Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

John Hughes To Talk About Latest Book

by Roxanne Lowe

The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society is hosting local favorite John Hughes at their next meeting, Saturday July 12, 2025. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Hoquiam Library and is open to the public.

John, now fully retired as the State Historian, will talk about his latest book, New Land, which is the story of how Southeast Asian refugees found a home in Washington state in the fallout of the Fall of Saigon in Vietnam in 1975. New Land, which was John’s final book project as our state historian, revisits several of those former refugees to tell their stories of life in America. Several of those stories happened in Willapa Harbor in Pacific County. Regardless of how you view today’s debate on immigration, you may find some surprises in these stories. 

For many of us, John is a local treasure. He’s a home-grown example of how a love of Grays Harbor history and an appreciation for people who’ve stepped up and made a difference in our community and our state can motivate and inspire us to keep going, keep trying to make a difference. 

The hybrid meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. and is open to all. The in-person meeting will be at the Hoquiam Library, 420 7th Avenue, Hoquiam. For a Zoom link, email Info@graysharborgenealogy.com.

Pioneer Pursuit Needs Your Help

by Roxanne Lowe

We are still collecting names and family histories for our Pioneer Pursuit project. To date, we have 4,364 verified names in our index, but we want MORE!

You can submit genealogies for any man, woman or child who lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. You don’t have to be related to a pioneer — find a name and do what we do best: research it. A great place to find who lived here before statehood is the county census record collection from the Washington State Digital Archives — a treasure trove! This would make a great local genealogical or historical society project.

We’ve made it easy for you. There are examples, forms, hints and FAQs on the WSGS website. There’s also a video explaining the process and answering questions from the Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable in April 2023. If you have other questions, please email Info@wasgs.org and put “Pioneer Pursuit” in the subject line.

Paul Wessell 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 Paul Wessell of Sequim, Washington who was selected by the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

A member for ten years, Wessel has been an active member from the beginning.

During the Covid epidemic, CCGS received a donation and purchased a very large facility that needed serious renovation. Paul spearheaded the effort, working almost daily with a few other dedicated volunteers. He arranged to have walls moved, the interior painted, carpets cleaned and new flooring put in. He put up most of the shelving for the library, oversaw the installation of windows, bathroom and light fixtures and wiring.  He continues to fix leaks, pull weeds, and help with maintenance. 

Paul has run our yearly rummage sales, and is a volunteer library docent. Elected president three years ago, he attended the Washington Presidents’ Council meetings and began a monthly strategic planning program.  He has even written articles for our quarterly Bulletin. Paul has been an outstanding leader throughout his tenure.

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.

New Blog Banner Photos Posted

by Roxanne Lowe

Have you noticed the Blog banner changes every time you visit? The photos are submitted by readers like you — and Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane who sent all the current photos in the banner. Her photographic wonders include Banks Lake, rhododendrons in Port Angeles, spring lilacs, fall leaves and the ferry Coho leaving Port Angeles for Victoria. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your talents!

We’re always looking for scenic photos of our beautiful state for the rotating photo gallery on the blog banner. It’s easy — just send a Washington State jpg image to wsgsblog@wasgs.org with a description of the photo. The blog masters will take care of the rest!

Lisa Vollrath 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 Lisa Atkins Vollrath of Leavenworth, Washington who was selected by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Lisa just naturally likes to help others with their genealogy. Even though she lives 40 miles from Wenatchee, she volunteers at the library regularly, and sometimes even comes to town for extra shifts when others have to cancel.

Her patience and accuracy are exactly what we need for our indexing projects. She works on them in the library as well as at home.

During Covid, Lisa was approached to be our recording secretary, and because of the convenience of Zoom, she accepted. Without having to travel, she is able to take minutes at the board, membership and library team meetings. She is also part of the website team.

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.

Hazel Thornton 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 Hazel Leise Thornton of Wenatchee, Washington who was selected by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Hazel became interested in genealogy when computers first came into our lives in the early ‘90s. By the early 2000s, she was busy volunteering at the Puget Sound Genealogical Society in Kitsap County. Early in 2020, their loss became WAGS’s gain when she moved to Wenatchee.

