Seattle Genealogical Society March News

by Charles Hansen

Yan Ming / Unsplash
 SGS MEMBER PUBLISHED IN IRISH ROOTS MAGAZINE

Susan McKee is sharing her knowledge with the readers of the Irish Roots magazine. McKee, the leader of SGS’s Irish Special Interest Group, breaks down Irish naming conventions in an article in the spring edition of the publication.

“Researching ancestors in Ireland in the nineteenth century,” she writes, “has a reputation for being difficult.” 

In the article, McKee breaks down the challenges and demonstrates through a case study how to push through those challenges. This is the first of a four-part series which will run in each of Irish Root’s quarterly issues this year.

McKee is thrilled with the deal. She described Irish Roots as “a magazine that I have dreamed of writing for these last seven years,” and reflected on how much she has learned and grown as a writer.

“Publishing these articles also adds umph to my motivation as I continue working on my portfolio. I continue to embrace the idea of creating ‘ugly drafts”’ and then spending my time on the editing. I am confident this mindset will get me to the completion of my portfolio.”

Researchers everywhere are sure to reap the benefits of McKee’s insights.

The digital issue of the magazine has just been released, with the print edition hitting U.S. shelves in the next couple of weeks.  SGS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR IRISH FEST

Can you help out at Irish Fest? SGS is sponsoring a booth at the Irish Festival being held at the Seattle Center Armory the weekend of March 16-17, from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. This year, our booth will be located adjacent to the Irish Heritage Club at the main south entrance to the Armory. If you are interested in staffing our booth for a 2-hr or 3-hr period, please contact James Ryan at janglinjehu@yahoo.com.

IRISH WEEK KICKS OFF MARCH 9
 
Celebrate Irish Week 2024 with the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle. 

Events begin March 9th and continue through March 17th. They include a film festival, a St. Patrick’s Pirates Landing at South Lake Union Park, a downtown parade and so much more. All of this leading up to a weekend festival at the Seattle Center on March 16 and 17.

Learn more at the Irish Heritage Club and Seattle Center websites.

SGS SECOND SATURDAY’S DIVES INTO
WOMENS HISTORY MONTH

Do you want to learn more about your female ancestors? Genealogist Janice Lovelace will share how special collections at libraries and archives can shine a light on the lives of women through artifacts such as diaries, letters, manuscripts, and photographic material generated by women. Join the presentation Saturday, March 9, from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., in person at the SGS library or at home. RSVP to attend in personRSVP to attend via livestream from home


GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES
AT SGS’S MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The following SGS members have volunteered to be candidates for SGS Board or director positions for the year running from June 2024 through May 2025:

President: Kathy Weber
Vice President: Lisa Oberg
Secretary: Cybelle O’Brien
Treasurer: Betsey Cotter
Education Director: Cecellia Rogers
Library Director: Kathi M.

There will be an SGS Membership Meeting on 9 March starting at 12:30PM, just prior to Second Saturday, at which the candidates will be introduced, and the attending members will have the opportunity to propose additional candidates for any position.  After that meeting, any new candidates will be vetted to make sure they are eligible to run, after which the slate is final. Ballots will go out at the end of March (via email or via mail to those with no email address), and voting will run through the end of April.
 ACCESS FAMILYSEARCH LOCKED RECORDS
AT THE SGS LIBRARY

When searching the FamilySearch catalog, you may come across images you are unable to access. But not to worry, you can access many of these locked records at the SGS Library. 

To tell if the image may be available at the SGS library, click on the locked record on FamilySearch. The pop up message will explain how to access it. If the message says it can be accessed at “a FamilySearch affiliate library,” the image may be available at the SGS library. 

Come to the library or call ahead to confirm if the record will, in fact, be unlocked when at the SGS Library. Our the desk volunteers can assist by phone.

If the pop up says the document image may be accessed at “a FamilySearch affiliate library,” contact the SGS Library. The record may be available at the library.FINDMYPAST SUBSCRIPTION UPDATE

In my recent e-letter to the membership I neglected to note that our subscription to Findmypast allowing access to FMP on the computers in the SGS Library is for three months only (March, April, May).  If we see a lot of usage during these three months the SGS Board will consider getting a longer-term subscription.  So, if you want to use Findmypast via SGS’s subscription you should get to it right away!

Jim Secan
President, SGS

SAVE THE DATE“Empowering Genealogists with Artificial Intelligence” with Steve Little (Virtual)
Utah Genealogical Association
Tuesday March 5, 2024, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm

This presentation will explain AI, the new consumer ChatGPT program, and the benefits and limitations of using AI and ChatGPT for genealogy. Register today for this free webinar.

Winter Virtual Classes
Fiske Genealogical Library
Wednesdays 10:00 am-noon

Join the Fiske’s free virtual classes.

  • March 6: “19th-Century Women Settlers Confront the Far West,” with Janice C. Lovelace
  • March 13: “French-Canadian Records: Beyond Initial Resources,” with Judy Nimer Muhn

For further information see the Fiske website.

