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Let’s Talk About: I Love Lucy
Did you grow up with I Love Lucy on TV? Perhaps watching it with your mother? Perhaps you still watch it today? And what does this TV show have to do with genealogy? Lots!
When you’re scribbling your memories, have you thought to include how these early TV shows impacted your life? The first TV show I remember watching (on our little B&W screen) was 1954-1955 series Flash Gordon……….. remember Ming, the evil emperor? That show planted the Sci-Fi seed in me and Star Trek still is my favorite. Shouldn’t I have written in my memories how these shows impacted me?
I Love Lucy ran for six seasons, 1951-1957, 180 episodes, and has never been off the air since. The show’s syndication was the brainchild of Desi Arnaz. Getting money from re-runs of a TV show was a new concept pioneered by Desi Arnaz.
A new book, Desi Arnaz, the Man Who Invented TV by Todd Purdun, was the topic of a video that I watched recently. The book tells the story of Desi, born in Cuba in 1917, and grew up in Florida when his parents emigrated. He struggled with his music career and his big break came only after his marriage to Lucy in 1940 (they eloped). Lucy was already a rising star, with a radio show “My Father’s House,” which was morphing into a TV show. They wanted Lucy to continue with the show but she would agree only if Desi were her husband.
That presented a problem in those days. A white woman married to a Cuban? But this problem was overcome; the people loved the show. When their son, Desi, Jr, was coming, they wrote the pregnancy into the show. This was the first time “sex” had been hinted at and a pregnant woman featured. The show of “Little Ricky’s” birth in January 1953, was seen by 44 million Americans.
Well, the couple had a volatile relationship even as their businesses and fortunes grew. They founded Desilu studios which still produces movies and TV shows. But apparently the strain was too much for Desi; they divorced in 1960 and Desi died in 1986 of lung cancer. Lucy died in 1989.
What was the most memorable I Love Lucy show to you? To me, it was the “vitameggavegimine” show where Lucy became drunk during the many takes of the ad she was filming in her quest for her own stardom. Yes, I Love Lucy was part of my younger life. What about YOU?
Lisa Battern Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2025
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 2025 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Lisa Battern of Edmonds, Washington who was selected by the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Lisa spearheaded a project to scan and organize our extensive collection of marriage and anniversary announcements. Her rapid mastery of the scanning equipment was critical to the success of the project, but equally important was her ability to work through the logistical, organizational, and indexing challenges to make the collection more accessible. Lisa then shared her newly acquired knowledge about the book scanner by developing a presentation for members and guests on how to effectively use the tools for family history.
With that work complete, Lisa is now collaborating with a team to enhance the SIGS website, focusing on improving content and user experience. Lisa’s tireless work behind the scenes significantly benefits our community, enabling us to more easily pursue our mission of advancing genealogical research.
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.
Important Deadlines for Society Awards
Local societies, don’t forget the following deadlines for Outstanding Volunteer/Team awards, Supportive Grants and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.
- Outstanding Volunteer/Team awards: Due July 1. Every year, WSGS supports the nominations of local society members and teams that make societies better.
- Supportive Grants: Due July 1. Two grants for $250 each may be awarded to projects that support the work and mission of local societies.
- President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement: Due August 1. This award is given to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.
Questions? Email Outreach@wasgs.org (Supportive Grants) or Info@wasgs.org (Outstanding Volunteer/Teams and President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement).
South King County Genealogical Society May 2026
Happy Summer!
SKCGS Members will find the playback access code for [Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal’s presentation at the end of this email. *if you expected to find the code but do not see it, your SKCGS Membership has expired. Renew on our website: https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership
David Spangler has offered to take on the role of President, and the Board will officially appoint him at the May board meeting to finish out the current term. We’re grateful for his willingness to lead.
Since no one was nominated for Vice President or Secretary before nominations closed, the Board plans to appoint Valorie Zimmerman as Vice President and Tracy Arnold as Secretary beginning June 1, 2026. Thanks to all our new and continuing leadership.
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 Main 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. https://www.skcgs.org
MAY to Early JUNE 2026 MEETINGS & EVENTS
All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone
Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless otherwise stated.
Friday, May 1, 12:30–2:30pm PT: German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). Topic: “Locating Records from Poland Online” by Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz. Visitors welcome and more information at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/. Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/rp2zubuw.
Finding records from Poland for genealogical research is a critical step in exploring our Polish ancestry but Poland’s complex history and the language barrier can be confusing. After a brief overview of Poland’s changing borders and their impact on the languages in which historical records were created, Julie will explain the process of identifying one’s ancestral village and illustrate the use of gazetteers to determine the parish and civil registry offices. She will introduce key websites for locating historical records online and offline, with an emphasis on sites that offer indexed records and digital images. Julie will suggest strategies to help you get around the language barrier, and demonstrate how you can trace your Polish ancestry from the comfort of your own home. Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz is a genealogist, writer, and speaker with nearly 30 years of experience in researching her family’s origins in Poland, Germany, the U.S., and Canada
Saturday, May 2, 10–11am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program. Join our free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
Tuesday, May 5, 2pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting. All interested Members are invited to; write Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link. Note the new meeting time.
