Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

23andMe Bankruptcy Information

by Roxanne Lowe

By now, you’ve probably heard that 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. As the company maneuvers through the bankruptcy process, including trying to find a buyer, customers may want to check out the following articles.

What the 23andMe Bankruptcy Means for your Data and Genealogy with Amy Johnson Crow (March 2025)

https://genealogybargains.com/turmoil-at-23andme/  with Thomas MacEntee (March 2025)

April 29, 2025 update: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/23andme-will-have-court-appointed-overseer-genetic-data-bankruptcy-2025-04-29/

Kelly Martin Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kelly Martin of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Even though Kelly has been a member of EWGS for only two years, she has jumped right in on a number of different activities. She has been a gene helper in the library, and even substituted for others that were not able to attend their shift. Her knowledge of North Idaho sources has been invaluable to people coming to the library researching that area.

Kelly has started an Irish special interest group, whose goal is to discuss resources and tools to aid Irish genealogical research. She also was one of the participants in the recent “Walking with Ancestors” event. Kelly has been an enthusiastic researcher on the well-known Best family in the library. She portrayed Emily and Edward Best. (Best Road in Spokane Valley was named for them.)

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

JCGS Research Center Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the JCGS Research Center who was selected by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Pam Wilson, Dave Sachi, Eileen Martin, Harlean Hamilton, Marge Samuelson, Mary Stolaas, Pam Stinson, Cathy Beatty-O’Shea, Kathie Wilkinson, Geri Eekhoff, Elaine Raymond, Ada Kornmeyer, Bobbee Davidson, Sue Atkin, Gene Nelson and Kathy Pool.

This group of volunteers remained actively staffing the JCGS research center in person throughout the COVID era from July 2021 thru January 2023. They have endured Zoom meetings, administrative changes in procedures, snafus with technology, and wearing masks while meeting researchers in person.

This group was formed by the JCGS board asking for volunteers to staff the research center. The project has been long-term, starting after the library re-opened to in-person research in July 2021 and especially through January 2023.

Most of this group is still currently staffing the research center.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

EWGS Audio-Visual Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the EWGS Audio-Visual Team who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Dan Cotton, Julie Roesnoff, Ron Marvin, John Wilson and Duane Beck.

The Audio-Visual team is responsible for the storage, transport, maintenance, inventory, and set-up / take-down of equipment. They are also responsible for ensuring audio and visual capabilities for attendees and presenters of EWGS meetings and seminars for those attending in person and on Zoom.

The team was created in 2020 when in-person meetings could not be held. When regular meetings resumed, they continued to provide the services needed for hybrid meetings.

Members of this team spend countless hours making sure the meetings are available to all and record them for later viewing. They have had to adjust to varied set-up conditions at different locations, and they have worked to resolve any technical difficulties that arose.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

EGS Help Desk Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the EGS’s Help Desk Team who was selected by the Eastside Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Helen Carlson, Robert Barnes and Jane Wickert.

Bob Barnes, Jane Wickert, and Helen Carlson have contributed their knowledge, time, and energies to keep this important service operating through uncharted waters. Helen handles Scandinavian, Upper Mid-West and Eastern Washington. Jane is very good at Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio resources. Bob contributes additional experience in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Hawaii and Washington. Together they support each other on challenging family quests that the public brings in. Because of their persistence, the Help Desk thrives today.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

How to Post Your Meetings and Events on the WSGS Blog and Website

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you want to broadcast information about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query? Just send it to the WSGS Blog and WSGS Meetings and Events! Your post will be seen by more than 1,100 genealogists from around the state and beyond. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and Info@wasgs.org and we’ll do the rest!

We’re always looking to publicize local events and workshops, feature stories, updates from your society, and other genealogical information that might be of interest to our many subscribers and viewers.

We hope to hear from you soon! And don’t forget to encourage your Society members to subscribe to the Blog for the most up-to-date information from around the state.

Connie Davis Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Connie Timperley Davis of Castle Rock, Washington who was selected by the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Connie has been a very active member of LCGS for many years. She is currently a trustee, a board member and she serves on the program committee. She is a strong advocate for promoting informational and motivational speakers to present programs at each monthly meeting. She goes above and beyond in giving her own time to research potential speakers to meet the needs of the society’s members.

Connie has also taken on the responsibility of personally hand delivering the society’s flyers to various venues in order to advertise the society’s upcoming monthly meetings. Connie is most deserving of this award as she quietly and enthusiastically works behind the scenes to promote the society.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Washington Resource Guide Available

by Roxanne Lowe

In a recent blog article, we shared that FamilyTree Magazine had recently published the Resource Guide for Washington State. Kathy Weber, professional genealogist and president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, authored the guide which is full of Evergreen State resources, history and links. The information included in the resource guide is available HERE.

Family Tree Magazine publishes state resource guides for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They are available in PDF here ($9.99): https://store.familytreemagazine.com/genealogy-research-state-guides.

Charles Hansen Honored By Spokane City Council

by Roxanne Lowe

Earlier this week, Charles Hansen was surprised with a proclamation by the Spokane City Council for his “dedicated service to the citizens of Spokane and in great celebration of the positive impact he has made in the lives of our community’s families, residents, organizations and youth.” The resolution was signed by Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane City Council President.

The proclamation (below) outlines the many endeavors that Charles has committed himself to over the years, including being Whitman Neighborhood Council Chair, volunteering to do genealogical research at the Spokane County Auditor’s Office and being a longtime member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society.

Although in his long list of activities it doesn’t say, we are enormously proud of Charles for being the WSGS Blog Master since its inception in January 2019. He is also the #2 all-time scribe of Washington State records with 678,945 transcriptions.

Congratulations, Charles, for all you do.

David Cosman Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing David Cosman of Bainbridge Island, Washington who was selected by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Without the need of any particular title, David has become one of BIGS’s most important mentors. He simply makes himself available to anyone who is willing to ask for help. And David knows how to help, in terms of both his knowledge and his personality. He teaches others with dignity and grace.

David is an outstanding traditional genealogy researcher. Coupling those skills with his personal background as a native of Nottingham, England, has equipped him well to be co-leader of our Great Britain Special Interest Group. David’s career involved cloning genes that regulate the immune system and this technical knowledge allowed him to quickly become one of only a few of BIGS’s members with true expertise in employing DNA for genealogical purposes.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.