Let’s Talk About: Want Picture of Ancestor’s Ship?

by Donna Phillips

Then www.shipindex.org is the website for you to find that image!!  I know the copied image above is fuzzy but the first paragraph says it all:

“ShipIndex.org simplifies vessel research. Whether you’re a genealogist, a maritime historian, a researcher, or just curious, we can help you learn more about the ships that interest you. We tell you which maritime resources, such as books, journals, magazines, newspapers, CD-ROMS, websites and online databases mention the ships that interest you. We enhance these references by noting which ones include illustrations or crew and passenger lists and where you can find or purchase the resource.”

You can barely see that “our full database had 3,151,517 citations to ships in 1004 resources.”

You can do a quick first index search for free but you’ll need to subscribe to view the citation…………. a whopping $6.00 for two full weeks. 

From the Mayflower to the Titanic to the Queen Mary this website will delight you and enhance your family history stories, I guarantee.

Cary Lynn Bright Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

by Roxanne Lowe

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 Cary Lynn Bright of Snohomish, Washington, who was nominated by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS).  

The biggest change in genealogy in the past decade has been the low-cost availability of DNA testing and the development of tools for using DNA information for genealogical research This technology has exploded, and its rapid expansion makes it difficult to keep current with the latest and greatest ways to use these data for digging into your family roots. Cary Bright has kept the Seattle Genealogical Society and its members current in this invaluable methodology as leader or co-leader of SGS’s DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) since 2009. During the COVID-19 shutdown, this SIG continued to be SGS’s strongest performer, making the transition from in-person meetings and workshops to an all online operation where it is drawing in people from far outside the Seattle area. DNA-based research and online programs and research are the future of genealogy, and Cary has helped SGS stay on the forefront of both.

Congratulations, Cary, on a job well done!

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.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Book Club

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Book Club Meeting

Saturday, December 17th at 3:00 pm via Zoom

Please join us as we discuss a genealogical murder mystery.

This month’s book is The Somme Legacy by MJ Lee, the second book in the Jayne Sinclair series.

WorldCat: https://worldcat.org/title/1099772373

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542821975

We will also discuss the direction in which we would like this group to go and choose future books. 

Click here to get Zoom sign in:

EWGS’s Audio/Visual Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

by Roxanne Lowe

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 the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society’s Audio/Visual Team. Members of the team included Julie Rosenoff, David Luders, Harold Young, John Wilson and Duane Beck.

On March 7, 2020, the Eastern Washington Genealogy Society had its final in-person meeting. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a world-wide pandemic, and by March 17th all schools in Washington State were closed. All social gatherings were forbidden. EWGS was stunned by the isolation.

The EWGS Audio/Visual team jumped at this challenge. They learned how to “Zoom” and by June 2020, the society was having Zoom business meetings.  In September 2020, EWGS was able to conduct a full Zoom program celebrating their Mayflower ancestors.

When COVID restrictions began to ease, the Audio/Visual Team researched hybrid meetings. They practiced and prepared…a lot. In April 2022, EWGS went “hybrid” offering its first all-day seminar to both in-person and Zoom attendees. It was a huge success!

EWGS continues to thrive and bring in new genealogy enthusiasts in large part due to this team of intrepid volunteers.

Congratulations, EWGS Audio/Visual Team. Job well done!

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.

Let’s Talk About: Dangerous Eggnog

by Donna Phillips


“The hens only lay egg-nog at Christmas-tidek but egg-nog will lay a man any time he tackles it,” reported the Idaho Avalanche on January 3, 1880. In 1881, The Herald, in Omaha, Nebraska, also found eggnog a subject for humor:  “Hens favor sobriety. They generally quit laying when the egg-nog season approaches.”

Big thanks to a decades-old issue of True West magazine for this December-timely article, penned by Sherry Monahan.

