Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Education Meeting December 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI By Thomas MacEntee (one of his last live presentations before he retires at the end of this year).
Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:

University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

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 December 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 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.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below

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

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Full Text Search Coming to Ancestry

by Charles Hansen

TIPS OF THE WEEK –
FULL-TEXT SEARCH COMING TO ANCESTRY.COM

Ancestry is currently rolling out a full-text search feature on their site. Some users have been given access to it while it appears that most users are still waiting for access.

Similar to the full-text search on FamilySearch, this feature will allow users to search unindexed documents on their site. For those who have access now, the feature can be found under the “search” drop-down in the main menu. Keep an eye out for future announcements from Ancestry about this new feature.

Seattle Genealogical Society December 2025

by Charles Hansen
image of orphans at a grave with a guardian angle looking over them. A newspaper clipping about a guardianship is super imposed on top of the image 
GUARDIANSHIP RECORDS: MORE THAN JUST ORPHANS
Second Saturday: Dec. 12, 1:30 p.m.Professional Genealogist Cheri Hudson will discuss the overlooked treasures in probate research—guardianship records. Whether created for underage children (even when a mother was still living) or for individuals deemed unable to care for themselves, these records can reveal rich details about family relationships, living conditions, community networks, and more. Discover how this often-forgotten source can break open your toughest brick-wall cases and add depth to your ancestors’ stories. Note the different start 
 
Cheri Hudson Passey is the owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. She is an instructor with the Salt Lake Genealogical Institute and the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research. Cheri also hosts the YouTube Genealogy Chat Show, GenFriends. Sign Up Today!
NEXT MONTH’S SECOND SATURDAY: “Cemetery & Funeral Home Research,” presented by Lisa Gorrell. Sign up separately for this event held Jan. 10. Join us for the Holiday Open House and watch this presentation from the library. images of children mourning at a parent’s grave (while a guardian angle looks on), an asylum building and a newspaper clipping all courtesy Library of Congress 



  TOMORROW IS GIVING TUESDAY
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the Seattle Genealogical Society and Library during our Annual Appeal this holiday season. There are many ways to give, by check, credit card, from your IRA or donor advised fund. And now SGS can accept shares of stock — see the SGS Donate page for more information.Donate Now OnlineIf you have a PayPal account, you may donate to SGS via the PayPal Giving Fund and the transaction fee will be waived. Go to Paypal Giving Fund – SGS.
   BEHIND THE BOOKS: A CONVERSATION WITH SGS AUTHORS Join us Wednesday, Dec. 10 for an evening of stories, discoveries, and inspiration. Three SGS authors, Susan McKee, Jill Morelli and Carolyn Schott will share their research adventures, writing choices, and creative sparks that shaped their books.
  Susan McKee (An Irish Life: Selected Poems of William Thomas Brennan) Jill Morelli (Journeys of the Forgotten: The Orphans of Hamilton County, Iowa) Carolyn Schott (Visiting Your Ancestral Town: Walk in the Footsteps of Your Ancestors)
Enjoy refreshments, conversation, and time to connect with fellow researchers and writers. This event will be held in-person at the SGS Library, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.

Questions? Contact education@seagensoc.orgLEARN ABOUT SOFTWARE TO KEEP YOU ORGANIZEDVirtual Sunday: Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Goldie May software can help you stay organized, provide research assistance, and even create an automatic research log! A conversation with Richard Miller, the founder of Goldie May, will be recorded and will include all the latest developments. We will watch the recording together, and then have an open chat afterward about how we might find Goldie May useful in our own research workflow. Learn more about the software at Goldiemay.com. Register Here
LONG TIME SGS MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER BERNICE KELLER PASSES, AGED 101  Bernice KellerBernice Keller  SGS lost a long-time member, volunteer and dear friend in November. Bernice Keller died on Nov. 11 at the age of 101.

