Registration is now open for FREE classes for Genealogy Week, September 18 – 24! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to expand your research skills. Check our calendar for details on each class. Click here to register now.
Saturday, October 9
Thomas MacEntee Presents “Brick Wall Breakthroughs”
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm – Webinar
IMPORTANT! A successful Brick Wall Breakthrough webinar relies upon submissions from our members.
Nationally known speaker Thomas MacEntee will walk participants through a step-by-step research methodology process to find clues and possible solutions to research problems submitted by you!
Please click this link: https://forms.gle/iVxneTwPeCHWL36v9 [forms.gle] and complete the form for possible selection as the featured case for the Brick Wall Breakthroughs webinar. PLEASE be as concise as possible . . . focus on the specific issue that is your brick wall. Try to avoid telling “The Story” but do add background info needed to possibly solve the brick wall.
Submissions are DUE no later than Friday, 2 October 2021!
The actual the link to register for this event will be sent shortly after September 20th.
Lewis County Genealogical Society invites you to An Introduction to Genealogical Research at NARA presented at our meeting on Tuesday, September 21. We have social time at 6:00PM, business meeting at 6:30 and the NARA program at 7:00. Keep reading for more about the presentation and how to join us.
Crystal Shurley and Brita Merkel, Archive Technicians with the National Archives in Seattle, will present An Introduction to Genealogical Research at NARA.
Ms. Merkel will speak about the basics of genealogical research. Ms. Shurley will speak about the records and how to use NARA’s online catalog. Following the presentation there will be time for questions.
To prepare you may want to visit the Seattle NARA website https://www.archives.gov/seattle to get an idea of what is available. While in person research is not allowed at this time due to Covid, there are ways to access some records and to place orders online.
You are welcome to join us. Emailinfo@walcgs.orgfor the Zoom link by Monday evening.
Visit Lewis County Genealogical Society online at: walcgs.org
“You can’t really know where you are going
until you know where you have been.” –Maya Angelou
Journey with us for an unforgettable day with esteemed genealogist, Ari Wilkins, reviewing Southern documents, exploring family connections, and tracking the movements of previous generations.
Seminar Topics
Register online at https://sgsfallseminar2021.eventbrite.com.
Meet our speaker, Ari Wilkins
A graduate of Louisiana State University, Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research. Ms. Wilkins speaks at the National Genealogical Society, the American Library Association, RootsTech, major genealogical institutes, and a multitude of state and local genealogical societies.
FROM OUR SGS PRESIDENT
On September 2nd, SGS Library Director Kathi M., SGS Library Technician Ann Wright, and I made a final walk through inspection of the library’s new home at the Good Shepherd Center, and Kathi was given the key to the front door. The entire space has been repainted, and after a few minor repairs to the floor, it will be ready for us to move in. Our present plan is for that move to take place the final week of October. We do not as yet have a schedule for when we will reopen to our membership, but we are hoping to reopen — at least for computer use — by Thanksgiving. We will continue to be open for computer use only on Tuesdays and Saturdays at our current Sand Point Way NE location through Tuesday, October 12th.
An enormous amount of work has gone into this project, directed primarily by Kathi, who has been overseeing all activities within the library; Ann, who has been working on the technology changes we will need; and SGS Operations Director Rob Sexton, who has been planning, performing, and organizing everything else. And they have had plenty of help from an ad hoc Space Planning Committee and the library’s “usual suspects” — the Trustees, the Material Review Committee, the Archives Committee, the Library Committee, and the Board of Directors. It has truly been a team effort, and I feel confident that the SGS membership will be well served in our new location.
Jim Secan
President, Seattle Genealogical Society
SGS Family History Writing Contest
There’s still time! The deadline for submitting your entry for this year’s family history writing contest is September 30, 2021. The theme is They Survived so tell us the story of your ancestor and the hardship he or she endured.
First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded. The winning story will be published in the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society.
All the rules are on the SGS website:
https://seagensoc.org/
* SAVE THE DATE *
SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online with Ari Wilkins
Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Register today for our all-day seminar!
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998.
Ari worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose, on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.” She has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and at a multitude of local societies.
Sacramento German Genealogy Society,
“Your Ancestors & the World of Cartography: Pinpointing Time & Location”,
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
Fee $20
Register here:
https://sggs.us/eventListings.php?nm=54#er251
Join SGGS for their fall online webinar with three presentations focusing on the use of maps and how to find the ones you need.
