Used book sale begins today!
Come on in and see what’s on the shelves!
Books $5.00
Periodicals $1.00
USED BOOKS ONLY
on the silver and black carts.
Heritage Quest Research Library Used Book Sale
Category Archives: Society News
South King County Genealogical Society December Meetings
???? Saturday, December 5, 10 am – noon PDT, Family Tree Maker User Group. Question & Answer. Join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for discussion and meeting reminders. All our meetings have Closed Caption available.
???? Monday, December 7, 1–3 pm PDT, Research Group, Persons of Interest #ResearchOpportunity. Join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Research-Group for meeting reminders and discussion. All our meetings have Closed Caption available.
???? Monday, December 14, 1–3 pm PDT, Genetic Genealogy/DNA: How to Use Wikitree as a DNA Research Tool. Join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy for meeting reminders and discussion. All our meetings have Closed Caption available.
???? Monday, December 21, 1–3 pm PDT, Technology User Group: Wassail party! Bring your beverage of choice and we’ll chat about genealogy, tech, computers, websites or whatever has come up this past month or year. For invitations and discussion, join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG. All our meetings have Closed Caption available.
???? Monday, December 28, 1–3 pm PDT, Genealogy Chat. Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society for discussion and meeting reminders. All our meetings have Closed Caption available.
Olympia Genealogical Society’s December Meeting
“Academic Archives and How to Use Them in Your Research” is the title of the Olympia Genealogical Society’s December 10 Virtual meeting. Mark O’English and Gayle O’Hara from the Washington State University will give us a look at the types of materials held in archives and special collections at colleges and universities, what you can expect to find there, and how to find materials around the region and the country useful to your genealogy. They will share relevant collections, examples from genealogy researchers they’ve aided, and tools for identifying and locating resources. We’ll learn how academic special collections can help, both in today’s complex outbreak times and when we return to “normal.” To access the virtual meeting, log onto our website https://OlyGenSoc.org a few minutes before 7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 10 and follow the entrance code given. Questions, info@OlyGenSoc.org Thank-you JOYCE OGDEN, Publicity
======================================================================= Joyce T. Ogden jtogden@comcast.net
Seattle Genealogical Society News
GIVING TUESDAY WAS DECEMBER 1st
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the Seattle Genealogical Society and Library during our Annual Appeal this December.
SGS 2020 Annual Appeal
Donate Now Online
If you have a Paypal account, you may donate to SGS via the Paypal Giving Fund. The transaction fee will be waived and your gift will be matched with an additional 1% by the fund. Go to:
Paypal Giving Fund – SGS Thank You!
FROM OUR SGS PRESIDENT
I am sorry to have to notify the membership that our Library Director, Sue Jensen, has told the Board that she needs to step down from that position effective immediately for health-related reasons. Sue has held that post since June 2018, and in a recent discussion had told me she hoped to stay on through May 2022 in order to help us continue our move to a more digital library. Unfortunately, her doctor felt otherwise. Sue has done an outstanding job as the Society’s Library Director, and filling her shoes will not be an easy task. Annie Wright, who was the Library Director from June 2015 through May 2018, has agreed to act as the interim director while we search for Sue’s replacement. She has been working closely with Sue as the Library Technician, so the transition should be smooth.
We all wish Sue the best, and with luck we may not have seen the last of her involvement in SGS. She hopes to be able to return at some point to continue running the new “Brag and Bricks” sessions that she has just initiated. That program has proven to be a popular one, and we are all hoping that she can return to host that program again.
Jim Secan
President, SGS Board of Directors
THE CERTIFICATION DISCUSSION GROUP
WITH JILL MORELLI
The sign up for the winter session of the popular online Certification Discussion Group (CDG), a review of the requirements for certification with the Board for Certification of Genealogists, is starting. If you are interested in signing up for the course, we urge you to do so now. SGS members are given preference.