Keller joined SGS more than thirty years ago and contributed her talents and energy to the society throughout her membership. During 2000-2009 she was one of the six dedicated volunteers who completed the massive King Co Court Records indexing project, creating what we know today as the “KC3I” database. She was a regular Thursday volunteer on the Archives Committee, while also serving as a Library Trustee (2011-14), on the Nominating Committee (2014), and on the Financial Review Committee (2015). Keller was twice honored as the SGS Volunteer of the Quarter (Spring 2012 and Summer 2024) and was given a Honorary Life Membership in SGS earlier this summer.

Bernice Keller will be missed by all who knew her. Read her obituary at Dignity Memorial.Save the Date: Holiday Open House, January 10, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., SGS Library, Good Shepherd Center   Join Us for Our Annual Holiday CelebrationWith the holiday rush over, let’s celebrate the new year. Bring cookies to share and say hello to your SGS friends in person at the library. 

TREPIDATION TURNS TO JOY VOLUNTEERING FOR SGS-SPL PROGRAM By Jim SecanI don’t really consider myself to be a genealogist, or Genealogist, as I like to write it when I’m wanting to irritate my SGS colleagues who are hard-core genealogists! So, I approached working at one of the new SGS drop-in sessions at the Seattle Public Library (SPL) Northeast Branch with a certain amount of trepidation. Not only am I almost entirely self-taught in the gentle art of genealogy, but the great majority of my skills are limited to research within the United States. I was very uncertain as to what help I could provide. 

As luck would have it, the first person who came to me for help at the first drop-in session at the Northeast Branch was looking for information about finding people on the east side of the Atlantic. Not only that, but he was looking at Jewish ancestors from political entities that no longer exist. This was really outside my genealogical “wheelhouse.” Flustered, I vamped a bit to gather my wits about me by looking to find the first of that family line to come into the U.S., using only documents from the U.S. That done, we moved forward in time, again completely within the U.S. documents world, confirming that this was indeed his family and that the information he had about them was correct. Some of it was not, so it was great to get him on the right track. I then admitted to him that I could not help finding documents on the European side of the Atlantic, but I was able to give him some ideas as to where else to go for assistance (I suggested the local Jewish Genealogy Society and the FamilySearch Wiki pages pertinent to his area of interest) and he left feeling like he’d been helped. Even better, I felt like I had been able to help him.

These sessions are limited to 20-30 minutes per person, which isn’t much time for a deep dive of any sort. And the people who come are mostly either new to genealogy and anything we can tell them is a help, or they are someone who just needs to talk with another genealogist about their problem and provide a fresh set of eyes on it. I’ve helped five people in two sessions at the NW Branch, one of whom came twice, and it has been very rewarding.

This partnership between SGS and SPL is a rebirth of a relationship that goes back to SGS’s founding in 1923. For many years the relationship has been limited to an SPL representative on our Board of Directors (thanks, Mahina Oshie and John LaMont), and it’s nice to expand that relationship back out to a partnership serving our local community together. If you would like to help out with this new partnership, we would certainly welcome it. Just send an email to the SGS Volunteer Coordinator, Scott Laing (volunteers@seagensoc.org), and he’ll get you connect with the group.
SGS LIBRARY NEWS SGS Offers Access to 470 Databases Through American Ancestors The SGS Library subscription to American Ancestors provides access to approximately 470 record bases databases. One can search for records according to Projects, Categories, as well as an A-Z listing of all databases. American Ancestors also provides access to a Digital Library and Archive and access to Boston Catholic Records and Mayflower Descendants Applications.

