Puget Sound Genealogical Society January Social
Category Archives: Society News
Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Writing A Family History Book Using AI
Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society
Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation
Writing Family History Book Using A.I.
Tuesday, January 13th
1:00 pm
SVGS Library
6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA
Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Teresa Townsell. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.
Teresa’s topic: Writing A Family History Book Using A.I.
Have you ever wanted to use A.I. in your genealogy work? Is it finally time to turn your family research into a book your relatives can enjoy? Are you waiting until your research feels “finished” — or unsure where to begin with A.I.? This process meets you where you are.
All you need is an Ancestry.com account and basic WORD skills (or the Apple equivalent).
Teresa will teach you a simple, step-by-step process to write your family history book using ChatGBT, an A.I. tool that’s easier, faster, and a lot more fun than you might imagine!
You will leave with:
- A clear understanding of how to collaborate with A.I. for writing and organizing your history.
- A structure and outline you can use as a template for your own family history book.
- Confidence to start writing and finally share your story as soon as you get home!
There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.
DIG – DNA Special Interest Group
Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.
All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.
If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org
Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.
New England Interest Group
The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!
If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.
For more information visit stillygen.org
Tri-City Genealogical Society January General Meeting
Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s January General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14. The presentation will be at the Richland FamilySearch Center located at 1314A Goethals Dr. Entrance is down the ramp from the parking lot that is to the north of Dairy Queen. The presentation will also be on Zoom so you can join in from your home. See below for the Zoom link.
January’s presentation will be from FamilySearch and presented by Savannah Larson on the topic of Start Organized, Stay Organized. From Savannah’s LinkedIn about page:
Hello! I’m Savannah and I’ve always been fascinated by stories of heritage and connection. After earning my bachelor’s degree in family history with an emphasis in Scandinavian studies from Brigham Young University, I became accredited for research in Sweden.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including researching for LDS ancestry projects, military repatriation, and society applications. I’m particularly proud of my work translating the letters of John and Anna Widtsoe for the publication of Saints volume 2.
With fluency in Swedish and proficiency in Danish and Norwegian, I’m comfortable researching in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, the United States, and Canada. In my free time, I enjoy painting, reading, and spending time with my growing family.
Thank you to everyone who has already joined TCGS for 2026. For those who would like to join, the online application can be found at https://tricitygenealogicalsociety.org/q/join/join_renew/ and a printable application can be found at https://tricitygenealogicalsociety.org/q/wp-content/uploads/2023TCGSBrochure.pdf .
Topic: TCGS General Meeting Wednesday January 14 at 7 p.m.
Time: Jan 14, 2026 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81729032650?pwd=CxSOAouTRnokniD4Lavwj6CecX7Lzj.1
Meeting ID: 817 2903 2650
Passcode: 367962
Fort Walla Walla Camp 3 of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War
The Fort Walla Walla Camp 3 of The Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) will hold their (Saturday) Jan 24th, 2026
Installation meeting at McAllister Museum of Aviation. Social time and furnished meal 11:30 to 12:30, [A meal lunch count RSVP
appreciated to 509 945 0549.] *** Some special music will be provided by member/Brother Hank Cramer III of C.W. Ballads and stories.***
Museum open for viewing. After meeting adjournment, a Guided tour to be given by ExDir Lynn Harden.
Museum opens at 11:00 am and closes at 4:00+ Located at 2008 South 16th Ave, Yakima,WA 98903.
Business meeting starts at 12:30 with new Officer Installation and routine business items and a Video Program of Civil War history of the GAR and the
development of the SUVCW. Camp members and spouses invited. Public also invited. No charge to attend. More SUVCW info at <www.suvpnw.org>
Questions to CC Peterson; cbsapiary@live.com or cell/ text 509 969 8844
Submitted by Don Jameson FWW # 3 PCC, Camp Council Chr. cell 509 945 0549
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society FamilySearch Full Text Search
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
1901 S. 12th Avenue
Union Gap, WA 98903
Phone: (509) 248-1328
Email: yvgs@yvgs.net
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
General Meeting
Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Following the General Meeting, Richard Kyle is giving a presentation on the future of Family Search. Come and learn the difference between the record search vs the image search vs the new full text search. Then learn why the full text search may make Ancestry obsolete.
