Heritage Quest Research Library Comparing RootsMagic and Family Tree Maker
Kelli Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. She works as the Director of Education for Your DNA Guide. Kelli runs a small business – Mess the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel. She is a facilitator for Genetics, Genealogy, and You, an online DNA interest group. She is a member of APG and the Genealogical Speakers Guild. When: Thursday, February 1, 2024Yakima Valley Genealogical Society “Townships”
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
General Meeting
Saturday, February 3, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Y.V.G.S. Library
Speaker: Richard Kyle
Subject: Townships
Richard will be giving a presentation on “Townships”. Come and find out about the different types of townships and where to find them.
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
1901 S. 12th Avenue
Union Gap, WA 98903
Phone: (509) 248-1328
Email: yvgs@yvgs.net
Lori Gibson Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023
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 Lori Gibson of Bainbridge Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS).
Lori took over the position of website administrator in 2016. She has served tirelessly, maintaining the site on a day-to-day basis, finding illustrations and creating layouts, posting and archiving material, and handling all the site’s technical needs. In the process, she worked successfully with several different BIGS newsletter editors and contributed to those communications as well. The website was originally developed in HTML. Lori migrated the site to WordPress and provided a leadership role in two separate “website refreshes.”
Most recently, Lori integrated PayPal into the website, allowing BIGS to collect dues via the web. In addition to her work on the website, Lori also volunteers as a member of the hybrid meeting committee.
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….. Chinese Genealogy
True story: My Chinese daughter-in-law asked her father, who was born in China and immigrated to Vancouver, B.C. as a young man, to write the family genealogy. He did. He wrote it in Chinese. And she cannot read Chinese. But she treasurers it nonetheless.
Recently in Washington, a bill was passed to honor Americans of Chinese descent in January. The bill designates January as Chinese Descent History Month. This was planned to honor Americans of Chinese descent and their contributions to Washington state. Does your Society have something planned to honor those of Chinese ancestry in your community?
The FamilySearch Library (formerly Family History Library) in Salt Lake City, has been preserving records of Chinese families since the 1980s and is currently houses the largest collection of such records in the world. If you (like me) have a Chinese ancestor or relative, the FamilySearch Library is THE place for you to start digging into their history. (After talking to them, of course!
But I recently (April 2023) read a post by Huang Wei on the Voices & Opinion blog stating that the Shanghai Library (Shanghai, China) “is home to arguably the world’s top collection of Chinese genealogies, including more than 300,000 volumes of nearly 40,000 different genealogies, totaling 456 surnames.”
A Chinese genealogy is a historical document that records (1) the lineage of a blood line descended from a single ancestor, (2) the blood relationship between family members, and (3) a family’s assets and customs. Sadly, one thing they do not typically include are records pertaining to female members of the family.
If you’d enjoy reading Huang Wei’s entire post, click to https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1012694
Seattle Genealogical Society Beginning Genealogy Classes
| REGISTRATION CLOSES JAN. 30th! Make a fresh start on your family history work Learn how to research your tree the right way. The Seattle Genealogical Society is offering a beginning genealogy class that will set you up for success. You will learn how to evaluate evidence, where to find records and how to gain insights with DNA. Start your journey on a foundation of good habits and best practices. Whether you are just starting out, or want to reboot your research, this class will give you the tools you need. The class runs four weeks: Thursdays, February 1–29, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (online). There is an optional in-person fifth week that will include a library tour and one-on-one research assistance. Register Today! image credits: background: Ivan Rohovchenko and Dan Cristian Padure on Unsplash inset photos: Library of Congress Watch the Calendar of Events for more programs from SGS! Click here to make a $5.00 donation for a program you enjoyed or plan to attend. |
| Copyright © 2024 Seattle Genealogical Society, All rights reserved. All SGS members have been automatically signed up for this e-letter. Our mailing address is: Seattle Genealogical Society 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 302 Seattle, WA 98103-6955 |
Clallam County Genealogical Society February & March 2024 Meetings
Saturday, February 10th at 9:45, the Clallam County Genealogical Society will host a program presented by Mary Roddy. The Hub of the Wheel: How Tracing a Brother with no Children connected Ten Siblings—
A family from Ireland emigrated in a chain migration Scheme to Western Pennsylvania between 1825 and 1845. See how using the standards for researching connected siblings and their descendants and led to their origins in County Tyrone!
Mary Roddy is an author, coach, and lecturer. She has published many articles in known Genealogical Magazines, and has provided lectures to Societies and National Conferences.
All are invited to watch the presentation via Zoom or by attending at the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Research Center located at 403 E. 8th Street, Port Angeles, WA. To obtain the Zoom meeting number and passcode, contact the Society: 360-417-5000 or askus@clallamcogs.org.
There is no charge to Claire Smith announcement
On Saturday, March 9th, the Clallam County Genealogical Society will present Claire Smith. Her topic will be Shaking Loose the Clues: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research.
Claire Smith is a certified professional genealogist. She always provides a very well organized, and interesting presentation that includes a gift of humor and supporting examples.
In Shaking Loose the Clues: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research, she will demonstrate how to organize the information you already have, Identify Gaps and determine what records you need to advance your research projects. She will offer examples of adding historical context, parallel timelines, tracking FANS, tracking migration and resolving conflicting information.
The Program will be available to the public via Zoom or at the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Research Center located at 403 E. 8th Street, Port Angeles. One can obtain the Zoom meeting number and passcode by either calling the center at 360-417-5000 or by email request: askus@clallamcogs.org.
More information may be available at our website: www/clallamcogs.org.
There is no charge to join us watching this outstanding presentation.