Registration opens for IGHR 2024
Georgia Genealogical Society
Saturday March 9, 2024, 6:00 am

Register for the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research 2023 Virtual Institute. Classes are scheduled to take place July 21-26, 2024. Registration remains open until July 1st, but some classes fill very quickly. Find more information on courses, instructors, and registration.

Family Tree Maker SIG
Eastside Genealogical Society
March 15, 2023, 10:30 pm-12:30 pm

Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev.  The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance.  You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **  Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting.   All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise notedSaturday, March 2, 2024, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com

Sunday, March 3, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Monday, March 4, 2024, 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, March 9, 2024, 12:30 am-1:00 pm, General Membership Meeting  (Virtual or at the SGS library), Update on SGS activities and slate of board candidates for upcoming election. The meeting will be followed by a Second Saturday presentation by Janice Lovelace. (See below). To view at the library, register here. To view from home online register here.

Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024, 1:00 am-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Women in Special Collections  (Virtual or at the SGS library), Celebrate Women’s History Month with “Special Collection Repositories: Finding Women’s Stories and Voices,” presented by Janice C. Lovelace: To view at the library, register here. To view from home online register here.

Monday, March 11, 2024, 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.

Monday, March 11, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Monday, March 11, 2024, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com. Notice the new meeting time.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.

Wednesday, March 13, 2023, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG,  Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of alternating months. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list. 

Saturday,

March 16, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, German SIG (Virtual), “My People on the Road:  Switzerland to the Pfalz to Russia to America.” Allyn Brosz will follow one family who migrated to multiple German-speaking areas and he’ll talk about the various sources he used to piece together his family’s history. Register on the SGS website.

Monday, March 19, 2024, 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, March 19, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  “Pass It On” Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.

Saturday, March 23, 2024, 10:00 am-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Note the date change, this month only.

Saturday, March 23, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA SIG, Come to the first DNA SIG meeting of 2024 to meet its new facilitator, Michelle Carroll. This is your chance to introduce yourself to Michelle and tell her about your interests. NEW TIME, this month only. Voice your opinion on some potential topics. Message SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.Monday, March 25, 2024, 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, March 26, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Monday, April 1, 2024, 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, April 6, 2024, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com

Our mailing address is:

Seattle Genealogical Society

4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 302

Seattle, WA98103-6955

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society Irish Family History

by Charles Hansen

Friday, March 15 @ 10AM On Zoom

Maureen Brady will present

Irish Family History: The Essentials

Learn to be successful with your Irish family history research. This presentation will discuss how Ireland’s history affects the records and their availability, help for deciphering the layers of Ireland’s land divisions and place names, and the best websites for locating the records.

Maureen Brady, a former school librarian and computer educator, has forty years’ experience with family history research. She has traced her Scottish roots back to the end of the 17th century and beyond, and has also pursued Irish, Swedish, Quebecois, and U.S. Midwest research. Maureen has made numerous presentations to genealogical societies, libraries, conferences and workshops throughout the U.S. A member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, she is also active in many regional genealogical societies.

So, please join us on March 15 at 10AM on Zoom

Everyone Welcome! No membership necessary but registration is required.

Register now on our website: bigenealogy.org

Janice Moerschel Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Janice Moerschel of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS).

For several years Janice has continually chaired a special software interest group, The Ancestry Group (TAG). She invites presenters and develops content for the monthly meetings that she initially provided with her personal Zoom account. As an important follow-up to each meeting, she provides group members with a detailed summary of the various concepts that were covered. Also, if there is a question on the society’s Facebook page about Ancestry software, Janice is quick to reply.

 Janice shepherds the EWGS annual Writing Contest from topic selection, collecting entries and forming a judging committee.  As coordinator for Digital Digest, EWGS’s quarterly periodical, Janice has an integral role in providing invaluable support to the editor by soliciting articles, sharing ideas, providing content, and giving feedback during their many collaborations.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Let’s Talk About….. Fairchild Air Force Base

by Donna Phillips

Those of you who drive onto Fairchild Air Force Base have surely noticed the B-52 parked a short ways inside the gate. Well, we know for sure that my father, Col. Francis H. Potter, commanded that very plane for many missions during the Cold War of the 70s. How do we know that? This is a photo of that B-52 and our son, Benjamin, and his son Austin. Ben researched the serial number of that plane and discovered this wonderful bit of family history. And to think that it was OUR father’s plane that was chosen for permanent display!

Fairchild has quite a history. Several battles of U.S. Cavalry vs. Native Americans happened in that very patch of ground. Groups of immigrant settlers established homes, farms and orchards in that same area. The area looked prime for wheat farming. But Spokane was growing in population and that population needed transportation and the opportunity for business. 

By 1939, Spokane was in a serious business decline when James A. Ford came to the rescue. Ford had been active with the Spokane Chamber of Commerce since 1917 and during that time he had worked incessantly to bring aviation to Spokane. But the Army Signal Corps reported that “the city is located in a valley between high hills, with contrary winds and there will never be much, if any, aviation in Spokane.”

At this time, Spokane has two airlines flying into Felts Field, United and Northwest. Ford knew Spokane would soon need a bigger airport. And, just as important, he could see the war clouds gathering around the world and hoped a larger airport would attract an Army Air Force Base. 

