Some ancestors left a scant amount of
information about their life. How can you take that meager data and
write about it so it is interesting? Mary Roddy, a professional
genealogist, will share her ideas for writing a story so your family
will enjoy reading about that ancestor.
Jefferson County Genealogical Society
welcomes back Mary Roddy who earned a certificate from the Genealogy
and Family History program at the University of Washington. She is an
active member of Seattle Genealogical Society, a contributor to
“YourGenealogyToday” and “Internet Genealogy” magazines and a
webinar presenter with Legacy Family Tree Webinars. She speaks
frequently in the Seattle area.
Meeting is free and open to the public.
More information:
www.wajcgs.org ; phone 360-385-9495
Saturday, April 20th, 9:30
a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tri-Area Community Center
10 West Valley Rd.
Chimacum, Washington
Contact for this release: Judy Tough
360-385-3065 or tough@olympus.net
Whatcom
Genealogical Society will meet on Monday, April 8th, at 2 pm at the
Bellingham Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way. Janet O’Connor Camarata will
speak on “Basic Genealogy”. Visitors are welcome. Contact:
360-733-8300
BEYOND THE STACKS
by Sue Jensen, Director of the SGS Library
A
Library is filled with books. A Genealogical Library is filled with
books about genealogy. Seattle Genealogical Society Library is filled
with books and many other pieces of information about families and their
ancestors and descendants.
Families
are the reason we “do genealogy” to find out more about the ones that
came before us. Seattle Genealogical Society has received some exciting
and important collections of family research over the Ninety-Six years
it has been in existence. We have also received public records of
Seattle and Washington based organizations and we have been actively
preserving this information for our patrons. At first there were
handwritten copies, then typewritten, then typed and saved on a computer
disk, and now, DIGITIZATION!
Dictionary.com defines Digitization:
To convert data into an electronic form that is readable and can be
manipulated by a computer. This is what our very capable volunteers are
doing with the family research, public records and other data that is
donated to our Society. We have a great team of volunteers that go
through every piece of paper, pedigree chart, letter and note from a
family collection. They, the Archive Committee, then turn their work
over to The Digital Power Team consisting primarily of Ann Wright and
Jess Ramey. These two volunteers then turn the family collection and
other data in the form of paper into digital data by scanning, indexing,
and organizing it so that it will be available to be used on the
computers in our Library.
Currently
we have approximately 138,000 pieces of paper (including cards, lists,
letters, documents, inventories, family collections) scanned, indexed
and either available, or soon to be available, in the Library. There are
countless volunteer hours put into the scanning and indexing. Not
including the hours spent preparing for and getting them indexed;
uploading the data to the computers and cataloging them into the
Library’s catalog.
Here is a list of the items that have been done so far:
45,000 George Kent cards
20,000 VFW cards (indexed)
120 Wright’s Crematorium pages (indexed)
200 Seattle School District pages(indexed)
250 Washington Territory Land Records pages (in work)
countless cemetery pages (indexed)
2,000 family collection pages (in work or on shelf)
The Seattle Genealogical Society and Library has been able to do all of this digitization thanks to the Ron Cross Estate for funding the equipment for the Ron Cross Memorial Scanning Lab.
Come visit us and see what you can find about your family in our digital collection.
“USING NARA SEATTLE COLLECTIONS”
April’s
Second Saturday Speaker Series presenter will be Trish Hackett Nicola.
She’ll discuss the collections at NARA, housed directly across the
street from the SGS Library.
The
National Archives at Seattle holds original records specific to Alaska,
Idaho, Oregon and Washington State. Its collections include maps and
drawings, historical documents, agency files and photographs from every
era.
See samples of U.S. District Court records for criminal, civil and
admiralty case files; Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service,
Bureau of Prisons, Bureau of Land Management and the Chinese Exclusion
Act files. Get an update on the Alaska Records Digitization Project.
Learn how to access the finding aids to help you get the most out of
your research at National Archives at Seattle.
