Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Change Is In the Air at WSGS

Jun12 by Roxanne Lowe

Please join me in welcoming Heather Murphy as our new Web Manager. Heather is a WSGS member from the Tri-Cities area. She will be transitioning to the position in the next few weeks. Welcome, Heather!

A huge debt of gratitude goes to our outgoing Web Manager, Roxanne Lowe. She has made many improvements to the WSGS website over the past couple of years. We are sorry to see her go, but family obligations come first!

Please consider how you might contribute to our genealogical community. We are still looking for someone to take over the Recognition and Awards Program. If you are interested, please contact me.

Virginia Majewski, President

ginnym51@msn.com

Ann Olson Awarded President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement

Jun8 by Roxanne Lowe

Ann Olson

In an announcement made at the WSGS Annual Meeting on 26 May 2018, Ann Olson from Olympia was awarded the WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. The award, made by WSGS President Virginia Majewski, is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization that has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

Just a few of Ann’s accomplishments:

Founding member of the Olympia Genealogical Society 44 years ago.
Has served in every board position; more than once in many cases.
Organizes and teaches a beginning genealogy course at the local library.
Affectionately called the “lead-off batter and team captain” of the society.

Ann’s involvement in her community is broader than genealogy. For example, she is a docent at the Governor’s Mansion; member of the Daughters of the Pioneers (including being president of her local chapter); and registrar of the local DAR, where she’s been a member for more than 30 years. When her children were growing up, Ann was active in the PTA, including being state president and national vice-president.

Ann exemplifies what the President’s Award stands for: long-term, consistent service in genealogy and in the community. Congratulations to her!

WSGS Awards Announced in Vancouver

Jun8 by Roxanne Lowe

Many thanks are extended to the Clark County Genealogical Society for hosting the WSGS Annual Meeting and Awards Event on Saturday, 26 May 2018. The annual meeting was held in conjunction with CCGS’s Spring Seminar featuring David Allen Lambert, chief genealogist with the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston.

During the annual meeting and awards lunch, 30 local society members and 4 teams were recognized with Outstanding Volunteer and Team awards. The volunteers were praised for their commitment and energies to promote genealogy and family history in their local communities. For more about the Outstanding Volunteers, read this blog article.

Other awards presented included:

WSGS President Virginia Majewski presenting the Outstanding Communication Award to Nancy Cordell, president of the Olympia Genealogical Society

Outstanding Communication – Olympia Genealogical Society for their new website. Check it out!!
Clark County Genealogical Society members Brian Runyan and Lois Boslund receiving the Outstanding Project award from President Virginia Majewski

Outstanding Project — Clark County Genealogical Society for their dedication to digitizing, transcribing and indexing original tax ledgers for the City of Vancouver for the years 1886 and 1891.

Five local societies were awarded Innovative Grant Awards. Congratulations to:

Eastside Genealogical Society – help paying for “The Photo Detective” Maureen Taylor at a workshop to celebrate the society’s 40^th Ms. Taylor will present “Finding Family History in Your Picture Mysteries” on September 15 in Bellevue. Society members will get to attend for free while the public will pay a small fee.
Lower Columbia Genealogical Society– to purchase genealogical books to donate to the Longview Public Library for public use. Lower Columbia has generously donated books for a number of years, using money from membership dues and their coffee stops.
Okanogan Genealogical Society – help purchasing supplies to repair and preserve books holding the “Tonasket Times” newspaper from 1913 – 1952. They use a special archival document repair tape. Each book uses a whole roll of tape. This grant will buy a few rolls of tape to stop the destruction of the collection.
Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society – help publishing a book on “Early Stillaguamish Valley Schools” in the Arlington Area. It’s taken years to gather historical documents and photographs for this project from the 1800s to the early 1940s and now they’re ready to publish.
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – For the 4^th consecutive year, WAGS has applied for an Innovative Grant to promote genealogy in their area. This year, they’re focusing on the digital preservation of family records, library holdings and archival documents. They plan to preserve family histories and archival materials of their society, its members and the community.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to Ann Olson of the Olympia Genealogical Society. See separate blog feature.

For more photos of the seminar and annual meeting, visit our Facebook page.

