In April 2023, I was blessed to take a deep dive into the history, geography, geology and culture of the far northeast corner of America, the Canadian Maritimes and the St. Lawrence River and Seaway. Con su permisio, as they say in Spanish, I would like to share with you some of what I learned in these blog posts over the next couple of months. Hope you benefit and enjoy!
In this photo I’m standing on top of Cadillac Mountain overlooking Bar Harbor, Maine. That teeny white oval is my ship and if you look close you can see the sand bar between the mainland and the island which gave Bar Harbor its name. Here’s the story of how Cadillac Mountain got its name: In 1674 a young Frenchman, named Antoine, aged 16, was to be released from prison because he agreed to join the military. He came to New Spain and served under Gen. Frontenac. Eventually he wanted to stay in New Spain and petitioned for a land grant. But not being nobility, his petition was denied. He went back to his hometown in France, changed his name and altered the town crest to suit him. He became Antoine de la Mothe sieur de Cadillac. With this change he again petitioned for land in New Spain and his petition was granted…….. the entire island of Acadia! He lived with his family only a short time on Acadia and, according to the tour guide, became bored with the limited opportunities that the island afforded and moved on. But the mountain bears his name: Cadillac Mountain.
Think about this story in terms of your own genealogy. How many times have you come upon a seeming brick wall because of these ancient undocumented (or nearly impossible to find) name changes???
When you run into a word or term you don’t understand that you believe is related to the time and place your ancestors lived, but you can’t tell the meaning, try searching their local newspaper if it is available. Often some local terms, expressions and even details about policies don’t make it into history books or even Google. Here are a few examples of things that provide context that you can find in the local paper that may not be available elsewhere: the details of the state pension rules, usages of local expressions, when a community opened their poor farm, or the name of a school or church and when it opened.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL THIS SATURDAY! Come out to Meridian Park this Saturday (Aug. 5) for a dish of ice cream to celebrate SGS’s centennial year. This will be a 1923-style social, so come prepared for some cool treats and bring your friends. The event starts at 3:00 pm. Meridian Park is next to the Good Shepard Center.
The library will have extended hours as well that afternoon. It will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Be sure to checkout out the book sale while you chill with some ice cream.
SGS Past-President Jill Morelli has been given the Award of Merit by the National Genealogical Society. This award is presented to an individual or non-profit genealogical or historical organization to recognize exceptional contributions to the field of genealogy over a period of five or more years. Their work must have significantly aided research or increased interest in genealogy. Jill was selected based on her work developing and running the Certification Development Group (CDG), designed to help genealogists who are working to become Certified Genealogists. Congratulations to Jill for this well-deserved award.
APPGEN REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 17
Applied Genealogy Institute Fall Registration will open August 17-23. Registration is open for that week. A lottery system will be used if courses are over-subscribed.
Five courses are available:
Applied Genetic Genealogy — Leah Larkin, PhD
Public Speaking for Genealogists — Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD
Transportation Nation: An Exploration of U.S. Routes & Records for Work and Travel in the 19th to Early 20th Centuries — Pamela Vittorio
Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems — Lisa S. Gorrell, CG
Writing Reports: For Clients, Family Members, Other Researchers, and Yourself — Sara Gredler, CG
For detailed information about each class and how to register, check out https://appliedgen.institute/fall-2023-classes/. Be sure to sign up for the mailing list to get up-to-date information about upcoming courses.
SGS CENTENNIAL MEMBERSHIP
Join the Seattle Genealogical Society today and become a charter member for our second century!
If you are already a member, it’s time to log in to your account and renew your membership for 2023-24 as we continue the celebration of our 100th year.
Participate in special Centennial Events and enjoy discounted class and Seminar fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases. Your membership will extend through the 2023 Centennial Year and until May 31, 2024.
The Skagit Power Project was in the headlines in July 1923. The sub-headline was “Investigators Show that Demand Will Have to Increase 25 Times to Use Product of $57,000,000 Plant”. The article explained Investigators are skeptical of the need and whether Seattle can afford the cost of Skagit Power project and question whether it will bring industries to the area. They are also concerned that the enormous production of electrical energy will raise consumer costs rather than lowering the cost.
— “Skagit Power capacity Far Beyond Needs”, Seattle Daily Times, 15 Jul 1923, pp 1 and 11, col 5.
* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year.
SAVE THE DATE
EGS Family Tree Maker SIG August 18, 2023, 10:30 am to 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.
