South King County Genealogical Society February 2026 Happenings

by Charles Hansen

February 2026 to early March 2026 with South King County Genealogical Society
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Greetings. 

SKCGS Members will find the playback access code for Robyn Smith’s “Cluster Research: Using Other People to Find Your People” presentation at the end of this email. *If you expected to find the code but did not, your SKCGS Membership has expired. Renew on our website: https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership 

We’re searching for leaders to help keep our small but mighty nonprofit running smoothly! The best part? You won’t be doing it alone! You’ll be supported by a dedicated, hands-on board and fantastic volunteers who are ready to help. Email Board@skcgs.org to help.

Stay connected! Get updates on our virtual and in-person events, plus 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 platform for discussion and information sharing:

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

PROGRAM UPDATES

All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches. 

Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request

Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting. 

FEBRUARY TO EARLY MARCH 2026 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless otherwise stated 

Tuesday, February 3, 6:30–7:30pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting. Interested Members are invited; write Board@skcgs.org for the zoom link.

Friday, February 6, 12:30–2:30pm PT: German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). Topic: “Swiss Essentials: Locating Church Records & Understanding the Impact of Citizenship” by Charlotte Noelle Champenois, AG®, AGL™. Visitors are welcome. More information at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/ Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yfyrt6yw  

Saturday, February 7, 10–11am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). Topic: Question and Answer for the Family Tree Maker program. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG. 

Monday, February 9,  1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic:  DNA Research Plan: How to Focus, and Choosing Best Matches. See: Selecting DNA Tools for a Research Plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8eOuMnE_yU. Read: https://www.yourdnaguide.com/ydgblog/finding-your-best-dna-matches . This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join our free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday, February 11, 2–3pm PT. WikiTree Users  (Online). Topic: Wikitree browser extensions & Apps; when and how to use them.See: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:WikiTree_Sourcer_User_Guide (copies profiles, creates source citations) :: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:WikiTree_Browser_Extension (WikiTree browsing, reading, and editing) :: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/ Space:WikiTree_BEE#Options (more options) : https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:WikiTree_Tools_and_Apps. Wikitree Users create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

Thursday, February 12, 11am–1pm PT: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Main Library (In-person) Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 100 Mill Avenue S, Renton, WA.

Monday, February 16, 1–2pm PT: Tech Users Group (Online). Topic: Using  GoldieMay for research projects. See “Goldie May as a Newspaper Finding Aid https://youtu.be/FcRWWrth0JM?si=tzRWht2f5ngt831d 45 mins. The Tech Users Group is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Please join our free email group for meeting information and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Thursday, February 19: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer.

  11am–1pm PT: Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn WA.

  2-4pm PT: Federal Way Main Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way WA.

Friday, February 20, 1–3pm PT: Research Workshop. SKCGS Members only. In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center, 12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (206-818-7610).

Saturday, February 21, 10–11:15am PT: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online). Doors open at 9:30 for social time; after a brief announcement and introduction, we’ll learn about “Cluster Research: Using Other People to Find Your People.” The presentation will be recorded for review by SKCGS Members; everyone is invited to join the meeting and download the handout, which is Robyn’s work product; do not share it without her permission.

Our ancestors did not live in a vacuum. They lived, worked, socialized, and married amid a larger group of people. Robyn demonstrates how studying this larger group of people often increases our success in breaking through stubborn brick walls and finding our family.

Robyn Smith has been researching her family and the families of others for almost thirty years. She specializes in court and land records, genealogy skill-building, and slavery research. 

A respected speaker in the field, Robyn has taught widely at genealogy conferences, for genealogical societies across the U.S., and for institutions such as the Maryland State Archives, the National Archives and the Smithsonian Institution. She taught at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) in 2023 and worked with the Georgetown Memory Project in 2022. She also taught a genealogical workshop for Maryland Public Television. 

