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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Dorothy Pretare of Renton, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS).
Dorothy Pretare
Having been a member of EGS since 2003, Dorothy came to her first meeting as a beginning genealogist. Now, almost 20 years later, she has grown both as a researcher and a valued member of the society.
Shortly after joining EGS, Dorothy also joined the German Interest Group (GIG) and has remained active in both EGS and the GIG. She served on the EGS board for about 12 years as the publicity chair. Her untiring efforts to spread information about EGS meetings and genealogy in general have earned her the respect of her colleagues.
Stepping down from the EGS board, only to step up to the leadership of the GIG in 2016, Dorothy continues to serve the members and the community. Under her leadership and despite COVID restrictions and meetings moving to Zoom only, the GIG has continued strong and even grown in membership. Dorothy encourages the GIG attendees to join EGS and leads by example through attending the EGS meetings herself regularly.
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.
I’m excited to share that in honor of St. Patrick’s Day this year, we are making all 106 of our Irish record collections available to search for free from now until March 19, 2023!
The MyHeritage Irish collections include Irish birth, marriage, death, census, wills, atlases, directories, calendars, historical books, registers, passenger lists, prisoner, and registration records. Many of the collections also include images.
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about their Irish roots! As an added bonus, we’re running a special sale on MyHeritage DNA for St. Patrick’s Day as well.
Read more on our blog, and feel free to use the attached graphic when spreading the word.
Enjoy,
Daniel Horowitz
Genealogy Expert
MyHeritage Ltd., P.O.Box 50, 3 Ariel Sharon Blvd., Or Yehuda, Israel 6037606, Israel, +972-3-6280000
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat
21 March 2023 at 7:00 pm
Do you have thoughts, ideas, questions, or comments about anything related to genealogy? Then this is for you. Please plan to attend, share, and expand your knowledge of all thing’s genealogy all from the comfort of your own home.
We look forward to seeing and chatting with you!
Topic: TPCGS Genealogy Chat 3rd Tuesday Each Month
JESS RAMEY, VOLUNTEER OF WINTER QUARTER 2023 Each quarter the Seattle Genealogical Society recognizes one member as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Our Volunteer for Winter Quarter 2023 is Jess Ramey.
Jess Ramey has been a member of SGS for twenty-six years and an SGS Library volunteer since 2016. Jess started helping out by sorting all the maps and then progressed to scanning and indexing document collections donated to the library over the years. Currently he is in the process of making those digital collections available on the library’s patron computers. Jess has also served as a Library Trustee and is currently a member of the Material Review Committee. When asked about what he likes about volunteering with SGS Jess said, “I like the feeling that I am contributing to others’ quests for information about their families.”
Jess also appreciates attending SGS events, especially in-person. Pre-pandemic, he attended many of the Spring and Fall seminars and enjoyed the interaction with the other attendees.
Jess’s personal genealogical interest is his family name. Although he has found much research on the Ramey surname, he has not yet been able to make a connection to the family in late 18th century Virginia. Census records indicate his third great-grandfather was born in Virginia in 1783, but he has not been able to confirm this, or identify parents. This is a brick wall he has been attempting to break through for the past thirty years.
When Jess isn’t helping out at SGS or sleuthing genealogical mysteries, he enjoys spending time fishing with his sons. He also volunteers with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program and works as a tax counselor/preparer every February-April tax season.
Congratulations and thank you Jess for all you do for our Society!SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Upcoming Annual Election to be discussed. Proposed changes to SGS Bylaws will be presented. Slate of nominees for the 2023-24 SGS Board will be presented and additional nominations will be accepted from the floor.
Please register in advance for this meeting on the SGS website Calendar of Events.
Everyone is invited to stay on for the Virtual Sunday presentation directly following this membership meeting. VIRTUAL SUNDAY: SOMEYHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm This month’s presentation is “Finding Treasures in Academic Libraries”. Academic libraries, archives, and special collections are an often overlooked resource for genealogists. These collections, located on (usually) university campuses, will have resources available nowhere else. One’s ancestor does not need to have been a student or faculty member to find value in an academic library. New territory for you? Don’t feel intimidated. Jill Morelli’s excellent advice on the subject will guide you.
Please register in advance for this presentation.
Who wouldn’t want undivided writing time with like-minded genealogists? Consider signing up for the SGS100 Writers’ C(r)amp to be held April 20-23, 2023 at the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories.
Wonderfully located in a nature preserve yet within easy distance to Friday Harbor, we will have 2+ days of undistracted writing time. Whether you are working on a personal project, a portfolio, or an entry for the SGS100 Family History Writing Contest this is an opportunity to start or polish up an existing project. Experts will be there to help. You can find out more and sign up at the SGS Centennial website page
100 years ago: 13 March 1923
“Women Paying for Working” informed the Seattle P-I.
Crouched in between an article regarding “Rum Men Pay Income Taxes” was another an article “Woman Paying For Working” noting that “Nearly one-sixth of the income tax returns being made at the office of the internal revenue collector in the federal building are filled by women.” A fitting article for Women’s History Month.
“Women Paying for Work,” Seattle Post Intelligencer, 13 March 1923. p. 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
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, usually 2nd Monday meetings usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise.
Check out all the activities that will be available for Irish Week. Check it out at the SGS Calendar of Events and the Irish Heritage Club : https://irishclub.org/irish-week-2023/
Note: Irish Genealogy Workshop on March 18, 2023, was canceled, but there is a St Patrick’s Day dinner event.
