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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LeAnne Koliha of Marysville has been nominated to serve as WSGS Vice President for the 2025-2026 term. Additionally, Frank McLean of Yakima has been nominated for another term as Treasurer. The term of offices is 01 Jan 2025 through 31 Dec 2026.
Online voting for the slate will begin 08 Dec 2024 and run through 15 Dec. All WSGS members will receive an email with a Google link to their anonymous ballot. Members are asked to vote for each position. Write-in nominations are allowed. There is also space for suggestions and comments.
LeAnne’s candidate statement:
LeAnne Kohila
I am excited to be nominated as Vice President of the Washington Society Genealogical Society. I look forward to this opportunity to serve as WSGS continues to find ways to support the local societies and individual genealogists.
I was born in Yakima, Washington, and have spent most of my life on оne side of the mountains or the other. After high school I spent a year as an exchange student living in The Netherlands. I graduated from Central Washington University with a major in special education.
After teaching for nine years, I went back to school myself. I received my law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1985. I retired from the law in 1996. Being retired was boring so I went back into education until 2009.
My husband and I lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 2010 until his health required him to take medical retirement and we returned to the Northwest.
I have been interested in genealogy for years. I have had the good fortune to be able to research my father’s family by visiting the areas of France and Germany where his parents were born. I am member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lady Stirling Chapter in Bothell, and Daughters of the American Colonists, Pilchuck Chapter in Lynnwood, where I am the chapter registrar. I am just finishing a term as vice president of the library for the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society.
Frank’s candidate statement:
I have been a member of WSGS since 1988 and have served in nearly every office, including President and Treasurer. I am currently WSGS Treasurer, as well as chair of the Pioneer Certificate Program and chief reviewer of the Pioneer Pursuit effort. I am also the Buildings and Grounds supervisor at the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society.
Frank McLean
I have a vested interest in seeing the society become a more useful organization to local societies and individual genealogists. Over the years, I have seen a lot of changes in WSGS, but am hoping for more. I am particularly interested in making WSGS an organization that provides value to societies. WSGS is interested in what services and opportunities it can provide. I also hope we can generate interest in expanding individual participation, maybe serving on the board or helping some other way. I would appreciate your support in moving WSGS in a positive direction.
Sometimes we need a deadline and target to get us going. That’s why we did a Pioneer Pursuit Push to have 5,000 people documented in our Index by November 11 — the 135th anniversary of Washington Territory becoming the 42nd state.
Alas, we didn’t make our target. We have 4,044 names listed in the Index, 956 short of our target. BUT, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up. You can still 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!
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.
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