Her lectures on Legacy Family Tree Webinars have garnered thousands of views. Robyn writes extensively and has published articles in Family Tree Magazine, and in the peer-reviewed Maryland Genealogical Society Journal and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly Journal. Rooted in her passion for family research, writing and teaching remain the heartbeat of Robyn’s work. For more than fifteen years, she has authored a popular genealogy teaching blog called Reclaiming Kin (www.reclaimingkin.com). Her blog focuses on strengthening genealogical research skills for all genealogists and addressing the unique challenges of researching American slavery. Posts at Reclaiming Kin have been referenced by The Washington Post, The New York Times, Ancestry, and the Library of Virginia among others.

Monday, February 23,1–2pm PT: Genealogy Chat (Online) Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!

Tuesday, March 3, 6:30–7:30 pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting. Interested Members are invited; write Board@skcgs.org for the zoom link.

Friday, March 6, 12:30–2:30pm PT: German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). Topic: “Using Genealogy.net/Compgen.de” by  Fritz Juengling Ph.D., AG®, AGL™. Visitors welcome; https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/. Registration is required:  https://tinyurl.com/mry7k3kn

Saturday, March 7: the usual Family Tree Maker User Group is cancelled this month. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG; ask questions in the group.

Monday, March 9, 1–2 pm PT, Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: New Tools for our DNA Research. Rootstech, MyHeritage WGS and more. This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday, March 11, 2–3 pm PT: WikiTree Users (Online). Topic: How Wikitree Projects can move your research forward. See: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Projects. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG. 

Thursday, March 12, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Main Library (In-person) Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 100 Mill Avenue S, Renton, WA.

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SKCGS Speaker Series: Monthly on the third Saturday, 10am. 

  • September 20 2025: Roxanne Lowe “Write Your Own Obituary”
  • October 18 2025: Craig K Gowens “The Border Reivers: The Beginnings of America’s Scotch-Irish”
  • November 15 2025: Mags Gaulden “WikiTree’s DNA Features, With A Splash of mitoYDNA.org”
  • January 17 2026: Mary Kircher Roddy “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity”
  • February 21 2026: Robyn N. Smith “Cluster Research: Using Other People to Find Your People“
  • March 21 2026: Winona Laird “Publish Your Story using AI and Kindle Direct Publishing”
  • April 18 2026: Robbie Johnson “Writing for Relatives 101-–From Research to Family History” 
  • May 16 2026 Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal “Research at the library…without leaving home!”
  • June 20 2026:  Steven Morrison Part 1, “Digging Up New Dirt:  Unearthing the Real New England Immigrant” AND Part 2, “Finding, Proving and Publishing”

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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. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.

You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

Like – Facebook :: Blog :: Website – SKCGS.org :: Member support – info@skcgs.org

SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Heritage Quest Research Library February Happenings 2026

