Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

Innovative Grant Applications Due March 1

by Roxanne Lowe

Local Societies:

WSGS wants to help your society! Get your Innovative Grant applications in by Wednesday, 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. These are grants — not loans!

The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. Additional guidance on the program is here.

Here are previously approved Innovative Grants, but look for more ideas in the Guidance Document:

2015

Chelan Valley Genealogical Society – purchase of new magazine containers/binders for the local library’s historical magazines
Northeast Washington Genealogical Society – tree removal in a pioneer cemetery
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society – assistance with computer purchase
Tri-City Genealogical Society – advertising & prizes for writing contest
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – specialized software to manage society’s extensive genealogical holdings

2016
Jefferson County Genealogical Society – software upgrade for society’s library and research database
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – publicity for dedication and adoption of society mascot Coyote
Whitman County Genealogical Society – assistance with purchase of computer, monitor & back-up software

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

Marge Samuelson 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 next few weeks, you will be introduced to each of last year’s award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Marge Samuelson

Today we’re introducing Marge Samuelson of Port Townsend, Washington, who was nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS). She was recognized for her never-ending commitment to preserving the history of Jefferson County and the field of genealogy.

Ms. Samuelson has been an invaluable volunteer with the JCGS for many years. She has served as treasurer, membership chair, historian and vice president. She was also newsletter editor for more than four years, wrote many articles for the county history section of the newsletter and maintained a blog, researching and writing articles about local historical topics.

Ms. Samuelson has also worked tirelessly averaging over 75 hours a month transcribing records from the local newspaper. To date, she has extracted over 100,000 names.

Ms. Samuelson’s passion and commitment to researching and sharing the local history prove she richly deserves 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.

NW Genealogy Conference Registration Continues

by Roxanne Lowe

“Where does your story begin? That’s the theme of the 2017 Northwest Genealogy Conference, featuring nationally acclaimed speakers Kenyatta Berry, Daniel Earl and Diahan Southard. August 16 – 19 in Arlington, Washington.

Don’t miss this top-notch conference, full of classes, vendors, networking and more! Register today: full three-day conference -$160, single day – $80. For more information and registration, visit the NWGC website.

George Ridgeway, Jr. 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 next few weeks, you will be introduced to each of last year’s award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

George Ridgeway, Jr.

Today we’re introducing George Ridgeway, Jr. of Mount Vernon, Washington, who was nominated by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). He was recognized for his generosity of time and energy dedicated to SVGS.

Mr. Ridgeway has served as the local society’s president, vice president and webmaster.  He has spent much of his time designing and maintaining the SVGS website. His most recent website additions include the addition of all newsletters since the organization of the society in 1987. He has added links for a blog, “Stories of our Ancestors” and a PayPal link allowing payment of membership dues and events. In addition, Mr. Ridgeway encouraged SVGS to hold an educational program series for beginners in Anacortes and Burlington, beginning in 2015 and still in operation.

Dedicated volunteers like Mr. Ridgeway are prized assets to any organization. That is why 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.

NW Genealogy Conference — Get Your Early Bird Discount NOW

by Roxanne Lowe

The Early Bird Discount for the 2017 Northwest Genealogy Conference expires Wednesday, February 15th . With emphasis on “Where Does Your Story Begin?” the conference offers a variety of speakers, including four keynote speakers, and four days of classes and workshops. This fabulous event takes place in Arlington, Washington, August 16-19th. Mark your calendars and register at www.nwgc.org and follow the prompts.

WSGS Board Working for You

by Roxanne Lowe

President Virginia Majewski, Past President Mikal McKinnon and Secretary Karen Coppernoll

WSGS Board planning session

The WSGS Board of Directors recently held a planning retreat, coupled with their quarterly board meeting. After Past President Mikal McKinnon passed the gavel to Virginia Majewski, the board launched into an earnest discussion about short- and long-term goals and implementing ideas to increase our visibility and improve communication with local societies, individual members and genealogy/history partners.

Numerous ideas and projects were bandied around, many improving and crystallizing as members voiced their opinions. Some projects, such as the Pioneer and First Citizen Program, will benefit from increased emphasis and exposure. There was also much discussion about how to provide additional services and assistance to local societies. More ideas from societies and individuals are always welcome — just contact any board member.

The minutes of the meetings will be posted in the Members’ Only area of the WSGS website once they’re complete.

The board meetings are open to all WSGS members. The next meeting will be Friday, April 21 at the YVGS Library in Union Gap. For more information about WSGS and/or the board of directors, contact President Virginia Majewski.

Front: Donna Phillips, Diane Huckabay, Virginia Majewski, Karin Coppernoll. Middle: Kathy Sizer, Opal Myhres, Patrick Bundy, Patty Olsen, Roxanne Lowe. Back: Frank McLean, Sue Ericksen, Charles Hansen, Janet McKinnon, Mikal McKinnon, Melonie Liening

Gail Porter 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 next few months, you will be introduced to each of last year’s award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Gail Porter

Today we’re introducing Gail Porter of Port Angeles, Washington, who was nominated by the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She was recognized for her enthusiasm and willingness to take on challenging projects.

Although Ms. Porter has been the CCGS treasurer for five years, in 2016 she undertook the project of organizing the genealogies of the Clallam County pioneer families. This was no small project as there were more than 200 pioneer families and she had to sort through a hodgepodge of information. Using her organizational skills, she sorted them by family groups and is now in the process of indexing the information for inclusion on the CCGS web page. She has spent an average of 40 hours a week over the past eight months on this project.

Ms. Porter also makes herself available to all comers seeking assistance with their personal family genealogies, devoting many hours and donating her fees back to the society. This commitment to the CCGS and field of genealogy 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.

Janet Camarata Workshop Coming to Aberdeen

by Roxanne Lowe

The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society is hosting a 2-session workshop with Janet O’Conor Camarata on Saturday, 11 Mar at the Museum of History in Aberdeen from 1:00 – 3:15 p.m.

The workshop topics will be “Immigration and Naturalization Records” and “Mapping an Ancestor.” Attendees that register before 03 Mar are able to attend a free bonus lecture from 10:00 – 11:30, also at the Museum of History.

More information, including a registration form, visit the GHGS website.

 

Patricia Olsen 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 Olsen

Today we’re introducing Patricia Olsen of Chehalis, Washington, who was nominated by the Lewis County Genealogical Society (LCGS). She was recognized for her commitment to provide quality educational programs for the society.

For the past two years, Ms. Olsen has single-handedly arranged for meeting program speakers with no assistance. Traveling to various genealogical events around Washington and Oregon so she is up-to-date on new research techniques, technologies, databases, and presenters, she evaluated speakers and subjects based on what she thought would be the most popular and useful to the LCGS’s members. After agreement by the society, she would finalize arrangements, including logistics, resulting in a diverse group of speakers and topics.

Ms. Olsen’s attention to detail and commitment to educating LCGS’s members in the field of genealogy 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.

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.