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Category Archives: Society News
Latest on Grays Harbor Research Library
Fire at Aberdeen Armory, home of the GHGS Research Library, 09 Jun 2018
The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society has had a few ups and downs recently as they begin to rebuild their research library. As you may remember, their library was destroyed by a three-alarm fire that destroyed the Aberdeen Armory on 09 Jun 2018. The fire also destroyed much of the Aberdeen Museum of History, Coastal Community Action Program and the Aberdeen Senior Center.
What GHGS lost
While it may take years to determine everything that was lost, the society is particularly saddened about the loss of:
- More than 22,000 hard copy obituaries that were taped to index cards and stuffed tightly in metal file cabinets. Fortunately, a digital newspaper obit index was stored off-site. Efforts are being made to find area obituaries at other locations, such as local libraries.
- Thousands of mortuary records from now closed Whiteside and Elerding Funeral Homes, for funerals from 1907 – 2015. The Washington State Library has graciously offered to scan their collection of over 200 four-inch binders.
- Birth, marriage and death records from the 1970s to 1907.
- Chehalis County Marriage Index from the 1850s to 1990s.
- Unique compilations of cemetery inventories for outlying cemeteries.
- Tables, chairs, pencils, pens, notepads, wastepaper baskets, bulletin boards, photographs, signage…you get the idea.
Current situation
The cause of the fire is still undetermined. In addition, we are still unable to get inside the building. At last report, the City of Aberdeen (owners of the building) need to hire a structural engineer to assess the building’s integrity. After that, a separate company will be hired to clean up the building, then a third company to carry out the recovery. The City has activated a Board of Museum and History to discuss the future of the Aberdeen Museum.
Thanks to the generous donations from fellow genealogical societies and individuals, we were able to purchase a photocopier and two computers. We were also able to find a temporary space, compliments of the Hoquiam Library. Due to a remodeling project at the library, however, we have had to move again — into members’ spare rooms and storage.
What we’re looking for
Donation from Clallam County Genealogical Society
We’ve been extraordinarily grateful to those local societies and individuals who have offered financial aid and resources. We have suspended our Go Fund Me page, but donations may still be made directly to GHGS, P.O. Box 916, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
We’re very much on the lookout for Grays Harbor-related materials like old city directories, telephone books, school yearbooks, family histories, obituaries, etc. No donation is too small. Many societies have scoured their holdings and sent us area-specific books. If you have materials related specifically to Grays Harbor or Chehalis Counties, we’d love to hear from you at Info@GraysHarborGenealogy.com.
What’s next
We are sponsoring a workshop fundraiser on Saturday, October 13, from 1:00 – 3:15 at the American Legion Hall, 115 W. First Street, Aberdeen. Professional genealogist Pam Vestal from the Portland area has donated her time and talent for the two-session workshop fundraiser. The cost is $25 per person. Those that sign up early may attend a free class with Pam in the morning. For more information, contact Info@GraysHarborGenealogy.com.
Final word
No update on our situation would be complete without thanking all those who have contacted us to express their sympathies and support. Every message, donation and kind word has been humbly appreciated.
Eastside Gen Soc Uses Innovative Grant for Workshop
Maureen Taylor (left) and Celia McNay, Eastside Genealogical Society President
The Eastside Genealogical Society threw itself a 40th birthday party on Saturday, 15 Sep 2018. The society has been celebrating every month this year in a small way, but really hit the big time hosting Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, in an all-day workshop in Bellevue. The workshop was free to EGS members as a thank you for 40 years of support, while others paid a small fee. Ms. Taylor presented Photo Detecting 101, Google Images and Beyond and Discovering Genealogical Clues in Photographs. Well done, value-added presentations all around.
EGS used its 2018 WSGS Innovative Grant to help fund the workshop — an excellent use of the grant. Besides the Eastside Genealogical Society, the four other successful 2018 grant winners were:
- Lower Columbia Genealogical Society to purchase genealogical books to donate to the Longview Public Library for public use. Lower Columbia has generously donated books for a number of years, using money from membership dues and their coffee stops.
- Okanogan Genealogical Society to help purchase supplies to repair and preserve books holding the “Tonasket Times” newspaper from 1913 – 1952.
- Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society to help publish a book on “Early Stillaguamish Valley Schools” in the Arlington Area.
- Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society for digital preservation of family records, library holdings and archival documents.
More information about the deadlines for the 2019 Innovative Grants will be publicized in the coming months.
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Educational Program
| I’d like to let you know about an upcoming educational program we are offering on October 13, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in partnership with Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. The topic of the program is “Mapping Your Ancestors” 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. |
| Hope to see you there! |
Kathleen Headden, Reference Librarian
Burlington Public Library
820 E. Washington Ave.
Burlington, WA 98233
360-755-0760, ext. 7906
Seattle Genealogical Society News
WATCH YOUR MAIL …
2018 FALL SEMINAR BROCHURE IS
COMING TO YOUR MAILBOX VERY SOON!
We are excited, honored, and very fortunate to be hosting Cyndi Ingle as the speaker for our 2018 Fall Seminar. Cyndi is the owner and creator of Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites, a categorized index of over 336,000 online resources. Her award-winning site helps millions of visitors worldwide.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 20, 2018. The seminar will be at Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th St, Seattle, WA from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Cost: $55 for SGS members, $65 for all others. Lunch will be available by pre-order. Fill out your seminar brochure right away and get ready to enjoy a fascinating series of lectures by one of genealogy’s prominent teachers.
There are two ways to register. Fill in your registration form and mail it back, or you may Register online for the SGS 2018 Fall Seminar
SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING,
OCTOBER 13, 2018
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Please join us for our October Membership Meeting! Hear from the SGS Board. The business meeting will be followed by a presentation from our Second Saturday Series.
FGS DIRECTOR’S AWARD GOES TO CDG SERIES
SGS president, Jill Morelli, was so pleased to have her Certification Discussion Group series recognized nationally by FGS (the Federation of Genealogical Societies). She was informed that the CDG series has been awarded a Director’s Award. “Totally unexpected”, she said. Jill thanks all the people that helped make this possible – Angela McGhie, Cari Taplin, the SGS Board, Christine Schomaker, and others.
If you are working toward certification as a professional genealogist, or simply want to learn more about the CDG series, or want to put your name on the waiting list, visit:
theCDGseries.wordpress.com
SAVE THE DATE
“Using Online Historical Jewish Newspapers for Genealogical Research”,
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State,
LDS Factoria Bldg,
4200 124th Ave SE,
Bellevue, WA
Monday, September 17, 2018
7:15pm
Doors open at 6:30 pm for all to enjoy the extensive JGSWS library’s genealogical resources. Free Wi-Fi, admission, and refreshments. Come early to network with other attendees. Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 pm.
“A Day of Discovery with Lisa Louise Cooke”,
Puget Sound Genealogical Society,
4131 Pine Rd NE (at the Bremerton Elks),
Bremerton, WA
Saturday, September 22, 2018
8:30am – 3:30pm
Cost is $50 for PSGS members / $55 for non-members. Lunch is included and will be catered by the Bremerton Elks. For more information and the registration form see www.pusogensoc.org/psgs/seminar2018
“Harvest Your Family Tree”,
The Kelowna & District Genealogical Society Conference 2018,
Kelowna, BC
Friday, September 28 – Sunday, September 30
There will be plenty to see and learn at one of Western Canada’s largest genealogy conferences – eleven speakers on 31 topics. Featuring Louis Kessler, programmer,
genealogist, member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG) will be speaking about Double Match Triangulation, the program he developed for autosomal DNA analysis. His program won third place at the 2017 RootsTech Innovator Showdown.
SGS 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.
SEPTEMBER
Monday, September 24, 10:30 am – 7:00 pm, SGS Volunteer Recognition Day, the Board of Directors will host a Volunteer Appreciation Day for all 2017-2018 volunteers. Refreshment and a raffle. Stop by for an hour, or stay for the whole day! No need to RSVP.
Saturday, September 29, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, this group meets quarterly at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Co-chaired by Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel. For more information
contact SGSDNASIG@gmail
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 6, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, come join David Robert, group leader, for help researching your Canadian ancestors.
