Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

Morrow Family Added to Pioneer Pursuit

by Roxanne Lowe

The Pioneer Pursuit program continues to grow, albeit slowly, so we celebrate every submittal, large or small. Just this week, we approved George and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Morrow and their descendants. The submittal was made by 93-year-old Margaret Morrow Lubbers. She is a member of the State Association of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington (DPW), #19 Ft. Vancouver Chapter. Margaret also submitted her Curtin and Burke pioneer families — a total of 48 names.  

Margaret Morrow Lubbers

According to Margaret (& verified sources) George Morrow (1824 – bef 1870) and his wife Elizabeth Wheeler (1821 – 1873) owned 640 acres of land in Clark County, Washington Territory in 1860. How or when George first arrived in the area is unknown but it is believed that he and Elizabeth came on the steamship Massachusetts in 1848 with the first NY Artillery Battalion sent to Ft. Vancouver to protect the area after the Whitman massacre. George and Elizabeth had nine children: all pioneers born before Washington Territory became a state on November 11, 1889.

George disappears from all records after 1868. It is possible that as a member of the Mounted Rifles he may have been killed at any one of the skirmishes with the Native Indians or sent into the Idaho/Montana area where he was killed. Elizabeth died in 1873 and is buried in the Old Vancouver City Cemetery. Her children stayed together after her death with the younger children living with their older siblings.

There are countless pioneer stories like the Morrow family in the Pioneer Pursuit — just click on a link here. Or better yet: find someone who was in Washington Territory on or before statehood and research them. You DO NOT need to be related to the pioneer.

Check out our Pioneer Pursuit page for hints, resources, submittal form and a sample submittal. We need your help to document every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory before statehood! If you have questions, email Info@wasgs.org and put Pioneer Pursuit in the subject line.

CCGS Nomination 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 CCGS’s Nomination Team who was selected by the Clallam County Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Jackie Jardine, Pricilla Hudson and Carol Colman.

Finding members of genealogical societies willing to serve on the Board is always a difficult undertaking. Before our election for the CCGS Board of Directors, the members who volunteered to be on the nominating committee called every person on the membership list, asking if they would serve. They also asked for input as to how we could better serve them. These one-on-one conversations brought many suggestions and concerns, as well as reminding members that we are a caring and active Society, and they have chosen to be a part of it.

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.

Kathleen Weber Authors Washington Resource Guide

by Roxanne Lowe

Kathleen Weber, professional genealogist and president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, recently authored the Washington State Resource Guide published in the March/April 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine.

Kathy is well-versed to write the guide as she’s done extensive Washington research for her upcoming book “Arrivals — How My Eight Great Grandparents Got to Washington, 1882 – 1909.” Her specialties include DNA, Ireland, maps and methodology.

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

Diane Carter 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 Diane Huntley Carter of Aberdeen, Washington who was selected by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Diane, a longtime professor of life sciences, has worn many hats in her retirement years. She was past president of the North Beach Genealogy Society at Ocean Shores before joining GHGS in 2016. She currently serves as first vice president and is a knowledgeable resource for new leaders.

Diane is also an engaging public speaker who has helped train the membership on how to understand DNA results in researching family history.

Diane’s primary focus, though, is with the Robert Gray chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Diane serves as its Registrar, a position that requires much time, energy, and focus to help potential members prove their lineage to an American patriot.

Diane is also a promoter of family history to the public at large. She’s a regular guest on Timber Country radio in Aberdeen, where she uses her wit and intelligence to talk about local topics, including happenings with GHGS and DAR.

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.

Dan Caesar 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 the a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Dan Caesar of Arlington, Washington who was selected by the Stillguamish Valley Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Dan fills many roles as a volunteer. He is a major contributor as a landscaper/ groundskeeper: helping mow lawns, filling potholes and disposing of the yard waste collected. He acts as one of SVGS’s maintenance men: repairing equipment, painting, repairing directional signage. Additionally, he recently began picking up, delivering and installing new bookcases as the library collection expands. He has been instrumental in erecting tents for activities such as the Arlington Street Fair and the Annual BBQ, as well as moving tables and chairs for those events.

