2023 History Conference
Revisit and Re-imagine Pacific Northwest Histories
CALL FOR CONFERENCE PROPOSALS
DUE: MAY 15, 2023
The Pacific Northwest Historians Guild invites proposals for presentations at its biennial conference on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the downtown Seattle Public Library.
Are you of Norwegian descent? Especially Norwegians who came to the Pacific Northwest? Are you aware of the fabulous National Nordic Museum in Seattle?? WOW, you say?
Located in NW Seattle, close to the water, this museum offers so much of interest to those of Nordic descent and those (like me) who are not. Here’s a snip from their website:
You just must visit their website to see what all the Nordic Museum offers: www.nordicmuseum.org. Right now, until June 30, there is a really special artwork display: “….an immersive artwork…. specifically crafter for the museum and illumimating the natural ocean connections between Seattle and its Nordic sister city, Reykjavik.” “To immerse guests into a marine atmosphere, the scent of seaweed harvested from the Pacific and North Atlantic oceans will be tinctured, distilled and dispersed through the room.” I want to go!!
The Ellis Island tidbits come via a query posted to the Washington State Genealogical Society and from a lady in one of my classes: Steve asked “if 1st and 2nd class ships’ passengers to New York disembarked “at the pier” and the ship then went to Ellis Island to unload 3rd class passengers for screening…..what about the upper classes’ servants (nannies, maids, valets, wet nurses, etc)? Did they disembark with their employers? And would they be on the passenger lists?” The answer to Steve was advising him to click to this site:http://immigrationinmy.weebly.com/the-experience-at-ellis-island.htmlI answered the other question, posed in my beginner’s class, that Ellis Island opened in 1892 and prior to that the records would be at Castle Garden. WELL! This lady found her ancestor coming from France into Ellis Island in 1889! Doing some fact-checking for her, I found that yes, indeed, there were some immigrants who somehow came through Ellis Island prior to its official opening.
Don’t we learn something every single day if we but keep our eyes and mind open??
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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Jim Witham of Colville, Washington, who was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society.
Jim has been a longtime member of NeWGS and is always ready to help where needed. Much of that need has been with the maintenance of Evergreen Cemetery in Stevens County. He has spent countless hours mowing and helping with general maintenance of the cemetery. He has also served as the society’s publicity chairman for many years, picks up the mail on a regular basis and is the society’s resident audio/visual go-to guy at their seminars.
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.
TIP OF THE WEEK –
THIS NEW BOOK IS GREAT!
By Lisa White, SGS Director of Publiations
Recently I had the pleasure of reading Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy by Genealogy Guys Podcast co-host Drew Smith.Coincidently it came to me at a very appropriate time. Lately I have been involved in many discussions about how best to get started in genealogy. This book addresses this question wonderfully.
Directed towards beginning genealogists, this book provides an upbeat and clear guide to the steps involved in doing good genealogical research. The main focus is on United States records, but there is also a chapter devoted to research outside of the U.S. such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The chapter on DNA testing is especially good as it provides the basics for understanding types of DNA and how testing can help us with our projects.
Even if you are a seasoned genealogist, I recommend that you read this book. In genealogy, as in most things, there is always something to learn, and I came away rejuvenated with so many ideas and insights. I can’t wait to put some of these suggestions to work, especially in regards to organizing my digital files. Some of the tips can even save you money!
To help start or boost your research, you can get your copy at:
https://www.genealogical.com
JEAN A ROTH
1944-2023
We are saddened to have to report a pillar of our Society has passed away. Jean Roth was one of our super volunteers. She was a member of SGS for 46 years. She received an Honorary Lifetime Membership to SGS for her years of service. She will be so missed.
Some of you will remember when Jean was on the board as the Director of Education and most of you will remember Jean as the leader for many years of our Irish SIG and German SIG. She also was the leader for the now defunct Brick Wall Problem Solving Session that SGS had on Wednesdays from noon to 3:00 PM. Jean was SGS President from 1995-96. She has also served as Vice President.
Additionally, Jean was the organizer for our community outreach activities; the SGS booths at Irish Week/Festal at Seattle Center each March, including this March 2023, and at the Seattle Scottish Highland Games in Enumclaw each July.