Ford’s work worked and in 1940 a WPA project started to clear and level the county land, donated by the county, for the new field and the Army Air Forces moved right in. The airport was renamed Geiger Field; after WWII it became Spokane International Airport. 

About this same time, the announcement was made that the Army Air Force needed a separate and larger base for its operations. Again, James Ford to the rescue. It was a real battle of words, but those on the West side of the state wanted the new depot in their backyard. 

The Spokesman Review trumpeted the headline on September 11, 1941, that Spokane would get the $20-million air depot. This was great news for Spokane for it meant an estimated $8-million dollar payroll in the area due to 5400 new jobs. Not to mention the military personnel’s spending in the area. 

It turned out that having a military depot so close to a civilian airfield had its advantages, primarily being that a rail line bisected the area. 

Citizens of Spokane might have been jubilant but the eleven farmer-land-owners were not. Four sections of prime wheat land would now be gone forever. 

The town of Airway Heights got its start during the war years mostly because there was no military family housing at the depot. In 1955, the town of Airway Heights was incorporated. 

In 1951, the name was changed from Spokane Air Force Base to Fairchild Air Force Base in honor of Gen. Muir S. Fairchild, a native of Bellingham, Washington. 

(Thanks to a 1976 little book by Peggy Bal, Fairchild: Heritage of the Spokane Plains. Please forgive me if I garbled the facts a bit.) 

Tri-City Genealogical Society Using AI to Help Genealogists

by Charles Hansen

Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s March General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.  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 March presentation will be by Thomas MacEntee.  Thomas is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community.  A handout will be available upon request.

  The subject of the talk will be Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI (Artificial Intelligence): Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need.

  RootsTech 2024 starts on February 29 and continues through March 2.  There is still time to sign up to view the online presentations.  The free registration page can be found at http://tinyurl.com/2s3u9tx2 .  Free registration gives online access to 200+ online sessions, keynote sessions, syllabi and handouts and the opportunity to chat online with other attendees. 

  Thank you to everyone who has already joined TCGS for 2024.  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 March 13 at 7 p.m.

Time: Mar 13, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836522633?pwd=SDEzYkYwNzE3aEQrOVM2SFl2am51Zz09

Meeting ID: 878 3652 2633

Passcode: 877772

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Sue McNeil Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Sue McNeil, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

Sue is currently a volunteer librarian at SVGS. She also serves as the SVGS webmaster (a board position), working with our webpages, other web-related activities, as well as emailing meeting notices and other important information to the membership. This past year, she was also the featured speaker at a number of educational presentations for SVGS.

Prior to the Covid outbreak, Sue’s involvement in the Northwest Genealogical Conferences was integral to their success. She spearheaded the designing and ordering of banners and printed materials such as flyers, brochures, postcards, and the all-important syllabus.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subj

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society U.S. Draft Records of the Civil War, WW1 & 2

by Charles Hansen

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

General Meeting

Saturday, March 2, 2024

10:00 a.m. 

Y.V.G.S. Library

Speaker: Ruth Anglin

Subject: U.S. Draft Records

Ruth will be giving a presentation on the information you will find in the U.S. Draft Records of the Civil War, World War 1 & 2. Come and find how beneficial Draft Records are to your ancestry.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Let’s Talk About…… Archives & BeeHives

by Donna Phillips

I’ll admit I’m stretching a bit here, but I did catch your attention, didn’t I?

ARCHIVES. What comes to mind when you hear or read that word? Records? Information? Papers? Ledgers? Books? Rolls? Files? History? Information? All of the above??

What IS an archive: “It’s a collection of historical documents or records providing information bout a place, institution or group of people.” 

In other (crazy comparison) words, it’s a place where genealogists find honey!!

There are probably a dozen archives that you might-could access to find the family information you’re seeking. Every U.S. state has archives and most of the world’s countries do too. They’re not like public libraries…. walk in, check the catalog, pull a book off the shelf and away you go. Archives are places where history is stored. We can access it but it stays safely guarded away. 

Lucky for us, there are most usually finding aids for most any archive. (Good grammar, eh?) 

Here in Spokane we have the Eastern Washington State Historical Society archive housed in the Joel E. Ferris Library at the MAC. If you have Inland Northwest ancestors, make an appointment and GO. If you live in Central or Western Washington, go visit YOUR archives!

We also have the Washington State Library Digital Collections and the Washington Rural Heritage memory project (aka archive). Ever heard of the Northwest Digital Heritage (for WA and OR)? Of course we have the Eastern Washington Branch of the Washington State Archives out in Cheney. 

Here’s maybe a new one for you: ArchiveGrid. This is a collection of over 5million “archival material descriptions …… harvested from the web.” These documents are described as “historical documents, personal papers, family histories and more.” Try it, you just might find the “honey.” 

How about InternetArchive? This is an American digital library that has quickly become a major destination to those researching their family history online. InternetArchive is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, websites, music and much more. To use this site, you sign up for an account and then can download material to your account (your computer) to use at your leisure. Ah, the honey is there, no??

Click to the Society of American Archivists and download their free “Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research.”