If you want to be on the Eastside Genealogical Society Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group email list, send your request to ftmsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org.
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, usually 2nd Monday meetings usually 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time
JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 pm unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Sept. 11, 2023, topic to be announced. For more information see http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php
Fiske Library Legacy Family Tree User Group September 21, 2023
Learn more about Legacy Family Tree. If you are interested in attending, please send a message to editor@fiskelibrary.org with your email contact information.
SGS100 Birthday Party October 20, 2023
Mark your calendar now! SGS is turning 100. Join the celebration at Dunn Gardens on October 20th. There will be a keynote speaker you will not want to miss!
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658
The elevator is back in service!
Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers.
Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday ** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **
Masks are recommended inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. 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.
NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room. The host must take action to let people into each meeting. The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm, 1923 Ice Cream Social in the Park (Special Events). Come celebrate our heritage, our future, our centennial with a “1923 Ice Cream Social in the Park!” We will be dishing out ice cream to all comers 1923-style in Meridian Park, next to the Good Shepherd Center.
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, SGS Library Open House: Extended Hours (Special Events). Come for the Ice Cream Social (see above) and checkout what’s new at the library. The library will be open until 5 pm in honor of the celebration. There will be a book sale.
Monday, Aug 7, 2023, 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, Aug 8, 2023, 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, Aug 14, 2023, 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, Aug 14, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 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
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Family History 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, Aug 19, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. New Zoom link started in July.
Monday, Aug 21, 2023, 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, Aug 22, 2023, 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, Aug 28, 2023, 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.
Sunday, Sept 3, 2023, 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.
Three Mini Presentations followed by our Monthly Meeting
(These presentations and meeting will not be available via Zoom)
Tuesday, August 8th
1:00 pm
SVGS Library
6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA
You are invited to the presentations in person at the society library. Everyone is welcome!
SVGS members Elizabeth Dalton, Karen Looney and Sue McNeil will be speaking at our August 8th meeting. Our business meeting will follow the presentation.
Elizabeth’s topic: Newspapers.com
Karen’s topic: Creating Family Stories
Sue’s Topic: The Importance of Contacting Living Cousins
There will be a short break with refreshments. The monthly meeting will follow.
In April 2023, I was blessed to take a deep dive into the history, geography, geology and culture of the far northeast corner of America, the Canadian Maritimes and the St. Lawrence River and Seaway. Con su permisio, as they say in Spanish, I would like to share with you some of what I learned in these blog posts over the next couple of months. Hope you benefit and enjoy!
Miscellaneous Factoids About Maine
* Maine “beaches” are more like shown above (in Acadia National Park) and not long flat sandy beaches like we have here in the Northwest. Maine beaches are lovely granite, white and pink granite.
*Folks born, raised and live in Maine refer to themselves as Maine-iacs.
* Maine had more soldiers in the Civil War than any other state.
* Cities have subways; islands have ferries.
* Maine has 3470 miles of coastline, the longest in the lower 48 states.
*Maine because a state due to the Missouri Compromise; Maine did not wish to separate from Massachusetts but Congress needed a free state to balance the slave state of Missouri.
* Dandelions seem to be the unofficial state flower of Maine and the Maritimes; a “no mow or spray zone” protects these yellow flowers and leaves them for the honey bees.
* The Bar Harbor-Acadia National Park area during the 1870-1905 era for the summer “cottages” of the wealthy….. mansions of 100 rooms or more.
* Bar Harbor was first named Eden by an Englishman who named it after himself; changed to Bar Harbor when mariners realized there was a sand bar between the two islands visible only at low tide.
* Only 15% of Maple Syrup comes from Maine/New England; 85% comes from the Canadian Maritimes….. hence the Sugar Maple leaf on Canada’s flag.