OUR SPRING SEMINAR
Mark your calendar for the SGS Spring Seminar, “Next Steps for Your DNA Test Results”, featuring Diahan Southard. Saturday, May 18th, 9am-4pm. Registration begins April 1st (no fooling ) VITAL RECORDS BILL UPDATE
Senate
Bill 5332 – 2019 -20, proposing changes to Vital Records access in
Washington, has passed the Senate and moved to the House. It is
scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care &
Wellness at 9:00 AM on March 22 (subject to change). Contact your
legislator with comments or concerns. Bill information can be found at
this url:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5332&Year=2019&initiative=
SAVE THE DATEUlster Historical Foundation, USA Lecture Tour 2019 Lake City Center, 1916 N Lakewood Dr, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 1:00pm-8:30pm Enjoy this all day Irish & Scots-Irish Research Seminar with presenters Finton Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation, Belfast. Register by February 20th for the early bird price of $35. It will be $50 after that.
For more information on the USA lecture tour, or the Spokane area Coeur d’Alene, ID stop in particular, visit their website: https://www.ancestryireland.com/lecture-tour-2019/IRISH WEEK! MARCH 9 – 23, 2019 SEATTLE, WA
You don’t need to be Irish to join in the fun. The main events will be the weekend of March 16-17 at Seattle Center. For a full list of activities and venues, see the brochure link below. Don’t forget the seminar on Irish genealogy, “Beyond the Basics in Irish Genealogy”, on March 23.
Beyond the Basics in Irish Genealogy, Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th St, Seattle, WA 98115 Saturday, March 23, 9:00 am – 5:00pm
Finishing Irish Week, don’t miss this Irish genealogy workshop with regional specialists Steven W Morrison and Jean A Roth. Organized by the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle. Click forMore information and registration.
The ABCs of DNA Genealogy,
With Janet O’Conor Camarata,
Mercer Island Library,
4400 88th Ave SE,
Mercer Island, WA
Thursday, March 28, 7-8 pm
Genealogist
Janet O’Conor Camarata provides tips and tools for selecting and
interpreting DNA results from a variety of health and ancestry DNA
providers, like Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe and more. Designed for
the non-technical, genealogy oriented audience. Please register. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library, in partnership with Mercer Island Historical Society.
Olympia Genealogical Society,
Beyond the Basics: Genetic Genealogy In Practice
Olympia, WA
Saturday, March 30, 8:30am-3:30pm
Seminar presented by Blaine Bettinger, the Genetic Genealogist. Additional information and registration at :
https://olygensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=4
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State,
“Breaking Down Brick Walls” with Mary Kathryn Kozy,
LDS Factoria Church Building,
4200 124th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
Monday, April 8, 2019
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Come early to network with other attendees.
Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 p.m. Free WIFI, admission, and
refreshmentsSGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Unless
otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand
Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes,
and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of
inclement weather.
MARCHSaturday, March 30, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG , this group meets quarterly at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, co-chaired by Cary Bright & Herb McDaniel. For more info contact SGSDNASIG@gmail.com
APRIL
Saturday, April 6, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly is leader of this special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch.org Come learn about the proposed changes coming to Family Search and Family Tree.
Sunday, April 7, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright. Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro.
Saturday, April 13, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speakers Series – “Using the Collections of NARA Seattle” with Trish Hackett Nicola
Sunday, April 14, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Scandinavian Special Interest Group, with Karen Knudson
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State is pleased to present our
April
meeting program
“Breaking Down Brick Walls”
presented by Mary Kathryn Kozy, Genealogical Lecturer
DATE:Monday,April 8, 2019
LOCATION:
LDSFactoria Church
Building
4200 124th
Ave SE
Bellevue,WA
98006
(just off I-90 and I-405)
•
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., for all to enjoy the extensive JGSWS Library’s genealogical resources,
including FREE access to the FHC computers and genealogical websites!
• Free Wi-Fi available. Come early to network with other attendees!
•
Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 p.m.
• Free admission and refreshments
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM:
“Breaking Down Brick Walls”
Everyone
has them: family lines that seem to have defied every effort to push
them back farther in time. (Don’t have a brick wall yet? Just wait. You
probably haven’t been doing family history
long enough!) This presentation will discuss how you might be adding to
that wall yourself, brick by brick, with some common research mistakes.
We will also discuss several simple steps you can take to reevaluate
where you are in the research process. Using
the Genealogical Proof Standard, we will walk through methodologies
that, when applied to your problem, may give you greater insight. Who
knows? Perhaps looking at your genealogical problem with a fresh
perspective will cause that brick wall to come tumbling
down in 2019!