 Out on the frontier, eggnog was not just a holiday beverage, but also a saloon drink year-round. In 1881, eggnog was ranked as the eighth most popular saloon beverage and it was served hot or cold. Here is the recipe for Victorian eggnog, adapted from the Idaho Daily Statesman, 12 Dec 1892:  

                 3 eggs, separated
                    1 cup powdered sugar                    1 1/2 cups cream
                    1/4 tsp nutmeg
                    1 TB powdered sugar for egg whites                    1/4 cup brandy and rum
                    1 cinnamon stick for grating
                    Beat the egg yolks and sugar; set aside. Beat egg whites with 1 TB sugar until stiff and refrigerate. Heat cream and nutmeg to just a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and gradually add hot cream mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Return everything to the pan and cook until the mixture reaches 160oF. Remove from heat, place in bowl, set in ‘fridge to chill. Fold the egg whites into the mixture when serving and served with grated cinnamon and nutmeg.  Serves 2

Too much work for me! I’ll just go to Safeway or Rosauer’s thank you very much. Bet you will too. 

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society Holiday Party

by Charles Hansen

BIGS Holiday Party
You are cordially invited to join the
BIGS Holiday Party
10AM, Friday, December 16, 2022
at the
Bainbridge Public Library
Food, door prizes, genealogy sharing and fellowship.
If you are in or around Bainbridge Island on December 16, please stop
by and say hello. It will be a very informal gathering. We love to meet
fellow genealogists and will put out our red carpet for you. Stop by for a
chat, a few refreshments, and make some new genealogy buddies.
Questions/comments? Contact us at bigenealogy.org
As usual, everyone is welcome. No membership or signup needed.

Tri-City Genealogical Society Creating a DNA plan for Geoff’s brick Wall

by Charles Hansen

Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s December General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14.  The meeting will be held on Zoom.  See below for the link.  The featured speaker will be Diahan Southard who presented at the TCGS seminar in Richland several years ago.  The December talk will be entitled Creating a DNA plan for Geoff’s brick wall.  “Despite his best efforts, Geoff Rasmussen’s long standing brick wall hasn’t come down yet. John Williams, born in New York City between 1840-1854, was the son of John Williams. Family tradition says that “he was orphaned at the age of 10 and shifted around until he was 16″. Geoff thinks it’s time to add a little genetic genealogy to his plan. On hand to help him develop this DNA plan is DNA expert Diahan Southard. Join us and learn techniques that you can apply to your own family tree.”

  Looking forward to Wednesday, January 11, 2023, TCGS member Veronica Anguiano will be presenting on Cool New Features in FamilySearch.  Presentation will be on Zoom.  Link to be sent out next month. 

  Planning continues for further speakers in 2023 with the intention to have the presentations continue to occur on the second Wednesday of the month.  Please mark your calendar.

  Everyone is encouraged to join and / or renew their membership in TCGS.  The links for renewal are on the TCGS web site at http://tricitygenealogicalsociety.org/q/join/join_renew/ or http://tricitygenealogicalsociety.org/q/wp-content/uploads/TCGSBrochure.pdf

Topic: TCGS General Meeting, December 14, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Time: Dec 14, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81293610486?pwd=aHVoSFYyb3BGRkhrZ0ttK3h5UEhUZz09

Meeting ID: 812 9361 0486

Passcode: 715550

One tap mobile

+12532050468,,81293610486#,,,,*715550# US

+12532158782,,81293610486#,,,,*715550# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US

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Let’s Talk About: WWI Veterans’ Compensation

by Donna Phillips


Bet you’ve never heard of the World War I Veteran’s Compensation Fund for Washington state veterans of the “war to end all wars.”

These are now to be accessed in FamilySearch.org and are a Department of Veterans Affairs bonus record set. World War I veterans could apply for compensation from the state of Washington between 1921-1925. 

The World War Adjusted Compensation Act, or Bonus Act, was a U.S. federal law passed on 19 May 1924, that granted a benefit to veterans of American military service in World War I.  The value of each veteran’s “credit” was based on each recipient’s service between 5 Apr 1917 and 1 Jul 1919, with $1.00 awarded for each day served in the U.S. and $1.25 for each day served abroad. The maximum payment was set at $500.00. 