Monday, May 11, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online).Topic: Proving your Family Tree with DNA Evidence. See DNA in Action 1 of 6: Proving Your Pedigree with DNA: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/dna-in-action-1-of-6-proving-your-pedigree-with-dna.We are 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, May 13, 2–3pm PT: WikiTree Users (Online). Topic: Powering Wikitree with your DNA data, easily & safely. Start here: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:DNA. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.
Thursday, May 14, 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.
Friday, May 15, 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, May 16, 10–11:15am PT: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online): Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal “Research at the library…without leaving home!”
Looking for books about your family history? You may be able to find them without leaving the comfort of home! Millions of books have already been digitized and are free to use and download to your personal library. Learn where to find the best digital book collections, how to search them strategically, and how to save your finds for later reference.
Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal, Certified Genealogist®, is a researcher, writer, educator, and national genealogical speaker. Her specialties include methodology, technology, and online research resources. Since 1987, Elizabeth has made it her goal to research, share, and preserve her family stories. She is a co-host of the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast (https://branchingout.show) and the author of the family history lifestyle website Heart of the Family™ (https://www.thefamilyheart.com). Her mission is to help others make the past part of their present.
Meeting opens at 9:30 am PT for social time.
Monday, May 18, 1–2:pm PT: Tech User Group (Online).Topic: What’s the Process? Analyzing & improving work flows. Are you using new tools, new sites, AI, or some nifty gadgets to make your research more fun, accurate, or more foolproof? The Tech User Group share knowledge and learn about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join our free email group for meeting information and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.
Thursday, May 21: 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: Federal Way Main Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA
Tuesday, June 2, 2pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting. All SKCGS Members invited; write to Board@skcgs.org for Zoom link. Note that the time has changed.
Friday June 5, 12:30–2:30pm PT, German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). Topic: “Striking Gold: Using Cluster Research to Identify an Unknown Father by Dana Palmer, CG®, CGL® Visitors welcome and more information at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/. Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/432j5fvu
Blended ethnic families can be tough to trace. Be successful finding your German ancestor’s parents by using cluster research techniques and free online tools. This case study presentation will show how an unknown father of a German Catholic family who lived in Cincinnati was found by searching for others with the same name who were living in the same location and belonged to the same church.
Discussion will show how analyzing church records, obituaries, cemetery and other records led to the discovery of the unknown father and his origins in Germany. This is a great example of using cluster research to find elusive ancestors.
Presenter: Dana Palmer, CG®, CGL.® Dana specializes in Midwestern research, lineage society applications, and publishing family books. In addition to her client work, she is part of the Mayflower Silver Books team, and lectures at RootsTech and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conferences. Her book Ultimate Guide to Mastering Family Search was released in print and digitally in November 2025.
Saturday, June 6, 10–11am PT:Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program. Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
Monday, June 8, 1–2pm, PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: What’s New at Gedmatch? See Getting Started with GEDmatch Tier 1 Tools | One-to-Many Essentials & Match Strategies: https://youtu.be/8sgPRq_9ud0?si=3uWYnUC4U7AEOWjl. We are genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion: ttps://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Wednesday, June 10, 2–3pm: WikiTree Users (Online). Topic: Tools to improve your WikiTree profiles and move your research forward. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.
Thursday, June 11, 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, June 15, PT: Tech User Group. Topic: Firm foundation for trees: Research notes. Strategies to create notes you will use, accessible everywhere. The Tech Users Group share knowledge and learn about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join our free email group for meeting information and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.
June 20, 2026: Steven W. Morrison, MPA presents “Digging Up New Dirt – Part 1: Unearthing the REAL New England Immigrant; Part 2: Finding, Proving, and Publishing“
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SKCGS Speaker Series: Monthly on the third Saturday, 10am. F
- 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 Part1, “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.
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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Michigan Research
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
1901 So. 12th Avenue
Union Gap, WA 98903
Phone: (509) 248-1328
Email: yvgs@yvgs.net
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
General Meeting
Date: Saturday. May 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Judy Schuster will be giving a presentation on ways to research the state of Michigan. First settled by the Paleo Indians, the French. Not to mention the British. With the many rivers and lakes making Michigan a resourceful state in the region of the Great Lakes. Your family may have lived or toured through Michigan. Come join us in learning how to expand your ancestry.
Coffee and water will be provided.
Carla Adams
Social Media
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree Software SIG May 2026
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree Software SIG Meeting
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm virtual via Zoom
We will be continuing thru Siri Nelson’s SIG Notes. This month it’s all about Events.
