Category Archives: Society News

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE IN
YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

Coming up in 2020, the Seattle Genealogical Society will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage with educational events including lectures, workshops, articles, a resource guide, and an exhibit in our library.
  Join us on a path of exploration. Learn to access and use genealogical tools and techniques to successfully discover female ancestors and write their stories. Learn about the expanding civic role of women, explore the changes in women’s lives and that of their families and communities, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment.

In the Fall of 2020, SGS plans to publish a special edition of our Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society with articles describing the changing roles of women’s lives from 1880-1920, especially in Washington state. We hope to hear the stories of your female ancestors; whether they resided in our state, or elsewhere.
  If you are interested in sharing a story, photo, or a genealogical gem, please contact Heidi Mair, Director of Volunteers, volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org .  We want to thank the Washington State Historical Society for their grant in support of our project.  For more information, see https://www.suffrage100wa.com/
CALLING FOR INTERESTED CANDIDATES 
FOR SGS ELECTION 2020-2021
As we move towards the upcoming SGS election in April 2020. there are a few positions for which we need candidates:

  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Director of Publications
  • Director of Volunteers
  • Directory of Social Media
  • Nominating Committee (six positions, for 2021-2022 election)

Short descriptions of the duties associated with these positions can be found on the SGS website (see https://seagensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=93). New officers and directors will assume their offices in early June 2020. If you have questions regarding these positions, the outgoing directors of these offices are more than willing to discuss the position responsibilities. The new Nominating Committee members (also voted on by the membership) will not start their work until Fall 2020 in preparation for the 2021-2022 elections. 

If you have any questions or are interested in any of these open positions. please email nominations@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org or call the main SGS phone number (206-522-8658) and leave a message.    
IT’S THE GIVING SEASON!   Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the Seattle Genealogical Society and Library during our Annual Appeal this December.    SGS 2019 Annual AppealDonate 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!

FAMILY TREE WEBINARS 2020
MyHeritage and FamilyTreeWebinars.com are pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 2020 Legacy Family Tree Webinars series, now in its 10th year. Choose from 100 classes on a range of topics from genealogy’s leading educators. Such an easy way to learn. Three SGS members are featured speakers: Janice Lovelace, Trish Hackett Nicola, and Jill Morelli. 
Click here to register (free).

SAVE THE DATEJewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
“Finding My Roots: Using the Entire Genealogy Toolbox”,
LDS Factoria Building,
4200 124th Ave SE,
Bellevue, WA  98006
Monday, January 13, 2020   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 during World War I. Come hear all that speaker Coral Grant has to share. 

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Free admission, refreshments, & WiFi.  The program begins promptly at 7:15 pm. 
Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, 
“Did My Ancestors Really Pay for the Mayflower Voyage?”,
6111 188th Pl NE
Arlington, WA 98223
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

While researching her English ancestral roots, Lori Lee Sauber keeps seeing non-specific references to her family being among the merchant group who provided the capital for the Mayflower voyage…but is it true? Follow the research trail as Lori Lee identifies whether this may be factual or just a myth propagated by others through the years.This meeting is free and open to the public.

Spring 2020 SGS Seminar 
with Fritz Juengling,
Fairview Christian School,
844 NE 78th St,
Seattle, WA
Saturday, May 16, 2020   Mr Juengling is the German, Dutch and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. SGS is happy to have Fritz as the presenter for our spring seminar.   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. The Library will be closed Dec 21, 2019 – Jan 1, 2020 for the Winter Holiday. 
JANUARY
Sunday, January 5, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop SIG with leader Cary Bright

Wednesday, January 8, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG, co-chairs Lisa Marker & Diane Hettrick. Meets every other month at the Fiske Genealogical Library in Madison Park, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA. Jointly sponsored by SGS & Fiske. Open to the public. Focuses on resources for users of Macintosh/Apple computers & the Reunion Program.

Saturday, January 11, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, Family Tree Maker (FTM) Users Group, with co-chairs Reiley Kidd & Jess Ramey, Learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker 2017 by Software MacKiev   Saturday, January 11,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series: “Fraktur und Fremdworter: Hacks for Reading Foreign Books & Newspapers” –  presenter will be Mary Kircher Roddy.

