Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Small Newspaper Clipping on Ancestry Workaround

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK — SMALL NEWSPAPER CLIPPING ON ANCESTRY WORKAROUND

Have you seen newspaper clippings on Ancestry posted by another user that are just too small to read? These images are usually seen on a profile’s hint page. If the small image is the thumbnail generated by newspapers.com there is a work around (only if you are viewing the post made by the Ancestry user who originally shared the clipping to Ancestry).

How to tell if the image is from newspapers.com: The thumbnail images are usually perfectly square and have the non-relevant area grayed out. This is a good example:


A screenshot from Ancestry hints showing a newspaper clipping that is too small to read


If it looks like the clipping is from newspapers.com, open the image and look at the information Ancestry displays on the right-hand side of the screen. If the user whose tree you are viewing is the person who uploaded the image you will see a message like this: Such-and-such user “originally shared this article on” such-and-such date “from Newspapers.com.”


A screenshot from Ancestry of a profile's gallery with a newspaper clipping that is too small to read. On the right-hand side of the page is the meta-date about the clipping.


The words “this article” are a link. Click on it and it will take you to the full-size clipping on newspapers.com. If you are subscribed to newspapers.com be sure to long in to see the clipping. If you are not subscribed, there may be some restrictions regarding the amount of articles you are allowed to view.


A screenshot from Ancestry of a close up of the meta-data that includes a link to the clipping on newspapers.com


If the “this article” link is unavailable it probably means the user who shared the image you are looking at is not the user who originally shared it from newspapers.com. Try to find the Ancestry user who originally shared the clipping, or use clues from the post to find the original article on a newspaper site.

Seattle Genealogical Society August 2026

by Charles Hansen
An image of Ellis Island with an American flag imposed above it. Words overlay the image of famous American speeches throughout history and the large words America 250 Writing contest 
base images courtesy of The New York Public Library and Jon Tyson / Unsplash montage by Sheyna Watkins
PRIZES FOR WINNING ENTRIESHow Was Your Family Impacted by Moments in American History?You probably have an ancestor who is part of America’s story. Did your ancestor… Fight in the civil war, Apply for a homestead, Land at D-Day, Stand up for civil rights, Have an American dream, Become a Patriot in the revolution, Participate or view some other important moment …? Tell their story.

In 2026, the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — on July 4, 1776. In celebration of the America 250 milestone SGS is sponsoring a writing contest. 
 
The theme is “My Story is America’s Story.” The history of America is interwoven with the unique and diverse narratives of all those who have lived here. Entries are invited which tell the story of your family, individuals in your community, an event in history, an immigrant movement or some other aspect of personal experiences against the backdrop of America’s story. The theme is as broad as the 250-year history of our country!

Several prizes will be awarded, including $250 for the first place winner.
 
Submissions are due September 1. All entries meeting the guidelines (detailed on the website) will be considered. Entries will be judged on their relevance to the theme, writing style and clarity, and research accuracy. Winning entries will be published in the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society. Winners will be chosen by a jury made up of SGS members. Honorable mentions will be published in the Journal at the discretion of the editor. Please contact Lisa Oberg at vicepresident@seagensoc.org with any questions.

See the website for details about the style guidelines and submission rules.image of someone working at a computer with the words Sign Up for Certification Discussion Group: Classes in Fall 2026 
base image courtesy of Thought Catalog / Unsplash additional material courtesy Christina Forst and Archive.org, montage by Sheyna Watkins

SGS CLASS DEMYSTIFIES THE BCG PORTFOLIO PROCESSAre you considering certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists, or would you simply like to understand the certification process more fully? The Certification Discussion Group offers an opportunity to learn about the requirements, standards, and portfolio elements involved in becoming a certified genealogist.

The next series begins on 2 November 2026 and includes seven virtual sessions, meeting on Mondays and Thursdays. Participants will explore the certification process in a supportive  setting and gain a clearer understanding of what is expected in a successful portfolio.

All classes are held online, making the program accessible from anywhere.

