 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! JOIN US for our next class on August 6, 2026! Don’t miss out, sign up today!  CLICK HERE to register for this class! Visit our blog for great tips & hints exploring your family story! 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 |
Author Archives: Charles Hansen
South King County Genealogical Society August 2026
Happy Summer! ☀️🌺
All SKCGS Members and their loved ones are invited to join us in our potluck social! Local Members, search your email for Signup Genius for more details. Please respond with what you plan to bring to the lunch social as soon as possible.
Help Wanted
Your Education team is planning the 2026-27 Speaker Series. We would like to hear recommendations of speakers and programs you have found engaging, useful and that you think your fellow SKCGS members would enjoy. Please write to Education@skcgs.org and share your thoughts, or become part of the team! Most of our small meetings continue through the summer; our Speaker Series and the Research Workshop will resume in September.
Stay connected! Get updates on our virtual and in-person events, plus the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io
Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online platform for discussion and information sharing:
- we communicate and share information with each other
- other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
- you can unsubscribe or change your email format at any time
PROGRAM UPDATES
All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Main library branches.
Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request.
Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting. https://www.skcgs.org
*Local Members: We are looking forward to seeing you soon at the potluck social in early August. Please carpool if possible because parking is limited.
AUGUST TO EARLY SEPTEMBER 2026 MEETINGS & EVENTS
All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone
Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless otherwise stated.
Saturday, August 1, 10–11am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program. Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG.
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Monday, August 3, 11:30am-3:30 pm PT: SKCGS Members Potluck and Social. Members’ loved ones are welcome. If you don’t see a link to sign up to bring food, your membership has expired. Renew or sign up as a new Member, and you are invited!
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Monday, August 10, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: Research at Family Tree DNA if You Did Not Test There.
1. Test someone else! or upload for someone else with permission
2. Upload your autosomal raw data from another testing company
3. Get permission from a family member to see their kit results
4. Upload to Gedmatch and/or MitoYdna.org to compare results with FTDNA testers
5. Connect your DNA tests to your Wikitree profile for hints to matches; Geni profiles can also link to FTDNA.
6. Use public Y DNA Project data at FTDNA and/or Wikitree
7 Check mail lists at Groups.io, GoogleGroups, & Substack
We are genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Wednesday, August 12, 2–3 pm PT: WikiTree Users(Online): Topic: Wikitree Goals through 2026. How can we help one another make our part of Wikitree the best? Let’s share profiles and learn together. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.
Thursday, August 13, 11am–1:pm:Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Main Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 100 Mill Avenue S, Renton
Monday, August 17, 1–2 pm PT: Tech Users Group (Online). Topic: Putting it All Together: Practical Research Routines. What are the tools, nuts & bolts we can share with one another–using online sites, platforms, and software that not just move the research forward, but also build confidence in what we think we know. See: Genealogical Research Process Simplified: https://youtu.be/G0poOZn6rfw?si=cz3XNXddACtStmEn (20 mins).Tech User Group shares knowledge and learns about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join our free email group for meeting information and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.
Thursday, August 20: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (in-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
- 11am-1pm: Auburn Library: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn
- 2-4pm: Federal Way Main Library: 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way
Monday, August 24, 1–2pm PT: Genealogy Chat (Online). Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Join our free online group for Chat reminders and genealogy discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io.
Saturday, September 5, 10–11 am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program. Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
Tuesday, September 8, 1–2pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online). Write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.
Wednesday, September 9, 2–3pm PT: WikiTree Users (Online). Topic: Space Pages? Creating & Using this flexible tool. Bring your questions and examples. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.
Thursday, September 10,11–1pm PT: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Main Library. Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 100 Mill Avenue S, Renton.
Friday, September 11, 12:30–2:30 pm PDT: EGS German Interest Group: “1816: The Year Without a Summer & Its Impact on German Migration” by Carolyn Schott, CG®
Visitors welcome: https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/.
Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/2s4z4c8z
The eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia unleashed a volcanic winter that reverberated around the globe, earning the year 1816 the name “The Year Without a Summer.” Immense quantities of volcanic ash drastically altered weather patterns and created unseasonably cold temperatures that caused crop failures and food shortages. This crisis prompted many Germans to seek new opportunities abroad, both in the U.S. and in the Russian Empire, which offered both land and religious freedom.
This presentation discusses the intertwined environmental, economic, and social ramifications of the Year Without a Summer, highlighting its pivotal role in the history of German emigration.
Presenter Carolyn Schott, CG® has researched her German ancestors for 30 years, following their wanderings through Eastern Europe before arriving in the U.S. She is a founder of the Black Sea German Research Community (www.blackseagr.org), a former board member of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS), and author of the book, “Visiting Your Ancestral Town.”
Schott’s research has required her to research records in the U.S., Germany, Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, and Poland. The Black Sea German Research Community, which she helped found, is a website dedicated to helping people with hard-to-find information on their ethnic German ancestors who lived in areas bordering the Black Sea. She has been speaking on genealogy-related topics since 2007 and has been a regular speaker at the International German Genealogy conventions, the Foundation for East European Family History Studies, the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, and other genealogy societies. This presentation will not be recorded.
Monday, September 14, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: Using DNA Matches as Clues to Build Your Tree. See Dare to Grab the Gold Ring: https://skcgs.blogspot.com/2024/04/dna-dare-to-grab-gold-ring.html, How to Use DNA Relatives Clustering at 23andMe: https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/38509301730839-How-to-Use-DNA-Relatives-Clustering-at-23andMe & Building Family Trees with DNA Evidence: Beginner’s Guide: https://www.gedmatch.com/blog/building-family-trees-with-dna-evidence-beginners-guide/.
We are genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Thursday, September 17: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (in-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
- 11am-1pm: Auburn Library: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn
- 2-4pm: Federal Way Main Library: 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way
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MEMBERSHIP: We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.
You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.
Like – Facebook :: Blog :: Website – SKCGS.org :: Member support – info@skcgs.org
SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG
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 2022-09, Making a gedcom for DNA tree uploading, Tagging/Hashtags and things that might be useful to hashtag.
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:
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+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:
Certification Discussion Group Classes
Are you considering certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists, or would you simply like to understand the certification process more fully? The Certification Discussion Group offers an opportunity to learn about the requirements, standards, and portfolio elements involved in becoming a certified genealogist.
The next series begins on 2 November 2026 and includes seven virtual sessions, meeting on Mondays and Thursdays. Participants will explore the certification process in a supportive setting and gain a clearer understanding of what is expected in a successful portfolio.
All classes are held online, making the program accessible from anywhere.
Go to the website for more information and to sign up for our registration email (coming in September) https://theCDGseries.wordpress.com.
Italian Interest Group Update on FamilySearch and Italian Records
| DATE:September 19, 2026 TIME:1:30 PM (PT) TOPIC:Update on FamilySearch and Italian Records PRESENTER: Joel Cole |
| Description: In this presentation “Update on FamilySearch and Italian Records,” the following topics will be discussed: An overview of the principal repositories of Italian genealogical and historical records throughout Italy.The latest updates and developments on the FamilySearch website.Recent developments in FamilySearch’s collaboration with the Direzione Generale Archivi (DGA) and other Italian institutions.Future expectations regarding Italian records, including upcoming acquisition initiatives and the availability of new indexes and searchable collections. |
 Presenter: 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 |
| Italian Interest Group (IIG) of theEastside Genealogical Society P.O. Box 374 Bellevue, WA 98009-0374 |
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG Meeting
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 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/cousins-clusters-and-clues-using-myheritage-dna-for-your-genealogical-mysteries
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
Whatcom Genealogical Society Annual Used Book Sale
The Whatcom Genealogical Society Annual Used Book Sale will be held on Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at the Pavilion in Pioneer Park in Ferndale. Our sale is held in conjunction with the Whatcom Old Settlers Association festivities. Proceeds benefit the mission of the society. Please visit http://www.whatcom-gen-soc.org for more information.