Sunday, January 12,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Scandinavian SIG, lead by Karen Knudson, this group will be reviewing new searches from Arkivdigital (Swedish Research) and Digitalarkivet (Norwegian Research). Everyone is welcome to come and share their research.

Saturday, January 18, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish  SIG, with Jean Roth
Saturday, January 18, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German  SIG, with Jean Roth

Saturday, January 25, 10:00am-12:30pm, DNA SIG, Meets quarterly in the fellowship hall of Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Come early for the Beginner Session 9:30-10:00am. Co-chairs Cary Bright & Herb McDaniel. An annual $5 contribution is collected at the door to fund rental of the space.   

FEBRUARY

Saturday, February 8, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch  SIG, with leader Lou Daly, discover the many ways to use Family Tree & FamilySearch.org. Each meeting will feature an aspect of the FamilySearch website.  There will be time for Q&A.  

Saturday, February 8,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series: “The Price of Love: American Women, the Cable Act and Lost Citizenship” – presenter will be Lisa Oberg. American women proselytized and protested for more than 70 years to finally win the right to vote. And yet, the victory wasn’t complete with the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920. Come learn more. 

Saturday, February 15, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish  SIG, with Jean Roth
Saturday, February 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German  SIG, with Jean Roth 

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State Meeting

by Charles Hansen
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State

You are invited to attend our upcoming free genealogy event, on
Monday evening, January 13, 2020.

We would also appreciate it if you could help us publicize this event using this email or our flyer, attached above, by emailing it out, posting it on your bulletin board or calendar, and/or website, or handing out flyers to or sharing this email with individuals and groups you think might be interested.

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State is pleased to present our January 2020 meeting program:

“Finding My Roots: Using the Entire Genealogy Toolbox”

presented by Coral Grant, Genealogical Lecturer

DATE:  Monday, January 13, 2020

Location:  LDS Factoria Building
4200 124th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA  98006

·         Doors open at 6:30 p.m., for all to enjoy our extensive library of genealogical resources, including FREE access to the LDS FHC computers and genealogical websites!

·         Free Wi-Fi available. Come early and network with other attendees!

·         Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 p.m.

  • Free admission and refreshments

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

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.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

As a retired Public Health Administrator and now a business owner and motivational speaker, Coral Grant developed a fascination/obsession with genealogy. Researching and exploring her family’s roots to preserve for the next generation has opened many new doors and fundamentally changed her life and perspective. Coral has had the privilege to have lived and worked from coast to coast in Canada but landed on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where she loves to run, hike and enjoy nature with her husband and dog.

Please    by clicking on
https://www.facebook.com/Jewish-Genealogical-Society-of-Washington-State-548090815567964/

Please visit our website at http://www.jgsws.org to join or to donate to JGSWS to help support the incredible speakers and workshops we bring to you, to view library listings, download handouts, or for more information.  JGSWS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. Membership dues and donations are tax deductible.

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you, your friends and family members!

Karen vanHaagen Campbell
President/Publicity/Programs, Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
president@jgsws.org
www.jgsws.org

Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society January Meeting

by Charles Hansen

The Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society will meet on January 11, 2020 in the downstairs classroom at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. This months program will be the ” Individual Research Assistance” project. The project consists of members collaborating with other members in solving their research dead ends or brick walls.The project will run both January and February. Members are encouraged to bring their laptops and their research data. A short business meeting will begin at 10:30 followed by the beginning of our research assistance project. There is no admission charge to the Discovery Center for attending our meetings. A $1.00 donation is appreciated to cover room rental.  

Heritage Quest Research Library Closed for Holidays

by Charles Hansen
Holiday Greetings
No matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays, we take this opportunity to wish you a joyous New Year and to THANK YOU for your support of Heritage Quest Research Library.  We exist because of you and we continue to serve the genealogy community with your help.
The Library will be CLOSED:
Tuesday, December 24th
Wednesday, December 25th 
Tuesday, December 31st
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
so that our volunteers may celebrate with their families.
We look forward to seeing you in the near future to help you “become the family historian and bring your ancestors to life.”

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

SPEAK OUT NOW TO PRESERVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO GENEALOGY RECORDS – HELP! 
Dear SGS members and supporters,

You have all probably seen some mention of a significant proposed fee increase by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Essentially what they are proposing for fees are: raising the search fee 269% from $65 to $240 and the cost of the actual file 481% from $65 to $385. 