Go to the website for more information and sign up for our registration email (coming in September).SGS VOLUNTEER OF THE SPRING QUARTERQuestions to Honoree Michelle Chiachiere
How long have you been an SGS member?Since 2021.Do you attend events and if so, what have you enjoyed about your participation?Yes, I attend the seasonal seminars as well as many of the monthly education programs (or I catch the replays at the SGS website!). I enjoy the variety of speakers, and that the folks brought in are consistently some of the best genealogy speakers out there.

I’ve also joined DNA SIG meetings. Cary Bright and Craig Gowens do a great job keeping members up to date on the evolving field and making space for genetic genealogy learners at all levels to advance in their work.How long have you volunteered and in what capacity? We are especially interested in your work on our Spring Seminar. What do you enjoy about
volunteering with SGS?
Portrait of Michelle Chiachiere, the Volunteer of the Spring Quarter, 2026
Michelle Chiachiere I’ve gotten to volunteer in some fun ways just in the last year! I wrote for the SGS Journal, getting to work with editor Laura Sandidge. I’ve started volunteering at the drop-in sessions SGS holds at neighborhood libraries, which is a lot of fun. I also developed a presentation for the DNA SIG on a project I’ve been working on, which was a great way to step back, assess my progress, and attempt to communicate methodologies I’ve been employing that could be useful to others.

Also, Education Director Stephanie O’Connell asked me to help coordinate the Spring Seminar this year, which we titled “Pivotal Moments: Records that Changed Lives, Families, and History.” Stephanie and the SGS Board knew that they wanted to recognize the nation’s 250 th anniversary in some way. I had the enviable opportunity to dream up a slate of presenters that could help fulfill that. I was particularly interested in speakers that could explore less commonly used records, and/or speakers that provided new insight on familiar records. I think we succeeded! I learned about records of the New Deal and the railroads, and I deepened my knowledge of other record sets – like pension records and immigration records – by listening to how experts put them to use.

One of the most interesting parts of developing the slate of presentations was how the Board and SIG leaders provided feedback along the way, representing the members they regularly work with. We heard, for example, that a slate that focused too heavily on the colonial era may draw too limited of an audience. By focusing instead on key moments (and record sets) across our country’s 250 years, we could better capture the interest of our diverse membership. As a member working “on the inside” of SGS planning for the first time, it was a great example to me of how responsive SGS leadership is to the broad needs of its members.Your personal genealogical interests and research areas? Do you have a fascinating discovery to share? Or a brick wall?I research primarily in American records, tracking wily folks through migrations and often integrating genetic evidence. I began working as a professional genealogist a few years ago and earned the Certified Genealogist® credential last year. (Shout-out to the SGS-sponsored Certification Discussion Group, which helps many people on the path to certification.)

In my personal work, I have been most enjoying writing for publication. It’s really fulfilling to gather the research from a meaty case into a write-up that expands the genealogical record and hopefully shares methodologies others can benefit from. I’m working now on a project that connects a North Carolina man born circa 1800 to his previously unknown parents, using autosomal DNA networks and documentary research that connects two identities used by his father.

I’ll also shout-out a recently published article with a Puget Sound angle. In the summer 2026 issue of NGS Magazine (from the National Genealogical Society), I wrote about fraud that occurred in the enumeration of the 1910 US census. The fraud largely resulted from cities jockeying for status against their neighbors, aiming to be seen as the regional population leader. Fraud was found in Seattle, but it was particularly acute in Tacoma, where a full re-enumeration of the census had to take place that year. Check out the article for more, including tips on how to keep an eye out for potential enumerator fraud in your research.Other hobbies and interests besides genealogy include:Other interests? But there’s so much good genealogy to do! : ) When not researching or writing, I’m out adventuring with my family, baking, or watching sports-ball.Save the Date: Fall Seminar, November 7, in person! 
image Sheyna Watkins
Watch this space for news about SGS’s Fall Seminar held November 7.SECOND SATURDAY RETURNS IN SEPTEMBERSGS’s series of Saturday presentations is on summer break. Be sure to join SGS in September for “Which Date is Right?” with Carolyn Ladd. Sign up for this event held September 12.Pictured: Articles of Association and Oaths of Allegiance to the U.S. on display at Seatte's Museum of History and Industry Articles of Association and Oaths of Allegiance to the U.S. are on display at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry
courtesy Luz A.KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: VISITING MOHAI’S FREEDOM PLANE TOUR By Luz A.Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry is currently holding a Freedom Plane exhibition of several important historical documents, including an original engraving of the Declaration of Independence. Other documents included are the Treaty of Paris, a draft of the Constitution, a final vote on the Constitution, a draft of the Bill of Rights, Oaths of Allegiance to the U.S., and the Articles of Association.

