radio Station community room or by Zoom. The KSQM-FM Station is located at 609 West Washington Street.  It is found in the SE corner of the Mall. 

To access the talk by Zoom, or for more information, call or email the Genealogical Society for the Zoom codes:  Phone: 360-417-5000, or before Sept 17th, email:  askus@clallamcogs.org.

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Influence of Free and Cheap Land on Migration

by Charles Hansen



What prompted your immigrant ancestor to come to America, or move west? Could it be the promise of owning land? Join SVGS Saturday September 12, 2026, at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “The Influence of Free & Cheap Land on Migration“ with Annette Burke Lyttle. Learn how immigrants were enticed to travel to America and then to “Go West” by Land Grants, Bounty Land and the Homestead Act. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.

Clallam County Genealogical Society Finding Religious Records Left by your Ancestors

by Charles Hansen

“Finding the Religious Records Left by your Ancestors” is a presentation that will be given by Virginia Majewski at 10:00 Saturday, August 15. It is hosted by the Clallam County Genealogical Society, and all are invited to attend this free lecture.

Virginia will address the different religions of our forebearers and the kind of records that were kept.  She will share information about the location and availability of these valuable resources.

Mrs. Majewski is a certified genealogist and has provided many lectures in the past.  The are always well organized and informative. 

One can attend the presentation given at the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Research Center located in Port Angeles at 403 E. 8th Street, or by watching it on Zoom. The Zoom codes are available by contacting the Society:  phone: 360-417-5000    email: askus@clallamcogs.org.

Participants are requested to sign in or come to the Society by 9:30am.  A brief Society meeting will be held before the presentation.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Tuesday, August 25, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

Discussion group focused on various topics regarding the use of DNA testing in genealogy.

Prior to this meeting we will watch the webinar Cousins, Clusters, and Clues: Using MyHeritage DNA for Your Genealogical Mysteries available for free on Legacy Family Tree Webinars at: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/beginning-with-dna-painter

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