South King County Genealogical Society April & Early May Meetings

by Charles Hansen


Last call to speak your mind in the SKCGS Five-Year Planning Survey
The survey is open through this coming Sunday, April 3. We would love to hear from you.

Survey link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYDFqKnyIfzbULfx_RQ93nsyPMw0qTGrrXV0CEWXTtlFIaYw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Board Nominations and Election
At the May General Membership Meeting, SKCGS will hold its annual election for the positions of Vice President and Secretary. Board members must be SKCGS members in good standing for one year prior to the election and agree to serve a two-year term starting June 1, 2022. Alexis Scholz is currently Vice President and has agreed to stand for election to the position. We want to thank Linda Blais, outgoing Secretary, for keeping us organized and taking meeting minutes the past two years. If you want to learn more about either position or have a nomination, please contact MaryLynn at m.strickland@skcgs.org.  

APRIL – EARLY MAY 2022 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as 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 discussion and collaboration arena where:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
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PROGRAM UPDATES

  • All meetings are virtual
  • Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
  • CANCELED – April’s in-person Research Group


Saturday, April 2, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (virtual)
Topic: adding and linking media and how it affects the space used on your computer. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 6:30pm PT
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (virtual)
All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.

Monday, April 11, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (virtual)
Ancestry.com Thrulines
Let’s explore using Ancestry’s Thrulines strategically while avoiding the pitfalls. This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Saturday, April 16, 2022, 9:30am PT social time; 10:00am – 11:30am PT program
SKCGS General Meeting (virtual)
Kate Eakman presents “Adding Historical Context to your Genealogy Research: A Hands-on Approach”
Adding historical context to our genealogical research makes it richer, more interesting, and helps to explain some of the changes in our families. But if you aren’t a historian how do you know when there is an opportunity for adding history to our research? And how do you find the answers? In this class, we will discuss how history and genealogy are the same things. We will learn how to ask the questions that lead to historical discoveries, and finally, we will discover how to find the answers to our questions.


 Kate Eakman holds an MA in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with additional graduate work in history and education. Before embarking on her career as a professional genealogist, Kate spent 20 years as a college history professor. Today she is the British Empire Team Manager and a Senior Genealogist for Salt Lake City-based Legacy Tree Genealogists. Kate lives in Gresham, Oregon. She and her husband have a retired racehorse named Leon and a mustang named Gwen. The four of them provide opportunities for disadvantaged children to experience a very large animal up close and in person.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom
Save the email – it contains your link to join the meeting
Link to register for this meeting: 
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0qfu2ppz4iHtMYxNjHR2qTEWxEexYobly2


Monday, April 18, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT

Technical User Group (virtual)
WikiTree

This month we’ll learn about WikiTree. TUG is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG

Monday, April 25, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genealogy Chat (virtual)
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! For meeting invitations and discussion, join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society

Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 6:30pm PT
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (virtual)
SKCGS Board Meeting. All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.

Friday, May 6, 2022, 12:30 – 2:30 pm PT
EGS German Interest Group: “Separating Same Name Ancestors with German Parish Records” by Carol Whitton CG® 
Do parish records contain elements to help distinguish same name persons? These may include witnesses, occupations, parents’ names or a combination.
Visitors welcome and can request Zoom link no later than May 4th at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/contact/  

Saturday, May 7, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (virtual)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion.


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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. Regarding our programs, even if and when we can meet again in person, we will continue with some virtual programs. You can find more information about membership at our website at http://skcgs.org/membership.

You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
PO BOX 582
AUBURN, WASHINGTON 98071-0582 

1950 Census Is Almost Here

by Roxanne Lowe

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In case you haven’t heard (not sure how you missed the news!), the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is releasing the 1950 U.S. Census at midnight on 01 Apr 2022. NARA will provide free online access to the population schedules for U.S. states and territories, enumeration district maps, and enumeration district descriptions.  

According to NARA’s website, they used Amazon Web Services’ artificial intelligence / optical character recognition (AI/OCR) Textract tool to extract the handwritten names from the digitized population schedules. Because the initial name index is built on optical character recognition (OCR) technology, it will not be 100-percent accurate. NARA, FamilySearch, Ancestry, and a host of others are calling for eager volunteers to help “check and correct” the census — not transcribe names like we’ve done in the past. FamilySearch published a great “how-to” video during RootsTech on how to get involved in their effort. The video is available here.

Even though an index won’t be available for a while (hopefully a short while), you can still find your people (or maybe even yourself!). Steve Morse has published an excellent article on getting ready, including how to find your all-important enumeration district.

