Let’s Talk About….. Letting Go In January


To let go does not mean to stop caring.

To let go is not to cut myself off; it’s realizing I can’t control another.

To let go is not to enable but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another; it’s to make the most of myself.

To let go is not to care FOR but to care ABOUT.

To let go is not to FIX but to be SUPPORTIVE.

To let go is not to judge others but to love them anyway.

To let go is not to DENY but to ACCEPT.

To let go is not to point out others’ faults but consider my own.

To let go is not to criticize others but just be the best I can be.

To let go is not to regret the past but to thankfully live for the future. 

(Why this particular post today? It is the start of a new year and we all know there will be obstacles to over come so we must “let go” and be thankfully positive.)

Let’s Talk About: Bad Luck of the Kalakala


The motor vessel Kalakala was a ferry that operated on Puget Sound from 1935 until her retirement in 1967. The MV Kalakala was notable for her unique streamlined superstructure, art deco styling and luxurious amenities. The vessel was a popular attraction for locals and tourists and was voted second only to the Space Needle in popularity among visitors to Seattle during the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. 

After retiring from passenger service in 1967, the ship was beached in Kodiak, Alaska, and converted into a shrimp cannery. In 1998, the ship was refloated and towed to Puget Sound with the owner hoping to restore the ship. During this time, the ship continued to deteriorate, with the Coast Guard decaling the ship a hazard to avigation in 2011. Unable to raise the funds required for restoration, the ship was scrapped in 2015. 

The book, Weird Washington, explains the story and history of this once proud ferry boat……. that many of you might remember traveling aboard. Members of the Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle & Tacoma were most interested in the ship and the possibility that it might be haunted. Several members were aboard when she was towed from Alaska back to Puget Sound in 1998 and felt certain they documented “ghostly manifestations.” 
So goes another story of Washington’s history…..

(Big thanks to Wikipedia for the info and images.) 

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat

Tuesday, December 19th starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

Our conversation starter this month is “What did you enjoy accomplishing the most this year and what are you looking forward to doing in 2024?”

This is a monthly opportunity to connect with others and talk about anything and everything genealogical. The value of this meeting increases with the participation of each person that attends and contributes to the conversations. This is your chance to celebrate the breaking down of a brick wall in your research or ask questions of others that can help you find records or relatives. Everyone, members, and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.

Date & Time: Every month on the Third Tue, from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMldOCprTsqGtSoVglOBTElUaBRgTq5IEgI/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvpjgjG9eVsBmHRpwEGojCXevztmJfjbdukyniDw9xVib6A-NgALVLAY35

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87839130000?pwd=dGdHY2wrZ0d1bDNRTEQ4Uk15OVk0Zz09

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000

Passcode: 836216

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US

+12532158782,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000

Passcode: 836216

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdesX0el3t

German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Best Websites for German Genealogy

The German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society

When: Friday, January 5, 2024 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT

Zoom Registration required:  https://tinyurl.com/5en2nsy5      

Topic: The Best Websites for German Genealogy

Discover which are the best web sites for German genealogy and research!

Presenter:  Dan Jungclas

With 35 plus years of experience, Dan began his genealogical journey at the young age of 26. Dan, quite an accomplished speaker, is an International Speaker and has spoken for the International German Genealogy Partnership (IGGP). Dan’s expertise offers incredible insight through comprehensive exploration, research & preservation. Knowledgeable of more than just the basics of genealogy, Dan is familiar with vital records (birth, marriage, and death), census records, church records, land records, tax records, emigration records, immigration records, & naturalization records. Dan specializes in a number of areas related to but not limited to Germany, Germanic Areas, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio; Northern Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan and other areas of the USA as well as the National Archives (NARA), the Great Lakes, the Midwest, the US Civil War, WWI, WWII and German Genealogy.

