MONDAY, October 1st

Free First Monday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come out each first Monday of every month and splurge on all GFO’s wonderful resources for FREE. Explore our online databases like Fold3, Ancestry World Library Edition, Newspapers.com, and many more. Our analog and microfilm collections total some 49,000 items. Don’t miss out!

WEDNESDAY, October 3rd

Learn & Chat 10:00 a.m. – noon

Gerry Lenzen presents “Selecting Software: Features and Foibles.” What program best suits your needs? How to decide. At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jeanne Quan.

DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m.

Lisa McCullough will be available to help answer your DNA questions, whether you are new and just getting started or have more involved questions. Questions? Send Lisa McCull a note at dna_qa@gfo.org.

FRIDAY, September 14th

Mexican Ancestry Group 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Find your Hispanic ancestors from Mexico, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California! This Special Interest Group (SIG) pertains specifically to Mexican ancestors from Mexico and the American Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California).

Beginning and intermediate researchers are welcome. Some subjects will include online parish records, Hispanic genealogy societies, Family History Library/FamilySearch.org. Ancestry.com, solving genealogical problems, methodology for organizing your research, etc. Of course this group will also be about sharing our research experiences, and having fun.

If you know of any other people interested in Hispanic genealogy, tell them about the group. They don’t have to be a GFO member to participate. For questions or comments, please email Vince at sw@gfo.org.

SATURDAY, September 15th

Analyze Your Ancestor’s Handwriting 2 – 3 p.m.
Presenter: Joyce Brizendine

What personality traits may your ancestor’s handwriting reveal? Do two signature samples belong to the same person? This presentation will use the handwriting of famous people to illustrate principles of handwriting analysis. Attendees are encouraged to bring samples of their own ancestors’ handwriting for our expert’s opinion.

Joyce Brizendine is a professional handwriting analyst, certified by the International Graphoanalysis Society and by the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation. She has taught and lectured about handwriting analysis, and appears periodically on AM Northwest.

SUNDAY, September 16th

Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon

There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. We begin work at 9 a.m. If the front door is not unlocked, please come around to the side door and knock. Work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.

Family Tree Maker Users’ Group 1 – 3 p.m.

This month, Geoff Smith leads our lesson in how to use FTM sources and citations.

Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed or build 1-480 of FTM installed.

Questions? Please email Joyce Grant-Worley at FTM@gfo.org.

French Canada Group 3:30 – 5 p.m.

We will share our major ancestral lines and also play “Saints and Sinners,” discussing some of our more colorful and noteworthy ancestors. If you have French Canadian and/or Acadian roots please join us! You are likely to meet some cousins there. The group leader is Bob LaMarche.

WEDNESDAY, September 19th

Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon

Lori Washburn presents: “Know Before You Go: Bring Cash!” Changes in access to public records, the effect of digitalization and budgets. What’s available and where? Are there fees?

At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise, but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jeanne Quan.

DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m.

Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Send questions or comments to Lisa at dna_lm@gfo.org.

SATURDAY, September 8th

Great Lakes Region SIG 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Midwest + September = Football. Need we say more? Staying seasonally appropriate, the presentation topic is sports and games that were around when our ancestors arrived in the area, and what they brought with them when they moved there. Any Turnverein or Sokol members in your family? Please bring any stories and pictures of your athletic ancestors with you. We will also look at some of society’s attitudes toward health and fitness, and at the parks movement. It’s a fascinating lens for viewing our ancestors’ lives and experiences. There will also be time for sharing our research. As always, all are welcome. Contact us at greatlakes@gfo.org with any questions.

The group generally meets on the second Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the GFO library. No meetings in July, August, December, and always check the GFO calendar for updates to this schedule. Interest in the Great Lakes Region can be broad and diverse, as some ancestors settled and remained there for generations, while others spent a short time there before moving on. The group’s interests include migration, travel, trade, historical events, and research techniques specific to the area. For more information contact Lynn Rossing at GreatLakes@gfo.org.

Writers’ Forum 1 – 3 p.m.

Purpose: This is a peer group of genealogists meeting to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at peggyrbaldwin@gmail.com or 503-916-9410.

Meetings: September through May, second Saturday of each month, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the GFO Library.

SUNDAY, September 9th

Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon

There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. We begin work at 9 a.m. If the front door is not unlocked, please come around to the side door and knock. Work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.