President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Nominations Due May 1, 2022

by Roxanne Lowe

Does your society have a member who has demonstrated long-term exemplary service above and beyond expectations? Someone who has really made a difference? Consider nominating him/her for the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. Previous awardees are shown here.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Two letters of recommendation must be submitted with the nomination form. Additional documents may be attached, if relevant. Nominations are due May 1, 2022 to Info@wasgs.org.


Nominations will be reviewed by the WSGS Board of Directors, resulting in a recommendation to the WSGS President who will make a final decision.

The President’s Award will generally, but not necessarily, be awarded each year. The award will be announced June 1, 2022. The awardee will receive a commemorative gift and their name will be engraved on the perpetual plaque.

For more information, email Info@wasgs.org. Please put “President’s Award” in the Subject Line.

Let’s Talk About: Chief Dan George

by Donna Phillips

“If you talk to the animals, they will talk to you. And you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them. And what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys.”

Born Geswanouth Slahoot, known as Dan Slahoot, on 24 July 1899 in North Vancouver (Canada), the boy’s name was changed at age 5 when he entered a residential school. Dan George was well known for his poetic writing style and in 1974, George wrote My Hearts Soars followed by My Spirit Soars in 1983 (both available today as The Best of Chief Dan George). He was also an actor, appearing in several movies. Dan George was the band chief for a dozen years of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, whose Indian reserve is located on Burrard Inlet, North Vancouver. He died 23 September 1981.

Canadian actor Donald Sutherland narrated the following quote from his poem My Heart Soars in the opening ceremonies o the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver:

The beauty of the trees,

the softness of the air,

the fragrance of the grass,

speaks to me.

And my heart soars.

Why do I share this with you today??? We often hear quotes from Chief Seattle but other Pacific Northwest chiefs shared words of profound wisdom to teach us yet today.

Outstanding Volunteer Nominations Due May 1, 2022

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you have a few questions about the Outstanding Volunteer/Team Awards? We’ve put together a list of FAQs to help you.

  1. Who can nominate an Outstanding Volunteer or Team? Any local genealogical society or organization in Washington State can participate in the Outstanding Volunteer or Team program.
  2. Does my society have to be a member of WSGS to nominate someone? Actually, all local genealogical societies are complimentary members of WSGS. If, however, you’d like to become a paid member (only $12/year!), we’d love it. To become a paid organization, click here.
  3. Does our nominee have to be a member of WSGS? No, your nominee does not have to be a member of WSGS.
  4. Does WSGS choose the Outstanding Volunteer or Team from all the nominees? No. This program is not a competition among the nominees or societies.  WSGS honors every individual and team who is identified by their local genealogical organization for exceptional efforts. This is a means for local society and groups to give widespread recognition to their top volunteers.
  5. How many nominees can my society submit? We know there are a lot of your members who have worked hard since 2018 (the last year we made the awards), so in 2022 you can nominate up to four individuals or two teams.
  6. What does my nominee or team get for being an Outstanding Volunteer or Team? Each nominee will receive a personalized certificate outlining why they were nominated by their local society. He/she/they will also be featured on the WSGS Blog. It is also our hope that the nominating society will honor their volunteer at an upcoming meeting or event.
  7. Can we nominate someone who has been an Outstanding Volunteer before? Absolutely! More than 50 people have been honored more than once since the program’s inception in 2003.
  8. How can I see who my society has nominated in the past? Click here to see a cumulative index of all 1,400 names since 2003, listed by society and by individual name.
  9. Can we nominate someone posthumously? Yes. What a wonderful way show his/her family that you valued their late family member’s achievements.
  10. What if we want the nomination to be a surprise? We love surprises (and keeping secrets!) Just check the box on the nomination form to let us know you want to keep this under wraps until the “big announcement.”
  11. How do we nominate someone? We’ve made it pretty easy. The deadline is May 1 when we’ll need the easy-to-complete form and a photo. After that, you’ll get a chance to review and approve the certificate before it’s announced.
  12. When will the announcements be made? We’re still working out the details, but an announcement will be made on June 1, 2022.
  13. Where is the nomination form? Click here to download the form.
  14. Need more information? Email Info@wasgs.org if you’ve got question we haven’t covered.

Remember: the deadline is May 1, 2022!

Clark County Genealogical Society April Programs

by Charles Hansen

Wednesday, April 6, 2022 – 11 a.m.

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO DNA TESTING FOR GENEALOGY WEBINAR

This free Legacy Family Tree Webinar presentation will give an overview of the three main types of DNA tests available for family history purposes. It will explain how Y-DNA, Mitochondrial DNA and Autosomal DNA are inherited and how to use your DNA results to verify the accuracy of your family tree, connect with new cousins, break down brick walls and solve mysteries. You’ll receive practical advice, hints and tips on the best steps to take to succeed and demonstrate what can be achieved using success stories.