by Charles Hansen

February Happenings 2026 No matter how much you already know about your heritage there is always more you can learn General Membership Meeting Jan 17, 2026
2025 was a successful year at HQRL! Through the combined efforts of our Volunteers and Management Team new outreach events increased community awareness of HQRL, its mission, and extensive holdings. Our membership increased by 135 members bringing our total membership to 302. Our Digitalization Project is moving forward under the guidance of Dale Loseth, who is currently training volunteers to help with digitalizing. Dale is also our Grant Coordinator and has applied for a grant which will expand the digitalization project.
The results of the yearly Board of Trustees election were announced. Congratulations to returning Board members Monty Euston, Mike Bartlett and Lauren Orheim. Angie Burslem was elected to fill the vacant position. Monty Euston is the new Board Chair and Mike Bartlett continues as Board Secretary.
~~~Our members voted overwhelming to increase the membership dues~~~ The new rates will begin April 1, 2026.
ASpecial Thanksto our Management Team who provided the tasty refreshments. UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, February 5 The Genealogy Roll-up: Essential Shortcuts Every Genealogist Needs  11:00 am to 12:00 pm Heritage Quest Research Library Classroom (limit of 8) or Zoom Jennifer Patterson Dondero will share her shortcuts for great genealogy success. Register on the website at HQRL STORE or at the library. $20+tax for members $25+tax for non-members A Zoom link will be sent to your email 1-2 days before the class along with any handouts. ************
Wednesday February 18 Management Team Meeting 12 noon – 2 pm Heritage Quest Research Library Classroom or Zoom Members in good standing are welcome to attend ************
Thursday, February 19 Midwest Genealogy Center (MGC)   11:00 am to 12:00 pm Heritage Quest Research Library Classroom (limit of 8) or Zoom The Midwest Genealogy Center is one of the United States’ preeminent resources for family history, providing access to almost three-quarters of a million on-site materials. Register on the website at HQRL STORE or at the library. $20+tax for members $25+tax for non-members A Zoom link will be sent to your email 1-2 days before the class along with any handouts.
Coming Soon!!! Research Sunday March 8, 2026 Heritage Quest Research Library 10 am to 4 pm MANAGEMENT TEAM OPPORTUNITIES  Management Team Secretary Bookstore Manager Newsletter Editor Information Tech (IT) Unique Creative Opportunity HQRL Needs Your Skills: Volunteer Today! The HQRL Management Team is looking for an individual to produce a YouTube video featuring HQRL! We need an experienced, enthusiastic, talented individual to lead on content, presentation, filming, and editing. Have a great idea? Want to showcase your skills? Please reach out to the Management Team to get involved. Let’s do this!!! FEBRUARY BOOKSTORE SPECIALS
Featured this month The National Genealogical Society’s (NGR) Research in the Statesseries. Prices vary, but they’re all 50% off during the month of February!
The key to locating records for your ancestors is knowing what records exist and which repositories hold these records for the geographic area you are researching.
The National Genealogical Society’s Research in the States series typically gives an overview of a state’s history and shifting demographics. These booklets help guide you quickly to the records you need. They also include: A description and location, phone number, and website address of major and lesser-known archives, libraries, societies, and federal repositories
Research resources such as atlases, gazetteers, and maps; business, probate, and court records; colonial enumerations and state and federal censuses; city and county directories; and religious and military records
State specific records such as California’s mission system and movie industry; probate law in Texas under Spanish and Mexican governments; Missouri records created by the Spanish and French governments prior to the Louisiana Purchase; and even various states’ cattle brands
Ethnic resources on European immigrants as well as Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic and Asian Americans
You will find the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Research in the States series displayed in our Bookstore on the left wall by the front door.
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Education Meeting February 2026

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: TBD

This month’s presentation: is by Crystal Hicks, Head of Collections for the Washington State Library. Her presentation is:
Bureaucracy to the Rescue: The Hidden Value of State Library Collections.

Bureaucracy rarely gets top billing, but this presentation makes the case for its quiet heroics. “Bureaucracy to the Rescue” explores how the Washington State Library’s unique collections (state publications, reference, and special collections) become indispensable tools in moments of research and discovery. Through real-world examples, the session highlights how careful collecting, description, and preservation of bureaucratic materials support transparency, accountability, genealogy, legal research, and unexpected human stories hiding in plain sight.

This month’s meeting will be Zoom Only until we can find a new physical location to meet in person.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History February 2026

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.

Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMoc-2qqDMjHNXnACfWJ0dop_pMeQXMRoYM/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqz8uGNKduR-GRpwEGY-gLOrwplxEgo1lkj7GBRd5Mgf5Jt1SH7dOKPXi

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87544268961?pwd=oNtdztP51tePuSn3bt45J3wuxnGXzl.1
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

One tap mobile:
+12532158782,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US (Tacoma)
+12532050468,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US

Dial by your location:
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kclCP1SsOV

