Category Archives: Society News

Heritage Quest Research Library Indirectly Evident: Finding William’s Parents

by Charles Hansen
Indirectly Evident: Finding William’s Parents  
When no known records exist to identify the parents of an individual, a researcher may utilize indirect evidence to build a proof argument.  This presentation offers a case study into the use of indirect evidence and sibling research to identify the parents of William Graham of Meigs County, Ohio.
What can you take away to find your own “William Graham” Debbie Wilson Smyth
Debbie has been researching her family since 1993 and holds a Certificate in the Genealogical Research program from Boston University.  As owner of the Oak Trails Genealogy Services, LLC, she provides professional genealogical services in research, education, consultation, and speaking. Her research focuses on mid-western and southern states, methodology, lineage society applications, and DNA.  Debbie is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogy Speakers Guild, as well as a number of national, state, and local societies.   When:
Thursday, April 17, 2025
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where:
ZOOM
Limited in-person (8)
Cost:
$20 members
$25 non-members  Sign-up and Payment:
ZOOM
Go to hqrl.com and click on the HQRL Store (sign in as a member to get the discount)
In-Person (8 only)
Call HQRL at 253-863-1806 or come into the library located at:
2102 E Main, Ste 105, Puyallup, WA 98372
Copyright © 2025 Heritage Quest Research Library, All rights reserved.
You have told us that you want to receive our news and updates from our library.

Our mailing address is:
Heritage Quest Research Library
2102 East Main Suite 105
Puyallup, WA98372-3205

Heritage Quest Research Library April 2025 Happenings

by Charles Hansen
April Happenings

Why a monthly Update? To inform our members of upcoming classes, meetings and other activities in your library. If you have any questions or suggestions as to how we can better serve you, please let us know.  Sara McGlothlen, Membership Coordinator, membership@hqrl.com
 
Nourish Our Roots
A $10,000 Matching Contribution
March 1 through June 1
Our heartfelt thanks to the anonymous donor for the $10,000 matching donation. During this fund-raising event, all donations to Nourish Our Roots will be doubled. We have already received more than $3,000 in donations. Thanks to our early-bird donors who have given us such a good start. We are confident our $20,000 goal will be reached by June 1.
What a Deal! New members who donate $100 to the Nourish Our Roots fund will receive a free one-year membership as a thank you gift. This offer is limited to Nourish Our Roots which ends June 1. Be sure and spread the word!
 
Upcoming April Events
April 3 Thursday – 11 am to 12 noon Bluegrass Roots – Tracing Your Kentucky Ancestor 1785-1940 Discover record sets and resources for documenting your Kentucky ancestors
Presenter: Debra M Dudek Call the library at (253) 863-1806. if you have any questions All our classes can be attended in person or by Zoom. Sign up online or at the library
  Members $20 and Non-members $25
April 16 Wednesday – 12 noon to 1:00 pm Management Team Meeting 
All members are welcome to attend monthly Management Team meetings and quarterly Board of Trustee meetings.
April  17 Thursday – 11 am to12 noon  
Indirectly Evident: Finding William’s Parents 
A case study to build a proof argument using indirect evidence
Presenter: Debbie Wilson SmythCall the library at (253) 863-1806. if you have any questionsAll our classes can be attended in person or by Zoom. Sign up online or at the library
  Members $20 and Non-members $25   April 22 Tuesday – 1 pm to 3 pm
HQRL Board of Trustees Meeting
All members are welcome to attend monthly Management Team meetings and quarterly Board of Trustee meetings.
April 26 Saturday – 9 am to 2 pm
Puyallup Farmers Market  Booth  Two volunteers are scheduled to manage the library booth 
and one or two others would be most welcome. Sign up at the library or call 253-863-1806 if you are willing to participate.   
 