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Mary Kathryn Kozy has
been working on her own family history for almost 40 years, since she
first became interested as a young teenager. Over the years she has
researched families in the United States from the Midwest
to the Deep South, and from both Western and Eastern Europe. She
started her own family history website in November 1996 and has
continued developing it. She has served in multiple positions in several
local societies and on the state level. She currently
supports the USGenWeb project, serves as a part-time LDS Family History
missionary, and speaks to many groups in the area. Mary is married, the
mother of three wonderful children, and is now a grandma of three. She
holds bachelor’s degrees from UW in both
Zoology and Information Technology & Systems and has completed two
certificate programs with the National Institute for Genealogical
Studies. She has also completed the ProGen program with an eye toward
certification as a professional genealogist.
Please visit our website at
http://www.jgsws.org/membership.php
to join or to donate to JGSWS to help support
the incredible speakers and workshops we bring to you, to view library
listings, download handouts, or for more information. JGSWS is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. Membership
dues and donations are tax deductible.
The German Interest Group of
The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS)
will meet on Friday, April 5, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm
in the Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church at 10675 NE 20th
St, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45
pm for networking. Enter through the double wooden doors on the right
side of the Chapel. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.
Topic: “Google Tools for German Research” – Google is known for general web searching. It has several additional features specifically helpful for German Research, e.g. searching images, maps, online books, YouTube videos and translation tools unfamiliar to many of us. If you have a certificate from a foreign country, Google can help translate it. If you want to read a newspaper from the last century, check Google for availability. Can’t find where you ancestor lived? Google maps will help locate the place and can show what it looks like today. Want to read county histories or a biography of an ancestor? Check Google books. Google tools beyond basic search can make the life of genealogists easier and more interesting.
Presenter: Janet Camarata
is a
genealogical seminar presenter, educator and trainer in genealogy
societies, libraries, retirement centers and senior centers across
Washington and supported genealogy by volunteering in a variety of
ways – presenter, educator, newsletter editor, program coordinator,
publicity and past-president of South King County Genealogical Society
(SKCGS). She is also an instructor of a year-long, 6-week series of
classes, “Genealogy: Discovering Your Ancestors”
at Pierce College and Puget Sound Genealogical Society that addresses
both topics – genealogy and technology support research in today’s
world. Janet is a member of the Association of Professional
Genealogists, a graduate of the University of Washington Genealogy
and Family History program, and a master’s degree from Antioch
University.
After
having to cancel last month’s TCGS meeting due to the weather, the
forecast for this Wednesday’s March meeting calls for sunshine all day!
Please come for a special open house tour of the Richland Family History
Center.
Upcoming educational program we are offering on Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in partnership with Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. The topic of the program is “Evernote for Genealogists” and will be presented by Janet O’Connor-Camarata. This event is free and open to the public. I’ve attached a flyer with more information. Please feel free to forward or post on any wall you wish! We appreciate your help in getting the word out, because we would like as many people as possible to benefit from our programs.
Please contact me with any questions or feedback.
Thank you for helping us spread the word about these free and valuable
community resources.
The Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) will meet Friday,
March 15, 2019, at the Bainbridge Island Public Library on Bainbridge
Island, 1270 Madison Ave, from 10:00a.m. – 12 noon. The topic for the
Monthly BIGS Meeting will be “Preserve and Digitize Over-sized Items” The
presenters are Mary Hammer and Maggie Cogswell, Preservation and
Imaging Experts from the Washington State Archives. This program offers a
special opportunity to learn from the professional experts. Parking is
available in the 2 library parking facilities, accessed from High School
Ave and Madison Ave North. Free to members, a $5.00 donation is
suggested for nonmembers. For more information go to http://www.bigenealogy.org or call 206-755-9283. BIGS is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
Sue ElfvingBainbridge Island Genealogical SocietyDirector of Publicity and Public Relations
If
you use Legacy Family Tree Software for tracking your genealogy
research, there is a Legacy Users Group that meets monthly to discuss
tips, tricks and problems. You will always come away with some new
ideas. The meetings are held regularly on the first Monday of the month.
Members and non-members are welcome.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH BOOK CLUB
Mon, 4 Mar 4 2019: 12-1:30 pm
CCGS Library
There
are many “research rich” books of genealogical historical collections,
as well as “how to” books on methods, collection and data storage of
genealogy research. This group delves into one book at a time and
discusses how to make the best use of it. Join this casual group as they
delve into their favorite topic of books on family history discovery
and sleuthing. (Brown baggers welcome!)