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
Friday, March 17, 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, March 16th to request the meeting link.
Saturday, March 18, 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, March 18, 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, March 19, 2023, 12:30 pm-1:00 pm, SGS General Membership Meeting, SGS members, mark your calendar. Topics: what’s new at SGS and bylaw changes.
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli is the usual host. Topic is Finding Treasures in Academic Libraries.
Monday, March 20, 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, March 27, 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, March 28, 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 1, 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, April 2, 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, April 3, 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, April 8, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Western Overland Trails, with Steven W Morrison, Following the Seven T’s. Please register in advance.
Monday, April 10, 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, April 10, 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 the time.
Monday, April 10, 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, April 11, 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 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, 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, April 20th to request the meeting ld.
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.
(Returning to the ship after a bus tour. Capt. Kelly was ALWAYS there to greet us along with several red-shirted helpers to ensure our safety. Remember, the river was 40-feet low so we had to walk downhill a ways on newly-laid gravel.)
The American Cruise Ship Splendor could carry 185 passengers; on my trip there were 164 of us, with a crew of 59, including the captain. The Splendor drew only 7 ½ feet of water (“think of it like a hotel on a flat-bottomed barge”) and only needed 9 feet of water to proceed….. and I understood that many times that was the river’s depth during my cruise. The average ship’s speed was 7 to 8 miles per hour (yes, on the rivers, length is measured in miles) and the average river flow is 3 miles per hour.
The captain explained in a Q&A session that the biggest usage on the ship was potable water but they did carry 28,000 gallons…….. and resupplied with a sometimes very long hose at every port stop. The ship had a MSD, a marine sanitation discharge system, so that any water put back into the river was clean. (“We do hold the solids and pump them out every month,” he quipped.) The Splendor held 30,000 gallons of fuel. The picturesque fluted black smokestacks and red-painted paddle wheel were just for looks; the ship had a twin-screw propulsion system. The crew often had to lay flat those decorative smokestacks when we went under bridges.
Captain Matthew Kelly explained that a captain needs 360 sea-days (water-days?) every five years to renew his license with the Coast Guard. All the ships of that line winter over in New Orleans for cleaning, upgrading and maintenance. He explained some of the navigational things, and the many, many “river rules” but most were way over my head. He did say that downstream traffic has the right of way as do passenger ships over barges.
Our very photogenic captain was only 29 years old, newly married (his wife was aboard for part of the trip). He was always roaming about the ship and always willing to stop for questions. He started with the company eight years ago as a deckhand and worked his way up to captain.
I was struck and very impressed with his humility.In Memphis, at Graceland, we were all ready to get off the bus when he and his wife, in casual clothes, started walking up from the very back of the bus. The driver and guide, not knowing who he was, told him sternly to please sit down “cause we aren’t parked yet.” His reply? “I’m a member of the crew and I need to get off.” He had a rental car waiting. A “member of the crew indeed!”
It was incredible seeing so many familiar faces in person at RootsTech!
In addition to our big announcements and numerous classes, a major conference highlight was the exclusive session presented by MyHeritage’s Founder and CEO, Gilad Japhet. Gilad reflected on one of his most recent family history discoveries, dove into the newly released MyHeritage features, and gave an exciting preview of what’s to come.
Please Mark Your Calendars Now! You Must Register in Advance for this Seminar! Go to the website EWGSi and follow the instructions: you MUST fill out the registration form and then choose your form of payment.
Saturday, April 1 HERITAGE FROM THE HEARTLAND SPRING SEMINAR 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Hybrid Meeting (in-person and Zoom) at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 8441 N Indian Trail Rd – 99208 This seminar promises to be packed full of great information! And the First Annual EWGS Silent Auction
(plan to bring your checkbook)
Speaker Paula Stuart-Warren: “Minnesota Genealogical Research: Exceptional Resources”
Speaker Thomas Neel: “Tracing Family History in Ohio”
Speaker Sheri Snodgrass: “The Land Between The Rivers” Iowa
Sheila Benedict Sheila has a varied educational background to support her many years of genealogical research, from a BA in Political Science to languages, history and Forensic Genealogy. She is a frequent lecturer at national conferences as well as teaching at a local community college.
Working Your Way to IRELAND Using American Records First
This presentation will focus on what an American researcher has to do to be successful. It is not as easy as it sounds, especially when you are working with records that are different then what you are used to here. What lies beyond ancestry charts and family group sheets is more important than you think. They are the skeleton and you need to put meat on the bones before you hop the flight to Dublin, Shannon, Cork, or Belfast. March 16, 2023 1:00 – 2:00 PM
ZOOM Members: $20 Non-Members $25 Sign up early!
Sign up & Payment:
Go to hqrl.com and go to the HQRL Store (sign in as a member to get the discount)
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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Larry brings enthusiasm and creativity, offering ideas about new ways of doing things, helping clarify goals and ways to achieve them. Larry offers a skill set to the board to gather and analyze information to deliver better services.
Larry has been instrumental in helping BIGS deal with the switch to virtual meetings. He initiated the effort to determine how to provide hybrid meetings once in-person meetings become possible again.
As director of society outreach, Larry made a major contribution to BIGS by growing their relationship with Kitsap Regional Library. As a result of this collaboration, BIGS offers an opportunity for members of the public to consult with experienced BIGS members, which has led to new memberships. Larry led the board in a more proactive approach to the 2021 renewal process to understand and address pandemic impacts on members.
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.
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