The exhibit will run until August 16. The exhibit is free to enter but reserved tickets are highly recommended. Walkups are allowed but depend on availability. Tickets can be found on MOHAI’s website.

If you’re planning to attend the exhibit, there are a few things you can expect when you go. Tickets to the exhibit are on a timed basis, meaning that you should arrive about 20 minutes before your entry time. You will be asked to wait outside the exhibit until your entry time. Staff will ask for your ticket when the time arrives. No drinks or food will be allowed inside the exhibit.

MOHAI only has ADA parking on site. If you need general parking, you should plan to park in the lot in front of the Center of Wooden Boats, another parking lot, or street parking. All of those options typically require payment. For a detailed parking information see the Plan Your Visit page.

For any other questions regarding the exhibit, visit MOHAI’s FAQ. If you go, I hope you enjoy this piece of history! 
 
SEEKING A FEW MEMBERS TO ADVISE ON NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIESBy Gail ThompsonHello! I’m Gail Thompson, your SGS Grants Coordinator. I’m a mostly retired anthropologist who loves research—including genealogy, family history, and, well, just about anything that involves digging for information.

One of my goals is to help further the SGS mission by expanding our sources of funding. I’d like to explore additional grant and funding opportunities to help strengthen SGS for the future.

I’m happy to do the research, develop a plan, and reach out to potential funding organizations. I’m looking for two or three members who enjoy thinking through ideas and would be willing to serve as a sounding board. You wouldn’t need any marketing experience—just a willingness to review my plans occasionally, offer suggestions, and help keep the project moving forward. The commitment would be modest, with occasional check-ins as the work progresses.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, I’d love to hear from you. Please email me at grants@seasgensoc.org. 
  SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658Hours :  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. Meeting content is for personal genealogy learning and may not be recorded or transcribed.   All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted 

Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.

Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, 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. NOTE: Zoom link alternates between 2nd and 4th Tuesday.

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 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, Aug. 12, 2026, 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. 

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Publishing SGS Journal, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.

Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026, 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.

Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, 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. NOTE: Zoom link alternates between 2nd and 4th Tuesday.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Eastern European SIG, Learn about researching family history from the Balkans to the Baltics and in between. For more information email sgseasterneuropesig@seagensoc.org.

Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, America 250 Writing Contest, deadline for submissions details on the website.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.,  Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, 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. 

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, 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.

Sunday, Sept 6, 2026,  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, Sept. 7, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, 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. NOTE: Zoom link alternates between 2nd and 4th Tuesday.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 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.

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Publishing SGS Journal, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, 1:00 p.m-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Which Date is Right?” presented by Carolyn Ladd. Register here.

Saturday, Sept. 12 2026, 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.

Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, 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. NEW Zoom link starting in July!


Check the calendar on the SGS website for the most recent dates and times and for additional events as they are added.

CALENDAR NOTES: There will be no evening hours at the SGS Library in August. The DNA Workshop, FamilySearch, German and Irish SIGs are off for the summer. The Irish, FamilySearch and DNA Workshop SIGs resume in September and the German SIG resumes in October.   

OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND    

America250: Museum Day August 8

Museums across the state of Washington will offer free or discounted admission and display their project for the statewide as a part of the Out of Many, One project. Learn more at the Washington Museum Association website.