Outstanding Volunteers and Teams Honored

May26 by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS Vice President and Region 7 Representative Donna Potter Phillips presents Charles Hansen from the Eastern Washington Gen Soc (& WSGS Blog Master) with an Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Thirty local genealogical society members were honored for their outstanding volunteerism at the WSGS Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Washington, on 26 May 2018. Nominated by their local societies, these individuals and teams spent countless hours supporting their local organizations, researching, cataloging, inventorying, teaching, and inspiring others. We are proud to announce the 2018 Outstanding Volunteer Awards:

Jessica Moskowitz Anderson, Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
Robert Barnes, Eastside Genealogical Society
Lisa & Phil Bartlow, Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society
Joyce Boster, Whidbey Island Team Club Improvements, Whidbey Island Genealogical Searchers
Lawrence Clay, Tri-City Genealogical Society
Trudy Hayrynen Davis, Lower Columbia Genealogical Society
Max Graham, Kittitas County Genealogical Society
Stan Graham, Mason County Genealogical Society
Anne Grimm, Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society
Charles Hansen, Eastern Washington Genealogical Society
Cathi Hepworth, Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society
Thomas Hull, Kittitas County Genealogical Society
Janis Keough, Whidbey Island Team Club Improvements, Whidbey Island Genealogical Searchers
Reiley Kidd, Seattle Genealogical Society
Lake Chelan Museum, Chelan Valley Genealogical Society
Barbara Mattoon, South King County Genealogical Society
Karen Mitchell, Clallam County Genealogical Society
Elise Willens Morse, Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
Gary Parfitt, Grays Harbor Genealogical Society
Rebel Anne Romero, Olympia Genealogical Society
Sonji Ruttan, Eastern Washington Genealogical Society
Judy Simon, Genealogical Society of Whidbey Island
Candice Soine, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
Stilly Library, Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society
Mary K. (Schonberg) Swartz, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
Richard Thayer, South King County Genealogical Society
Jackie Vannice, Whidbey Island Club Improvements, Whidbey Island Genealogical Searchers
Consuelo White, Clallam County Genealogical Society
Sharon Wilson, Northeast Washington Genealogical Society
Yard Sales Team, Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

To read each individual’s accomplishments and why they were nominated, visit the Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program page here.

For more information about the Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program, contact Virginia Majewski at ginnym51@msn.com.

It’s Almost Showtime in Vancouver

May25 by Roxanne Lowe

Seminar chair Marcia Grubb and CCGS President Brian Runyan share a moment.

So much to see and do! And you can still join us!

Roger Newman (right) shares stories about his Hudson Bay Company ancestor.

For many of us, the Clark County Genealogical Society Spring Seminar festivities began today (Friday) with a reception at the Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks. A spectacular building constructed in 1904, the Artillery Barracks was originally built as a place to house soldiers who were trained to go into combat with cannons and other mounted guns. Tonight, however, it was the location of the Hudson Bay Company Gala Reception. It was our opportunity to meet keynote speaker David Allen Lambert, chief genealogist with the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, as well as new and old friends. So great to put faces to my email pals from Clark County.

One of the embroidered panels of the Vancouver Tapestry.

Before the reception, I had the opportunity to marvel at the Fort Vancouver Tapestry on exhibit at the CCGS Annex, 717 Grand Blvd., Vancouver. This exquisite textile will be on display through Monday, May 28. The tapestry was completed over a six-year period (1999 – 2005), using over 100,000 hours of volunteer effort. The 70 panels, stitched by 57 talented embroiderers, depicts the history and growth of the American West all the way to the banks of the mighty Columbia. The tapestry is 108 feet long and has more than 22 miles of woolen yarn. Check out the plaid shirts in the picture on the left — amazing!

You can still register for the seminar. Just show up at the Historic Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St, Vancouver. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. You don’t want to miss it — and you’ll get to hear the announcement of the WSGS recognition award winners during the lunch hour. A day packed with learning and fellowship.

Meet Us in Vancouver

May23 by Roxanne Lowe

David Allen Lambert

We’re hoping to see you on Saturday (May 26, 2018) at the Clark County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar — and WSGS Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony! There’s still time to register for the seminar at the CCGS library (until Friday) or register at the seminar on Saturday morning at the Historic Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Rd., Vancouver. Click here for more details about the seminar and other activities.