Projects include: 10 Million Names – Over 20 databases related to enslavement, the slave trade and free and freed people of African descent Colonial New England – Over 70 databases and collections that document individuals who lived in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont prior to 1800. Great Migration Project – Approximately 10 databases related to immigrants to New England from 1620-1633; 1634-1635 and 1636-1638. Mayflower 2020 Categories include databases such as: Court, Land and Probate Records Census (1790-1930), Tax and Voter Lists Immigration Military The Digital Library and Archive includes materials from: Wyner Family Jewish Center R. Stanton Avery Special Collection and Brim-DeForest Library A sample of non-USA records include: 1875 Norway Census Sweden births, marriages and deaths Some English Parish records 1890 and 1900 German Census for Mecklenberg-Schwerin Be sure to check out American Ancestors on your next visit to the SGS library – you might be surprised to find they have access to a database not available through other genealogy websites.
 New Library AcquisitionsWe’ve recently added approximately 35 new books to the library’s collections. Some new titles include: Townland Atlas of Ulster by Andrew Kane In Their Words, A Genealogist’s Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian Documents – Volume One (Polish) and Volume Four (German) Seattle’s Teachers of the Interwar Years by Doris Hinson Piroth Polish Surnames by William F Hoffman English Translation of Nordmændene i Amerika by Martin Ulvestad Three volumes of Tillamook history Several Pennsylvania and Ohio books
 SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658
Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. **  
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.   
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted 
Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 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. See SGS Calendar for more information.

Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join. 

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.,  Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025,  1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join. 

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 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. See SGS Calendar for more information.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Behind the Books: A Conversation with SGS Authors (in person), Join us for an evening of stories, discoveries, and inspiration as SGS authors Susan McKee, Jill Morelli  and Carolyn Schott share their research adventures, writing choices, and creative sparks that shaped their books.

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, 1:30 p.m-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Guardianship Records” Presented by Cheri Hudson Passey. Register here.Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 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. See SGS Calendar for more information.Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group.Saturday, Dec. 20 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Register on the SGS website.

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm, Virtual Sunday: Goldie May Genealogy Software (Virtual), Join a conversation with the founder of Goldie May software Richard Miller. Learn how the software can help you stay organized, provide research assistance, and even create an automatic research log. Register here.

Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 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. See SGS Calendar for more information.Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 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. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Saturday, Jan. 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list.Saturday, Jan. 10,2025, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Holiday Open House, Join us for our annual holiday celebration in the SGS library at the Good Shepherd Center.
Saturday, Jan. 10,2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Cemetery & Funeral Home Research” Presented by Lisa Gorrell. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG,  Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. 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. 

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join.

  OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND    

“Preserve Your Family Memories Through Personal Digital Archiving,” presented by Lori DiBella Wallach
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
Monday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m. (virtual)

Join archivist Lori DiBella Wallach for a fun exploration of how to use digital solutions to organize, preserve and share your family memories and make sure they remain accessible in the future. Learn more and register.“Getting Started with AI in Family History,” presented by Andrew RedfernEastside Genealogical Society
Thursday, Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m. (virtual)

Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just getting started, this talk will provide you with valuable insights and strategies for using AI to uncover your family’s unique story. Learn more and register. “Introduction to One-Place Studies,” presented by Jane HarrisGenealogical Forum of Oregon
Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. (virtual)

An intensive study of a single locale can reveal and disambiguate relationships of related families and even help resolve a genealogical brick wall. Learn what a one-place study is, the benefits of conducting one, and how to get started. Learn more and register.   

 FOUR WAYS TO CELEBRATE FAMILY HISTORY OVER THE HOLIDAYSBy Beth Steury (bethsteury@gmail.com)The things we love most about the holidays — the family gathered from far and near, the dining table overflowing with favorite foods, and the cherished, passed-down traditions—create a lovely backdrop for a day spent reveling in family history.

For the genealogy enthusiast, the holidays are the perfect time to indulge the love of all things family history. For those who don’t regularly immerse themselves in sprawling family trees, the holidays have a way of fanning even the tiniest spark-like interest in family connections into a glowing ember. That’s why it’s the ideal time to nudge conversations toward family connections. To crack open the chest where generations of family stories and photos and connections have been carefully stored.

Here’s some ideas for turning any festive gathering into a fun, educational, and engaging event that will beckon young, old, and those in between to show off their family-history prowess while creating an atmosphere suited to soaking up a wealth of deeds, details, and dates about their ancestors.