To search this collection (on FamilySearch), it is helpful to know the name of the soldier and the state where he enlisted.

I, too, have questions. Was this a U.S.-wide program? Which paid, the federal government or the state government? Apparently, Washington state did.

If you wish to know more, click to the FamilySearch WIKI and then Washington (state).  Also click to Wikipedia for the World War Adjusted Compensation Act. 

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

JIM RYAN, VOLUNTEER OF FALL QUARTER 2022

Each quarter, the Seattle Genealogical Society recognizes one member as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Our Volunteer for Fall Quarter 2022 is Jim Ryan. 

Jim is a second-generation member of SGS. He has been a very active volunteer. Prior to the covid shutdown, Jim had attended and assisted at nearly every seminar in the past 15 years. He would assist with set up, take down, lunch distribution, and clean up. 

Jim helped Jean Roth with the Irish and German SIGs for many years. He was also there to man the SGS booth for both the Irish Week Festival at Seattle Center in March and at the Scottish Highland Games in Enumclaw in July. Volunteering during these two outreach activities gave Jim the opportunity to promote SGS to non-members. Jim continues to help with the Irish SIG, now with Susan McKee. Jim has also served as a front desk volunteer. He feels the best part of volunteering is getting to meet and engage on a personal basis with other members of SGS. 

A native Seattleite, Jim was born at Fort Lawton post hospital. After high school at Blanchette, he attended Seattle University, and participated in ROTC and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army in 1974. He graduated from Seattle U with a degree in civil engineering. He served active duty in Darmstadt, Germany for almost 4 years. 

Jim worked as a structural engineer at the Seattle District, US Army Corps of Engineers, for close to 28 years. Two projects of note Jim is particularly proud of are the Smolt Passage Flumes at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (aka Ballard Locks) and the Gas Abatement Spillway Deflectors at Chief Joseph Dam. 

Jim’s genealogy interests are, as you may have guessed, Irish, German, and military research. 

In his spare time, Jim is a USA Track & Field National-certified Official and the sole throws implement inspector for shot, discus, javelin, hammer & weight in his local association. He is the starter for Metro 3A league Track & Field meets at Ingraham High School. And fittingly, Jim has also been volunteering at the Ballard Locks since he retired.

Thank you, Jim, for your track record of continuous volunteer service to SGS. 

AN INVITATION TO THE DECEMBER
SGS BOARD MEETING 

For SGS members who wonder what the SGS Board of Directors does at its monthly meetings, this is a reminder that every SGS member is welcome to attend and watch the SGS “sausage” being made.

The Board continues to meet via Zoom, and the information needed to log in to

this meeting can be found in the calendar section of the SGS website. The next meeting is on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 1:00 PM PDT and every SGS member is welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.

** Please note, the elevator will be out of service. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM 
THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTER 

SGS has been notified by the manager of the Good Shepherd Center that the elevator in our building will be taken out of service beginning on December 5, 2022 and it will be out of service for most of the month of December. Please plan according. Sorry for the inconvenience. 

“YOUR DNA SECRETS REVEALED!”
WITH DIAHAN SOUTHARD
TONIGHT ON PBS KCTS-9 

If you missed the debut showing of this PBS show on Saturday, November 26, 2022, you have a chance to see it tonight, November 30th from 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Tune in or set your DVR.

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 meeting isMonday, Dec 12  2022 at 7:00 pm.  The presentation will be “Researching Your Litvak Family” with Judy Baston.  

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, December 3, 2022, 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 

Monday, December 5, 2022, 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, December 10, 2022, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Border Reivers: The Beginning of Scotch-Irish, with Craig Gowens

Monday, December 12, 2022, 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, December 12, 2022, 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, December 12, 2022, 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, December 13, 2022, 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, December 17, 2022, 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, December 17, 2022, 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, December 18, 2022,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Just Do It! Self Publishing Your Work,  Jill Morelli is the usual host.

Monday, December 19, 2022, 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, December 26, 2022, 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, December 27, 2022, 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.