GETTING STARTED TRACING YOUR FAMILY ROOTS
Tues, 5 Mar 2019: 10 am – 12 noon
CCGS Library
FREE CLASS
This class starts your family tree research with a begin at the beginning strategy.
Topics will include collecting information from the family, family
group sheets, pedigree charts, genealogy database programs, and best
research practices. Taught by highly regarded genealogist and CCGS
member, Elsie Deatherage.
WEBINAR: A GUIDE TO THIRD PARTY TOOLS FOR DNA TESTING
Wed, 06 Mar 2019: 11 am-12:30 pm
CCGS Library
DNA
testing companies boast helpful internal tools, but there are many
excellent third party tools that can help provide answers. This Legacy
Family Tree webinar will provide an overview of all the available third
party tools as well as practical hints and tips on how to get the most
out of them.
UNFOCUSED GENEALOGY DISCUSSION GROUP
Thu, 7 Mar 2019: 1-3 pm
CCGS Education Center
There’s
no meeting agenda, no special topic, just a group of curious people
bringing genealogy research notes, questions, brick walls, etc. to share
with the group. Get ideas for the next steps you should take in your
research.
WHAT’S NEW ON THE FAMILY SEARCH WEBSITE?
Tues, 12 Mar 2019: 10 am-12 pm
CCGS Library
Join
Alice Allen to learn about the constantly changing and improving
FamilySearch.org website. Find out what’s new and pick up tips and
tricks to make your own Family Searching experience a successful one!
Advance registration requested as class may be canceled with
insufficient registrations. Walk-ins are accepted subject to available
seating.
SCANDINAVIAN ROOTS FOCUS GROUP
Mon, 18 Mar 2019: 2-3:30 pm
CCGS Library
If
you want to discover your Scandinavian roots, attend this monthly
meeting and learn how to conduct your research. Meet with other
like-minded individuals who have discovered their ancestors going back
many generations. Geographic areas include Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. This group meets regularly on
the second Thursday of the month, September-May. Members and non-members
are welcome.
RESEARCHING ANCESTORS IN TENNESSEE RECORDS
Tue, 19 Mar 2019: 10am – 12 pm
CCGS Library
If
you looking for ancestors in Tennessee records, ace genealogist Bea
Ritter will tell you how to conduct a search. For illustration, she uses
examples from visits she made to 10 counties on behalf of her own
family search effort. You’ll take away guidelines to search for your own
Tennessee ancestral roots. Advance registration is requested to
guarantee reservation. Walk-ins subject to available seating.
WEBINAR: ONE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY’S STORY OF MIGRATION FROM THE SOUTH
Wed, 20 Mar 2019: 11 am – 12:30 pm
CCGS Library
African-Americans
throughout the South moved to Midwestern cities in search of
opportunities and work. This Legacy Family Tree webinar will help
researchers understand how to look for clues in both places and with all
connected family members.
THIRD THURSDAY EVENING HOURS
Thurs, 21 Mar 2019: 6-9 pm
CCGS Library
Do
you find it hard to get to the Clark County Genealogical Library during
daytime hours? Come in on Third Thursday to tap into our richest
resource: knowledgeable librarians who can help you with your family
history search. We won’t do it for you, but we will provide guidance.
One librarian has Scandinavian research expertise. The library has over
10,000 books and resources, and free access on our computers to
Ancestry.com and AmericanAncestors.com. Bring your own computer and use
our free wifi.
GENEALOGY ENTHUSIASTS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Tue, 26 Mar 2019: 10 am to noon
Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA
At
the height of activity for the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver,
American wagon trains began rolling west. At Fort Vancouver, the Native
American and Hawaiian populations were permanent residents with fur
traders, clerks and officers of the HBC. Mary Rose, executive Director
of the Friends of Fort Vancouver, will talk about the changes that took
place at the Fort and the community. Internationally, “Oregon” would be
declared a U.S. Territory up to the 49th Parallel. By 1849, the U.S.
Army was at Vancouver to reinforce America’s claim.
WEBINAR: FREE GENEALOGY TOOLS FOR YOUR IPAD/IPHONE
Wed, 27 Mar 2019: 11 am -12:30 pm
CCGS Library
There
are several new applications and a few old ones which can help you
capture, reference, and share your family history on the go. Come find
out how to use the latest and greatest tools for your preferred Apple
mobile device at this Legacy Family Tree webinar.
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