To find out more and sign up for the waitlist, go to:
https://theCDGseries.wordpress.com
RESEARCH SERVICES AT
SEATTLE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (SGS)
SGS volunteers provide research services to members and non-members, utilizing our library holdings, SGS databases, and the Seattle Public Library holdings. After submitting your online research request, the researcher will search for information in the following record sets. We cannot provide images of certain records where we are prohibited from copying due to the owner’s Terms of Service. This primarily affects Family Search records. We cannot guarantee we will be successful in fulfilling your request; nevertheless, our fee will still be charged.
The fee for research services for non-members is $10.00 per hour per name, minimum of $7.50, except as noted above. For members, the first hour is free. If our research is expected to exceed one hour (including for members), our researcher will contact you with an estimate of the additional time it will take to complete the research before proceeding. Please be specific about who we should research, with dates and places for the relevant events. Include the specific resources you would like us to check. We charge for the time involved in searching for information, scanning documents and reporting the results of our research to you.
SAVE THE DATE
“Washington’s Undiscovered Feminists”,
with Mayumi Tsutakawa
Seattle Public Library/Humanities Washington
Saturday, December 5, 2020
11:00 AM PST
Join in remembering some of the remarkable, but often unsung, women of the Pacific Northwest. Please register online at The Seattle Public Library for the virtual meeting information. “Finding Your Roots: Using the Entire Genealogy Tool Box”,
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State,
Bellevue, WA
Monday, December 14, 2020
7:00 PM PST
Coral Grant will be the presenter for this online, virtual meeting. The “room will open” at 7 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:15 PM. Visit their website for more info and the meeting id.
https://www.jgsws.org
RootsTech Connect 2021 (Virtual),
hosted by FamilySearch International
February 25-27, 2021
This 2021 virtual conference is free. They do ask that you register. Something for everyone, no matter your age or experience:
- Genealogy Classes
- Food and Cultural Demonstrations
- Mind-break Activities, Exercise and Relaxation
- Travel and World Heritage
Visit the website for more info and registration.
http://www.rootstech.org/?lang=eng
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, Dec 2, 2020, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), With Sue Jensen, hostess/facilitator – Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Saturday, Dec 5, 2020, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group, Discover the many ways to use Family Tree and FamilySearch. Featuring a different aspect of the website each meeting. There will be time for Q & A. Chaired by Lou Daly.
Tuesday, Dec 8, 2020, 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, Dec 9, 2020, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), With Sue Jensen, hostess/facilitator – Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Saturday, Dec 12, 2020, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, SGS Holiday Celebration – Virtual, join us for our annual Holiday Gathering. This year it’s virtual. There will be a trivia contest with prizes. Share a favorite family recipe. Send it along now to library@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org and it will be compiled and shared on our website as well as at the party. Visit our website for the Zoom link to this celebration.
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Holiday Traditions around the World
Just a Happy Reminder for you all regarding Saturday December 5th Virtual (on ZOOM) Meeting:
| Saturday, December 5 Holiday Celebration (EWGS Meetings) 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm Via Zoom Holiday Traditions Around the World See you on ZOOM at 12:30 on December 5… |
PSSSST….Want to know how to win $25.00? We will be holding a drawing for all early renewals again this year. Make an excellent move and submit your dues before midnight 12/31/2020 to be entered into the drawing for a $25.00 Gift Card.
Focusing on all the positive actions EWGS has taken this year, one that stands out to me is that we voted to use ZOOM. This enabled us to reach out to you and offer programs/events using the ZOOM platform. It is exciting to see the number of participants grow with each event. Our society is thriving despite the COVID-19 fall out! Why should you renew? Allow me to share with you some of the more recent positive comments made by our members:
- “I have FREE access to all our (TAG, Refocus, Workshops, Seminars, Monthly) meetings”
- “ I no longer have to worry about icy roads when attending EWGS meetings”
- “No parking problems”
- “Not having to social distance or even wear mask when Zooming-in for a meeting”
- “ I like that we as members get DISCOUNTS for public priced events”
- “Website convenience to our EWGS website, Facebook and Blog sites for up-to-date information on events.”
