Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

How to Post on the Blog

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you want to broadcast information about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query? Just post to the WSGS Blog! You can reach hundreds of genealogists from around the state. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and the blog masters will 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.

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.

You may manage your subscription options from your profile.

Now’s the Time to Apply for Innovative Grant

by Roxanne Lowe

The Washington State Genealogical Society’s “Innovative Grant Program” is accepting applications. The deadline is March 1, 2017.

The grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2017.

Last year’s grant awards were made to:

• Jefferson County Genealogical Society – upgrade software designed to index and preserve more than 400,000 local records.
• Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – promotion of adoption of “Coyote Reading a Candy Wrapper” sculpture. This project will be featured in an upcoming Blog post.
• Whitman County Genealogical Society – assist purchase of new society computer, 22” monitor and portable hard drive to ensure back-up of files.

The deadline for the Innovative Grant application is March 1, 2017. The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. Additional guidance on the program is here.

For more information, contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair, at roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Patricia Deutsch Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Patricia Deutsch

Patricia Deutsch

Today we’re introducing Patricia Deutsch of Seattle, Washington, who was nominated by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State (JGSWS). She was recognized for her organizational skills to improve access to the JGSWS holdings.

The JGSWS owns a collection of over 200 resources, including books, research guides, methodologies, atlases, histories and maps of particular interest to Jewish genealogists. This collection had previously been unavailable to members of the society having been stored in boxes at the Jewish Community Center and in one of the society member’s garage. Ms. Deutsch moved the collection to a more advantageous location, and made them available for members to use. She arranged the books on shelves for easy browsing and devised a system for the items to be loaned out to members for their use at home. These efforts have given the JGSWS members an additional way to improve their knowledge of research methods and resources and to further their own efforts to trace their families.

Ms. Deutsch’s efforts to improve access to their resources were much appreciated by the JGSWS, thus proving she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2016 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, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

WAGS Library Open an Extra Day

by Roxanne Lowe

Take advantage of the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) Library’s extra day open next week! WAGS doesn’t usually have a membership meeting in December, so their librarians took matters into their own hands, and decided to open their library an extra day. Stop by on Monday, December 12, anytime from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Even in the midst of all your December busy-ness, here is an opportunity to do a bit of quiet research. Be sure to check out their new digital preservation equipment, and see how this technique might fit your goals for preserving and sharing your family’s genealogy!

The WAGS Library is located in the Museum Annex Building, 127 South Mission Street, Wenatchee (corner of Mission and Yakima). Besides this extra day, their regular library hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday and Saturday. Call the Library at 509-888-6246 or visit their website for more information.

Forgotten Civil War Veteran To Be Honored

by Roxanne Lowe

Due to the dogged commitment of a Kent couple, with a passion for searching for remains of veterans lying in unmarked graves and obtaining proper headstones for them, a Civil War veteran and his wife will be buried with full military honors on 10 Dec at the Tahoma National Cemetery near Kent.

Read more about the amazing journey of James Powers and his wife Irene who died in 1921 and 1928, respectively, in this Tacoma News Tribune article.

More information about the burial is available in this blog article.

Gift Idea: Washington Pioneer Certificate

by Roxanne Lowe

pioneerIf your ancestor was one of the 350,000 people who lived in the Washington Territory when it became the nation’s 42nd state on 11 Nov 1889, you may be eligible for a Washington Pioneer certificate. Or if your ancestors arrived a little later — before 31 Dec 1900 — you can get a First Citizen certificate. What a great gift for yourself and your family members!

We began the Washington State Centennial Pioneer Certificate Program in 1984 in anticipation of the state’s centennial admission to the union in 1889. The initial certificates were issued to applicants who could prove their ancestors were in Washington Territory prior to 11 Nov 1889. Those descendants’ names, almost 18,000, were printed in a two-volume set of firstcitizenbooks entitled “Washington Pioneers” in 1992. A third volume, published in 1993, included Pioneers and First Citizens (those in the state on or before 31 Dec 1900). The three original volumes are out of print, but an index is available here. WSGS members have access to family lineages in the Members’ Only section of the website.
Pioneer and First Citizen Certificates are still being issued, although they are published only on the WSGS website at this time. If you can prove your ancestor was in Washington prior to 11 Nov 1889, you may be eligible to purchase a Pioneer Certificate. If your ancestor was in Washington on or before 31 Dec 1900, you may be eligible for a First Citizen Certificate. More information, including resources to prove residency, is available in the Pioneer and First Citizen Program brochure. An application and instructions are available here.