David Allen Lambert, the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s chief genealogist, will be the featured speaker at Saturday’s seminar. David’s topics include 1) World War 1 Military; 2) Great Migration Era settler research; and 3) Probate & Deed Records research.

During the lunch hour, WSGS will present its Outstanding Volunteer and Team awards, Outstanding Communication, Outstanding Project, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Innovative Grants.

Don’t Miss the Fort Vancouver Tapestry

May12 by Roxanne Lowe

A section of the Fort Vancouver Tapestry

For those attending the Clark County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar, don’t miss viewing the Fort Vancouver Tapestry on exhibit at the CCGS Annex, 717 Grand Blvd., Vancouver. This exquisite textile will be on display from Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28.

The tapestry was completed over a six-year period (1999 – 2005), using over 100,000 hours of volunteer effort. The 70 panels, stitched by 57 talented embroiderers, depicts the history and growth of the American West all the way to the banks of the mighty Columbia. The tapestry is 108 feet long and has more than 22 miles of woolen yarn.

An amazing work of art not to be missed.

Norma Yost Awarded 2017 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

May9 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 500 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2017 award recipients and learn why they received the 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Norma Yost

Today we’re introducing Norma Yost of Colville, Washington, who was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society (NeWGS). She was recognized for her dedication to the preservation of a local pioneer cemetery.

Since joining in 2014, Ms. Yost has been involved in the clean-up and maintenance of Evergreen Cemetery in Colville, a local pioneer cemetery established in 1868. She is a favorite speaker at NeWGS meetings, and has been a member of the board of directors serving as member-at-large and currently as librarian. As librarian, Ms. Yost has used her talents to design outstanding displays for National Family History Month. She is also a gifted seamstress and has personalized NeWGS vests by embroidering their names on them.

Ms. Yost is a respected and diligent member of the NeWGS. Her accomplishments and dedication illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Interim Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

The “Lowe Down” on the Tacoma-Pierce County Seminar

May8 by Roxanne Lowe

Additional tables had to be brought in to accommodate the crowd.

“Slow down. Mull and ponder.” That was a frequent reminder from J. Mark Lowe, the featured speaker at Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society‘s Spring Seminar on April 27 and 28, 2018. Good advice to someone (like me!) who often jumps from rabbit hole to rabbit hole while researching my family history — and other activities.

Quite the storyteller, Mark captured and held the attention of a roomful of enthusiasts with tales of his Southern family. His presentations included using online newspapers; finding and using sources at home or your library; migration through Virginia, the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee; and a using a brick wall as a foundation for your research.

Mark Lowe and Mistress of Ceremonies Cyndi Ingle. What great chemistry between those two!

We learned to consider that brick walls were of our own making and could be used as a stepping stone to further research. He encouraged us to start with a research plan and complete that question. Even if we didn’t get an answer to the research question, we should document that, then move on to a new question. He also encouraged us to think about the big picture, open our minds to every possibility and not get too myopic — remember that research plan — and mull and ponder the possibilities!

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society always hosts a first-rate seminar. Good location, good organization, very welcoming. They are so well-organized, they’ve already lined up their speaker for 2019: Michael Lacopo, DVM. Dr. Lacopo has a varied and interesting ancestry and is a self-described “all-American mutt.” Mark your calendar for April 26 – 27, 2019.

Catherine and Gilbert Wooden Awarded 2017 Outstanding Volunteer Honors

May2 by Roxanne Lowe

Catherine Wooden

Gilbert Wooden

Today we’re introducing Catherine and Gilbert Wooden of Renton, Washington, who were nominated by the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS). This dedicated duo was recognized for their loyal service to the operation of their local society.

Cathy and Gil provide the crucial behind- the-scenes support every society depends on for smooth operation. Cathy always serves at registration tables, providing name tags, handouts or other items as needed. Gil has operated the audio equipment for meetings, transporting everything back and forth from home to venue. They both have served on the board of directors and various committees.

Cathy and Gil are respected and diligent members of the SKCGS, and richly deserve the honor of being Washington State Genealogical Society Outstanding Volunteers.