“Finding Your Female Ancestors” with Amber Oldenburg
Lower Columbia Genealogical Society
Thursday, Sept 10, 9:45 a.m.

From maps, to archival inventories, and to databases galore, Miriam Weiner’s Routes to Roots Foundation website is a treasure trove of resources to help you find your Jewish ancestors! Come learn about how to use this important tool in your genealogical research. Learn more search register.


“Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries” with Blaine Bettinger
Eastside Genealogical Society
Thursday, Sept 10, 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m

Even though our 18th and 19th century ancestors have been dead for decades, their DNA still survives in their descendants. Learn how to use autosomal DNA to attack and potentially solve genealogical mysteries and brick walls for ancestors who were born or lived in the 1800’s, 1700’s, and beyond. Learn more and register.


“Finding your Family with Miriam Weiner’s Routes to Roots: Utilizing The RTR Foundation Resources in your Research” with Ellie Vance Christensen
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
Monday, Sept 14, 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m

From maps, to archival inventories, and to databases galore, Miriam Weiner’s Routes to Roots Foundation website is a treasure trove of resources to help you find your Jewish ancestors! Come learn about how to use this important tool in your genealogical research. Learn more and register.

 TIP OF THE WEEK — SMALL NEWSPAPER CLIPPING ON ANCESTRY WORKAROUNDHave you seen newspaper clippings on Ancestry posted by another user that are just too small to read? These images are usually seen on a profile’s hint page. If the small image is the thumbnail generated by newspapers.com there is a work around (only if you are viewing the post made by the Ancestry user who originally shared the clipping to Ancestry).

How to tell if the image is from newspapers.com: The thumbnail images are usually perfectly square and have the non-relevant area grayed out. This is a good example:


A screenshot from Ancestry hints showing a newspaper clipping that is too small to read


If it looks like the clipping is from newspapers.com, open the image and look at the information Ancestry displays on the right-hand side of the screen. If the user whose tree you are viewing is the person who uploaded the image you will see a message like this: Such-and-such user “originally shared this article on” such-and-such date “from Newspapers.com.”


A screenshot from Ancestry of a profile's gallery with a newspaper clipping that is too small to read. On the right-hand side of the page is the meta-date about the clipping.


The words “this article” are a link. Click on it and it will take you to the full-size clipping on newspapers.com. If you are subscribed to newspapers.com be sure to long in to see the clipping. If you are not subscribed, there may be some restrictions regarding the amount of articles you are allowed to view.


A screenshot from Ancestry of a close up of the meta-data that includes a link to the clipping on newspapers.com


If the “this article” link is unavailable it probably means the user who shared the image you are looking at is not the user who originally shared it from newspapers.com. Try to find the Ancestry user who originally shared the clipping, or use clues from the post to find the original article on a newspaper site.
 Join SGS Today* to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page
and click the green renew membership button.

 DONATE TO SGSYour 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. 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. 
 
August 1, 2026

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Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club Meeting

Saturday, August 15, 3:30 pm

Please join us as we discuss a fictional genealogical book, The Missing Branch, A Gripping DNA Genealogy Mystery Thriller, by Sophia Arden. 

More information at: The Missing Branch

In addition, we will spend a few minutes discussing Family Crimes, the fourth book in the Ellie McLellan series, by Beth Farrar.

More information at: Family Crimes

These books may also be available in print from various book stores or libraries.

Every month on the Third Sat beginning at 3:30 PM Pacific

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUkfuCqrzgsG9RrrhNAdU65Lz86P0s92mu1/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGppzIjGNWWthiHRpwcHYr4XerzmHZdjfpvjg3tLQFXV1WjGvgaZIIvA4GC

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610

Passcode: 479394

One tap mobile

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Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610

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

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society The Case DNA Solved

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

The Case DNA Solved

Tuesday, August 11th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be, Jim Scharf.

This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.

