When SGS moved to its new location in the Good Shepherd Center, a team of volunteers, led by the Library Trustees, curated our existing collection to focus on the Pacific Northwest. In that process they discovered that we had several incomplete sets of books and many underrepresented counties. The SGS Librarian submitted to the Board of Trustee’s a request for funding, which was granted. With a purchasing plan in place, the Trustees have been active in procuring these volumes as they become available.
If you would like to support this effort, please consider a donation to the Society. If you have book(s) in your personal library which might supplement our Pacific Northwest collection, please first contact Director of Library at library@seagensoc.org. Thanks!
EXTRA! EXTRA! THE ELEVATOR IS BACK There are plenty of news items for this issue, but none more exciting to some than the fact the elevator in the Good Shepherd Center is now working! So “come on in” to all who have been waiting so patiently. SGS is open to the public Tues-Saturday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and the building elevator is back in service!2023 SGS ELECTION RESULTS AND A NEW TRUSTEEThe results of the SGS election are as follows:Officers and Board of Directors: President: Jim Secan Vice President: Kathy Weber Secretary: Alanna Stanton Treasurer: Betsey Cotter Director of Education: Cecellia Rogers Director of Library: Kathi MAlso serving on the Board will be Jill Morelli, Past President, and Mahina Oshie, Seattle Public Library representative, non-voting. The term of office begins on June 1, 2023 and runs through May 31, 2024.The proposed changes to the SGS Bylaws were approved, so the following positions have changed from board positions to committee chairs: Membership Chair: Christine Schomaker Publications Chair: Lisa White Technology Chair: vacant Volunteers Chair: Melanie MoserThanks to Amandalei Bennett (chair), Bruce Finlayson, and Woods Fairbanks for serving as the Election Committee.
SGS member Melinda McRae has been approved by the SGS Board to replace Julia Marconi as a Library Trustee. She will join current Trustees Caitlyn Oiye Coon and Helen Shawcroft. Congratulations to Melinda and thank you to Julia for her service. SGS CENTENNIAL MEMBERSHIPJoin 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. Join online with a credit/debit card or print a membership application and send it together with your dues payment to SGS. Better yet, come by the SGS Library and join in person!
Find out more about membership at Join SGS.FREE! FREE! FREE! SGS100 PRESERVATION SEMINAR with DENISE LEVENICK JUNE 17-18, 2023 To commemorate our 100th year, SGS is putting on a special online seminar. It will be 4 lectures presented over 2 days. This seminar is FREE to SGS members. Non-members will be charged a small fee. Registration is required and now open: Register for the SGS100 Preservation SeminarSeminar dates and times : 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 17 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 18 Seminar lectures : Preserving the Past: Archiving and Digitizing Your Family Keepsakes Selecting and Preparing Images for Family History Projects Archival Storage Strategies and Solutions Family History Projects for the Digital Ag The Family Curator,Denise Levenick, is the author of How to Archive Family Keepsakes and How to Archive Family Photos.
The seminar will be recorded and the video will be available on the SGS website for a period of time to SGS members and paying registrants of the seminar. SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUNE 10, 2023, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Meet the Board, talk about the election results, SGS business, and the budget. This is a hybrid meeting; you can attend in person or online. Please register
100 years ago: 9 March 1923
On Sunday 9 May 1923. The front page news was “Port Site Purchase Directed by Voters”. The article went on to explain that that vote was to acquire the Skinner & Eddy waterfront property from the United States shipping board, as well as to grant authority to extend the port development plans. But the purchase was nevertheless in doubt due to the need to transfer bonds from Smith Cove project to this project for the purchase.
[This area was apparently part of what is today part of the Pier 36 area. For further history of the site see “Seattle Historical Sites, Summary for 1561 Alaskan Way/Parcel ID 7666207695”, Department of Neighborhoods; digital image, seattle.gov (https://web.seattle.gov/DPD/HistoricalSite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=2147012063: accessed 9 May 2023).]
“Port Site Purchase Directed By Voters” , Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 9 May 1923, p1, col 2.
* 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
Fiske Genealogical Library, Spring Classes 2023 – Virtual, Wednesdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time
The program for May 17 is “Beginning Scandinavian Research” with Jenny Hansen. The programs for May 24 and May 31 are on their website. Check the Fiske Library website for updates: https://www.fiskelibrary.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 June 12 2023, and the program is “In Search of Mishpocha – Creative Methods for Finding Cousins” with S Lynn Diamond. http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php
International German Genealogy Partnership 2023 Conference, June 9-11, 2023 Fort Wayne, Indiana
This is a conference not to be missed by anyone doing German genealogy research anywhere in the world. Attend in person or online. For more info and registration visit: https://iggp.org
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 beopen. We are short on front desk volunteers.