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society United Empire Loyalists
Did a branch of your family suddenly head north to Canada during the Revolutionary War? You just might have just found a United Empire Loyalist ancestor! Join SVGS Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “United Empire Loyalists” the Colonists loyal to the King with Brian McConnell. Brian is a Canadian Author, Genealogist and Historian. Come learn about the Colonists that opposed the American Revolution and resettled north of the border in Canada. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Annual Volunteer Appreciation
Please come Celebrate Us!
Cookies…Coffee…Friends!!!
(due to the increasing cost of venues and catering, this year’s appreciation meeting will be held at The Hive)
Date: January 03, 2026
Time: 01:00 PM to 03:00 (Doors open at 12:30)
Location: THE HIVE E. 2904 Sprague Spokane, WA 99202
Hive door code: 985426#
Zoom Link will be on the EWGSi.org website prior to the meeting
ANNUAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Please join us to recognize our hardworking volunteers!
Meet the new 2026 Board Members
and Recognize the outgoing 2025 Board members
Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence
Angela Packer McGhie
CERTIFIED GENEALOGIST
WRITER, LECTURER
Her topic is
Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence
Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s
January 8th 2026 zoom meeting is Angela Packer McGhie. Her topic is Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence.
Please note time change
Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am
Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am
Public is invited to attend
Please consider joining our society for $20/yr.
For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event
Heritage Quest Research Library Classes Upcoming in January 2026
Explore the Exceptional Genealogy Classes at HQRL! Join us online via Zoom or in person at HQRL and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts who share your curiosity and drive—together, we can explore the fascinating world of family history! Classes Coming Up in January 2026!  Using City (and Other) Directories in Your Research Thursday, January 8, 2026 Janice Sellers Directories were not only for cities. Many counties and rural areas had directories, as did locations in other countries. You can also find professional directories, social directories, and more. Learn what they contain and how they can be used to flesh out your family’s lives and track them through time. Click Here to Sign-up Janice M. Sellers is a professional genealogist and international speaker whose grandparents told her she is related to actor Peter Sellers and to John of Gaunt, son of a king and father of a king. Unfortunately, they were wrong, but that’s why she has been researching her family for 50 years and now helps others finds the right pieces to fit their genealogical puzzles. She specializes in Jewish, Black, dual citizenship, and newspaper research. She has done research and appeared on camera for the television series The Dead Files.  A New Strategy for Brick Walls Thursday, January 22, 2026 Kim Richardson Ever feel like you are engulfed by a pile of research? Do you ever think, “If I could just get organized, I could solve this mystery?” If so, this presentation is for you! This session explains why complex genealogy problems feel overwhelming and how to overcome it through a new way of organizing. Click Here to Sign-up Kim Richardson enjoys serving the genealogy community by coaching and enabling others to do their own research successfully. She assists other genealogists to accomplish their goals and helps clients solve genealogy mysteries. Kim created the Brick Wall Buster Cards to show others her secret to solving tough genealogy problems. She regularly writes for various genealogy society magazines and wrote the “Mississippi Research Guide” for Family Tree Magazine and researches for Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are? Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! HQRL.com / Classes & Events / Contact |
| Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US |
Longview Family Search Center
Hello – this is Michael and Barbara Berry – we are Directors of the Family Search Center located in Longview within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are actively looking for volunteers to come and help individuals interested in doing Family History work. Although we are located within the church ALL PEOPLE interested in Family History are welcome. In fact we could use additional volunteers from varying backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. We feel diversity is really important as we try to reach out to all peoples.
We simply want to share this valuable resource and have an opportunity to help people who may be struggling in finding resources, reference documents and navigating various softwares. We find that many people would like to do Family History work, but don’t know where to start. Family Search accounts are FREE and consultants offer a wide array of skills associated with gathering and verifying accurate information. Our current volunteers are wonderful, welcoming and friendly. We staff the center on Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3pm, Tuesdays from 10 am to 1pm and 6:30 pm to 9pm. Even just one shift a month would provide considerable help, given we like to have at least 3 volunteers to every shift, both for adequate coverage and safety. Our center offers 9 computers, a printer and scanner and a wealth of seasoned ideas for gathering information across various sites.
We would LOVE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS and hope you might want to join our team.
Give us a call – Mike 406-596-2008 and we would gladly meet you at the center and discover how you could become a part of our team.
Our best,
Michael and Barbara Berry