Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

WRITE IT UP!

“You should write that family story.” Sound familiar? But you hesitate. Where should I start? What is the best format? Should I include resources and citations? How much detail should I include?  Other people ask themselves the same questions. SGS wants to form a group where you can share your writing without fear and talk about writing to be shared with family as well as other genealogists. If this sounds interesting to you, send an email message to Education@seagnsoc.org.  
URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS
FOR IRISH WEEK


Jean Roth is a long-time SGS member, past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, and most recent past leader of the SGS Irish Special Interest Group. She is also the SGS representative to the Seattle Irish Heritage Club. Jean is looking for volunteers for a couple of events during the upcoming Irish Week in March 2022. If you can help, please contact her by calling or texting 206-295-6125. 

IRISH FESTIVAL – Volunteers are needed for the Irish Festival  to cover the booth from 10:30 AM until 5:00 PM both Saturday and Sunday, March 12th and 13th. Volunteers will interact with the public about Irish genealogical research, particularly emphasizing the availability of so many records online now to facilitate researching Irish ancestors. During the Irish Festival, Jean will conduct a 1-hour beginner class from 1-2 pm upstairs at the Seattle Center.
 
IRISH GENEALOGY WORKSHOP – Volunteers are needed for the Irish Genealogy Workshop hosted by the Irish Heritage Club on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Fairview Church, 844 NE 78th St, Seattle, WA 98115 . The speakers are all lined up and volunteers are needed to support the day. It costs $50 for seminar/$15 for lunch. Volunteers will receive free entry to the program for the day and lunch will be provided for them. 

Once again, if you can help, please contact Jean by calling or texting 206-295-6125. 
SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM 
ONLINE VIRTUAL 
Reminder to SGS members, please mark your calendars and plan to attend this membership meeting. The slate of officers for the 2022-2023 term will be presented. Check the Calendar of Events on the SGS website for the Zoom meeting id. 

Immediately following the membership meeting, Lisa S Gorrell will be our Second Saturday Speaker Series presenter. She will lecture on Finding Records to Help Document Your Farming Ancestor, an important issue for many of us. 
IT’S COMING! IRISH WEEK 2022 
FRIDAY, MARCH 11 – SATURDAY, MARCH 19




Celebrate Irish Week 2022 with the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle.  Events include–

  • a festival,
  • a parade,
  • a 5K dash, and
  • St. Patrick’s Day Mass (live stream)
  • Irish Genealogy Workshop – all day, in person, see details below! 
  • Event details here

Irish Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond 
with Steven Morrison, professional genealogist
Fairview Church
844 NE 78th St, 
Seattle, WA 98115 
March 19, 2022 
Check in begins at 8:30 AM; program begins at 9:00 AM

Topics

  • Intro to Irish Genealogical Research
  • Detours Around Irish Road Blocks and Stone Walls
  • Irish Records Online with Find My Past and Ancestry
  • Favorite Resources for Irish Genealogy
  • Irish Quaker Migration
  • Treasures of Online and Onsite Research

Cost is $40 early-bird; $50 after March 12; $55 at the door. 
Optional lunch for $15.  Free parking.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-genealogy-seminar-tickets-273682480667


SAVE THE DATEJewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
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. Watch their website for details on the next meeting. 

The next regular meeting will be on Monday, Mar 14, 2022. Janette Silverman wil present a recap of her 27-day trip to eastern Europe.

Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 10:00 am, there will be a special meeting co-sponsored by the JGSBC and JGSWS. Megan Lewis of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum will speak. 

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

FamilySearch, 
“RootsTech 2022” 
March 3-5, 2022 

The world’s largest family history conference, RootsTech will be online virtual again this year and it’s free. What’s not to like. Registration is required so do so today:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/rootstech-2022-registration


Irish Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond with 
Steven Morrison, professional genealogist, 
Fairview Church, 
844 NE 78th St,
Seattle, WA 98115
Saturday, March 19, 2022
9:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Topics

  • Intro to Irish Genealogical Research
  • Detours Around Irish Road Blocks and Stone Walls
  • Irish Records Online with Find My Past and Ancestry
  • Favorite Resources for Irish Genealogy
  • Irish Quaker Migration
  • Treasures of Online and Onsite Research

Check in begins at 8:30; program at 9:00. 
Cost is $40 early-bird; $50 after March 12; $55 at the door. 
Optional lunch for $15.  Free parking.

https://irishclub.org

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-genealogy-seminar-tickets-273682480667



AppGenInstitute, 
Spring Semester Course Offerings, 
March thru May dates, 
Virtual Online

Two of the founders of the Applied Genealogy Institute are names that should be familiar to you from programs you’ve attended at SGS, Jill Morelli, CG, and Mary Kircher Roddy, CG. Jill prepared the message below  to introduce the upcoming classes that will be able next spring. 

‘Applied Genealogy Institute is excited to announce the next series of educational offerings to the genealogical community for our Spring semester. Whether you are educational addicts like we are or one who just wants to “do it right,” you will find a course for you in the Spring offerings. 