JCGS Board of Directors Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2023
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 the JCGS Board of Directors who were nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS). Board members included Barb Peterson, Kathie Wilkinson, Dora Whittaker, Lesa Barnes, Pam Stinson, Mary Stolaas and Ann McCreery.
The JCGS Board of Directors exceeds expectations in their collective knowledge, patience, and dedication. Their leadership of JCGS through an unprecedented period of challenges, including enforced closure of the Research Center and the need to provide alternative approaches, have enabled JCGS to continue its mission. The Board members have adapted to online presentations, transferred large databases to an online site to allow access by its members, funded needed equipment and national presenters, expanded the website and Facebook pages, and maintained the monthly newsletter. They have also responded patiently to members’ questions and concerns, translating their knowledge into clear, accessible language. JCGS is grateful for their selfless contributions. They are individually deserving of this honor and as a team are worthy of the highest accolades for working together and emerging from this challenging time with the society intact and poised to move into the future.
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….. Serious Stuff
Why does this joke make us laugh? Aren’t we like the disbelieving lady clerk, smirking at the poor fellow’s lack of knowledge?
At a recent EWGS Fall Seminar, I chatted with many of our marvelous members. Many of these members would classify themselves as “no longer spring chickens.” (Me among them!) But I was dismayed and saddened to chat with more than one senior genealogist who was struggling with “what SHALL I do with all the genealogy stuff I’ve collected??”
As a group, they offered the usual excuses: Don’t know what to do, don’t know where to start, don’t have time, don’t have interested family, not computer literate, “it’s just too overwhelming.”
I did understand. I was sympathetic. I did offer my one-on-one help. Hopefully some will take me up on that offer.
But bottom line:
- YOU collected the stuff
- YOU must so something with all of the stuff
- Yes, it is terribly sorry that you didn’t do this earlier…
- Do you really want all the stuff of your years’ work to go to recycling?
- Chances are near 90% sure that if YOU don’t do something with all that stuff, nobody else will.
- No, your gene society doesn’t want it; the FamilySearch Library doesn’t want it; and your grandchildren surely DO NOT want boxes and binders of papers!!
- And it’s patently unfair of YOU to expect that they will.
- YOU collected the stuff.
Does this sad scenario have to be inevitable for you?? Don’t you want to leave a legacy and not a mess? There is an answer, I promise. Here’s how:
- DECIDE to DO something
- MAKE TIME to DO something
- MAKE IT A PRIORITY
- Ask for help………. your friends, EWGS folks
- Ask me! I’ll happily come to you to help you get organized and started…
Started on what, do you ask? Getting all your information from those boxes and binders of paper into a computer database. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. Believe me, that is the only way to leave your computer-oriented posterity a legacy. Think about it.
((** I posted this to my society, Eastern Washington Gen Soc, while I can come help one-on-one. Obviously you likely live too far away for me to personally come help. BUT I’m 100% sure there are your friends in your gene society who would come to help you. Just ask.)
Pioneer Pursuit: And the Winners are…
WSGS is proud to announce the winners of the Pioneer Pursuit contest.
Most submissions by an individual:
- Ralph Brown from Bothell, WA with 1,285 entries. We will introduce blog readers to Ralph in a future post. Ralph won a $150 cash prize for his amazing contribution.
- Vickie Bullard from Wapato, WA with 272 entries. Vickie is a member of the Yakima Valley Genealogy Society and also a past member of the Chapter 8 Yakima Daughters of the Pioneers. She earned $100 for her efforts.
- Jayne McCarley of Vancouver, WA with 269 entries. Jayne is the president of the Fort Vancouver Chapter #19 of the Daughters of Pioneers of Washington (DPW). Jayne earned $50 for her submissions.
A total of 60 individuals submitted 3,696 pioneers. Each pioneer was verified to have lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. Every person who submitted an entry will receive a year’s membership to WSGS as a thank-you for their contribution.
Most submissions by a local genealogical or historical society (based on percent of membership):
North Beach Genealogical Society (Ocean Shores) contributed 150 submissions. The small society of 15 members earned $300 for its efforts. One of their submissions was for Chief Seattle (Sealth), interpreted and written variously as See-ahth, Seathl, See-Yahtlh, or Sealth. You can view Chief Seattle and his pioneer families’ genealogies in the Index.
Fort Vancouver Chapter #19 of the Daughters of Pioneers of Washington (DPW) submitted 269 pioneers among its 37 members. They earned a $200 award.
Kingston Historical Society submitted 52 submissions from its 14 members. They earned a $100 award.
Twenty-four societies submitted pioneer genealogies. Each will receive a $20 cash award.
It’s Not Too Late to Contribute
We are still accepting Pioneer Pursuit submissions. Although we received 3,696 pioneer genealogies, we want more! There is no deadline to submit. On the Pioneer Pursuit webpage, we have information on how to submit, including a form and an example. There are also frequently asked questions and hints and help resources. The index will forever be publicly available.
If you have more questions about Pioneer Pursuit, email Info@wasgs.org. Please put “Pioneer Pursuit” in the subject line.
JCGS Computer Advisory Committee Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2023
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 the JCGS Computer Advisory Committee who was nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS). Members of the team included Cathy Beatty and Pam Stinson.
Pam and Cathy form an outstanding team, working for the support of JCGS as a society, and on an individual basis as volunteers to support its members in their research. They are both incredibly knowledgeable about family research, DNA, and Jefferson County history, collections and databases.
As a team, Pam and Cathy have supported the IT function at the JCGS Research Center, guiding daily maintenance, encouraging responsible upkeep, and navigating a sometimes challenging relationship with computer vendors. They serve as representatives to the Jefferson County Historical Society, members of the JCGS board, and train and support new volunteers. During the pandemic closure and re-opening, they faithfully served JCGS in a way that was invaluable and irreplaceable.
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.