Paper and Pen Puzzles Create generational word searches, one with the names of the aunts and uncles, one comprised of the grandchildren or the first cousins, another with the great-grandchildren or the second cousins. Many online sites make creating these puzzles a snap. Put together a family trivia crossword puzzle—a simple one for the kids, a more ambitious version for those willing to take up the challenge. Again, lots of online assistance is available. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, create a “Name that Cousin” or “Name that Couple” display using high school graduation photos or wedding photos and invite folks to take a walk down memory lane.  Memories Plucked from the Family Recipe Box

What’s the story behind the special dishes that have made an appearance on the family Thanksgiving menu for years? Who first made the cornbread stuffing, the cranberry relish, or the special dinner rolls that have earned a favored spot on the dinner table? Share copies of these treasured recipes. Bonus points for copies of recipes penned in a beloved ancestor’s handwriting.

Voices from the Pages of Time

As folks linger over a second piece of pie, bring the eldest family member front and center for a casual conversation interview. Encourage the audience to listen carefully as there will be a quiz with prizes for the high scorers. Include coaxing questions like: What was your favorite holiday as a child and why? Please share your earliest Thanksgiving memory. Did you have a favorite pet while growing up? Tell us about the chores that were your responsibility as a young lad or lassie. Do you remember a time when you and your siblings got into mischief? Enlist a cousin or two to take notes to create the quiz. Maybe a simple quiz for the young and a tougher test for adults?

Mischief Loves Company

There’s bound to be folks brave enough to fess up to the antics and shenanigans the ornery cousins managed to keep from their parents or grandparents these many decades. Wrangle a volunteer or two to retell a rambunctious adventure. Enlist others to jot down a real-life escapade and, on the sly, drop it in the “mischief” bucket. Read the noted adventures one at a time and guess to whom the incident belongs.

It’s never too early to spark an interest in family history among the youngest family members. And, it’s never too late to learn more about the generations that came before us. I’ll argue that every day is the right time to engage in conversations about family history. But there’s something extra special about spending the holidays reveling in genealogy.  Join SGS Today * to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page
and click the green renew membership button.

  DONATE TO SGS Your donations represent a significant part of the SGS budget. Your continued generosity helps us increase our financial security and expand our services for everyone. We make it easy for you to contribute appreciated stock from your portfolio. Perhaps you’d like a tax write-off before year end? We have a brokerage account established and ready to receive your donation from any firm. For details, write treasurer@seagensoc.org. For questions about our needs and our vision, write president@seagensoc.org. 
 
December 1, 2025

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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South King County Genealogical Society December 2025 Happenings

by Charles Hansen

🎄 Happy Holidays! Playback viewing date of Mags Gaulden’s presentation is now extended to December 31, 2025. Thank you Mags for your generosity to us, and to our admin for making this happen behind the scenes. SKCGS Members will find the playback access code at the end of this email. 🎄

*if you expected to find the code but do not see it, your SKCGS Membership has expired as of December 1, 2025. Renew on our website: https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership 

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.

*Members: passcode for the recording of this month’s speaker presentation is at the bottom of this email.*

DECEMBER TO EARLY JANUARY 2026 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

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

Friday, December 5, 2025, 12:30–2:30pm PT: EGS German Interest Group (online)

Topic:  Frohe Weihnachten: Unwrapping the Charms of German Christmas Traditions

Uncover the rich history and cultural significance behind cherished customs such as the Advent calendar, Christkindlmarkt, and St. Nicholas Day. Delve into the heartwarming tales of the Christkind and the festive decoration of the Tannenbaum, while also exploring the delectable delights of traditional holiday treats like Lebkuchen and Stollen. Join German Historian Anette Isaacs and journey through time and tradition, exploring how Germany’s unique customs have shaped the magic of Christmas celebrations worldwide.

Presenter: Anette Isaacs

German born, Anette Isaacs is a Historian and Public Educator who has been presenting programs all over the United States.  She holds Master’s Degrees in American Studies, Political Science, and History and is currently serving as the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, FL. 

Additional information can be found on our Meetings page. 

Registration is required:  https://tinyurl.com/4jpfbswx 

Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10–11 am 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

Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 2-3 pm PT: WikiTree User Group (Online) 

Topic: Wikitree Projects, taking Collaboration to the Next Level. 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, December 11, 2025, 11am–1 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA

Monday, December 15, 2025, 1–2 pm PT: Tech Users Group (Online). 