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
Monday, May 15, 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.
Friday, May 19, 2023, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to egsgenealogyhelper@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, May 18th to request the meeting ld.
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, IRISH SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, GERMAN SIG, with Carolyn Schott See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Sunday, May 21, 2023, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, Virtual Sunday: Something Old, Something New, Time-keeping: Calendars & Feast Days”, with Jill Morelli. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Please register in advance.
Monday, May 22, 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, May 23, 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, May 29, 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.
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG, 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, June 4, 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.
Monday, June 5, 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.
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 12:30 pm-1:00 pm, SGS Membership Meeting , meet the board and talk about SGS business. Please register in advance.
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: The “Push” and “Pull” Decision Making of the 19th Century Immigrant, with Jill Morelli. Please register in advance.
Monday, June 12, 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, June 12 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Board of Directors Meeting at SGS (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved.
Monday, June 12, 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, June 13, 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.
Friday, June 16, 2023, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to egsgenealogyhelper@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, June 15th to request the meeting ld.
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm, PRESERVATION SEMINAR, with Denise Levenick, free to SGS members, small fee for non-members, registration required.
Sunday, June 18, 2023, 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm, Special Preservation Seminar with Denise Levenick continuation. Free to SGS members. Register today.
Monday, June 19, 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.
Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, DNA SIG, 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, June 26, 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, June 27, 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.
Chrystine Westphal is a custom design and frame specialist at Robi’s Print Design, Custom Framing & Camera Center in Lakewood Washington. Come see what she can show us to protect those treasures that we have found intentionally and unintentionally. Archiving Photos and Documents
You found a box in the garage…You don’t remember it…You open it up…No spiders but what you did discover was a box full of your grandmother’s photo albums, newspaper clippings, and your dad’s baby book. And what about that set of tintype photos of your great grandparents!!!!!
Has this happened to you? Now what do you do with it? Chrystine will show us what to do with it all. When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Where: IN PERSON Family History Center LDS Church 512 Valley Ave Sumner, WA 98390 Cost: $20 members $25 non-members Sign-up and Payment: Go to hqrl.com and proceed to HQRL Store (sign in as a member to receive the discount) The Family History Center in Sumner, WA has graciously allowed us to present this class at their facility while we are looking for a permanent home. We would like to take this opportunity to THANK them for their hospitality and invite you to join us in our first in-person class in almost 2 years.
I thought, and was told by locals, that LocoMoco is THE quintessential Hawaiian dish. But according to the American Food Network, Hawaii’s specialty food is Shave Ice. I’ve tried both; they’re both yummy. Have YOU ever tried Loco Moco?
Picture a big blob of cooked white sticky rice. Top that with a quarter-pound lean hamburger patty. Smother is all with brown gravy. Add one or two fried eggs (cooked to order) and onion rings optional. This dish will fill you up for all day and likely has an all-day worth of calories.
What is Washington’s famous/favorite food? Or the dish we’re most known for? Seafood Chowder, according to the American Food Network list. Idaho’s choice is the Steak-Cheese Loaded Baked Potato. Marionberry Pie is Oregon’s dish. And Montana? Huckleberry Ice Cream!
How many types of apples are grown in Washington??? Over 30 types!Washington is home to over 30 types of apples that range in flavor, texture, and color. They all have a few things in common. You can count on every Washington apple to be juicy, nutritious, and delicious. Washington Apple Commission
Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Who are these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them. (Note: a variation of Frank’s story was published in July 2017.)
Frank McLean
In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Frank McLean. Frank lives in Yakima and is the WSGS Treasurer and chair of the Pioneer and First Citizen Program. He is also one of the main reviewers of the Pioneer Pursuit submissions. He has been a member of the WSGS since 1986, previously serving as President and Vice President. He was named as a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He’s been a proud member (and past President) of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society since 1986.
Frank’s high school picture
Frank Leroy McLean was born in Chewelah (Stevens County), Washington in 1937 to Jonathan Cornelius and Margaret Ella (Starz) McLean, the third of six children. After high school, Frank served proudly in the Army for 20-plus years, then worked for 19 years at the U.S. Department of Defense, with a short break in between working in Spokane. In 1958, Frank married Delma Dee Roloff. They have three surviving children and seven grandchildren.
John Robertson McLean (1847 – 1919). Frank’s grandfather was born in Nova Scotia and moved to St. James, Minnesota in 1870 where he started a church in a boxcar.