  Management Team Meeting 
March 27 Price of copies will be reduced from $.50 to $.25.
Plans for Autumn Quest 2025 The library continues to operate in the red and Autumn Quest has been a highly successful funding source in the past. We urgently need volunteers for several committees to move this event forward. Also, if you are an organizer and can plan a good party, you would be perfect as Autumn Quest Chairman.
Open Management Team positions: Beth Scott has resigned as editor of our newsletter, Quest Connections. Thank you, Beth for your excellent newsletters!  However, this adds Newsletter Editor to the unfilled positions on our Management Team. Other open positions are Management Team Secretary, Office Manager, Bookstore Manager,  IT Tech, and Books on the Road Coordinator. New in the Bookstore Forensic Genealogy Theory & Practice
Michael S. Ramage and Catherine B.W. Desmarais
$55.00
April Bookstore Specials 
These three books – 50% off Grass of the Earth: The Story of a Norwegian Immigrant Family in Dakota by Aagot Raaen This is an engaging, richly detailed biography of a family of Norwegian immigrant homesteaders in eastern North Dakota in the late 1800s. Educator and world traveler, Aagot Raaen, wrote this reminiscence late in her life.                                $20/Now $10
Tracing Your Ancestors: Beginner’s Guide 10 first steps, creating a timeline, census records and how to use them, genealogy software overview, why you should seek vital records, who’s in those family photos, and much more. $9/Now $4.50
Tracing Your Female Ancestors, we’ll show you how! Tips and strategies for tracing your female ancestors. by Gena Philibert-Ortega $9/Now $4.50

Whatcom Genealogical Society Reaping a Harvest with Land Records

by Charles Hansen

News Release

WGS Program – Visitors are always welcome!

Whatcom Genealogical Society meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 2 P.M.,

except December, January, July, and August at the Pioneer Pavilion, 2007 Cherry St., Ferndale,

WA – Doors open at 1:30 P.M.

There is plenty of free parking and no stairs to navigate.

No experience in genealogy is necessary to join us.

WGS General Meeting, April 14, 2025

“Reaping a Harvest with Land Records” with Larry W. Thomas

Larry is a retired US Army Captain with 23 years in the field of Aviation, Transportation

& Logistics, he has a bachelor’s degree in “Aviation Management Information Systems” from Southern Polytechnic State University while working for the US Army Reserves as a Program Manager earning his certification as a Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute in 2013. Larry began his Genealogy Research over 30 years ago with his own Thomas Family, Georgia residents since the 1750’s. Then, adding the rest his and his late wife’s families before the beginning to research for clients in 2008, operating www.AtlantaGenealogy.com.

A graduate of ProGen 38, Larry has assisted the TV show “Finding Your Roots.” He is a member of numerous genealogical and historical societies, serves on the Board of the Georgia Genealogical Society, is the current president of Genealogical Speakers Guild, and is past president of the Cobb County Genealogy Society. He is becoming a popular genealogy presenter, bringing some fun to learning how to research.

Tri-City Genealogical Society AI Tools for Genealogists

by Charles Hansen

  Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s April General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9.  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 the comfort of your own home.  See below for the Zoom link.

   The April TCGS General meeting is entitled From Research to Writing: AI Tools for Genealogists presented by Nicole Elder Dyer.  Writing about your genealogy research can be challenging. Assembling genealogical conclusions requires time, persistence, and dedication. Learn how generative AI tools can help – whether you’re writing a biography, research report, or proof argument. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude can turn research logs into reports and timelines into narrative. Providing text to the AI tools help increase accuracy and limit errors. Generative AI tools can increase your writing efficiency, but your personal style may be lost. Learn how to maintain your unique voice while increasing productivity. We will also discuss when to disclose writing assistance from AI tools and how to cite them.

  Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist specializing in Southern United States research and genetic genealogy. She is the creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She co-authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and Research Like a Pro with DNA and is an instructor for the study groups of the same name. She lectures at conferences and institutes including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching. At Family Locket Genealogists, Nicole is a project manager, editor, and researcher.

  Thank you to everyone who has already joined TCGS for 2025.  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 .

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89589450952?pwd=qYTna40oIbqLazIy3qAc3pvUXVDzrM.1

Meeting ID: 895 8945 0952

Passcode: 332979

—

One tap mobile

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+12532158782,,89589450952#,,,,*332979# US (Tacoma)

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Dial by your location

• +1 253 205 0468 US

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

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Meeting ID: 895 8945 0952

Passcode: 332979

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb08vpm5VO

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Ancestry Pro Tools

by Charles Hansen

Monthly Meeting & Presentation – Ancestry Pro Tools – Are They Worth It?

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

You are invited to this free presentation at the SVGS library.

Everyone is welcome! 

Sue McNeil, SVGS member will be back! This time Sue will be giving an an overview of her experience using the new Ancestry Pro Tools. The presentation will be in person only at our library. Our business meeting will follow the presentation.

Sue’s topic: Ancestry Pro Tools – Are They Worth It?

Ancestry Pro Tools is a new monthly add-on subscription. Are they worth paying an additional $10 per month? That depends on your needs and goals. There are tools for a tree checker, smart filters, reports, DNA matches and more.