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society General Meeting and Researching in Arkansas

by Charles Hansen

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

General Meeting

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Following the General Meeting, Linda Lantis will be giving a presentation on “How to Research in the State of Arkansas.”

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Probate Where There’s a Will or Not

by Charles Hansen

Christine Cohen

Genealogist and lecturer

Whittier Area Genealogy Society

Her topic is

Probate—Where There’s a Will or Not

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

February 12th 2026 zoom meeting is Christine Cohen. Her topic is Probate – Where There’s a Will or Not.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Let’s Talk About: Mother Joseph

by Donna Phillips

Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, born Esther Pariseau in 1823 in Quebec, entered the convent of the newly founded Sisters of Charity in Montreal at age twenty. In 1856, she led a group of members from her congregation to the Pacific Northwest to establish schools and healthcare to the settlers flocking to that new and remote part of the country. During the 46 years from the time she arrived in Vancouver, Washington, until she passed away in 1901 she had been instrumental in establishing 29 health care institutions, schools and orphanages in the Pacific Northwest. Though most of the original structures no longer exist, most of the institutions which she founded are still in existence, continuing the work that she envisioned more than a century ago. 

Her influence and her presence was noted in 16 places in Washington, four places in Montana, two places in Oregon, one place in Idaho and two buildings in British Columbia. She was known as a stickler for detail. For example, during the construction of Scared Heart Hospital in Spokane, Mother Joseph, then 63 years old, lived with another sister “in a rough shack next to the construction site so she could oversee the work,” even climbing ladders to inspect rafters and bouncing on planks to test their support. 

She was known for successfully raising $2000 to $5000 when she went fund-raising to the mining camps whereas in the ordinary small town she could collect perhaps $18 to $20. She surely was a mover and a shaker. 

Did you know there is a statue of Mother Joseph in the Washington, D.C. capitol?

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society FamilySearch: Tools, Tricks, and Tech Connections

by Charles Hansen

Plug In to FamilySearch: Tools, Tricks, and Tech Connections

Presented by our very own: Margie Beldin

Plug In to FamilySearch: Tools, Tricks, and Tech Connections

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced researcher, you will learn new things today! 

Margie will discuss Family Search tools and explore FamilySearch features and activities that you may not be aware of. Printable charts and research helpers, as well as games and interactive activities that make family history fun. You’ll discover new ways to research, share your findings, and involve your relatives of all ages.  

Date: February 07, 2026

Time: 12:30 PM to 03:00 PM

Location: THE HIVE 2904 E Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99202

Zoom link and Program Handouts will be available on the website the day prior to the event. (EWGSi.org)

Raffles  

$50/50$ 

Coffee and Cookies 

Free Table

Please remember that EWGS Ways & Means is always accepting items for future

 Book Sales and Auctions, so bring them with you!

Fiske Genealogical Library Virtual Classes

by Charles Hansen

Wednesday, February 18  

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Finding Immigration and Naturalization Records: Advanced Strategies and Techniques

Presented by Lisa Alzo

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Every immigrant has a story. This webinar will discuss how to leverage the data in passenger lists, naturalization records, and other documents of ethnic-based communities and neighborhoods (such as historic newspapers and oral histories,) to uncover key clues about your immigrant ancestors. Learn strategies and techniques to find your elusive ancestor among others with the same name and how to deal with name changes, as well as how to locate missing manifests due to transcription or other database errors. A brief overview of how social history and migration patterns can help you track your ancestors on both sides of the ocean will also be provided.

Wednesday, February 25  

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

From RootsTech 2025 to 2026; What to look for and how to enjoy next week’s conference

Presented by Jenny Hansen

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

A look at last year’s new features brought out in RootsTech 2025, and some tips about what new things to look for in RootsTech 2026 on March 2-6.

Wednesday, March 4

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

The Black Experience in the Revolutionary War

Presented by Janice Lovelace

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

African Americans have fought in all the wars in which the United States has been involved, beginning with the Revolutionary War. It is estimated about 10,000 people (mostly men) of African ancestry fought on both sides of the conflict – hoping that freedom from slavery would come at the end of war. This presentation looks at factors leading up to the war, notable individuals who fought and where to find records on the service of Blacks in the Revolutionary War.

Wednesday, March 11

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

A Genealogist’s Guide to Lesser-Known Research Tools

Presented by Claire Smith

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Serious researchers know that success depends on mastering the right tools. This session explores powerful resources to enhance your research: ArchiveGrid’s manuscript collections, the Digital Public Library of America’s archives, the American Genealogical-Biographical Index, and the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). Learn to integrate these tools and uncover new paths in your family’s story.