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.
As a volunteer, LeeRoy enjoys training patrons: 1) how to do research on their own and, 2) how to use the SVGS library. He became a volunteer in 2009, and served as parking lot attendant coordinator and speaker monitor for the Northwest Genealogy Conference. In his earliest days with SVGS, he digitized obituaries and entered data from area newspapers for SVGS’s online Death Index. More currently, he has been the driving force behind the Weller Funeral Home Card Digitization Project.
In LeeRoy’s opinion, one of the most important things to remember when doing research is that we’re not going to find everything we’re looking for the first time we type a name into a database. It’s “…a continual search.”
LeeRoy was born in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota and moved with his job at Hewlett- Packard from Detroit to California and finally to Marysville, Washington where he has lived since 1982.
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.”
When our cruise ship was near Davenport, Iowa, I learned about the Rock Island Arsenal. I had heard about the Black Hawk War but had no idea that disputes over ownership of this place sparked that conflict.
Located on an island in the Mississippi, it was established as a government site in 1816 first as a defensive fort and then, in the 1880s, a government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the U.S. Still in use, and even as being designated as a National Historic Landmark, the arsenal still produces ordinance (bullets), artillery, gun mounts, small arms, aircraft weapons sub-systems, grenade launchers and a host of associated components. Some 250 military personnel work there along with 6000 civilian workers.
Back to the Black Hawk war. In his autobiography, Black Hawk wrote: “When we arrived (to our tribal summer camp) we found that the troops had come to build a fort on Rock Island…We did not object, however, to their building their fort on the island, but were very sorry, as this was the best one on the Mississippi, and had long been the resort of our young people during the summer. It was our garden, like the white people have near their big villages, which supplied us with strawberries, blackberries, gooseberries, plums, apples and nuts of different kinds.”
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln served in the Illinois Militia in 1832 in this conflict…..”he never saw action.”
Last but not least, Rock Island holds a Confederate cemetery; nearly 2000 prisoners, including Union Colored Troops who served as guards, are buried there.
AND, last of all, the Rock Island Arsenal Museum was established on July 4, 1905. It is the second oldest US Army Museum after the West Point Museum.
Think of all the Jeopardy trivia you just learned! 🙂
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society General Membership Meeting Tuesday, February 14th at 6:30 pm via Zoom
Speaker: Marianne Lincoln, “Parkland’s Journey From Indigenous Resource to PLU Campus” Before the fur trade, or British and American settlers arrived, the Parkland area was a shared resource for multiple populations of local Native Americans. In the early 1800’s, change arrived by sea and over the continent from far away. This story will tell of the major events and people that arrived and changed the Parkland area to what it is now. Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz0
We have some fantastic free webinars from Legacy Family Tree Webinars in February. Check out the details below and let your audience know about February 2023’s live webinars:
Using Mitochondrial DNA Testing for Genealogical Problem Solving by Michael D. Lacopo, DVM
Gradual Emancipation and Enslavement in the North by Ari Wilkins
Hints & Tips for solving Irish cases of Unknown Parentage by Maurice Gleeson
Les derniers outils et ressources sur MyHeritage by Elisabeth Zetland
Family Statistics on MyHeritage by Uri Gonen
When a Place is New by Michelle Patient
Family History on the Canadian Prairies by Dave Obee
The Bengali and English Ancestry of Thomas Chapman: A Case Study with DNA by Meryl Schumacker, CG
Flying Under the Radar – Discovering Charles Olin’s Alias by Mary Kircher Roddy, CG
Tips and Tools for Navigating the English Probate System by Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv
The Best of Elizabeth Shown Mills: Genealogy Problem Solving – a member’s only webinar series
Join us each month as Elizabeth encores her top-12 most beloved classes, teaching us how to break down our genealogy problems and create solutions with innovative strategies and sound methods.
On Friday, February 24 Elizabeth will teach “Smiths & Jones: Success with Families of Common Name”. Visit www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com/esm to learn more or to register.
Be sure to spread the news far and wide so your friends and followers don’t miss out on this fantastic content! You can use the graphic above.
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.
In 2011, Flynn became a volunteer librarian with SVGS. She worked with the Northwest Genealogy Conference for three years as a Jackie-of-all-Trades, serving in a variety of roles. Her current projects include creating a four-generation history for a patron who is related to Noah Webster, transcribing a 33-page application for a claim against the U.S. Southern Claims Commission, and attempting to solve a family history mystery in Vermont in the 1830’s.
In Flynn’s opinion, the three most important things to remember when trying to break through a brick wall are “… collaboration, collaboration, collaboration.”
Flynn was born in Toledo, Ohio and moved to Seattle on September 28, 1980. She earned a B.A. from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio (during the Punic Wars) and earned a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston University in 2014.
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.”
When you imagine a pirate, Johnny Depp might come to mind. The Mississippi River pirates were real but they weren’t as colorful as Johnny depicted. Between about 1806 and 1844, there certainly were pirates prowling on the Mississippi River. Any of you remember this Walt Disney movie:
I had no idea there were pirates on the Mississippi and when the ship’s education guy told about these fellows, I was really surprised. I never learned about this before! River pirates have operated along rivers all over the world. Quoting from Wikipedia:
“American river piracy in the late 18th and mid-19th century was primarily concentrated along the Ohio River and Mississippi River valleys. River pirates usually operated in isolated frontier settlements which were sparsely populated areas lacking the protection of civil authority and institutions. These pirates resorted to a variety of tactics depending on the number of pirates and the size of the boat crews involved, including deception, concealment, ambush and assaults in open combat near natural obstacles and curiosities, such as shelter caves, islands, river narrows, rapids, swamps and marshes. River travelers were robbed, captured and murdered, and their livestock, slaves, cargo and flatboats, keelboats and rafts were sunk or sold downriver.“
Did your ancestor float down the Ohio or Mississippi Rivers and were they attacked by pirates?
Mary Kircher Roddy CG lectures in Washington State and across the US and is a regular presenter for Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Mary has written for Internet Genealogy, NGS Magazine, FGS Forum, Family Chronicle and other publications. You can read more about her at MKR Genealogy – https://www.mkrgenealogy.com
Ins and Outs of Indexes – Keys to Unlock Probates, Deeds and More
Indexes for county records can be the key to finding deeds, probates and more. As Family Search continues to digitize and make available more and more records, it’s crucial to to familiar with different indexing systems and how to use them. February 16, 2023 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PST) ZOOM Members $20 Non-Members $25 Sign-up and payments: Go to hqrl.com and go to HQRL Store (Sign in as a member to receive the discount)
A ZOOM LINK WILL BE SENT TO YOUR EMAIL 1-2 DAYS BEFORE THE CLASS.
Starting in February, we’re offering monthly online Beginning Genealogy Classes through the first week in June with instructor Winona Laird. The classes are free for SKCGS members and $20 per class for non-members. This is a great opportunity to brush up on skills or learn something new. More information at https://www.skcgs.org/meetings-events/classes.
SKCGS members are invited to join the 12-month study group that begins March 20, 2023 with the book “Research Like a Pro with DNA” by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin. Details can be found at https://www.skcgs.org/areas-of-interest/study.
At the May 2023 General Membership Meeting, SKCGS will hold its annual election for the positions of President and Treasurer. The Nominating Committee is pleased to share the slate of candidates and invite additional nominations. Learn more at https://www.skcgs.org/home/nominees.
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PROGRAM UPDATES
All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at the Auburn Library
Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Register at our website skcgs.org or use links below. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 6:30pm PT SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (online) All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 6:30pm PT Beginning Genealogy Class: Starting Your Genealogy Journey More details at https://www.skcgs.org/meetings-events/classes Monday, February 13, 2023 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online) “DNA Study Source Citations” Read or watch:
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIucuCvqTsqHNcN7wBEC0fB_3-TRYD1rZLm After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS Genetic-Genealogy email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy Friday, February 17, 2023, 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Research Group (in-person) For SKCGS members Kent Family History Center 12817 SE 256th St., Kent, WA Seating is limited RSVP REQUIRED to Winona at w.laird@skcgs.org Saturday, February 18, 2023, 9:30am PT social time; 10:00am – 11:30am PT program SKCGS General Meeting (online) Horace H Foxall, Jr. presents “The National Register of Historic Places – Beyond the Nomination Form” Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-mpqDMvHdZB3HQC6tfXmZ_iCXs4ZSEQ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This meeting will be recorded for playback by members.
Horace will present information on how the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form can help you find information on historical sites that are listed on the National Register. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. Information on these registration forms such as historic significance, context and bibliography can assist in finding genealogical and historical information that can be useful with brick walls research. Horace will also present information on the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and the grants that can be applied for by individuals or organizations.
Horace worked for Seattle District, Corps of Engineers, for 30 years; 7 years in the Planning Branch and 23 years in the Design & Military Branches. In his position as the Seattle District Historical Architect and Program Manager of the Corps of Engineers National Center of Expertise (CX) for Preservation of Historic Structures and Buildings, Horace was responsible for Corps of Engineers technical assistance and coordination of national Historic Preservation Projects and Programs. He also assisted the Army and other Department of Defense agencies in developing historic preservation projects and programs.
In February 2011 Horace was appointed to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation by President Barack Obama and also appointed the Board of Directors for the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, Natchitoches, LA – May 2005 to 2019. He also has received four mayoral appointments for the City of Seattle since 1978 and three re-appointments. He served as a commissioner on the Seattle Planning Commission, Seattle Landmark Preservation Board, and Seattle Design Commission and was a member of the Board of Historic Seattle Preservation and Development Authority. Horace served 10 years on the Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
Monday, February 20, 2023 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Technical User Group (online) “Wikitree 101 Workshop” Read or watch:
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAucuigqj4uH92bWWD2uycX9Z1uSsRLY4K6 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS Tech User Group email list for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG Thursday, February 23, 2023 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library(in-person) Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer 1102 Auburn Way S Auburn, WA 98002 Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org Monday, February 27, 2023 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Genealogy Chat(online) Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Register in advance for this Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUud-uqpzoiGtEMxlqDBQ_fUeS8oZjScF71 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS email list for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society
Friday, March 3, 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 pm PT EGS German Interest Group (online) “Introduction to CompGen Website and Databases”
Dr. Georg Fertig, Chairman of The Computer Genealogy Society (CompGen), will join us at 10:30 AM, PT, from Germany, to give us an introduction to the organization’s website. He will describe the databases available, and show how to use them – in English, of course. Visitors welcome and more information at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com
Saturday, March 4, 2023, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT Family Tree Maker Users Group (online) Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM. Register in advance for this Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsdu6uqzgiGdDn7eCsOAgkvdOXktX127sz After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
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MEMBERSHIP: We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. Regarding our programs, even if and when we can meet again in person, we will continue with some virtual programs. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.
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GFO To Hold Open House Celebrating 77th Anniversary
The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to announce that its 2023 Open House will take place March 11-19.
This year’s annual event celebrates GFO’s 77th anniversary, and features 27 speakers and 29 classes for researchers at all levels. All classes will be offered online.
In addition, the research library in the historic Ford Building in Portland’s east side, 2505 SE 11th Avenue, will be open Sunday through Friday. We invite anyone to use the library’s resources for research during this event. We will also offer tours and beginning research help each afternoon.
All classes and research library activities are free and open to the public for this nine-day event.
For more details and registration, visit our website at gfo.org/openhouse.
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