Steven W. Morrison, MPA is the past-president of the Puget Sound Chapter of Association of Professional Genealogists and the Olympia Genealogical Society. You can find more about Steven at https://stevenwmorrison.com
Likely English Ancestry of Deacon John Doane of Plymouth & Eastham, Massachusetts Follow the trials and tribulations of a small group of dedicated family researchers who set out to identify the ancestor of Deacon John Doane. While his activities in the Plymouth Colony are well documented, the Deacon’s life in his mother country was a complete mystery. Over decades, plausible theories were researched and eventually discarded as dead ends. Then the release of online records resulted in a wave of new discoveries. Comparative analysis from both sides of the pond eventually proved that a candidate from London, England was likely the youthful Deacon. A case study for anyone with a lost New England ancestor. When: August 10, 2023
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Where: ZOOM
Cost: $20 Members $25 Non-Members Sign up and payment: Go to hqrl.com and the HQRL Store Be sure to sign in as a member first to get the member discount. OR Mail to: HQRL 1007 Main Street Sumner, WA 98390
“They were known as the “book women.” They would saddle up, usually at dawn, to pick their way along snowy hillsides and through muddy creeks with a simple goal: to deliver reading material to Kentucky’s isolated mountain communities.”
So began an article I happened upon on the Atlas Obscura website, written by Anika Burgess in 2017. Quoting from the article:
The Pack Horse Library Initiative was part of FDR’s Works Progress Administration, created to help lift America out of the Great Depression. Roving horseback libraries weren’t entirely new to Kentucky, but this initiative was an opportunity to boost both employment and literacy at the same time. The Book Women rode 100 to 120 miles a week, on their own horses or mules, along designated routes, regardless of the weather. Sometimes they had to go on foot! By the end of 1938, there were 274 librarians riding out across 29 counties in Kentucky. This WPA program employed nearly 1000 riding librarians. Funding ended in 1943 as WWII loomed. The counties had to have their own base libraries from which the women would travel. Reading materials…. books, magazines and newspapers …… were all donated. In December 1940, a notice in the Mountain Eagle newspaper noted that the county library “needs donations of books and magazines regardless of how old or worn they may be.”
Did you have an ancestor in the 1930s in Kentucky who might have been a horseback riding librarian???
DNA TOOLS (Emphasis on Ancestry’s Tools) Discussion and examples of several tools that are currently available to assist you in using your DNA results to advance your genealogy research. Tools that will be discussed will include DNA Painter, Ancestry’s matches, and groups, and ThruLines Do you have matches on Ancestry that do not have a tree or the tree is private? We will walk you through how you can use the data with others to help identify the possible relationship/DNA connection. JUDY LINE Judy has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She holds several certificates from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, and Boston University. Judy has completed DNA courses presented by Blaine Bettinger and Diahan Southard. Although not an expert, she has a good grasp of the concepts. Judy holds membership in: Ohio Genealogical Association, Lake County Genealogical Association, Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society, Utah Genealogical Association, NEHGS, NGS and others. Currently, she is a Management Team member for Heritage Quest Research Library and a member of the TPCGS Board. August 3, 2023
Zoom
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Cost: $20.00 members $25.00 non-members Go to hqrl.com HQRL Store and sign up online Be sure to sign into your account to receive the member discount.
Don’t forget our other upcoming classes: August 10, 2023 with Steven Morrison Case Study: Finding English Ancestor
Join us on National Buffalo Soldiers Day for an actor portrayal of “How Negro Soldiers Fought for the Flag”This address was written by Allen Allensworth, Lt. Col. Retired, Utah’s Buffalo Soldier Chaplain of the 24th Infantry of Fort Douglas. Mr. Allensworth will be portrayed by Mr. Jameson Holman. Included are talented musicians portraying his wife Josephine and daughters Eva & Nella for a celebratory and informational afternoon of the Black American Soldier.Jameson HolmanWatch Live on YoutubeFriday, July 28, 2023 – 3:30 PMEvent byJ. Willard Marriott Library and the Veterans Support Center, University of Utah and Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation 295 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, Gould Auditorium, Level 1 In person or live on YoutubeLearn more about Lieutenant Colonel Allen AllensworthSema Hadithi Foundation works with non-profits, museums, libraries, universities, and other community-based organizations to provide all of Utah with exceptional cultural and learning opportunities all year round. Please help us continue this effort by becoming a Sema Hadithi sustainer. You can donate $5, $10, $20, $25, or what feels good each month to ensure that Utah continues receiving previously undiscovered stories of exceptional people who make it a place where everyone belongs.Become a Sustainer Today! New Sema Hadithi Foundation Products Support our effort, tell the story, sport our brand! Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation “Unity through historical truth”
Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation | -, West Valley City, UT 84170 press@semahadithi.org | www.semahadithi.org
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JUDY LINE Judy has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She holds several certificates from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, and Boston University. Judy has completed DNA courses presented by Blaine Bettinger and Diahan Southard. Although not an expert, she has a good grasp of the concepts.