Melinda Kashuba: Using Maps to Trace and Depict German Migration and Settlement in the United States
Előd Biszak: Arcanum Maps: Historical Maps
Heiko Mühr: The Long Shadow of the Habsburg Empire: A Hidden Collection of Austrian Maps Emerges
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
The SGS Library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. Visit the SGS Website for details.
We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658.
** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.
Wednesday, Sep 15 , 2021, 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, Sep 22, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021, 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, Sep 29, 2021, 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, Oct 2, 2021, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group with Lou Daly, 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 join the mailing list? Email Lou: loudaly@nwlink.com
Sunday, Oct 3, 2021, 1:00 pm-3:00pm, DNA Workshop, To be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.
Wednesday, Oct 6, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2021, 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, Oct 13, 2021, 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, Oct 20, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Oct 26, 2021, 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, Oct 27, 2021, 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.
TIP OF THE WEEK –
SHARED DNA EXPLAINED IN A TABLE
It happens frequently. Someone orders an autosomal DNA test, returns their DNA specimen, and when their results come in, they are confused by what it all means — what is a cM (centimorgan), how significant is this amount of shared DNA, and why does the predicted relationship say this match is a first cousin, when it actually is a great uncle?
In Family Tree Magazine online, I found the basics of DNA matches explained concisely, along with a table titled “Estimating Relationships from Shared DNA”. It all fits on one printed page. A cheat sheet, if you will; it should be helpful to the DNA novice. The table is compact with each row showing:
Here’s the link to the page: https://mcusercontent.com/2b76c2acbc8531a2e530e3d9c/files/c24cf322-0006-da9c-a69b-8355df4e722e/How_to_Use_Shared_DNA_to_Determine_Relationships.pdf
If you are interested in learning more about DNA, SGS has two user groups, the DNA Special Interest Group that meets quarterly, and a DNA Workshop Group that meets monthly. See the Calendar of Events on the SGS website for upcoming meetings.
https://seagensoc.org/
While I was up at our cabin for Labor Day weekend, I missed this story until I caught up with the newspapers.
At 24, in the Civil War, he was saving the Union. Buried in Seattle, he deserved a headstone:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/at-24-in-the-civil-war-he-was-saving-the-union-buried-in-seattle-he-deserved-a-headstone/
I’ve corresponded with Richard Heisler about the Civil War soldier buried in a grave less than a mile from that same cabin where I was this weekend [1]. His project [2] is a noble one!
If you have ancestors who served in any of the US military who do not have a stone, we have folks here who can help you get started with the process to get them suitably honored, no matter where they are buried. Just ask.
Valorie
1. https://skcgs.blogspot.com/2019/03/civil-war-soldier-found-in-woods.html
The Orphan Trains operated between 1854 and 1929, transporting 200,000+ children from New York to the Midwest and beyond. Over two million descendants live on to tell the stories of this uniquely American movement through oral history, genealogy research with ongoing, careful care of the unique records.
All are invited to join us to hear this outstanding speaker. To obtain the Zoom meeting number and the pass code, contact CCGS at 360-681-0962 Tuesday – Friday, 10am to 4pm or Saturday noon to 4pm.
About Michael Brophy
Michael Brophy is an heir search specialist, researcher, and lecturer from the Boston area. He specializes in New England and Irish genealogy.
He has lectured on a wide variety of subjects at the National Genealogy Society’s Annual Conference in 2014, 2012 and 2011. His presentations include several Legacy webinars.
Mike was featured on the Irish TV series Dead Money, a genealogy TV show about heir searchers. In 2010, Mr. Brophy was hired to conduct research for the NBC television program Who Do You Think You Are? in an episode dedicated to the family history of actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Mike earned an MBA degree from Suffolk University and a BBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His genealogy education includes seven certificates from the Institute of Genealogy and Historic Research (IGHR) and certificates in Private Investigation and Advanced Forensic Genealogy from Boston University.
Saturday, September 11 Civil War Records with Janice Fritsch (EWGS Meetings) 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm Meeting via Zoom
Janice Fritsch, PLCGS, will present:Using Civil War Records to Reveal a Family Story Join Janice as she takes you on the journey of how she discovered some of her ancestors. It begins with the vital records which then leads to civil war records. The details within the civil war records reveals the life of Rebecca Lake & B.B. Sapp.
For login information:
If you have any questions or concerns please contact John Wilson at Wilsonjb@gmail.com.