For those not familiar with the types of records genealogists want from USCIS, here is a sample:  Naturalization Certificate Files (C-Files), September 27, 1906 to March 31, 1956 Alien Registration Forms (Form AR-2), August 1940 to March 1944 Visa Files, July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 Registry Files, March 1929 to March 31, 1944 A-Files, April 1, 1944 to May 1, 1951 If you had relatives who immigrated to the United States in the 20th century, USCIS is the place to order the above records. 

USCIS has provided an opportunity for the genealogical community to comment on this proposed Rule that dramatically impacts the USCIS Genealogy Records Program. We want to encourage our members to make their voices heard and express your concern with this outrageous proposal. 

The Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) is sending in a letter outlining some of our objections. Your help is needed! Please write to the NCIS responding to their request for comment. The deadline is 30 December. You can find a link to sign up and more information at “Records, Not Revenue” at: https://www.recordsnotrevenue.com  

Be sure to contact your Congress people as well!

If you would like to read the proposed rule, see: 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-11-14/pdf/2019-24366.pdf 
The Genealogy section is Section N which starts on page 62315-62316. 
See Section 103.40 for Genealogical Research Requests on page 62359. 

The Washington Post had an article on the proposed fee increases last Thursday which may be read at: 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/12/05/genealogy-boom-has-hit-roadblock-trump-administration-plans-huge-fee-hikes-immigration-records/ 

The link to send a comment is at https://www.recordsnotrevenue.com/ 

We encourage the individual members of our society to get behind this process and let USCIS and your local representatives know that you object to this unsupportable, exorbitant charge for access to value genealogical documentation. 

Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, you may feel free to contact me. 
  Sincerely,

Jill Morelli
President, Seattle Genealogical Society
   
IT’S THE GIVING SEASON!   Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the Seattle Genealogical Society and Library during our Annual Appeal this December.    SGS 2019 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!
  2020 CENSUS JOB OPPORTUNITIES   Want a temporary job? If you are an experienced genealogist, you may be interested in and well qualified for positions supporting the 2020 U.S. Census. The Census Bureau is looking to fill literally thousands of positions – enumerators, clerks, supervisors. SGS member, Ellen Stewart, wants to help out with the 2020 Census so she’s very excited about her new position and encourages other SGS members to check out the opportunities. She suggests you visit the official site, set up an account, and complete the application online. The application includes an assessment to help match your skills to the available job opportunities. 
Here’s the link for the official website:  2020census.gov/jobs        SAVE THE DATE  
Spring 2020 SGS Seminar 
with Fritz Juengling,
Fairview Christian School,
844 NE 78th St,
Seattle, WA
Saturday, May 16, 2020   Mr Juengling is the German, Dutch and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. SGS is happy to have Fritz as the presenter for our spring seminar.   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. The Library will be closed Dec 21, 2019 – Jan 1, 2020 for the Winter Holiday. 
  JANUARY   Saturday, January 4, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch  SIG, with leader Lou Daly, discover the many ways to use Family Tree & FamilySearch.org. Each meeting will feature an aspect of the FamilySearch website.  There will be time for Q&A.  
  Sunday, January 5, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop SIG with leader Cary Bright

Wednesday, January 8, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG, co-chairs Lisa Marker & Diane Hettrick. Meets every other month at the Fiske Genealogical Library in Madison Park, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA. Jointly sponsored by SGS & Fiske. Open to the public. Focuses on resources for users of Macintosh/Apple computers & the Reunion Program.

Saturday, January 11,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series: “Fraktur und Fremdworter: Hacks for Reading Foreign Books & Newspapers” –  presenter will be Mary Kircher Roddy.

Sunday, January 12,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Scandinavian SIG, lead by Karen Knudson, this group will be reviewing new searches from Arkivdigital (Swedish Research) and Digitalarkivet (Norwegian Research). Everyone is welcome to come and share their research.

Saturday, January 18, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish  SIG, with Jean Roth
Saturday, January 18, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German  SIG, with Jean Roth

Saturday, January 25, 10:00am-12:30pm, DNA SIG, Meets quarterly in the fellowship hall of Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Come early for the Beginner Session 9:30-10:00am. Co-chairs Cary Bright & Herb McDaniel. An annual $5 contribution is collected at the door to fund rental of the space.