Topic: Wrapping up 2025: Where are we? AI, Full Text Search, and More.

Join our free online group:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Thursday, December 18, 2025, 11am–1 pm: 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. 

Thursday, December 18, 2025, 2–4 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person) 

Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer; 34200 1st Way S Federal Way, WA

No December Research Workshop. Enjoy your holiday! See https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search for your local FamilySearch Center open hours; confirm open status before traveling.

Monday, December 22, 2025, 1–2pm: Genealogy Chat (Online). Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 10-11 am 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

Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 6:30 pm: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online). Interested SKCGS Members write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 11am–1 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA

Friday, January 9, 2026, 12:30–2:30 pm: German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). “Free Websites for Germany Genealogy” by Josiah Schmidt. Visitors welcome.  and More information at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/  

Monday 12 January 2026, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group. (Online).

Topic: Strategies for Success in 2026. How will all your new matches move your research forward? Join our free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday 14 January 2026, 2–3 pm: WikiTree User Group (Online). Topic: Digging Deeper: How to use Wikitree to 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, January 15, 2026, 11am–1pm: 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. 

  2–4pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer; 34200 1st Way S Federal Way, WA

Friday, January 16, 2026, 1–3pm: Research Workshop. For SKCGS Members only. In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center: 12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (253) 631-3252

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10–11:15 am: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online)

Mary Kircher Roddy presents “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity“

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

  • 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 “Digging Up New Dirt: Part 1 Unearthing the Real New England Immigrant” AND Part 2 “Finding, Proving and Publishing”

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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 mailing list, send an email to skcgsmembers+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

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

SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

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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

Let’s Talk About: Vanishing Pennies

by Donna Phillips

Did you catch the recent news story that the U.S. Mint won’t be making anymore pennies. Why? Well the story explains that it costs $3.69 to make a single penny, that’s why. But shed no tears yet, there are still an estimated 300 billion pennies remaining in circulation and they are still legal tender.
But consider some oft-quoted expressions that soon will fade:

  • A penny for your thoughts
  • Cost a pretty penny
  • A penny saved is a penny earned
  • Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.
  • No more “pinching pennies”
  • Worth every penny
  • I’ll give you my 2-cents worth
  • Penny-wise and pound-foolish
  • He’s a 2-bit criminal

What about my favorite penny, the 1943 zinc coated steel penny…… so made to save copper for the wartime effort:

Introducing myself, I often say “I was born the year of the Black Penny….who knows what that is?”  And most do not. When I was about eight years old, I collected a pint jar of black pennies…..wish I still had them today. 

Let’s Talk About: Christmas Town Names

by Donna Phillips


Bet you’d never guess at the number of American towns having Christmas-related names. I was amazed. Consider:

Santa, Benewah County, Idaho;   Santa Claus in Indiana;  Santa Claus in Mohave County, Arizona;  Santa Claus in Toombs County, Georgia;    Christmas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan;   North Pole near Fairbanks, Alaska;   North Pole in Essex County, New York;   Snowflake in Navajo County, Arizona;  Noel in McDonald County, Missouri;   Rudolph in Wood County, Wisconsin;  Holly in Oakland County, Michigan;   Christmas Valley in Lake County, Oregon, which is near Christmas Lake;   Dasher in Lowndes County, Georgia.

And I’d bet with a few minutes searching with Grandma Google, you could find dozens more! 
Dear Reader, were you born in a “Christmas” town? Love to hear from you if so.  

Heritage Quest Research Library Holiday Bazaar

by Charles Hansen
  Want to learn fun facts about genealogy & get inspired doing your family research? CLICK HERE to read our blog!!!!!!! You won’t be disappointed!
Taking genealogy classes is a great way to enhance your family research and history. While it’s possible to do research on your own, classes offer formal training and essential methodologies that can make your efforts more successful, accurate, and fulfilling. CLICK HERE to check out our exciting classes in 2026! You can attend via Zoom online or in person at HQRL.
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US