Jim’s topic: The Case DNA Solved

Throughout his tenure, Jim was known for his relentless pursuit of justice, particularly within the Cold Case Unit. His innovative approach, notably the use of genetic genealogy, led to groundbreaking convictions such as the Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook case, marking a historic moment in forensic science.

Jim’s collaboration with Parabon Nanolabs and CeCe Moore not only brought closure to families but also set a precedent for genetic genealogy in criminal investigations worldwide. His story offers a unique perspective on the evolution of investigative techniques and the impact of perseverance in solving complex cases.

Join us as Jim talks about the experiences that made genetic and legal history.

Jim’s Bio:

Jim Scarf’s dedication to law enforcement spanned more than four decades, beginning in the late 1970s and culminating with his retirement in 2022. His career journey reflects a deep commitment to public safety, as he served in various roles ranging from Custody Officer to Deputy Sheriff, including specialized units focused on crimes against children and major homicides.

There will be a short break with refreshments. The monthly meeting will follow.

For more information visit stillygen.org

America at 250 Jonathan Stickney

by Charles Hansen

A Patriot’s Journey: Major Jonathan Stickney (1737–1795)

As genealogists, we often hope to discover an ancestor whose life reflects the larger story of American history. For me, that ancestor is my sixth-great-grandfather, Major Jonathan Stickney of Billerica, Massachusetts.

Long before the first shots of the American Revolution, Jonathan served the British Crown during the French and Indian War. In 1759, at just twenty-two years old, he enlisted in Colonel Eleazer Tyng’s regiment during Britain’s campaign to remove the French from North America.

Sixteen years later, the colonies were in rebellion.

When news of the fighting at Lexington and Concord reached Billerica on April 19, 1775, Captain Jonathan Stickney quickly assembled his militia company and marched toward the conflict. Less than two months later, his company answered the alarm at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where one of his men, Asa Pollard, became the first Massachusetts soldier killed by British artillery.

Jonathan continued serving his community throughout the Revolutionary era and is later documented with the rank of Major. During Shays’ Rebellion in 1786, he again answered his state’s call, leading the Billerica Artillery through a snowstorm to Cambridge to help protect the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Jonathan’s commitment to service spanned generations. His father, Captain Daniel Stickney, also served during the French and Indian War, and his daughter Silence married Revolutionary War patriot Benjamin Bowers. Following Jonathan’s story has opened the door to generations of military service and reminded me that one ancestor’s life often leads to many more stories waiting to be discovered.

Christine Ordway Klukkert
Sixth-great-granddaughter of Major Jonathan Stickney

Modern digital illustration created with ChatGPT (OpenAI) from the author’s historical research. Jonathan’s military service stretched from the French and Indian War through the Revolutionary era, illustrating one family’s long tradition of public service.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Spotlighting the Book

by Charles Hansen

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society spotlighting the book:

The Refugees of 1776 from Long Island to Connecticut by Frederic Gregory Mather, published in 1913, is held in our library at Yakima Valley Genealogical Society.

This 1,204 page book deals with the refugees from Long Island, New York during the American Revolution and the movement of the families as the British invaded Long Island, New York.

Mr. Mather did much research in documents to compile this wonderful book. His book starts out with a history of the Revolutionary War and how it affected Long Island, New York. He discusses the early peopling of Long Island, their environment, their economics, their religion and their stance as the war began. This book covers over 1,316 or more individuals who fled from the British. There are 638 pages of families that he researched who sheltered in Connecticut or were involved in Long Island in some way. Mr. Mather also has a chapter on refugees who fled from New York City to Connecticut in 51 pages. The general index of names in this book is around 22,428 names. There is a census taken in 1776 and he focuses on the refugees in this census. He delves into records of reimbursements to the families who had to supply the American troops, reimbursements for lost property the British stole during the war and for reimbursements of supplies delivered by ship owners and also military men who asked for reimbursement. He has a chapter on captains and masters of ships. There are appendixes on men that served in the military associated with Long Island. Mr. Mather has many charts, statistics, over 63 photos of homes, and also maps.

