Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

Puget Sound GS Hosts City Directory Program

by Roxanne Lowe

PugetSoundPuget Sound Genealogical Society
Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 1:00p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“Direct Link to the Past — City Directories for Genealogy”
Sylvan Way Library, 1301 Sylvan Way Library, Bremerton, WA 98310

Come join us for our free monthly meeting program. Mary Kircher Roddy will discuss what you’ll find in city directories, where and how to locate them. These directories contain information to help fill in the gaps in your ancestors’ lives — occupation, residence, work address, the community they lived in and how to find families.

For more information, visit the PSGS website or call the Genealogy Center, 360-475-9172. Visitors are most welcome and invited to remain for our business meeting.

Kathryn Bowman 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.

bowman_photo

Kathryn Bowman

Today we’re introducing Kathryn Bowman of Everett, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). She was recognized for her active participation in the 2016 Northwest Genealogy Conference in Arlington.

 

Ms. Bowman was the Assistant Conference Chair for 2016 and was responsible for the continued success of the conference. She coordinated all activity with the team members and led the marketing and material design teams. In addition, she is the SVGS newsletter editor and a valued member of The Tombstone Committee.

It is because of Ms. Bowman’s dedication and leadership skills that the Northwest Genealogy Conference enjoys continued success. There is no doubt, 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.

Research Study Call for Participation

by Roxanne Lowe

A graduate student pursuing her Masters of Library and Information Science at Rutgers University, is seeking participants for a research project involving a survey of genealogists. Below is information about her study and a link to participate.

For more information about this study, contact Kerry Dubyk, Masters of Library and Information Science Candidate, Department of Library and Information Science, School of Communication & Information, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 4 Huntington Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1071, Phone: 215-801-8235, Email: kerry.dubyk@rutgers.edu

Call for Participation

Objectives of the Study:
The research objective of this study is to gain new understanding into the perspective of genealogists as a user group of archives. Genealogists are major clientele of archives in order to do their own historical and family history research. This research seeks to explore the information needs of and experiences of genealogists in archives. These areas will be explored in an effort to examine the relationship between archives and genealogists and to bring new awareness to the archival community from a genealogical perspective.

Subject Characteristics:
I would like participation in this study from those who conduct genealogical and family history research, personally and professionally, and/or identify as a genealogist. Additionally, participants must have used or visited archives in their genealogical research. I seek participants who have a range of experience and skill sets in genealogical research.

The Survey Procedure:
Participates will participate in a survey questionnaire. The survey is 28 questions long and includes both multiple choice and open-ended questions. The survey will take approximately 20-40 minutes to complete.

No personally identifiable information will be obtained from participants and all data collected will be kept confidential. There are no expected risks nor benefits associated with your participation in this research.

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BIGS To Hear About Uncle Nate

by Roxanne Lowe

bainbridge-islandThe Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) will meet Friday, November 18, in the LDS church on Bainbridge Island, 8677 Madison Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon. BIGS Mentor Mary Ferm will be presenting “What About Uncle Nate?” Her topic will focus on the benefits of researching collaterals.

This program is free to members; a $5.00 donation is suggested for nonmembers. For more information go to the BIGS website, or call 206-842-4978.

Jefferson County GS Has More Knots in Them Than Others

by Roxanne Lowe

Join the Jefferson County Genealogy Society for their program “Some Family Trees Have More Knots in Them Than Others” on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W.Valley Rd., Chimacum. The program will being at 9:30 a.m. with a ‘meet & greet’, followed by brief announcements and the presentation from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Jefferson County Genealogy Society (JCGS) members have submitted their “family tree knots” (aka “brick walls”) to Jesse Stewart and friends, JCGS’s researchers extraordinaire. This annual popular presentation has Jesse using a variety of research techniques and records to reconsider some ”knotty” problems to help members of JCGS in their research. She also asks for the audience’s suggestions for research options during the presentation. You will find that discussions of how to investigate family tree “knots” or “brick walls” can give you ideas for your own research challenges.

This opportunity is free and open to the public. Donations gratefully accepted. Visit the JCGS website for more information .

Claire Bardwell 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.

Claire Bardwell

Claire Bardwell

Today we’re introducing Claire Bardwell of Colville, Washington, who was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society (NeWGS). She was recognized for her significant contributions to the society beginning in 1986 with her involvement in indexing birth, marriage and death records of Stevens and Ferry counties.