Hazel volunteered immediately to help where and how she could. We gave her a big job — membership chair – and she jumped right in, learning the website’s membership procedures and offering suggestions to improve the service in the future. Besides heading up membership, she works as a librarian, board member, and on the website advisory team. She always has her eye out for things that can be better organized or improved. Her energy and passion are vital to our organization’s success!

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.

Hawthorne Cemetery 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 SkVGS Hawthorne Cemetery Team who was selected by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SkVGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Sylvia Ammons (co-leader), Dottie Chandler (co-leader), Rene Vance, Barbara Johnson, Dan Royal, Bill Cayford, Karen Strelow, Margie Wilson, Carol Nersten, Patty Gowler, Judy Hakins, Linda Holland and Margie Lauer.

This team of genealogist volunteers worked during the Covid-19 pandemic and after for long hours, and for many months to complete a long dormant project of reading and transcribing gravestone inscriptions at Hawthorne Cemetery in Mount Vernon, WA. This team demonstrated attention to detail, cooperation, dedication to the task, and enthusiasm for this project throughout the course of many months. This team’s exemplary work will serve the genealogy community for many years to come.

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.

State Library to Close to Public on July 1

by Roxanne Lowe

(Reprinted from Eastman’s Online Newsletter, 07 Jun 2025. Read the press release from Secretary of State Steve Hobbs here.)

State funding shortages will force the Washington State Library in Tumwater and the Seattle-based Washington Talking Book and Braille Library to close public access starting July 1.The state libraries will cut 12 jobs because of financial constraints.

The secretary of state’s office announced Friday that closing these facilities will restrict access to historical and governmental collections maintained by the state and result in the termination of multiple services and programs.

Many communities throughout our state rely on libraries as foundational institutions for both civic engagement and educational support. According to Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, library closures will threaten the availability of essential information and resources for communities.

The move comes after lawmakers and Gov. The state budget lacked a $6.7 million allocation from Governor Bob Ferguson to address a revenue shortfall from decreased real estate transaction fees.

Library patrons contacting the Tumwater library through Ask A Librarian or the main switchboard or sending emails should anticipate receiving a response that might take up to seven days. The library will stop providing newspaper and genealogy database subscriptions and will significantly reduce the purchase of new materials.

The Talking Book and Braille Library closure to public access will lengthen the voicemail response times. The public library will provide reduced service speeds for both circulation and registration operations.

The library will no longer offer multisensory story time programming together with Low Vision and Touch of Braille workshops. The state’s sole accessible library service for blind people and those with disabilities will experience reduced production of braille and audio materials.

According to Washington State Librarian Sara Jones these disruptions threaten equal information access for Washington’s most underserved residents who can’t read regular print. The current funding shortage impacts our staff and crucial services immediately despite future financial support from a recently enacted bill.

Governor Ferguson signed a bill on May 19 to establish a $50 surcharge on superior court clerk filings with $20 earmarked for the secretary of state’s office to support library operations and state heritage projects. A fiscal analysis projects that this initiative would create up to $6 million during the complete biennium.

Important Upcoming Dates for Local Societies

by Roxanne Lowe

Local societies, don’t forget the following deadlines for Outstanding Volunteer/Team awards, Supportive Grants and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

  • Outstanding Volunteer/Team awards: Due July 1. Every year, WSGS supports the nominations of local society members and teams that make societies better.
  • Supportive Grants: Due July 1. Two grants for $250 each may be awarded to projects that support the work and mission of local societies.
  • President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement: Due August 1. This award is given to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.
  • WSGS Annual Meeting: August 21, 6:30 p.m. The agenda will include the announcement of the 2025 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Supportive Grant awards. 

Questions? Email Outreach@wasgs.org (Supportive Grants) or Info@wasgs.org (Outstanding Volunteer/Teams and President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement).