Let’s Talk About …… New for 2023

by Donna Phillips

Please read clear to the end for my Big Announcement!

I knew that my maternal grandmother, Clara Ann Joseph, was born on 14 Nov 1894 in the Mississippi River town of Ivy Landing, Illinois. By 1900, the Joseph family was living several miles inland which gives a big clue as to way I could never find Ivy Landing on any map. It must have surely washed away! In those early days, men’s attempts to control the Mighty Mississippi were puny at best. It was well into the 1890s that the Corps of Engineers began building dams to (hopefully) better control the river.

In late October 2022 I tool a cruise down the entire length of the Mississippi River. I was very surprised to see miles and miles and miles of river bank looking much like the picture above. Was this where Ivy Landing was? I’ll never know for sure but I’ll bet it was a tiny town back in the trees along a stretch of river bank just like this.

Now for my big announcement:  On this recent cruise, I kept my eyes and ears open to learn everything I could about the Mississippi River and the history of states along the river, the Heartland of America. Polling several genealogy friends, and getting their thumbs up, for the foreseeable future I will be sharing much of what I learned about America’s history. One highlight was that I got to visit Graceland and see Elvis!! Stay tuned………………. Come learn some U.S. history with me!

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society General Membership Meeting

Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30 pm via Zoom

Our presenter for January is Judith Nimer Muhn, Ed.M., FSA Scot, she will help us understand how to work with Native American family histories and use the proper terminology. She has been featured on various genealogy programs. 

Meeting Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz0

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week a Tip Every Day

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
WANT A TIP OF THE DAY?

If you like the tip-of-the-week, how about a tip-of-the day?

On their website, The Family History Guide blog offers a genealogy related tip of the day. You can find it here: 
https://www.thefhguide.com/tip-of-the-day.html

Now, don’t confuse The Family History Guide with the Family History Library or FamilySearch.  But FamilySearch does have a relationship with The Family History Guide and here’s what they have to say about them:

“Note: The Family History Guide is an additional resource for help with FamilySearch.org. The guide contains free lessons on using the website FamilySearch.org and on topics related to family history and genealogy. The content is provided by a FamilySearch partner. The guide is written in English and made available in other languages through Google Translate.” 

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

Seattle Genealogical Society
Centennial Celebration: 1923-2023 

Happy birthday, Seattle Genealogical Society! 100 years is an amazing milestone.

Join the Seattle Genealogical Society in 2023 as we commemorate 100 years serving the genealogical community through education and preservation. We have planned a variety of events for 2023 to honor and celebrate the Society’s founding and past, as well as looking forward to its promising future.

Centennial Events: 

  • Centennial Kickoff: “Will the 2020s Roar Like the 1920s?”
    • Saturday, January 14, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm,
    • Learn about the context of the 1920s and how your ancestor may have participated in “the roar”
    • Featuring historian William Woodward, in conjunction with Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. Join us for the first Centennial event!
    • Register for this free virtual event at the SGS website Calendar of Events: https://seagensoc.org
  • Family History Writing Contest:
    • Watch for the announcement in the Winter issue of SGS Journal
  • Summer Preservation Seminar
    • Date: TBD
    • Featuring Denise Levernich giving four lectures on preservation of your artifacts, photos, documents and digital data
    • Free to members
  • 1923 Ice Cream Social in the Park
    • Date: TBD
    • Bring the family to Meridian Park behind the Good Shepherd Center
  • 100th Birthday Party with keynote speaker
    • Date: 20 October 2023, 6:00-8:00
    • Dunn Gardens Cottage and grounds
    • Keynote speaker: you are going to want to be there!
    • Winners of the Family History Writing Contest will be announced and prizes awarded

Watch upcoming issues of the Journal to learn more about the SGS founders and our history!

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in the new year! 

CENTENNIAL KICKOFF:
“WILL the 2020’s ROAR LIKE the 1920s?” 
Saturday, January 14, 2023
1:00 – 2:30 pm 
Virtual – Online

You don’t want to miss the first event of our SGS Centennial celebration. Although we had to cancel the in-person event due to the elevator situation at the Good Shepherd Center, we still hope this event will be well attended via Zoom. Be sure to register today on the Calendar of Events at the SGS website.   

The subject for this presentation will be the pandemic, protests, and economic jolts that ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.”  Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own looming 20s?

The speaker will be historian William Woodward. He is an award-winning professor of American and Pacific Northwest history at Seattle Pacific University. His teaching, research, and writing focus on iconic elements of regional and national culture, including the military and baseball. His co-authored pictorial history of the Washington National Guard was released in 2019. William lives in Seattle. 

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. The next program is Jan 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm online via Zoom, “Jewish Ethnicity: History, Migration, and DNA” with Schelly Talalay Dardashti. 

http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

“RootsTech 2023”, 
Family History Library, 
Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 2-4, 2023

Choose how to attend; in person or online! Visit the website for more info and registration. 

https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/home?mc_cid=d8c7b37731&mc_eid=2ae79ab586

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.  

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, January 7, 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, January 8, 2023,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, “Soldiers, Spies, and Farm Wives; the Changing Roles of Women During the Civil War” – with Jill Morelli. Please register in advance. 

Sunday, January 8, 2023,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Scandinavian SIG, “What’s in a Name? Patronymic and Other Naming Conventions in Norway and Sweden”,  Hosted by Karen Knudson and Kathi M. 


Monday, January 9, 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, January 9, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, SGS Board Meeting (Virtual), Remember all SGS members are welcome to attend the board meeting. Come see what it’s all about. 

Monday, January 9, 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, January 10, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, January 11, 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, January 14, 2023,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Centennial Kickoff: Will the 2020s Roar Like the 1920s? With historian William Woodward, in conjunction with Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. Join in via Zoom for the first event scheduled in celebration of our centennial year. Register today by visiting the SGS website. 

Monday, January 16, 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, January 20, 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, January 19th to request the meeting link.


Saturday, January 21, 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, January 21, 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, January 22, 2023,  1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Japanese American SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Densho, this group meets quarterly on the fourth Sunday of the month (July, October, January, and April) at 1:00 p.m. (Pacific). Meetings address topics and resources helpful for those conducting Japanese genealogy research.
 
The link to logon will be sent to the Japanese American SIG email list. People wishing to attend should email family.history@densho.org to be added to the mailing list.
 
Co-Chairs: Caitlin Oiye Coon and [a co-host is still very much needed]

Monday, January 23, 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, January 24, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 9:00 am- 10:00 am, DNA SIG for Beginners, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. Special session for beginners, held annually before the first regular meeting of the DNA SIG in January. To participate, contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com. 

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 mm, DNA SIG, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. The first regular meeting of the DNA SIG in 2023. To participate you need to be on the DNA SIG email list; to join contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com. 

Monday, January 30, 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.

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Waterfront Mills of Everett Washington

by Charles Hansen

The Waterfront Mills of Everett, Washington

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

Tuesday January 10, 2023,,1:00 PM Pacific

Join us at the SVGS Library for a free in person presentation followed by our monthly meeting!

Presentation: The Waterfront Mills of Everett, Washington

Location: SVGS Library 6111 188th PL NE, Arlington, WA

Guest Speaker: Neil Anderson of Historic Everett

Take a tour of the old Everett waterfront when the town was known as “The City of Smokestacks”. Images will be shown of the many prominent lumber, shingle and forest product mills that lined the Everett shoreline from the northern tip of the peninsula and heading south to the base of Rucker Hill. Sit back and enjoy the journey down memory lane.

Although the presentation will only be available in person at the library, our business meeting and board meeting following the presentation (2 pm) will be available via Zoom. A link to join the meeting using your computer can be found on our website www.stillygen.org

An option to join the meeting by phone is also available.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society What the Future Holds

by Charles Hansen

On January 20, 2023 BIGS Presents

At 10AM, Friday, Jan 20, 2023, on Zoom,

D. Joshua Taylor will present:

“Family History: What the Future Holds”

Curious about how family history might change in the coming years? This session examines the impact of new technologies, digital preservation, record access, and other factors that will impact the future of family history. Together we will explore the opportunities and challenges ahead for genealogists.

D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA is a nationally known and recognized speaker and author on genealogy and family history. Joshua is the President of the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B). He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including RootsTech’s Distinguished Presenter Award, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Award of Merit, and the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society.

He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and has been a featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are? with Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelly Clarkson, Ashley Judd, Reba McEntire, and Rob Lowe. Joshua can also be seen taking America through their past as a host on the popular PBS series Genealogy Roadshow.

So, please join us on January 20th at 10AM for this informative presentation. The Zoom link will be available on our website bigenealogy.org on January 19th, the day before the meeting.

Everyone Welcome! No membership necessary.

South King County Genealogical Society Jan- Early Feb 2023 Meetings & Events

by Charles Hansen


JANUARY – EARLY FEBRUARY 2023 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online discussion and collaboration arena where:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe at any time

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, January 3, 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.

Friday, January 6, 2023, 12:30 – 2:30 pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
“Start the New Year Right – Get organized by letting software do the work”

Several EGS-GIG members will demo free software that can help turn your piles and files into easily stored and retrievable data. 

Visitors welcome and more information at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com

Registration is required:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkduGhrD0oHdzvk-1f4Rrz6A55HZjWBbrx

Saturday, January 7, 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

Monday, January 9, 2023 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
“How to include DNA data in family histories – from cMs to admixture (ethnicity)”
Read or watch:

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIucuCvqTsqHNcN7wBEC0fB_3-TRYD1rZLmAfter 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

Monday, January 16, 2023 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Technical User Group (online)
“Creating a Research Plan”
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

Friday, January 20, 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, January 21, 2023, 9:30am PT social time; 10:00am – 11:30am PT program
SKCGS General Meeting (online)
Michael Strauss presents “Descendancy Research: Another Pathway to Genealogy”
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvcO2rrzkvHNSTicHwOeUk4X9xA5nJOUQ7
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This meeting will be recorded for playback by members. 

Breaking through the challenges of brick walls has never been more rewarding; genealogists are often taught that the only way to do successful research is to search backwards through time; going back as far as you can. This lecture assumes a new focus on doing research by tracing all of the descendants of an ancestral couple to present; as we will examine the methodology to find living persons who may hold the key to your family history research. Focus is also given to provide an actual case study of doing this kind of research.

Michael L. Strauss, AG has been employed as a forensic investigator for thirty years, most recently he works as a research manager for Ancestry ProGenealogists. Michael is a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He is a court qualified expert witness in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Michael is a national genealogical lecturer and instructor and is a faculty member at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) where he coordinates the military history and research courses. Michael was the film historian for the 2015 Academy Award nominated movie Finding Vivian Maier and has been involved in Civil War and Mexican American War reenacting for more than twenty-five years. 

Monday, January 23, 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

Thursday, January 26, 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

Friday, February 3, 2023, 12:30 – 2:30 pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
“How to get Research Help at FamilySearch.org with emphasis on Germanic research” by Becky Adamson

Visitors welcome and more information at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com

Registration is required:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUscumurjkvHN24nnXuesZboNYV2AjBAygJ

Saturday, February 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
 

——————

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.

Ulster Historical Foundation in Post Falls Idaho March 9th

by Charles Hansen

It’s my pleasure to share with you a day immersed in Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy research topics with Ulster Historical Foundation Director Fintan Mullan, and Chief Researcher Gillian Hunt in Post Falls, Idaho, Thursday, March 9th, 2023.

The Ulster Historical Foundation is a long-established, highly reputable research and publishing agency based in Newtownards, N Ireland. It offers its extensive knowledge to help on the sources available to discover Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

An educational non-profit organization, their aim is to . . .  strengthen the links between Ireland and those of Ulster descent; broaden access to historical documents and records for Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy; and to inspire pride in Irish and Ulster heritage and culture.

I have attended their programs in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and hosted them in Coeur d’Alene in 2019… HIGHLY recommend attending this interesting, entertaining, and educational day of lecture if you’ve an interest in any sort of Irish/Scots-Irish ancestry, no matter what level of research you feel you’re at.  

Attached is a poster describing this unique opportunity.  Would you be willing to please share with your membership and contacts lists, newsletter readers, Facebook followers …. anyone who might be interested and benefit from their knowledge?  

Here is the link to go directly to sign up:  https://www.ancestryireland.com/2023-coeur/

Thank you so much for your help in getting the word out!!