There will be a short break with refreshments. The monthly meeting will followat 2pm.

New England Interest Group – 1st Tuesday of the Month

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am. This is a hybrid group. You may attend in person at our library or join via Zoom.

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.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group – 3rd Thursday of the Month

Also join us at the SVGS library from 1-3pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month for the 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 send 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.

For more information visit www.stillygen.org

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society April Educational Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: Melanie de Leon will be speaking in person at the University Place Library on the History and Mission of the DAR and genealogy resources available to the general public. Her presentation will be recorded and a link to the video posted in the members only TPCGS Documents section of our website for future viewing.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who can 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.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who can 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.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

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
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

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

Heritage Quest Research Library Tracing Your Kentucky Ancestor

by Charles Hansen
April 2025 Classes   Bluegrass Roots – Tracing Your Kentucky Ancestor 
1785 – 1940 

April 3, 2025

This lecture provides an overview of record sets and resources for documenting your Kentucky ancestors using a combination of both searchable and brows-able online records, as well as archival material.      Debra M. Dudek holds a post graduate certificate in Genealogical, Paleographic & Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.  Ms. Dudek is the Book Review editor for the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and a board member of the Illinois State Historical Society. 
When: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Time: 11 AM to 12 PM

Where: ZOOM and limited in-person (8) 
Cost: $20 members / $25 non-members Sign-up & Payment:
ZOOM
Go to hwrl.com and click on HQRL Store (sign in as a member to receive the discount)
In-Person (8 only)
Call HQRL at 253-863-1806 or come into the library located at 2102 E Main, Ste 105, Puyallup, WA 98372 Coming Soon!

“Indirectly Evident: Finding William’s Parents”
with
Debbie Wilson Smyth
Thursday, April 17, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Heritage Quest Research Library, All rights reserved.
You have told us that you want to receive our news and updates from our library.

Our mailing address is:
Heritage Quest Research Library
2102 East Main Suite 105
Puyallup, WA 98372-3205

Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society Public Domain

by Charles Hansen

Members and Friends,


April program coming up! Registration is open! This is a virtual presentation.  Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Gv4IJihtRYCxZjhRiaeuEQ

Ever need an image for a presentation and just can’t find the right one to set the scene?
How about music to create a “mood” for your program or a quotation from a book or publication to add interest?
This program will cover those questions and we will share where to find images, music, and publications and review the public domain structure. The facilitator is Georga Foster.

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Diseases Our Ancestors Faced

by Charles Hansen

Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 1pm for the first of our Spring Series, Diseases Our Ancestors Faced and How Those Illnesses Changed Our World with Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP. Have you ever come across a death record listing “Brain Fever,” “Consumption,” “Grippe,” and wondered what those illnesses are? In this presentation, Dr. Gardner brings together his medical background with his passion for genealogy. Topics include death records, life expectancy and the major illnesses that changed the course of history. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.

Heritage Quest Research Library French Canadian Ancestry

by Charles Hansen
Do you have French Canadian Ancestry? If you have French-Canadian ancestry, you are likely to have one or more King’s Daughters (Filles du roi) or Carignan soldiers among your ancestors.
Do you want to find the link to this Heritage Association founded in 1994?
Do you want to find out more about your potential ancestors and their role in the development of New France?
This class is for you! Lisa Elvin-Staltari is a professional genealogist with over 20 years of experience digging deep inside the roots of family trees. She is a product of a French-Canadian Mom and an English Canadian Father and is fluently bi-lingual. Lisa grew up in Drummondville, Quebec and lived in Quebec until 2000.  She now resides in Tucson, Arizona.
Her professional background includes teaching, public speaking, training and sales.  She has spoken at many local, regional and national venues.  She specializes in French-Canadian genealogy with an emphasis on Colonial France, English Canada.   When: 
Thursday, March 20, 2025
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where:
ZOOM & limited In Person (8)

Cost:
$20 members/ $25 non-members Sign-up and Payment:

ZOOM
Go to hqrl.com and click on HQRL Store

In-Person (8 only)
Call HQRL at 253-863-1806 or come into the library. We are located at:
2102 E Main Avenue, Suite 105
Puyallup, WA 98372
 
Copyright © 2025 Heritage Quest Research Library, All rights reserved.
You have told us that you want to receive our news and updates from our library.

Our mailing address is:
Heritage Quest Research Library
2102 East Main Suite 105
Puyallup, WA98372-3205