Dan is also the Grill-master “Extraordinaire” for SVGS’s annual summer BBQ. Not only does he do the grilling, he brings the supplies, including the grill. He is truly a veritable jack-of-all-trades and SVGS is very fortunate to have him as a volunteer.

In recognition of his years of untiring work on behalf of SVGS, Dan was recently awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership. He not only makes the society run more smoothly, he also makes the gatherings more fun.

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.

Larry Ball 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 the a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Larry Ball of Yakima, Washington who was selected by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Larry joined YVGS five years ago and is an invaluable member performing many maintenance tasks. With his electrical skills, he does electrical repairs at the YVGS library. He helps the outside appearance of the library by disposing of the yard waste (brush, tree limbs, grass clippings). He assisted in painting the parking stall strips in the parking lot. Larry also stepped up using a scissor-lift to clean all the ceiling lights of insects and dust in the library.

Larry helps with the transportation of yard sale items from two local churches back to the YVGS lot in preparation for two yard sales held each year, selling items and with cleanup after each sale. He helps with delivery of YVGS large sale items to customers unable to haul by themselves.

When the maintenance committee needs help, Larry is right there willing to assist. Recently, he assisted in making bookshelves in the library’s extended book storage room.

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.

Brenda Goddard Arambul 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 a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Brenda Goddard Arambul of Yakima, Washington who was selected by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Brenda joined the YVGS six years ago. She is a dependable, hard worker, assisting with tables of Christmas items at the two yearly yard sales.

During the Christmas season, Brenda has assisted in the Christmas tree decoration for “Holiday Lights,” displays of nonprofit groups from the Yakima area held in the Yakima Valley Museum. Each Christmas display is judged by the public by inserting a ticket in each participant’s private box.

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.

Arizona Genealogy Day Conference — Free & Virtual

by Roxanne Lowe

You are invited to attend the fifth annual Arizona Genealogy Day conference on Saturday, 29 March 2025. Registration is now open (https://azsos.libcal.com/calendar/starl/azgenday25). The free, virtual conference is sponsored by Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board and the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records.

Arizona-based as well as national speakers are presenting, and the subjects cover Story Telling/Sharing to DNA to Artificial Intelligence. We think there is something for everyone! And the topics are NOT necessarily Arizona based subjects, so anyone can learn something. If you cannot attend on the day of the conference, go ahead and register because the conference will be on the Arizona State Library’s YouTube channel for a limited time afterward.

If you have any questions, please contact myself or Kori Tueller from the Arizona State Library: ktueller@azlibrary.gov.

Set of 1972 Encyclopedia Judaica Available

by Roxanne Lowe

The Everett Public Library is looking to find a new home for its set of 1972 Encyclopedia Judaica. It’s in excellent condition, and only one item is no longer in its decorative original binding. They have had no luck via the normal channels they use to move along items no longer in use, so they are reaching out to any local history-adjacent groups that might be interested. The library also has other materials related to the history of Washington State/the Pacific Northwest that are available to new homes if anyone would like to look at that list or be included in future offers. Local pick-up is preferred for these items, but in the case of the encyclopedia, the staff member originally in charge of finding a home for it said they would be willing to drive a bit to either deliver, or meet someone halfway. If shipping is preferred, they would need the requester to cover that cost they do not have a budget for that.

Don’t Forget to Vote for WSGS Officers

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS members are encouraged to cast their ballot for Vice President and Treasurer by 11:59 p.m., 15 Dec 2024. An email with a Google Forms link was sent on 08 Dec. to your email of record. If you did not receive the email, please email Info@wasgs.org.

Even though LeAnne Koliha and Frank McLean are running unopposed (Vice President and Treasurer respectively), we view your vote as a vote of support for WSGS. There is also an opportunity in the ballot to make suggestions or ideas to support the society. We are reading every comment.

If you want to know more about LeAnne or Frank, read this blog post.