MONDAY, September 3rd

Free First Monday! Come one! Come all! GFO’s research library is free and open to the public for full use of any and all our resources every first Monday of every month. We’re proud to offer you nearly 50,000 holdings (including microfilms of the Oregon Donation Land Claim records, the original Multnomah County marriage registers from the late 1800s and early 1900s, New York passenger lists, and much, much more. This month’s Labor Day holiday pushed our Free First Monday back to this week, so if you thought you missed it, well you’re actually still in luck! Hope to see you there.

SATURDAY, September 1st

Virginia Group 10 a.m. – noon

This meeting will include reports on our genealogy experiences over the summer, and discussion of our plans for this year. One often-requested topic is the history and genealogy research information for North Carolina. To start this topic, we will have some discussion of the very early exploration and settlement attempts’ of North Carolina.

For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines.”

Research in Virginia can be difficult, with the complication of burned counties, as well as the ordinary difficulties of using historical documents. But it is not impossible. We discuss the history of Virginia and explore various methods to do sound genealogy research. We hope to foster collaboration among our many Virginia researchers and work on our varied research problems, our brick walls, together. Each month we will have a discussion or presentation on a topic related to our research. There will also be time each meeting for discussion, suggestions, and perhaps research on individual research. We’ll also explore the settlement of Kentucky, the Carolinas and Tennessee. Group leaders include Judi Scott and Carol Surrency.

German Group 1 – 3 p.m.

Christine Rainer will talk about visits to several ancestral villages on a trip to her native country, Germany. The German Interest Group was formed in the spring of 2011. It is intended to be a source of information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. One goal is to provide information on a variety of topics related to Germanic history and migration. We also will provide time for members to share their research journeys and connect with others who may be researching the same region or time period. Mike Fernandez and Tia Cobb facilitate this group.

SUNDAY, September 2nd

Manuscripts Work Party 9 a.m. – noon

Explore our manuscript, personal papers and Bible collection while we organize, scan and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org.

MONDAY, September 3rd

Labor Day Library Closure Free First Monday will be observed on September 10th. Come on out and give us a visit.

WEDNESDAY, September 5th

Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon

Learn and Chat reconvenes following its summer hiatus welcoming your voice as we plan our 2018-2019 calendar, structure with lots of room for spontaneity.

As a group we support one another sharing skills and resources. As we parted company in June thoughts included “Back to the Basics: Walking the Shelves” and “Selecting a Software Program: Featured and Foibles.” What do you need? What can you contribute? Facilitated by Jean Quan.

DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m.

Lisa McCullough will be available to help answer your DNA questions, whether you are new and just getting started or have more involved questions. Questions? Write to Lisa.

SATURDAY, August 25th

DNA Beginners Group 9 a.m. – noon

This Special Interest Group (SIG) will be led by the ever-knowledgable Emily Aulicino, whose presentation “From atDNA Testing to Connecting the Family Dots: A beginner’s guide to autosomal testing and finding your common ancestors” will review autosomal DNA briefly, highlight the advantages and disadvantages for the five DNA testing companies, and focus on five steps to help discover your common ancestors, establish good communication with matches, and organize the information.

Download the handout HERE and please review before class.

SUNDAY, August 26th

Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon

There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.

WEDNESDAY, August 29th

Bulletin Editorial Group (BEG) 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

First meeting of the new Bulletin Editorial Group (BEG). To all lovers of GFO’s quarterly publication, The Bulletin: Committee members help keep The Bulletin going strong by seeking articles and authors, keeping tabs on volunteer needs, and helping to recruit more participants.

If you’re interested in helping support The Bulletin, please plan to attend. If you have questions, please send them to Bulletin@gfo.org.

SATURDAY, August 18th

Genealogy Problem Solvers 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

This month the GPS team tries to track down the founder of the Knapp School in Pettis County, Missouri. Records have not yet revealed the parents of James Harvey Knapp. He was born in New York in 1826, married in Michigan in 1848, and buried in Missouri in 1883. Learn about the team’s skills at navigating multiple state records.
GPS is a monthly support group where we help each other find information about a family line. We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. For more information contact Katie Daly at GPS@gfo.org.

GenTalk: Getting Ready to Check Out 2 – 3 p.m.

Don’t let your family history disappear. As genealogists, we love end-of-life records: death certificates, probate/estate paperwork, cemetery records, obituaries, etc. But in our personal lives, maybe we’re not so enthusiastic. Learn how to plan for the inevitable, for the sake of your genealogy research and for your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be difficult, let Leslie Brinkley Lawson show you how.

SUNDAY, August 19th

Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon

There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.

Family Tree Users’ Group 1 – 3 p.m.

Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed and an empty USB thumb drive. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. FTM@gfo.org