If you have family in Long Island and do not have access to this book, come spend a day in Yakima at our library to research the book alone!

Let’s Talk About: Wind Power, Yesterday & Today

by Donna Phillips

Being an unashamed history buff, I nearly teared up when I came upon the picture on the left. How vitally important the old windmills were to our ancestors! Now likely only a few isolated farms rely on windmills. Our electricity comes with a button. 🙂 


If you take the back road from Ellensburg down to Vantage, you will come to the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center. This is a fascinating place and you’ll come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of the benefits to us from these ginormous wind turbines dotting our state. 


For instance: did you know that each single blade averages 200 feet long and requires a L-0-N-G trailer for transport? Most towers have elevators for maintenance to the top and each tower costs about $1,000,000 (so I was told). The “box” at the top may look small but it’s the size of a school bus! Towers are 221 feet high and weigh 104 tons. 


This facility has 149 turbines spanning across 10,000 acres. The facility can generate up to 273 megawatts of electricity, enough to serve an average of 60,000 homes annually. 


Wild Horse benefits the surrounding community by creating jobs and providing leasing income for landowners. The facility also produces significant local tax revenue.


The Visitors’ Center provides visitors with an up-close look at turbines as well as 360o views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood and the Columbia River Basin. Tours are offered and their educational displays are super.


NOTE: Do check before you go. As I was researching for this post, the facility was temporarily closed. 

Let’s Talk About: Rollling Palouse Hills

by Donna Phillips

“Our wonderful Palouse region is the most serene and pastoral of the seven wonders of Washington State. It is a region in southeastern Washington characterized by gentle rolling hills covered with wheat fields. The hills were formed over tens of thousands of years from wind blown dust and silt, called loess (and pronouned luss) from dry regions to the southwest. Seen from the summit of 3612-foot high Steptoe Butte they look like giant sand dunes because they were formed in much the same way. The Palouse hills are not only a landscape unique in the world but they are beautiful to behold and worthy to be on the list of Seven Wonders of Washington State.”

This was an excerpt from Howard Fisk’s book, The Seven Wonders of Washington State: Your guide to exploring the natural wonders of the Evergreen State, published in 2015 and available via Amazon. 

Green in the spring, golden brown at harvest time and snowy white in winter…. Washington’s Palouse is a beautiful and very unique region.

Heritage Quest Research Library Researching in German Church Records

by Charles Hansen
Explore the Exceptional Genealogy Classes at HQRL! Join us online via Zoom or in person at HQRL and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts who share your curiosity and drive—together, we can explore the fascinating world of family history! JOIN US for our next class on August 6, 2026! Don’t miss out, sign up today! CLICK HERE to register for this class! Visit our blog for great tips & hints exploring your family story! Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! HQRL.com / Classes & Events / Contact
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

South King County Genealogical Society August 2026

by Charles Hansen

Happy Summer! ☀️🌺

All SKCGS Members and their loved ones are invited to join us in our potluck social! Local Members, search your email for Signup Genius for more details. Please respond with what you plan to bring to the lunch social as soon as possible.

Help Wanted

Your Education team is planning the 2026-27 Speaker Series. We would like to hear recommendations of speakers and programs you have found engaging, useful and that you think your fellow SKCGS members would enjoy. Please write to Education@skcgs.org and share your thoughts, or become part of the team! Most of our small meetings continue through the summer; our Speaker Series and the Research Workshop will resume in September. 

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

*Local Members: We are looking forward to seeing you soon at the potluck social in early August. Please carpool if possible because parking is limited.

AUGUST TO EARLY SEPTEMBER  2026 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

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

Saturday, August 1, 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.

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Monday, August 3, 11:30am-3:30 pm PT: SKCGS Members  Potluck and Social. Members’ loved ones are welcome. If you don’t see a link to sign up to bring food, your membership has expired. Renew or sign up as a new Member, and you are invited!

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Monday, August 10, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: Research  at Family Tree DNA if You Did Not Test There.