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/    

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Welcome to Italian Genealogy

20-Jan-2024 Meeting

The Italian Interest Group (IIG) of the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) is hosting a Free Webinar on both genealogical research in Italy and dual US/Italian citizenship. Please share this information with your members.
If you have any questions, you can contact me at the email address below. Mille Grazie, Stephen
email@egs-iig.com
********** FREE **********Italian Genealogy Webinar direct from Italy
Welcome to Italian Genealogy Let’s explore the world of Italian genealogy together, one person at a time.
ZOOM Meeting
Topic:    
Hands-on Italian Genealogy
                               &
                Dual Citizenship:
             
  Digging roots on the ground in Italy presented by Allesandro Bovino
(Bella Italia Genealogy) When:     20-Jan-2023, Saturday
Time:       SPECIAL TIME
                10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PST)
Description
This workshop might be the right fit for all whose roots stem from Italy and who are serious about genealogy and Dual Citizenship. Italian-native professional genealogist Alessandro Bovino from Benevento, Campania, Italy, will share details about how your Italian family tree can be brought up to the next level when using on-site records that remain yet unexplored, like notarial documents, military files, or dowry records. Open to the expert as to the novice alike, the lecture will let you understand the invaluable worth of Italian local records – right from an on-site Italian professional’s perspective. A detailed insight into how to go about qualifying for Dual Italian Citizenship will also be offered as the final part of the program to make for any specific questions the audience may want to pose in that regard.
Presenter: Alessandro Bovino
Biography
Alessandro Bovino is a native Italian professional genealogist and family history speaker. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and was once a Host/Genealogist on the renowned series “Who do You Think You Are?” for the Swedish TV format.  He is also the president and founder of the family history firm ‘Bella Italia Genealogy’ based in his native town Benevento, Southern Italy. Everything started back in 2006, when he suddenly got very curious about certain family lines he had never thought much about.  It was then that his father told him about a great-uncle who came to America through Ellis Island and this spurred him on to discover who he is and where he comes from.  Since then, as an Italian-born researcher, he has been thrilled to meet second cousins in the States who had waited for decades to greet their Italian family.  It is with this spirit of curiosity and adventure that Alessandro decided to found Bella Italia Genealogy as an exclusively Italy-based genealogy research, ancestral tour, and Dual Citizenship company. By using records and documents available only through on-site research, he aims to make yours a one-of-a-kind genealogy experience.
Zoom Meeting Request Form
COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Eastside Genealogy Group – Italian Interest Group
2410 East Helen Street,
SeattleWA,
United States of America

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society January Luncheon

A very Happy Holiday Season to all of you!  

May you have many joyful memories for 2023.

As we get ready to welcome a New Year,

here is a peek at what we will be doing in January.  

EWGS Annual Luncheon 

Saturday, January 6, 2024

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Hybrid Meeting (in-person or Zoom) at the South Side Community Center –

3151 E 27th Ave, Spokane, WA

If traveling from the west: Take exit 283b Thor/Freya, turn right on Thor and go south up Thor/Ray to 27th.

If traveling from the east: Take exit 283b Thor/Freya, turn left on Thor and go south up Thor/Ray to 27th.

PROGRAM:

“The Joys of Volunteering” by Donna Potter Phillips

Recognition of outgoing and incoming Board, special awards and committees.

Doors open at 12:30 pm

LUNCH MENU:

Clam Chowder and Tomato Basil Bisque Soups, homemade Sourdough bread and salad.

COST

Cost is $35 for in person and $10 for Zoom.

You must pay to attend and it’s very easy this time. No registration form.

Payment may be made online using the STORE menu choice at left on the EWGS website

OR:  you may mail a check to:

     Eastern Washington Genealogical Society
     816 W Francis
     Suite 572
     Spokane, WA 99205

Checks must be mailed by Jan. 2 2024. Online payment must be made by Jan 4, 2024.

If paying by check please include your email address. Zoom login info will be sent out by email by Jan 5.

Let’s Talk About: Genealogy Bargains!