This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aide in learning more about using Legacy Family Tree software.
Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the learning. If you are just thinking about trying Legacy for the first time, you’ve been using it for a year or two or you are an old pro with many years of experience using Legacy this is the group for you.
We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly Calendar Reminder: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYpfuyuqDovHNwtBgxtQjWKOjDQ8k5Q9bPD/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqjIvHNKUtR-PRpwQBor4Z-7wpn5Ygo1KiD3iGzRiaDTdGehmA-p0RemJ
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82495661568?pwd=dy85YmluVzF5aEU4SzFTcTUrVDlTUT09
Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731
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Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
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Find your local number:
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Olympia Genealogical Society Researching American Indian Ancestry
Date: May 14, 2026Time: 07:00 PM to 08:30 PM Location: Zoom or in-person
May 2026 General Meeting
Billie Stone Fogarty: Researching American Indian Ancestry
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia, WA.
A link to the 7:00 pm Zoom meeting (starts at 6:30 pm for social time) will be posted here on the day of the meeting. Non-members are welcome to attend. A recording of the meeting will be made available to OGS members.
PROGRAM:
You may have heard the family legend about American Indian ancestry but how do you find the facts? Use these important steps to unlock the keys to discovering your Native American ancestry.
SPEAKER:
Billie Stone Fogarty, a professional genealogist since 1979, has taught genealogical skills to audiences of all ages on all levels from local through national and international both in person and virtually. She is founder and co-creator with Matt McCormack of a learning retreat for professional genealogists called Gen-Stock. She also, along with Dr. David McDonald, created the Genealogy Symposium, an intensive, state library & archives-based genealogy methods program based on the theme “Thinking Genealogically”. The inaugural Genealogy Symposium was hosted by the Oklahoma State Archives and the Oklahoma Historical Society of which Billie has been a statewide-elected Board member since 2007. She is the founder and principal of the family history research firm, HeritageTrackers, based in Oklahoma City, OK.
Supporting family historians in the South Puget Sound since 1974
PO Box 1313, Olympia, WA 98507-1313, USA
GFO Spring Seminar
Title: Researching Your Norwegian and Swedish Roots with Fritz Juengling Ph D, AG®, AGL™
Are you interested in learning more about your Norwegian and Swedish roots? Join us Saturday, May 9, from 1-5 PM Pacific, for a full afternoon of Researching Your Norwegian and Swedish Roots, presented by Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG,® AGL.® The event is available both online via Zoom or in-person at Portland’s Sons of Norway Hall.
Sign up here: https://gfo.org/learn/spring-seminar-2026.html
Sessions include:
– Scandinavian Surnames – It’s Complicated!
– Using the Norwegian National Database
– Calendars and Feast Days
– Using the Swedish National Database
– Tips for reading records when you don’t know the language.
Pricing:
Non-Member: $65
Member: $55
Meet our Speaker:
Our speaker, Doctor Fritz Juengling, earned his doctorate in Germanic Philology from the University of Minnesota, where his studies included Swedish, Norwegian, other Germanic languages, and Medieval Latin. He is the former head of the International Team at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Dr. Juengling is an Accredited Genealogist® for Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. He currently operates a genealogy research and translation business.
Let’s Talk About: American Historical Society Germans from Russia
The EWGS program for the upcoming May 2nd meeting will feature Richard Scheuerman teaching about the Germans who migrated from Russia to America and specifically to the western states of America and western provinces of Canada.
If your ancestry includes these folks, you surely will not want to miss this program. And even if you don’t have this lineage, learning about any facet of American history is fascinating and worthwhile.
Who were these Germans from Russia? They were people from Germanic states who settled in Russia at the invitation of Catherine the Great, Czarina of Russia, who promised the colonists many enticements. They were to keep their own religion, have their own government, in their own language, would be given loans for building homes and buying livestock. Catharine also promised exemption from military service forever.
By 1768, some 23,000 German farmers had settled along the central Volga River region in 104 villages. By 1914, the German population along the Volga had grown to 668 villages. Under Alexander II’s reign, 1855-1881, things changed for the worse for these Germanic peoples.
Significant social change threatened the German way of life in Russia. Exemptions were eliminated and civil unrest brought chaos and hardship. The result was a movement of German Russians to the Americas. Most did not emigrate. Those choosing to stay suffered through the revolution (1914) and under Soviet policies. Theirs is a sad story.
The story of what it means to be a “German from Russia” is epic with many twists, turns, tragedies and triumphs. The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia has been passionate since its start in 1968 about sharing what they know. Their library and research center has an extensive collection of resources to help patrons learn about the history, folklore, genealogy and ethnic heritage of these German Russian peoples.
Where did the eastern Washington town names of Odessa and Blue Stem originate? Guess!
For more information, click to their website, www.ahsgr.org