America at 250 Phineas Camp
The Remarkable Life of Phineas Camp
by Janice Moerschel
Phineas Camp, my four-times great-grandfather, lived nearly a century and witnessed early America’s defining events.Born 13 Jan 1744 in Durham, Connecticut, he served in two wars, resettled in central New York, and raised a large family.
Before the Revolution, Phineas served in the French and Indian War, including Connecticut service for the relief of Fort William and Henry in 1757 and a later call-up in 1759.
War reached him again with the American Revolution. Phineas took the oath of fidelity in 1777 and enlisted with the Connecticut Continental Regiment, with records placing him in service through Dec 1779. One later record says that by 1 Jan 1780 he was either “discharged or had deserted.” His oath, documented service, later civic roles, and respectful obituary point more toward discharge, though the record is not conclusive.
Phineas married Martha T. Hall on 8 Jan 1767 in Connecticut, and their first son was born later that year. The family appears in Connecticut in the 1790 U.S. census, then moved about 1793 to Whitesboro, Oneida County, New York. There Phineas bought land, farmed, and held offices including surveyor of highways, constable, grand juror, and inspector of provisions. Federal censuses from 1800 through 1840 place the family in Whitesboro as the Erie Canal was built and opened nearby.
Phineas died on 13 Jul 1843. Portions of his obituary, published in the Albany Evening Journal on 17 Jul 1843 after first appearing in the Utica Gazette, are excerpted below.
“Death of a Revolutionary Soldier
… Mr. Phineas Camp, who died at the home of his son in the village of Whitesboro, on Thursday at 3 o’clock P.M., aged 99 1/2 years.
Mr. Camp came into this county 50 years ago; purchased his farm and continued to cultivate or superintend it until about ten years since. He walked about, smoked his pipe, and read his Bible as usual until within twelve hours before his death. The immediate cause was the prevailing influenza.
He was a man of plain, strong sense, firm determination, and of deep, though not lively, affections.
His long life was owing, as nearly as could be learned, to inherited vigor, temperance in eating and drinking, and almost entire abstinence from medicine.”
“He went to sleep full of years, respected and beloved, surrounded by his children, to whose tender and unremitting attentions he was indebted for many benefits during the last of his life.” — Utica Gazette.
The number of children Phineas and Martha raised is unclear. FamilySearch.org lists 12 offspring, but I have seen numbers ranging from 11 to 17, likely reflecting incomplete records, repeated names, or uncertain links.
Phineas is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Whitestown, Oneida County, New York and is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a verified patriot ancestor #A214794, leaving a legacy that joins documented public service with the quieter endurance of a large and far-reaching family line.
Headstone photo from FindAGrave.
Colorado Chapter Palatines to America
The Colorado Chapter of Palatines to America has several upcoming events this fall, and we would be grateful if you could share them with your members, post them on your websites, or include them in your newsletters.
Monthly Focus Group Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30 PM MDT Zoom only Featuring Karen Ellingson Topic: Free and Frugal Genealogy Resources To receive the Zoom link, please email Jennifer Bigham at dbigham72@gmail.com.
Fall Seminar Saturday, October 3 In-person and Zoom Registration coming soon Featuring Gail Blankenau Topics include: • Power Combination: German Church Records and Farm Histories • Finding Your Family in Numbers: How to Find and Navigate German Census Records • Finding Your Germanic Home Village and Parish • Mountain Peaks and Trails: Your Swiss Ancestral Journey
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Chat
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Please join us and let’s chat!
Discussion starter topic
“How many generations back is your most distant known ancestor, who are they, and how did you find them?”
This is a monthly opportunity to connect with others and talk about anything and everything about genealogy.
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.
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:
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Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000
Passcode: 836216
One tap mobile:
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+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