1. Test someone else! or upload for someone else with permission

2. Upload your autosomal raw data from another testing company

3. Get permission from a family member to see their kit results

4. Upload to Gedmatch and/or MitoYdna.org to compare results with FTDNA testers

5. Connect your DNA tests to your Wikitree profile for hints to matches; Geni profiles can also link to FTDNA.

6. Use public Y DNA Project data at FTDNA and/or Wikitree

7 Check mail lists at Groups.io, GoogleGroups, & Substack

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, August 12, 2–3 pm PT: WikiTree Users(Online): Topic: Wikitree Goals through 2026. How can we help one another make our part of Wikitree the best? Let’s share profiles and learn together. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

Thursday, August 13, 11am–1:pm: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

Monday, August 17, 1–2 pm PT: Tech Users Group (Online). Topic: Putting it All Together: Practical Research Routines. What are the tools, nuts & bolts we can share with one another–using online sites, platforms, and software that not just move the research forward, but also build confidence in what we think we know. See: Genealogical Research Process Simplified:  https://youtu.be/G0poOZn6rfw?si=cz3XNXddACtStmEn (20 mins).Tech User Group shares knowledge and learns about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join our free email group for meeting information and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Thursday, August 20: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (in-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer

  • 11am-1pm: Auburn Library: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn
  • 2-4pm:  Federal Way Main Library: 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way

Monday, August 24, 1–2pm PT: Genealogy Chat (Online). Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Join our free online group for Chat reminders and genealogy discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io.

Saturday, September 5, 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, September 8, 1–2pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online). Write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2–3pm PT: WikiTree Users (Online). Topic: Space Pages? Creating & Using this flexible tool. Bring your questions and examples. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG. 

Thursday, September 10,11–1pm PT: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Main Library. Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 100 Mill Avenue S, Renton.  

Friday, September 11, 12:30–2:30 pm PDT: EGS German Interest Group: “1816: The Year Without a Summer & Its Impact on German Migration” by  Carolyn Schott, CG® 

Visitors welcome: https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/. 

Registration is required:   https://tinyurl.com/2s4z4c8z  

The eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia unleashed a volcanic winter that reverberated around the globe, earning the year 1816 the name “The Year Without a Summer.” Immense quantities of volcanic ash drastically altered weather patterns and created unseasonably cold temperatures that caused crop failures and food shortages. This crisis prompted many Germans to seek new opportunities abroad, both in the U.S. and in the Russian Empire, which offered both land and religious freedom.

 This presentation discusses the intertwined environmental, economic, and social ramifications of the Year Without a Summer, highlighting its pivotal role in the history of German emigration.

Presenter Carolyn Schott, CG® has researched her German ancestors for 30 years, following their wanderings through Eastern Europe before arriving in the U.S. She is a founder of the Black Sea German Research Community (www.blackseagr.org), a former board member of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS), and author of the book, “Visiting Your Ancestral Town.”

Schott’s research has required her to research records in the U.S., Germany, Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, and Poland. The Black Sea German Research Community, which she helped found, is a website dedicated to helping people with hard-to-find information on their ethnic German ancestors who lived in areas bordering the Black Sea. She has been speaking on genealogy-related topics since 2007 and has been a regular speaker at the International German Genealogy conventions, the Foundation for East European Family History Studies, the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, and other genealogy societies. This presentation will not be recorded.

Monday, September 14, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: Using DNA Matches as Clues to Build Your Tree. See Dare to Grab the Gold Ring: https://skcgs.blogspot.com/2024/04/dna-dare-to-grab-gold-ring.html,  How to Use DNA Relatives Clustering at 23andMe: https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/38509301730839-How-to-Use-DNA-Relatives-Clustering-at-23andMe & Building Family Trees with DNA Evidence: Beginner’s Guide: https://www.gedmatch.com/blog/building-family-trees-with-dna-evidence-beginners-guide/. 

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

Thursday, September 17: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (in-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer

  • 11am-1pm: Auburn Library: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn
  • 2-4pm:  Federal Way Main Library: 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way

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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.

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY