Category Archives: Society News

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Education Meeting January 2026

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: TBD

Our meetings are held monthly except for July and August starting at 6:00 PM, Zoom comes live about 6:15 PM.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:

University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466

and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
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Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
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Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Writing A Family History Book Using AI

by Charles Hansen

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

by Charles Hansen

  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

by Charles Hansen


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

by Charles Hansen

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

by Charles Hansen

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

by Charles Hansen

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

by Charles Hansen

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