Society Award Deadlines Set

by Roxanne Lowe

Local genealogical societies:

The deadlines for WSGS awards to local societies have been set. We are encouraging you to promote your society’s activities and accomplishments by submitting a nomination.

Outstanding Communication – The WSGS Outstanding Communication Award is awarded to a local society that promotes its society and/or genealogy and family history to its members and/or the public. The award includes all forms of communication, including websites, social media, newsletters, lectures, videos, podcasts, etc. The nomination deadline is 01 Feb 2017. The application is available here.

Outstanding Project – The WSGS Outstanding Project Award is awarded to a local genealogical society or organization in recognition of exceptional genealogical or historical projects implemented during the past year. The nomination deadline is 01 Feb 2017. The application is available here.

President’s Award: The WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. The nomination deadline is 15 Feb 2017. The nomination form and additional details are available here.

For more information, contact Roxanne Lowe, Chair, Recognition Committee at roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Michele Cozad Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Michele Cozad

Michele Cozad

Today we’re introducing Michele Cozad of Arlington, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). She was recognized for her active volunteerism and many years of service to the society.

Ms. Cozad currently serves as SVGS and Northwest Genealogy Conference secretary and is vital to the success of the organization. Her exemplary recordkeeping skills keep all committees on track. She is also a gifted writer creating entertaining and informative pieces which are published, gaining the society great local press. She has been a librarian at SVGS since 2014 and serves on the Tombstone and Membership committees, and takes the lead on multiple conference teams.

Ms. Cozad also represents SVGS at many community events and at statewide genealogy seminars. In addition, she can be counted on to help others. Her delightful personality makes her a great asset to SVGS, and illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2016 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, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

WSGS Elections Open December 1

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS members will receive a link to their election ballot via email on Thursday, 01 Dec. Offices on the ballot include President, Secretary and Regional Representatives in Regions 1, 3, 5 and 7. Below are profiles for President candidate Virginia Majewski and Secretary candidate Karin Coppernoll.

Virginia "Ginny" Majewski

Virginia “Ginny” Majewski

Virginia “Ginny” Majewski of Sequim, Washington, is running to serve as WSGS President for the next two-year term. For the past two years, she has served as the WSGS Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee. Prior to that she was the Regional Representative for Region 3 (Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason and Thurston counties). She has served as President and on the Board of Directors for Clallam County Genealogical Society for many years. She has given a number of presentations for various societies and Family History Centers throughout Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap Counties.

Ginny has worked on her personal family history for over 20 years. She attended the National Institute of Genealogical Studies, University of Toronto and graduated with a certification in advanced genealogical studies in both American Records and Methodology.

Ginny’s personal statement: Genealogy is one of my passions. The past 10 years have brought about a tremendous amount of change in genealogy with so many advances in science and technology. We need to keep informed and relevant if both WSGS and local societies are to survive. I believe that WA State Genealogical Society can be a resource and help to local societies. The Board has been working hard the past few years to make WSGS more visible, active and relevant and I hope to continue that effort — and more.

Karin Coppernoll

Karin Coppernoll

Karin Coppernoll of Monroe, Washington, is running to serve as WSGS Secretary for the next two-year term.

Karin is a professional genealogist with more than 30 years of experience research her family history. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, as well as two state genealogical societies and trustee of her local historical society. She is also a member of Sno-Isle Genealogical Society.

Karin has a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and  has attended the Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy.  For more information about Karin, visit her website.

Karin’s personal statement: I’m excited about the opportunity to serve genealogists and local societies in Washington on the state board. It’s my way to share my passion and experiences in the wonderful world of genealogy and family history.

John Covey Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

John Covey

John Covey

Today we’re introducing John F. Covey of Richland, Washington, who was nominated by the Tri-City Genealogical Society (TCGS). He was recognized for his leadership and guidance through challenging times.

Mr. Covey has served two terms as TCGS President. During his extended tenure, he led without hesitancy and he never lost his focus on successfully leading the society during and through difficult times.

For many years, Mr. Covey has coordinated week-long trips to the Family History Center in Salt Lake City. He has also chaired the 2015 TCGS fall seminar “Traveling Through Time” with William Dollarhide as the featured presenter.

Mr. Covey’s dedication to the preservation and success of TCGS illustrates that he richly deserved being a recipient of a 2016 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, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.