Since 1986, Mrs. Bardwell has helped with the annual clean-up of the Evergreen Cemetery, been involved in courthouse research through the years, taught classes on using land records, participated in numerous indexing projects. She has also served on the board of directors of NeWGS in several different capacities.

Mrs. Bardwell’s most recent contributions have been in the extraction and indexing of local courthouse records adding more than 4,000 entries to NeWGS’s databases.

Mrs. Bardwell is a respected and valuable, long-time member of the NeWGS, and her contributions prove 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.

Share Your Passwords

by Roxanne Lowe
Pam Hagedorn with her First Citizen certificate, 2008

Pam Hagedorn with her First Citizen certificate, 2008

In this crazy time of electronic computer hacking, it’s exceedingly unusual to be told to share your computer passwords, but that’s what I’m encouraging you to do — for a very good reason.

One year ago, Pam Hagedorn, one of the most treasured members of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS), passed away suddenly. She had been the society’s long-time Treasurer (and WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2005), managing their monies and membership with the utmost organization and efficiency. After the initial shock of her passing, members knew they needed to update financial accounts so the society’s bills could be paid, dues and donations collected and other financial activities conducted. They soon realized that Pam was the only keeper of all the financial and business records, including passwords to online banking, PayPal and other financial institutions. It was difficult to approach Pam’s grieving husband for access to the records and passwords, but he knew Pam kept meticulous records that the society needed. After some initial confusion, including not realizing all that Pam “just handled,” the society’s financial course got back on track.

The lesson GHGS learned was that no single member of a society (or any organization) should be the sole keeper of passwords, URLs, account numbers, etc. Please share that information with another member or two of your society or purchase password management software. One more suggestion is to have each of your society officers write a step-by-step procedural guide — a lesson for a future “Society Support” blog post.

Clark County’s Finance Team Awarded 2016 Outstanding Team Award

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 a 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Finance Team that was nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS). This talented team was selected for its diligence in maintaining the financial health of the CCGS. Team members include Lowell Kenedy, Barbara Baker, Larry Germann and Eric Jordahl.

Clark County GS's Finance Team

Clark County GS’s Finance Team

All non-profit organizations rely on fiscal responsibility. This team’s firm hand on the financial tiller underpinned the local society’s financial well-being.

The team’s solid reporting and astute projections made it possible for CCGS to survive and thrive, enabling the society to meet its stated goals of collection, education, and preservation.

The team has been vital to the society’s past and future success and richly deserve being recipients of a 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Team by the Washington State Genealogical Society.

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.

Autumn Quest Success

by Roxanne Lowe

By Patty Olsen
WSGS Region 4 Regional Representative
Lewis County Genealogical Society Vice President and Program Chair

Curt Witcher and WSGS board members Patty Olsen and Roger Newman

Curt Witcher and WSGS board members Patty Olsen and Roger Newman

Heritage Quest Research Library’s annual Autumn Quest is in the books, and I’m hoping I use everything I learned. What a great day with Curt B. Witcher, senior manager of special collections at the genealogical phenomenon Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also manages The Genealogy Center, Allen County’s Rare and Fine Book Collection and the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection of Abraham Lincoln materials.

Curt was funny, entertaining and informative — a master of all three! He spoke on four subjects:

• Doing Effective Genealogy Research in Libraries
• Effective Use of the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
• Mining the Mother Lode: Using Periodical Literature for Genealogical Research
• Finding the World with WorldCat

His lecture on the Allen County Public Library really opened my eyes to what an amazing gem the ACPL’s Genealogy Center is. It immediately made just about everyone in the room want to take a road trip to Fort Wayne!

In a fascinating lecture, Curt enlightened us that our heritage records are in the hands of disinterested entities in government repositories. That’s why the ACPL Genealogy Center makes a rigorous effort to collect a diverse collection of records. In fact, the Genealogy Center will accept ANY record! Think about the breadth of their collection (currently at 4.3 million books!). They want your:

• Family histories
• Military packets
• Diaries
• Family Bibles
• School and college yearbooks
• Letters from the war to you and yours
• Programs from events like commencements, tributes, special events, etc.
• Ship itineraries
• Photographs
• Naturalization records
• Land grants
• Wills, probates, adoption papers
• Materials you purchased then discovered it wasn’t about your ancestor
• Memorabilia other entities wouldn’t save
• Weird stuff no one else keeps

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