Jean loved to travel and made that her career. Besides SGS, Jean also belonged to the Greater Seattle Chapter of the Germans from Russia, the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association, and the Irish Heritage Club.
A visitation for Jean will be held Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133. A graveside service will occur Monday, April 24, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to: The Seattle Genealogical Society, The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, The Irish Heritage Club, or Northwest Kidney Centers.
To read Jean’s entire obituary, visit :
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/seattle-wa/jean-roth-11236193
ANNOUNCING THE SGS100
FAMILY HISTORY WRITING CONTEST!
The Seattle Genealogical Society is thrilled to request submissions for our Centennial Family History Contest!
100th Anniversary Theme: Family Artifact
All writers are welcomed; you do not need to be an SGS member to submit.
Stories with a focus on the Pacific Northwest and/or diverse cultures of the PNW will be given extra credit! Monetary prizes will be awarded to first ($200), second ($125) and third ($75) place winners in addition to one year of SGS membership. Additional prizes will be awarded to entries featuring stories representing diverse cultures.
Submit your story by July 1, 2023. Visit the SGS Website for all the details:
https://seagensoc.org/
NEW AT THE SGS LIBRARY!
Oops, this is a correction. Yes, you saw this item in the last eNews! but the url inadvertently got messed up so it didn’t work. Sorry. So let’s try this again.
As of April 1, 2023, a new subscription service, https://historygeo.com , is available at the SGS Library. This website is an online version of the Family Maps and Texas Land Survey Maps book series. Instead of looking at landowner maps township by township, you’ll have a single, interactive map containing over 12.3 million landowners among 30 states (all 29 of the public land states, plus Texas). A single click of a parcel of land will link to both Google maps and patents’ source documents at the Bureau of Land Management or Texas General Land Office. Also included is a collection of approximately 4000 maps from various sources showing landowners at a particular point in time. Sometime in the near future, SGS will offer a class on how to use this website. Watch for it.
100 years ago: 15 March 1923
“Real Estate Investment in Seattle Urged”
If only one had bought Seattle real estate back in 1923. On April 15, 1923, a newspaper headline read “Real Estate Investment in Seattle Urged”. The article went on to state “In no other city of the United States are conditions more favorable to profitable real estate operations…” “Full realization of this is the only prerequisite to a period of intense activity during which the present low level of values will be raised by rapid stages to approximate those obtaining elsewhere.”
“Real Estate Investment in Seattle Urged” , Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 15 April 1923, p10 col 1.
* 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
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 May 8, 2023, and the program is “Three Minutes in Poland” with Glenn Kurtz.
http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php
Tacoma-Pierce County
Genealogical Society,
2023 Virtual Spring Seminar
with Thomas W Jones, PhD, CG
Tacoma, WA * online *
Saturday, April 29, 2023
If a day with Thomas Jones isn’t exciting enough, the emcee for this virtual event will be Cyndi Ingle of Cyndislist.
More information here:
https://tpcgs.org
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
New Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers. *** The elevator in the Good Shepherd Center will be out of service for the next several weeks.
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, April 15, 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, April 15, 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.
Monday, April 17, 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, April 21, 2023, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, CANCELED, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. This meeting has been canceled. The next meeting will be May 19, 2023.
Monday, April 24, 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, April 25, 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.
Saturday, April 29, 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, May 1, 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, May 6, 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, May 7, 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, May 8, 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, May 8, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Board of Directors Meeting at SGS (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. Remember SGS has several board positions open. We need to fill them. Maybe you have the skills and time.
Monday, May 8, 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, May 9, 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.
Wednesday, May 10, 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, May 13, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Creating Keepsakes, with Mary Kircher Roddy. Please register in advance.
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.
Clallam County Genealogical Society Speaker Series Presents:
JUDY RUSSELL, jd, cg, cgs
“The Legal Genealogist”
Saturday, May 13, 10:00
Quarantined! Genealogy, the Law, and Public Health
From the Plague to Tuberculosis, the law worked to protect the public from epidemics. Learn how public health records can add to any family’s history.
