Category Archives: Society News

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Genealogy Disaster Planning

by Charles Hansen

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) will hold its June meeting via Zoom on Monday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. Email WAGSLibrarian@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.
Our speaker is Julie Miller of JPM Genealogy Research in Broomfield, Colorado. She will give us “An Ounce of Prevention: Making a Genealogy Disaster Plan.” After seeing what happened in Texas last winter, and knowing our own ongoing wildfire threat, we decided to have a program focusing on planning for the worst. Our documents, photographs and databases can be lost in an instant in the event of a disaster. This lecture will show how to plan before the crisis occurs, so that loss is minimized and your genealogy legacy is preserved for future generations.

South King County Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

BOARD ELECTIONS – RESULTS

Welcome to Valorie Zimmerman, our newly elected society President, and to Alexis Scholz, incoming Vice President filling the position vacated by Valorie. Thanks goes to our reelected Treasurer, Michele Mattoon, who will serve a second two-year term. A special thanks to Barbara Mattoon who leaves the President position but will remain on the Board as the Education Director. Thank you to MaryLynn Strickland, Member-at-Large, for another term. We are grateful for the talented individuals leading our society into the future. 

JUNE 2021 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online discussion and collaboration arena where:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe at any time

PROGRAM CHANGES IN JUNE

  • Family Tree Maker User Group is cancelled in June (sign up for our June 5 seminar instead!)
  • Research/Person of Interest Special Interest Group is cancelled starting in June
  • There is no General Meeting in June, July, or August
  • King County Library System/SKCGS joint monthly program is on hiatus
  • NEW! We have two Genealogy Chats in June:  June 7 from 1-3pm and June 28, 1-3pm


Friday, June 4, 2021, 12:30pm-2:30pm PT
German Interest Group (EGS)
“Finding my 19th Century Immigrants from Germanic Europe” presented by David S Raese.
Visitors are always welcome and can request an invitation via Contact tab on the website no later than 2 days prior to the meeting: https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Saturday, June 5, 2021, 9am-4pm PT
LAWS, LEGACIES & LOSERS – A Day With Judy Russell, The Legal Genealogist
South King County Genealogical Society is pleased to present guest speaker Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL
For more information http://skcgs.org/seminar.html

Monday, June 7, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Genealogy Chat
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society for meeting link, discussion and meeting reminders. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Monday, June 14, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA
“How and where to download and upload a GEDCOM File”
This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Monday, June 21, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Technical User Group
“Tech Q&A Roundtable”
The Technology User Group is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Monday, June 28, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Genealogy Chat
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society for meeting link, discussion and meeting reminders. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

SGS 2021 SPRING SEMINAR UPDATE

We were able to reschedule our 2021 Spring Seminar on English research with Paul Milner. The new date is Saturday, June 26, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm PDT. If you have already registered and paid for this virtual seminar, you’ll be receiving your login instructions via email. If you have not registered, but would like to like to attend, visit the SGS website.  

If you have questions, feel free to contact Elizabeth Miller at: 
seminar@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

REMINDERS FOR 
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
  On Saturday, June 12, 2021 there will be a SGS Membership Meeting from 12:30-1:00 pm PDT. Incoming Board of Directors will be announced and introduced. Hear the latest updates on the project to reduce the size of the library, as well as the pending move. This meeting will be virtual via Zoom.
The membership meeting will be followed by the Second Saturday presentation, “Earning Your Wings: Volunteering as a Search Angel” with Susan V.H. Fabian. The presentation will begin at 1:00 pm PDT. As always, you can find the Zoom meeting ID on the SGS website Calendar.  

Our Second Saturday Speaker Series is popular and well attended. Did you know a perk of being a SGS member is members alone have access to video recordings of some select Second Saturday presentations? 

On May 8th, Dr. Penny Walters spoke on “Ethical Dilemmas in Genealogy.” A recording of that session is available only to SGS members through the SGS website. It can be accessed by navigating to the SGS website and following this trail of breadcrumbs: Members Home > Watch a Program Video (middle of the second column of the center menu). Currently, recordings of these four past Second Saturday presentations are available to SGS members:

  • “Ethical Dilemmas in Genealogy”
  • “For the Record: Memoir, Oral History, and Writing Family Stories”
  • “Did My Ancestors Really Pay For The Mayflower Voyage?”
  • “House Histories – The Intersection of Architecture and Genealogy”

If you are not yet a SGS member, now is the time to join. SGS members, if you haven’t renewed, please take the time to do so today.  
SGS MEMBERS, 
TIME TO RENEW FOR 2021-22   If you have not done so already, please take a few moments to renew your SGS membership. It is our 98th year! When you renew online you can pay your dues with a credit/debit card right away, or print out your invoice and send it with your dues payment to SGS. Log in at Members Home, then go to your Member Profile and click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you have never logged in before or have questions, send an email to membership@seagensoc.org.   NOT A SGS MEMBER YET?
Join online today and enjoy a full year of discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases, as well as video recordings of some of our past Second Saturday presentations. 
  Find out more about membership at Join SGS.
* SAVE THE DATE *
Southern California Genealogical Society,
Jamboree 2021, 
June 11-12, 2021 

There is lots going on at SCGS in June : multiple conferences, Genetic Genealogy, June 4-5, and Jamboree 2021, June 11-12,  plus mid-week special events, June 7-10. Too much to mention here. All of it virtual, online this year. Check out their website to learn more about it. 

https://genealogyjamboree.com 

The International German Genealogy Partnership presents,a
“Researching Together Worldwide / Weltweit Gemeinsam Forschen”, 
the first ever International German Genealogy Virtual Conference, 
July 17-24, 2021

Is German genealogy one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for July 17-24, 2021. The IGGP Conference, which only takes place every two years, is your chance to take a deep dive into all things German genealogy – and learn from the experts themselves. This year, the conference will be virtual, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world!

https://iggp.org  

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*

In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed until further notice and SGS in-person events have been replaced with online events.
** Go to the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.  Wednesday, Jun 2, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Saturday, Jun 5, 2021, 10:15 am-12:14 am, FamilySearch Interest Group (Virtual),  Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. A different aspect of the website will be featured at each meeting.  Chaired by Lou Daly. If you would like to join this group and be added to the mailing list, send her a message at loudaly@nwlink.com  This will be the last meeting before the normal summer hiatus. Meetings will resume in October. 

Sunday, June 6, 2021, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, To be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.  

Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Saturday, June 12, 2021,  12:30 pm – 1:00 pm, SGS General Membership Meeting, virtual via Zoom. Meet the new board. 

Saturday, June 12, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series: “Volunteering as a Search Angel”, presenter will be Susan V.H. Fabian a researcher and genetic genealogist specializing in tackling brick walls and adoption cases using DNA.  

Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Saturday, June 26, 2021, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm PDT, SGS 2021 Spring Seminar, a day of English research with Paul Milner. This seminar will be virtual online using Zoom.  

Saturday, June 26, 2021, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA Interest Group, To be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join. Chaired by Cary Bright and Craig Gowans. 

Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

MyHeritage Photo Repair

by Charles Hansen

We did it again! I’m very excited to announce the release of Photo Repair — the newest feature to join MyHeritage’s photo toolbox. Photo Repair automagically fixes scratches, tears, holes, stains and other damage on historical photos.

Photo Repair PR Image

When a photo is uploaded to MyHeritage, a specialized detection algorithm runs in the background and determines if it has sustained damage. If so, a Repair button will appear, ensuring that users will not waste time attempting to repair photos that don’t need it. Photos may be repaired with a single click, and in just a few seconds. The default repair model, named Gentle Repair, will fix most types of damage with minimal changes to the rest of the photo. For photos with more substantial damage, an Extensive Repair model can be applied.

Watch the video to see some amazing examples of the results produced when using Photo Repair. 

Please see some more incredible examples of repaired photos in the blog post and find more information in the press release. I would be grateful if you could share this news with your audience, include the video and attached visual, and encourage them to see the magic for themselves.

Enjoy.

Daniel Horowitz Genealogy Expert

MyHeritage Ltd., P.O.Box 50, 3 Ariel Sharon Blvd., Or Yehuda, Israel 6037606, Israel, +972-3-6280000