- “FREE expert help and advice for your personal genealogy searches”
2020 is fast coming to a close please take action now and renew your membership for the upcoming year. This letter is your first reminder that we already have renewal options in place under the For Members Only side bar at www.ewgsi.org. There you will find a printable mail in application if you prefer to use a check to renew your membership. There is also the option to use PayPal if you’d like to go paperless. I hope you will take advantage of one of these options and renew for 2021 before midnight December 31.
Last but not least we have a message from our President, Dolly Webb:“What a challenging year 2020 has been. Not only for EWGS but the entire world. I now have several face masks in my car and by the outside doors. I’ll visit with you in the only place I go (the grocery store) both wearing masks and 6 feet apart.“What does this have to do with EWGS you might ask? Well, everything. All our meetings now use this ‘newfangled’ thing called Zoom. It is such a wonderful way to connect with your genealogy friends and share. It can be so easy to withdraw and feel isolated at this difficult time, or become reluctant to try out new things. Are you reluctant to try that ‘ZOOM’ thing? Go to our website www. HYPERLINK “http://www.ewgsi.org/”ewgsi.org and on the HOME page you will find easy directions for how to sign into ZOOM to take advantage of all the upcoming meetings listed on that page.“Get your membership dues in and come ZOOM with us. Chat with your friends and participate in our educational programs.” Thank You, Dolly” Hope to hear from you soon, Jennilyn Weight, Membership Committee
Heritage Quest Research Library Open Small Business Saturday
| Small Business Saturday! Happy Holidays! With Thanksgiving upon us and the holidays fast approaching, we will be OPEN to assist you with your research or your shopping needs for the Genealogy guru or budding Genealogist on your Holiday gift list. Come on in this Saturday! We’re OPEN from 10 to 4 Can’t make it in this Saturday? Don’t worry! We will be open, Saturday, December 5th too. We’re also open, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10 to 2 |
Seattle Genealogical Society News
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Seattle Genealogical Society is a member-driven, volunteer-run organization. We could not succeed without the support of our members and the talents and dedication of our volunteers. We are currently seeking people for the following positions:
- Journal Editor
- Publications Director (board position)
- Communications Director (board position)
- Nominations Committee
- Front Desk Scheduler
- Centennial Planning Committee
Contact Volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION – VIRTUAL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2020
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join us for our annual holiday gathering – this year it will be virtual!
Share your family recipes! Send your recipe along ahead of time to library@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
We will compile your recipes and share them on our website and at our Holiday Party.
Join in our genealogy trivia contest. Your facilitators each have five questions to stump you. The top two winners will receive prizes.
Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Facilitators: Sue Jensen and Heidi Mair
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Kathy Emmel, genealogist, teacher, author, and quilter with a background in graphic design, will present “Quilting Your Family History” on Monday, November 23, 2020 from 7-8:00 pm PST. She’ll feature 14 quilts she has made which showcase her heritage, family history, and family stories.
Visit the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting id.
HAVE YOU HEARD
TECH TUESDAY IS BACK!
Back by popular demand! Tech Tuesday sessions will be virtual via Zoom from 10 am-11 am on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Facilitators will vary. No appointment necessary. Find the link on the SGS Website Calendar of Events. The next session will be on November 24, 2020.
THIS WEDNESDAY!
You are invited to the “Brags and Bricks Social Interest Group” meeting Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST on Zoom.
Sue Jensen, the hostess, says, “We are a relaxed social group that discusses our genealogy research, or our intentions to do research, with a bit of fun thrown in. Come join the fun.”