Who isn’t in line for FREE stuff? To those of EWGS members who have been in my genealogy classes in the past, haven’t I taught you “that if it’s free, take two?” 👵 Well, it’s true; everybody checks out “free stuff.” It’s human nature.Thomas MacEntee is the genius behind this website (www.genealogybargains.com) and the links at the top of his site are:  

  • Home
  • Genealogy Webinars
  • FREE Genealogy Stuff
  • Store
  • Connect with me

Under the “FREE Genealogy Stuff,” Thomas (in his newsletter) mentions what’s free today or this month in the genealogy world. (Click to his website to sign up for his free newsletter.) Under the “Store” you’ll find over a dozen pages of cheat sheets or how-to sheets that he’s created and offers mostly for free …… but some are $1.99. By now (late in December) your “extra” spending money is running low, so having freebies offered to you right now is a December gift to you for sure!  Enjoy. 

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Book Club Meeting

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Book Club Meeting

Saturday, December 16th starting at 4:00 pm via Zoom.

Please join us as we discuss a fictional genealogical book, The Last Queen of England by Steve Robinson.

More information at: 

Amazon: The Last Queen of England

WorldCat: The Last Queen of England

We will also choose future books. 

TPCGS Book Club Zoom Meeting

Every month on the Third Sat beginning at 4:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly Reminder: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUkfuCqrzgsG9RrrhNAdU65Lz86P0s92mu1/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGppzIjGNWWthiHRpwcHYr4XerzmHZdjfpvjg3tLQFXV1WjGvgaZIIvA4GC

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81999213610?pwd=Qkk2WFZTZ2Rzdzc1Z0szN1AzdEZCUT09

Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610

Passcode: 479394

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US

+12532158782,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610

Passcode: 479394

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keibNHDdyf

Let’s Talk About: December 7th Through History

When we see, hear or read “December 7th,” we likely immediately think of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. I thought you might like to learn of other events throughout history that also happened on December 7th:

  • 1696 – Connecticut Rt 108, one of the oldest highways in America is completed to Trumbull
  • 1732 – The Royal Opera House opens at Covent Garden, London, England
  • 1787 – Delaware is the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution
  • 1808 – James Madison elected 4th U.S. President
  • 1842 – New York Philharmonic’s first concert
  • 1868 – Jesse James gang robs bank in Gallatin, Missouri
  • 1872 – HMS Challenger sets sail on 3 1/2 year world oceanographic cruise
  • 1891 – the 52nd U.S. Congress was first to appropriate $1,000,000,000
  • 1909 – Inventor patents Bakelite, sparking birth of the plastics industry
  • 1912 – Bust of Queen Nefertiti found in El-Amarna, Egypt
  • 1917 – The USA’s 42nd “Rainbow” Division arrives in France (with Col. Douglass MacArthur among its ranks)
  • 1917 – U.S. becomes 13th country to declare war on Austria during WW I
  • 1926 – Gas refrigerator patented
  • 1937 – Dutch Minister Romme proclaims married women are forbidden to work
  • 1937 – Red Sox acquire the contract of 19-year-old Ted Williams
  • 1941 – Adolf Hitler issues first anti-Jewish proclamations
  • 1967 – Otis Redding records “Sittin on the Dock of the Bay”
  • 1972 – Apollo 17 launched; crew takes famous “blue marble” photo of Earth
  • 1979 – Star Trek: The Motion Picture, first movie from the TV series
  • 1992 – Galileo spacecraft passes the North Pole of the Moon; 1995 heads to Jupiter
  • 2020 – Coca-Cola named the world’s No. 1 plastic polluter
  • 2021 – Chile becomes the 31st nation to legalize same-sex marriage

There was a L-O-N-G list of events that happened on December 7th, in several categories. Ask Google to read the entire list…. 

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Unique Family Gifts

TIP OF THE WEEK –
CREATE UNIQUE FAMILY GIFTS FROM FREE PRINTABLES

Need an inexpensive, but personal gift idea? The Library of Congress has dozens of blank and adaptable antique family record sheets. The images are in the public domain. You can print them off on good paper, paste in photos and create a memorable gift for each family member. Search for “family record” on the Library of Congress website. Here are a couple examples.

Images courtesy the Library of Congress