Five courses will be offered: “Foundations I: Using the Records,” “Advanced Swedish Genealogy,” “Advanced Genetic Genealogy,” “Catholic Records” and “Getting Lost in Ledgers.” Registration will open after the first of the year.

If you want to know more, check our website and sign up for the mailing list: https://appliedgen.institute   ‘

Olympia Genealogical Society, 
“DNA: Today’s Matchmaker” 
with Diahan Southard,
Saturday, April 9, 2022
8:30 am – 3:30 pm PDT

Diahan will speak on issues like :

  • Making sense of your DNA results
  • What to do if your matches don’t have family trees
  • Organizing your matches
  • Using female DNA to answer questions

For full details, visit: 
http://olygensoc.org

SGS 2022 Spring Seminar, 
“Lands and Maps and Deeds, Oh My!” 
Friday-Sunday, June 3-5, 2022

Attendees will have 3 registration choices:

  • All 3 days
  • Friday and Saturday only
  • Friday and Sunday only

As usual, SGS members will receive a discount on the registration fee. 

In the coming weeks, watch the SGS Calendar of Events, the SGS social media pages, and the eNews! for further details on this seminar featuring Cyndi Ingle, Angela Packer McGhie, Rebecca Whitman Koford, Melinda Kashuba, and Kimberly Powell. You won’t want to miss any of these outstanding speakers. 

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

Hours : Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Masks are required at all times 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 
Wednesday, Mar 2, 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, Mar 5, 2022, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group with Lou Daly (Virtual),  Discover the many ways to use FamilySearch. At each meeting a different aspect of the website will be featured. There will be time for Q & A. Want to be included on the mail listing? Email Lou: loudaly@nwlink.com

Sunday, Mar 6, 2022,  1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA WORKSHOP (Virtual),  with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you must be on the DNA SIG email list. Contact Cary at sgsdnasig@gmail.com to join.

Tuesday, Mar 8, 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.

Wednesday, Mar 9, 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.

Wednesday, Mar 9, 2022, 7:00 pm-9:00 am, MAC Computer Interest Group (Virtual),  Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske for users of MAC (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software. Co-chairs Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. You must be on the MAC SIG email list to join the meeting. Email macusersig@seagensoc.org to be included on the list.

Saturday, Mar 12, 2022, 12:30 pm-1:00 pm, SGS Membership Meeting, the slate of officers for 2022-2023 will be presented. This will be a virtual meeting. Check the SGS Calendar of Events. 

Saturday, Mar 12, 2022, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series: Finding Records to Help Document Your Farming Ancestor with Lisa S Gorrell.

Wednesday, Mar 16, 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, Mar 19, 2022, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG is back! With Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. 
Saturday, Mar 19, 2022, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, German SIG is back! With Carolyn Schott. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information.

Sunday, Mar 20, 2022,   1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New,  Jill Morelli is the host. Visit the SGS website Calendar for details and updates. Please register in advance. 

Tuesday, Mar 22, 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.

Wednesday, Mar 23, 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.

Sunday, Mar 27, 2022, 1:00 pm, Japanese American SIG,  with Caitlin Oiye Coon. This is the third meeting of our new SIG. Please sign up if you would like to attend; send an email to family.history@densho.org 

Wednesday, Mar 30, 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.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Family Search Questions

by Charles Hansen

We will be having our March Membership Meeting Tuesday March 8th beginning at 6:30 pm.
This will be a virtual Zoom meeting.

Our speaker this month will be: Kathryn Grant. 
Her Topic will be: What’s New with FamilySearch and Answering Questions You Have About Family Search
Kathryn gives webinars for the BYU Family History Library and presents at other family history events. In addition, she’s a regular contributor to the FamilySearch blog.  Her specialty is helping new family historians find success-and maybe even avoid some of the mistakes she’s made.
If you would like to attend please email Publicity@tpcgs.org and I will forward you the Zoom meeting details once they are available.Tim Ward

Clark County Genealogical Society Scavenger Hunt

by Charles Hansen

We search and answer, But are Kids good at Search and Answer games?   How will we know?  Let them Play!

Beginning March 7 thru 11, 2022.  Are you a player?   Scavenger Hunt:  Seven (7) daily questions – all the answers available from online sources.  This game not only builds your search skills but also delivers great daily prizes.  Student and Adult Winners for Daily ($25) and Grand ($100) prizes.  Enter online at www.ccgs-wa.org

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon (GFO) hosts its annual Virtual Open House

by Charles Hansen

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon (GFO) hosts its annual Virtual Open House offering 23 free presentations March 26-April 2. Last year, attendees filled more than 2,000 virtual seats at our Open House.

Whether you want to understand that genetics test you just mailed away, or want to learn how to build your family tree, the GFO has something for everyone.  This year includes presentations focusing specifically on African American, Canadian, Irish, German, Latino, Polish, and British heritages.