Judy Russell is a certified genealogist who also has a law degree. She is known as the “Legal Genealogist,” and has used her knowledge to help all of us to understand the archaic legal language and laws to which our ancestors were subjected through her writings, seminars, and webinars.
Everyone is welcome to join us to hear her presentation via Zoom. To get the Zoom meeting number and passcode, please contact CCGS at 360-417-5000 between the hours of 10am – 4pm, Tuesday-Friday, or Saturdays, noon to 4pm. You are also welcome to watch the presentation at the CCGS research center: 403 E 8th Street, Port Angeles.
For more information check the CCGS Website: www.clallamcogs.org.
There is no charge for attendance.
Janet O’Conor Camarata is a genealogist with over 30 years of experience. She is an experienced presenter, educator and trainer for genealogical societies, libraries, community colleges and senior centers across Washington. Janet is a graduate of the UW Genealogy and Family History program and has a B.A. in education from Central Washington University and a Master’s from Antioch University.
Using Historical Maps for Genealogical Research
Historical maps are crucial to genealogical research! These maps allow genealogy researchers to place our ancestors in a specific location and time. By doing so, we can begin to understand people and the land, migration patterns, and the community where an ancestor lived. By using these maps, we can reduce research time. Fortunately, many maps can be found online for FREE.
WHEN:
APRIL 20, 2023
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE:
ZOOM
COST:
$20 MEMBERS
$25 NON-MEMBERS
Go to the HQRL Store and sign up online. You must sign in as a member to get the discount.
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I purposely planned for a few library days after RootsTech and I’m so glad I did! Combining RootsTech learning with some new realizations was both wonderful and sobering. Maybe you already realized these things…………
One good talk was on “Avoiding Ancestor Theft,” and how we must be SURE when we’re adding new people to our family tree. We cannot rely on same-name alone; all the factors must concur: name, date and place. Consider this image; is there such a bird? Or cat?
Sure looks real, doesn’t it. But is it?? This was the speaker’s example of how we add 2 + 2 and get 5. His point: just as there are such images posted online, there are fictional trees posted online too. (Woohoo, there is a posted online tree that has John Smith married to Pocahontas!! Do you think??)
Another thing one of the RootsTech presenters pointed out is this: You are looking for a Robert Smith who married Mary Wilson. But you find an almost perfect match for Robert Smith but he’s married to Rebecca Thompson! Is is the right Robert Smith or not? In other words, don’t get hung up on one marriage; our ancestors were survivors and death came easily so often second and third marriages did happen.
One last Golden Point I learned. The presenter asked bluntly, “What sources do you swallow as good and add them to your tree?” She was referring to online trees, especially the older ones like Pedigree Resource File, Ancestral File, the very ancient IGI. She cautioned us to note them as exactly what they are: tidbits that might be true or not. Mostly usually not.
Trivia: The presentations from 2023 RootsTech are and will be available online for at least a year. Google and learn!!
When: Friday, May 5th, 2023 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT
Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/3k3af4cb
Topic: “19th Century Germany”
The 19th century represents the period of greatest emigration out of Germany, and it is therefore a time of great interest for many German-American family historians. This talk will address, among other things, the topics of geography, politics, and religion in the context of how they affect the genealogist’s search for family information and how that information can be interpreted.
Presenter: Richard Haberstroh
Mr. Haberstroh is an accredited genealogist who has been involved in German genealogical research in both the United States and Germany since 1984. A frequent genealogy lecturer, Richard has published a number of genealogical articles, including his family’s genealogy and short articles for the newsletter of the German Genealogy Group, of which he is a founding member. He is also the author of the book The German Churches of Metropolitan New York: A Research Guide, published by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/
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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Jennilyn Weight of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society.
Jennilyn has been a vibrant, enthusiastic member of EWGS. She volunteered as membership chairperson immediately. Through the years, and especially during our pandemic, Jennilyn focused on personally keeping members apprised about the changes the society was making to keep in touch with other members. Most importantly, she kept them coming back! Her time spent calling and talking with members that had not renewed was an integral part of keeping EWGS’s membership active and the society vitally alive for the past two years. As membership chair, she encouraged several new members to become involved with other committees.
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.