Saturday, October 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
Sunday, October 7, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright, First hour focuses on questions that group members bring; second hour focuses on Genome Mate Pro
Saturday, October 13, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, October Membership Meeting & Second Saturday Speaker Series, short business meeting, hear from the SGS board, followed by a presentation
Sunday, October 14, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Scandinavian SIG, with Karen Knudson, Swedish and Norwegian Workshop – bring your laptops and your research. We will have resources available to help you with your hunt for your Scandinavian ancestors.
Saturday, October 20, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, “Sharpen Your Online Genealogical Sleuthing Skills”, with Cyndi Ingle of Cyndi’s List fame. This is the SGS Fall Seminar and will be held at Fairview Christian School in Seattle. The SGS library will be closed on this day so volunteers may attend the seminar.
Saturday, October 27, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish SIG, with Jean A Roth
Saturday, October 27, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Jean A Roth
Saturday, October 27, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Digging Deeper Workshop: Researching Washington’s World War I Honor Roll, with Lisa Oberg, at the University of Washington
Olympia Genealogical Society October Meeting
Thurston County Home front During World War 1″ will be the topic of Jennifer Crooks’ presentation to the Olympia Genealogical Society’s October meeting. She is a local historian specializing in early 20th century and History Writer for ThurstonTalk.com. Join us on Thursday October 11 at 7 pm, Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge DR SW, Olympia in Building 1, Room 152.
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Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net
Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society September Meeting
The Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) presents “Unearthing Records on your Revolutionary Ancestors” on Friday, September 21, 2018, at 10am to noon at the Bainbridge Island Pubic Library. The guest speaker is Sylvia Hasenkopf, A.G., an expert researcher in Palatinate, Colonial, and Revolutionary eras. Ms Hasenkopf is also a noted columnist, and house historian from Greene County, New York. Free to members, a $5.00 donation is suggested for nonmembers. For more information go to https://bigenealogy.org/ BIGS is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
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Sue Elfving
PR
Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society
Lower Columbia Genealogical Society September Meeting
THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS WERE A SERIES OF HEARINGS AND PROSECUTIONS OF PEOPLE ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT
IN COLONIAL MASSACHUSETTS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1692 AND MAY 1693. MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WERE ACCUSED, NINETEEN OF WHICH WERE FOUND GUILTY AND EXECUTED BY HANGING (FOURTEEN WOMEN AND FIVE MEN), AND AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE DIED IN JAIL. IT WAS THE DEADLIEST WITCH HUNT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE EVENTS, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS SPEAKER JERRI MC COY AT THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 MEETING.
Lower Columbia Genealogical Society
SOMERSET RETIREMENT APARTMENTS
2025 TIBBETTS DRIVE, LONGVIEW
DINING ROOM 7:00 PM
German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society October Meeting
The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) will meet on Friday, October 5, 2018, from 1 to 3 pm in the Relief Society Room of the LDS Church at 10675 NE 20thSt, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.
Topic: Creating a Legacy from Family Papers and Genealogy
Many of us share a pressing concern: we possess family documents, artifacts, and oral histories, but have no idea what to do with them. This session examines formats, ideas, organizational tips, and inspiration to ensure the stories of our ancestors, and of our own life stories, are not lost.
Presenter: Claire Gebben is the author of the historical novel The Last of the Blacksmiths (Coffeetown Press, 2014) based on the true story of her German immigrant ancestors. Her family memoir about writing family history, How We Survive Here: Families Across Time is due for release in November of 2018. Her articles on black smithing, German Separatists, immigration and genealogy have appeared in German Life, Family Chronicle, and other publications. More info
For more information, kindly visit our website .
Tri-City Genealogical Society Presentations
On Wednesday, September 12th, we will have 2 presentations at the Benton County PUD Auditorium in Kennewick (corner of Hwy 395 and 10th Street).:
1. Beginning Genealogy Class: 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Margie Beldin to give a talk on Roots Web and the WayBack Machine.
2. Program: Starts at 7:00 p.m. – Heather Murphy to talk about the multiple Family History Center premium genealogy websites
that are available free at any Family History Center.
I hope you will make plans to attend another informative class/program meeting.
Art