Equally important, our classes teach you how to pursue your family history, wherever your family’s past takes you, using the most modern software, tools, and methods.  This year’s special topics include:

    A full day of DNA classes for beginners.
    Getting Help Solving Tough Research Problems.
    Online Newspapers.
    How and Why to Record Your Oldest Relative’s Life Story
    The Modern U.S. Census including the nearly released 1950 census.

There is no fee, but pre-registration is required for each session. Find out more at https://gfo.org/openhouse

About Us

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, located at 2505 S.E. 11th Avenue, Portland. GFO is an independent, all-volunteer organization operating the largest genealogical library in the Pacific Northwest. GFO holdings include an expansive collection of resources to assist anyone interested in pursuing their family history, irrespective of the location. Although the physical library is currently closed to the public due to the pandemic, online classes and meetings have continued virtually. GFO researchers also respond to email and phone queries about genealogy and history. You can learn more about the GFO’s mission and activities, along with our publications and resources at https://gfo.org/.

2505 SE 11th Avenue, Suite B-18, Portland, Oregon 97202-1061 · gfo.org · 503-963-1932 · info@gfo.org

MyHeritage adds French Records

by Charles Hansen

The first announcement is that we have just added 269 million family tree profile records from Filae to MyHeritage.  If you have French roots, you will almost certainly find some family members in this collection. This addition comes alongside the 8 million other historical records we added from France and Norway since the beginning of 2022. Please read more here.

Historical Record Collections Added in January 2022_753x423_277million

The second announcement is that we’ll be running a special offer for uploading DNA kits to MyHeritage. From tomorrow, March 1–8, 2022, people who have taken a DNA test with other services will be able to upload their DNA to MyHeritage and enjoy all our advanced DNA features for free — including Ethnicity Estimates, Chromosome Browser, Theory of Family Relativity™️, and more. If you tested with another DNA service and haven’t uploaded your DNA to MyHeritage yet, there’s never been a better time! Visit myheritage.com/dna/upload to get started.

Please be sure to spread the good news to your friends and followers! 

And of course — don’t forget to tune in to our annual keynote on the RootsTech main stage this Thursday at 2:30 P.M. MST. Trust me, it will be worth it!

Enjoy!

Daniel Horowitz Genealogy Expert

Let’s Talk About…………. Avocados!

by Donna Phillips


Yes, that’s me just a few weeks ago holding a Butter Avocado that was just picked from a huge tree in Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. We drove to an over look and while there chatted with a group of park worker-fellows who were doing trail maintenance. (Covering up to a dozen miles a day carrying gas and a weed whacker…supermen!) As they rested a bit, one pulled out a 30-foot collapsible fruit picker and proceeded to harvest these special fruits……… and generously gave one to me. “It won’t ripen for a week or so,” he told me. Alas! We were leaving the next day so what to do? What any red-blooded gal would do: I mailed it home! Please don’t tell on me. I’m anxiously watching it on my counter…

There are 7 to 15 varieties of avocados, depending on what source you consult. Mexico is the top producer of these fabulous fruits and ships most of their crop to the U.S. The variety Hass is the one we see most regularly in our markets.

If you wish to sprout your avocado pit and grow your own tree, it’s possible but will take up to six years to produce fruit and then only if conditions are right.

Did our ancestors enjoy avocados? “The avocado made its way to the Land of Liberty in 1833 and enjoyed moderate popularity where avocado farms existed, such as California, Florida and Hawaii. People in other areas of the country largely avoided avocadoes until the 1950s when the fruit became a supporting actor in delicious salads. Part of the reason for people’s avoidance of this delicious fruit was due to the long-standing reputation of avocados as an aphrodisiac, which made the fruit taboo among the conservative American public.” (From www.avocadosfrommexico.com/avocados/history )

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Virtual Spring Seminar

by Charles Hansen

We are very excited about our upcoming 2022 Virtual Spring Seminar featuring the Genealogy Guys, Drew Smith & George G. Morgan!  Our emcee for the day is Cyndi Ingle of CyndisList.com. Be sure to register through our web site or use the downloadable brochure to mail in your registration. It will be a great day of genealogical education and fun!  See all the details here: https://tpcgs.org/cpage.php?pt=3

She’s BAAAACK!

by Roxanne Lowe

We’re thrilled to announce that Donna Potter Phillips, blogger extraordinaire, is returning to the WSGS Blog.

Let’s talk about what Donna is holding.

Donna is an enthusiastic lover of genealogy, history, humor and trivia and she wants to share it with you. In her upcoming column “Let’s Talk About…” (debuting on Monday), she’ll share what’s on her mind, lighten our days and educate us on a wide variety of topics. She previously authored weekly musings on the Blog from 2015 – 2019 — covering everything from upcoming genealogical events to the origins of the pretzel. And don’t forget her posts on the pedigree of Donald Duck and her suggestions to find when your ancestors arrived in the U.S. To read any of Donna’s previous postings, type “Monday,” “Tuesday,” “Wednesday,” or “Serendipity” into the Blog’s search bar. To read more about Donna, click here.

Welcome back, Donna! We’re looking forward to reading “Let’s Talk About…”