Speaking of Germans from Russia…that’s how Frank got his interest in genealogy. No, he doesn’t have German ancestors from Russia, but Delma does. She joined the Central Washington chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Society in 1985 and Frank tagged along as “driver, cemetery walker and microfilm cranker.” From there, his interest grew. His ancestors hail from Germany, Nova Scotia, Maine and Minnesota. Frank’s grandfather, John Robertson McLean (pictured at left) was born in Nova Scotia, but moved to St. James, Minnesota in 1870. While there, he started a church in a boxcar. Frank and his family attended the 125th anniversary of the church, where they were given a copy of the picture that hangs in the church. There is also a miniature replica of the boxcar on the lawn in front of the church.
Frank likes the research part of the genealogical search, but he’s not as thrilled with the documentation part. He also prefers his hard-copy paper charts and lists over paperless research.
A few more interesting tidbits about Frank: • Favorite genealogy website: Family Search • Favorite color: Blue • Favorite dessert: Lemon Cream Pie
Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Frank, say hello and thank him for his service to WSGS.
French Fry ice cream. How does that sound to you? Or Ranch Dressing ice cream? These exotic new ice cream flavors are a reality from a Los Angeles company called VanLeeuwen’s. The idea was that many of us in the past have enjoyed dipping our French Fries into our Malted Milkshakes. Well maybe you, but not me never. Would you try it?
In a very old newspaper clipping from an undated, unidentified newspaper, was this bit: “Abe Kissed 34 Women During His Ceremony.” Quoting Jewell Casey “in the current issue of The Holy Names Journal,” Honest Abe bussed no fewer than 34 girls at his first inauguration….. one from each state.
The article also stated that George Washington was the only president inaugurated in two cities, New York and Philadelphia. He wore a “made in America brown wool suit made from the wool of American sheep.”
John Adams was so galled over the larger popularity of his successor, Thomas Jefferson, that he left Washington early in the morning to avoid seeing Jefferson sworn into office. Then 28 years later, John’s son, John Quincy Adams, got out of town early, too, so he wouldn’t have to watch Andy Jackson, his bitter rival, succeed him.
Thomas Jefferson rode to his inaugural on horseback. Warren Harding was the first to arrive in a motor car….but kissed the same Bible “that had known the lips of George Washington.”
Calvin Coolidge was sworn into office by his own father, a justice of the peace, in a simple Vermont farmhouse lit only by a flickering kerosene lamp. No other father has had that privilege.
Quote from Mark Twain: “Clothes DO make the man; naked people have little of no influence in society.”
She: “What’s that lump on your head?” He: “Oh, that’s where a thought struck me.”
Topic: “Walking in the Footsteps of Your Ancestors”
Visiting places where your ancestors lived can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that opens the door to better understanding your ancestors’ lives. Learn strategies for getting the most out of a visit to an ancestral town and making local contacts. We’ll also talk about genealogy research tips for identifying the place of origin for your ancestors.
Presenter: Carolyn Schott
Carolyn has researched her German ancestors in Eastern Europe for 20+ years. She’s a founder of the Black Sea German Research Community, a former board member of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society, and author of the book, “Visiting Your Ancestral Town.”
The Washington Pioneer Pursuit contest is a little over half done. So far, we have more than 250 pioneers identified in our index and many more in the review process. While the contest part (a prize for everyone!) ends October 31, 2023, the program will continue as we march toward identifying every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before Nov. 11, 1889.
We’re sure you’re not the only one with a question or two about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. To see a list of other FAQs, click here.
What is the Washington Pioneer Pursuit challenge?
Our goal is to research and document the family histories of every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before Statehood was declared on November 11, 1889.
At a minimum, we want genealogies for the Pioneer, his/her children, and his/her grandchildren – a total of three (3) generations. If you want to include additional generations, please do so.
The family histories are posted online for any interested family history researcher. There is no charge to access the histories and you do not have to be a member of WSGS.
Are Pioneer Pursuit and the Pioneer Certificate program the same?
No, they’re not the same. The Pioneer Pursuit Contest is designed to document every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. The Pioneer Certificate (and First Citizens) program is a way to purchase a certificate signifying that your ancestor was in Washington Territory on or before statehood. If your ancestor was in Washington on or before December 31, 1900, you may be eligible to purchase a First Citizen Certificate. To get more information about the Pioneer Certificate program, click here.
How do I get started?
Before beginning your research, we suggest you check the WSGS Pioneer Index. You may find the Pioneer you’re planning to research has already been researched. If you do find the Pioneer in the index, please send an email to Washington State Genealogical Society asking to see the genealogical data associated with the pioneer. If you are a WSGS member, you already have access to the complete Pioneer histories in the Members’ Only section. If you’re not a member, we encourage you to join so you have full access to all the data. It is only $12.00 per year.
We also suggest you take a look at the Hints and Helps document available here.
Click HEREfor a video presentation explaining Pioneer Pursuit and answering questions. This video recording is from the Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable discussion, 24 Apr 2023.
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