Wednesday, April 20, 2022: 11:00 AM

UNLOCKING STORIES OF FEMALE ANCESTORS THROUGH EFFECTIVE RESEARCH WEBINAR

This Legacy Family Tree Webinar will explore implementation of standard research methodology that may unlock previously “hidden” evidence of female ancestors’ stories. Today’s discussion includes two case studies of females born in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. An exploration of sources, beyond census and marriage records, was required to enhance their life stories. One subject was born into an affluent family who settled in north central Tennessee, and the second was enslaved from birth until Emancipation in western Kentucky.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022: 11:00 AM

WRINGING EVERY DROP OUT OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA WEBINAR

You will learn step by step how to utilize mitochondrial DNA testing at Family Tree DNA to get the most out of your results. We’ll look at little known methods to obtain information, even if your match doesn’t have a tree. In this Legacy Family Tree Webinar, we’ll discuss using resources such as Geni, WikiTree and others to break down mitochondrial brick walls. Last, there will be discussion of projects and using mitochondrial DNA in conjunction with autosomal DNA for a slam-dunk.

Heritage Quest Research Library April Seminars

by Charles Hansen

Steven Waltz Morrison, MPA, is the past president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Olympia Genealogical Society. He holds an undergraduate degree from Western Washington University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evergreen State College where he taught for seven years as an adjunct faculty. Recipient of 2016 Scholar Award from the American Society of Genealogists.

DIGGING UP NEW DIRT – Unearthing the REAL New England Immigrant
Beginner

Do you believe that family associations know everything about their early New England ancestors? Well, guess again! 
Learn what nuggets you can uncover by rediscovering original records.
So, with some surprising facts, sound analysis and a little historical context you may just uncover the real secret about your elusive ancestor. 

When: April 7, 2022 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: ZOOM
Cost: Members $20 – Non-Members $25
Sign up & Pay: Come into HQRL at 1007 Main Street, Sumner,WA 98390
or Call 253-863-1806
OR go to hqrl.com and sign up online.

Members must log in to the members page and go the hqrl store in order to obtain the discount.

Jennifer Warner has worked in both public and special libraries since 1990, most recently as a reference librarian.  Her genealogy research roots began with her mother’s stories about family and where they immigrated from.  Jennifer has been the editor of a Civil War Roundtable Newsletter for over 12 years.  She is the President of the DuPage County Genealogical Society and is a member of 14 lineage societies.  Researching Pennsylvania Ancestors
Do you or your spouse have Pennsylvania ancestors and don’t know where to start?
Pennsylvania has many resources available to you. We will go over how to start your research in Pennsylvania.  We will discuss the many resources available to you online and in paper form.

WHEN:  April 21, 2022, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM 
WHERE:  ZOOM
COST:  Members $20 – Non-members $25
Sign up & Pay:  Come into HQRL at 1007 Main Street, Sumner, WA 98390 or Call: 253-863-1806  
OR go to hqrl.com and sign up online.

Members must log in to the members page and go to the hqrl store in order to obtain the discount.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society April Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society  

General Meeting – April 2, 2022, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (in person), 1901 S 12th Ave, Union Gap, WA  

 Program – Allen County Public Library Genealogical Center and the Periodical Source Index  Presenter – Richard Kyle    The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is the second largest genealogical library in the country with over 1,000,000 items on the shelf. The APCL website offers research help and digital access to an extremely large amount of records and books that may not be readily available anywhere else. It also houses a huge collection of genealogical periodicals, newsletters and bulletins, some dating back into the 1800’s. The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is an article index to this MASSIVE collection. PERSI used to be on a pay site. It has moved home and is now free to use. Come and learn how to use these resources.  

Mason County Genealogical Society Meetings

by Charles Hansen

General Meetings – year-round – 1st Thursday 7:00 pm – Zoom

We usually have a speaker who will begin at 7:15 pm.  Our business is then conducted after the speaker is finished.

Hands-On Training – year-round – 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm – Zoom

This is where we all get hands-on experience doing whatever we learned at our General Meeting.  
We are all logged in on our own computers and can help each other out - sort of like study buddies.

3-Ply Thursday – year-round – 4th Thursday 7:00 pm – Zoom

This is a tech support type of meeting.  If anyone has questions on 1) Ancestry 2) FamilyTreeMaker or 3) RootsMagic - we will work on those.  
We are also available to answer other types of tech questions like backups, scanning, cell phone or tablet apps, etc.

Email masoncountygenealogy@gmail.com for Zoom link
Our website Events page: https://www.wamcgs.org/upcoming-events.html

Everyone is welcome.

Take care,
Sue..

Sue Sheldon, President
Mason County Genealogical Society
PO Box 1366
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427-3119
(360) 490-5925 text
https://www.wamcgs.org/
“Always Digging!”
Zoom – Join – 713 559 4880