As always, the link to join will be in the Calendar of Events on the SGS Website: seagensoc.org. SAVE THE DATE
“Finding Your Roots: Using the Entire Genealogy Tool Box”,
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State,
Bellevue, WA
Monday, December 14, 2020
7:00 PM PST
Coral Grant will be the presenter for this online, virtual meeting. The “room will open” at 7 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:15 PM. Visit their website for more info and the meeting id.
https://www.jgsws.org
RootsTech Connect 2021 (Virtual),
hosted by FamilySearch International
February 25-27, 2021
This 2021 virtual conference is free. They do ask that you register. Something for everyone, no matter your age or experience:
- Genealogy Classes
- Food and Cultural Demonstrations
- Mind-break Activities, Exercise and Relaxation
- Travel and World Heritage
Visit the website for more info and registration.
http://www.rootstech.org/?lang=eng
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, Nov 18, 2020, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), With Sue Jensen, hostess/facilitator – Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Monday, Nov 23, 2020, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Quilting Your Family History, Cozy up with a quilt and a cup of tea, cocoa or coffee and learn about the role of quilts in family history. Kathy Emmel’s special presentation will feature 14 quilts she has made that showcase family history, stories and heritage, as well as celebrations, historical events and groups of people.
Tuesday, Nov 24, 2020, 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.
Western Washington Society Presidents Organize
Respectively submitted by Celia McNay, Eastside Genealogical Society, past president
The 2020 pandemic has been a challenge to all of us, causing many genealogical societies to rethink their mission, and how we can best serve the genealogical community. We’re rising to that challenge in various ways. One of those is the creation of the Western WA Genealogical Society Presidents Council. Out of a need for more networking, sharing, and support through the changes, Liz Osborn, the new president of Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society (TPCGS), reached out to other presidents in the western side of the state. She invited us to a Zoom meeting in late June. At that first online meet-up, there were eight people in attendance: Liz; Jill Morelli, past president of Seattle GS; Jim Secan, new president of SGS; Lorraine Graeber, secretary of Tacoma-Pierce County GS; Kathy Erlandson, Olympia GS; Celia McNay, president of Eastside GS; Jane Wickert, vice-president of Eastside GS; and Karen Van Haagen Campbell, representing both the Jewish GS of WA State and the Black Genealogy Research Group.
We talked for two hours, sharing ideas, events, challenges, and hopes for the future. Some of the future topics for discussion identified at that first meeting included new president training, regional Special Interest Groups (SIGs), the defunct Family History Fair, the State (WSGS) organization, social media use, outreach activities, online general meetings and Board meetings, technology, insurance coverage, places to meet after Covid-19, and more. It was a dynamic and energized group of like-minded people with a focus on making our genealogical societies better in this new restricted, yet freeing atmosphere.
Meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month, attendance at the July meeting jumped to 15 participants. September included a ‘guest’ speaker Ginny Majewski as both the president of WSGS and her local society. In October, Celia McNay (Eastside GS) presented information for a new president as part of a leadership training segment. Valorie Zimmerman (South King County GS) facilitated the creation of an email exchange through GroupsIO for the presidents. Jill Morelli (Seattle GS) created a chart of each GS’s SIGs with contact information. Small steps but steps forward none the less.
This group is open to any president (or designee) of a genealogical society, genealogical library, research group, etc. who might benefit from the networking. The stated purpose from the first meeting still holds true: To come together to see in what ways we can support each other and work together. As a group, we support the Washington State Genealogical Society and are not trying to re-invent the wheel. But we felt a need for leaders to share ideas and events, successes and bombs, structures and changes. The online world we have been thrust into is new to all of us and we want to succeed together!
The next meeting is 24 Nov 2020 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. To be added to the distribution list and join this group, contact Jim Secan at president@seagensoc.org who will be conducting that meeting.
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State November 9th Presentation
 |
| The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State proudly presents a free presentation Monday evening, 11/9/20, at 7 p.m.: “Help! I tested my DNA and I’m confused!” presented by Gil Bardige, DNA/Genealogical Lecturer and DNA Mentor/ Project Leader DATE: Monday evening, November 9, 2020, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) via Zoom This free online meeting will open at 7 p.m., and the presentation will start at 7:15 p.m. Registration is required: 1) To register for this Zoom meeting, copy this into link your web browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85286034736?pwd=bnU1a1JOOTRHZG43d1hYTGovTUZUUT09 2) You will be prompted to enter your name and email address and when you hit enter, you will automatically be sent an email with the Zoom meeting link. Meeting ID: 852 8603 4736 Pass code: 751676 For audio, dial 1 253 215 8782, 85286034736, US (Tacoma), use Code 852 8603 4736#, Password: 751676 – Or find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kwgAJx6Yh [online via Zoom] Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 886 6992 1281 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd1gL0ABIT ABOUT OUR 11/9/20 PROGRAM This presentation will provide specific guidance on how to use DNA/Genetic Genealogy as an effective tool in your genealogy tool belt. Gil will provide examples from the four major DNA testing companies to clarify ethnicity estimates and give a detailed review of what matches mean at each company. He will outline the recommended steps to take for prioritizing and making contact with your DNA matches. The end goal is to have your match help with your family tree and, hopefully, provide information, photographs, documents, stories, etc., that you don’t already have. Gil will review the DNA tests available, what you can expect from the results, and who should test. At the end of the presentation, you will be able to say, “Now I get it… I know what to do.” During the presentation, you may ask questions by using the Chat feature, and Gil will answer them at the end of his talk. If there is time after that, he will take more questions via audio.  ABOUT OUR SPEAKER Gil Bardige was born and raised in Chicago and now lives the Columbus, Ohio area. A graduate of the New York Institute of Technology, Gil recently retired after a long career, most recently as a national business development leader for Trane. Gil has three children and three grandchildren. Gil began his genealogy adventure in 1979 with 54 people in his tree. Today his family tree is over 2,000 and traces three branches back to his 5th great grandfathers born about 1740. For the past 12+ years Gil has expanded his knowledge base to Genetic Genealogy, testing at each of the major DNA companies, and he currently manages three Y-DNA projects at Family Tree DNA as a Volunteer Administrator. He loves to help people manage their expectations and begin to remove confusion from their DNA results. With a good percentage of Sephardic ancestry shown in his DNA ethnicity, Gil has added that research to learn about his Bardiga origins. Gil is a firm believer that using DNA results as a tool in genealogical research can generate clues that help confirm relationships. ————————————————————————————————————————- SAVE THE DATES FOR OUR UPCOMING MEETINGS! If you would like to be added to our emailing list to receive our MailChimp e-Newsletter on upcoming programs and resources, please email President@jgsws.org and, for security purposes, please provide: your full name your email address how you heard about the JGSWS programs, and the city/state you live in Monday evening, December 14, 2020, 7 p.m. “Finding My Roots: Using the Entire Genealogy Toolbox” Presented by Coral Grant, Genealogical Lecturer  Description: The secrets that Coral Grant’s grandparents thought were safe eventually became unraveled through the magic of DNA, archival research, and tenacity. The truth revealed an unknown ancestor and a truly rich Latvian heritage. Working back in time, this adventure begins in the Garment District of Toronto, Canada in the early 1930’s and ends deep in the Latvian countryside of the 18th century. The journey includes a life altering deportation from the Latvian countryside during World War I, a survivor’s struggle to return home, a deception to avoid military service, and a most reluctant immigration. Along the way, Coral encountered many genealogical roadblocks: name changes, protective descendants, and multiple individuals with the same name. Using her research to share her family story and Latvian Jewish history, Coral’s presentation highlights the use of all the tools available to the genealogist. Ultimately, the goal of our genealogical research is to honor our ancestors and to make sure we do not forget their stories. Coral’s presentation will leave you with the tools to break through your genealogical roadblocks and find your ancestors, for you to tell their stories.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – |
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society November Meeting
Saturday, November 7 Monthly Meeting (EWGS Meetings) 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm Meeting Via Zoom Ancestry Thru Lines, Are Thru Lines True Lines? with Janice Moerschel Handout for this program is attached below. It is a pdf file so it should open on any device. Download: Are ThruLines True Lines-HANDOUT
Our regular monthly meeting is being held online via Zoom.If you are a member of EWGS you will receive an email that includes the Zoom invitation. If you are not a member you may attend by emailing John Wilson at ewgsmeetingreg@gmail.com (email address must be copied by hand) before Friday, Nov 6 at midnight PST time.