Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

SGS SPRING 2020 JOURNAL DELAYED

Due to the closure of the SGS Library as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown in Washington State, printing of the Spring 2020 Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society has been delayed. Depending on the circumstances, SGS plans to print the spring issue along with the upcoming fall/winter 2020 issue. If you have any questions, please contact:
publications@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

SUFFRAGE SPECIAL WHISTLE STOP TOUR! 
Did you know Washington women permanently won the right to vote in 1910, ten years before national women’s suffrage was enacted? 

Did you know the National American Woman Suffrage Association Convention was held right here in Seattle in July of 1909? 

The train many of the suffragists traveled on to reach the convention in Seattle was dubbed the “Suffrage Special”. Suffragists came from around the state, and around the nation. The “Suffrage Special” arrived in Washington State at Spokane and made stops en route to Seattle, gathering more suffragists along the way.

You are invited along on this virtual  Suffrage Special Whistle Stop Tour! Each day, from August 19th through August 26th, a new video will be posted on the “Washington Historical Society” Facebook page and the “Votes for Women Suffrage Centennial” Facebook page.

These daily video segments  are suitable for viewers of all ages. Each whistle stop segment will be hosted by a local historical organization and will explore women’s suffrage history and its legacy in their geographic region. Hop on board to learn more about the movement and the activists. 

The Facebook link is : https://www.facebook.com/suffrage100wa/ or, if you prefer, the Washington State Historical Society link is : 
https://www.washingtonhistory.org/


SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS***

In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed until further notice and all SGS in-person events have been canceled, postponed, or replaced with an online event.

Saturday, Sept 5, 2020, 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm,  

Learn How to Use Zoom (Virtual), Want to attend our events this Fall, but you haven’t tried Zoom yet?  Please download Zoom ahead of time following the easy instructions in this online tutorial. Then join us for a short online meeting of tips on how to attend meetings using Zoom. If you have difficulty downloading Zoom, email  education@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org  for assistance.   

Saturday, Sept 5, 2020, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm,  

SGS Centennial Planning Meeting (Virtual), Help us brainstorm ideas on how to commemorate the SGS centennial. As always, you will find the Zoom meeting id link on the Calendar of Events section of the SGS Website. 

Sunday, Sept 6, 2020, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm,  

DNA Workshop SIG (Virtual), Is back! For now it will be online via Zoom. The meeting id link will be on the Calendar of Events section of the SGS Website. Chaired by Cary Bright and her new co-chair, Craig Gowens   

Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time

by Charles Hansen
In This Issue of Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time
August 2020 Issue
We have now gone over 500,000 web pages of history! More is on the way.
History Reminder: Saturday August 15 is the 75th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II. A special salute to those veterans who have departed our ranks during 2020 and to those still with us on this day.
We have been scanning manuals and other documents and in this issue we will highlight a few (USMC, Navy, USAF, USAAF). Also find a spotlight on the SETAF command, photos, facts regarding the Army Commendation and recent donations.
Now, an important question. What topics or material would you like to see in these monthly newsletters? Drop us an email to let us know!
We continue and will continue to “Save Military History One Soldier at A Time” and preserve the artifacts of your or your families’ service. We are honored to be the custodian of this material. Our growing collection of programs are all a result of your support.
If you think history matters, please connect with us on Social Media or via our website and even make a donation. Thank you.
You can help us get the word out about our organizations. Please tell all your friends and family and follow our Facebook pages.
Army Air Corps on Facebook    Sons of Liberty on Facebook    Remember those that made the #ultimatesacrifice #sonsofliberty. #patriots
Join us on this journey.
In Their Memory, Robert Coalter, Jason Weigler Executive Directors
  “Saving Military History One Soldier At A Time”.SM  “Saving History One Soldier At A Time”SM
Visit Sons of Liberty Website
Visit Army Air Corps Library and Museum Website
Sons of Liberty Museum
The Sons of Liberty has hundreds of uniforms and thousands of other artifacts in our collection from the U.S. Civil War to Present day. Our web presence now numbers in excess of 325,000 pages. We continue to accept new material for education and research programs; a number of these items will make their way on to the website. Our collection includes memorabilia from the front line soldier to the rear echelon clerk. Drivers, infantrymen, pilots, tankers, seaman, medical, artillery, armorers, engineers, quartermasters and much more. Those that were drafted or volunteered; those that did a single tour or made it a career. Those that returned with all types of injuries and those that gave their full measure being killed in action (KIA). All MOS are welcome from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines. We are Saving Military History One Soldier At A Time. We are honoring the service of the Citizen Soldier.
#sonsofliberty
We have uploaded a few documents / manuals for reading and research. The first is “Fighting on Guadalcanal” This booklet published in 1943 recounts the thoughts of Marines on the ‘Canal’. Six men quoted are currently in our database for awards received during the fighting.
Next is “Ship Shapes”, 1942, the Anatomy and Types of Naval Vessels. These pdf files may take a few minutes to download an open.

Volunteers
We need volunteers to transcribe award and roster documents. You will place the material into a spreadsheet where it will be added to our database and website. We welcome new dedicated volunteers to work from home and help us with this project!
Interesting Links & Resources
Visit Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sonsoflibertymuseum Videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI4v-g0C-QvQSVHv6h3EdeA Researching History: https://www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org/military-history-records.cfm Honor Roll: https://www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org/honor.cfm
Donations
We welcome donations of papers, books, photos, gear, uniforms, jackets, medals, ribbons, weapons, equipment, scrapbooks, biographies, diaries and more. Please Contact Us
Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Cold War, Gulf War and current conflict donations accepted. From small to large multi-item donations, they all tell a story.
We need you ! We need your help to further our mission of preserving and bringing this history to you and your families. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
Army Commendation – ARCOM Did you know? The Army Commendation award was not a medal to begin with it was only a ribbon.
Army Commendation Medal, abbreviated and often called ‘ARCOM’, was instituted in 1945 and was awarded retroactively to those who served after December 6, 1941. The ARCOM is awarded to those who have served with the U.S. Army and have demonstrated heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.
Originally, the ARCOM was a ribbon-only award
In 1949 the ribbon was changed to include a medal was approved to be a ribbon with a pendant and then in 1960 the Army Commendation award was completely redesigned to the current medal.
SETAF Southern European Task Force, U.S. Army Africa A History from the US Army:
“SETAF was formally activated during a ceremony October 25, 1955. The headquarters, commanded by Maj. Gen. John Michaelis, was temporarily established at Camp Darby with units stationed in Vicenza and Verona. Shortly after activation, SETAF moved its headquarters to Verona. Troop strength reached 10,000 and SETAF was formally established with a U.S.-Italian agreement.
In 1959 a third agreement brought significant changes to SETAF, to include assigning Italian Army personnel to the SETAF general staff to assist with unique bi-national responsibilities.
In 1963, SETAF lent a helping hand to our Italian neighbors when a huge landslide forced a deluge of water over the Vajont Dam in the Piave Valley killing more than 2,000 people. SETAF helicopters were the first on the scene to provide assistance.
Its headquarters moved again in 1965 to Caserma Carlo Ederle in Vicenza. SETAF’s mission and geographical area of responsibility increased in 1972 when the command enlarged its signal support unit and took control of two Army Artillery Groups in Greece and Turkey. With the assignment of the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne Battalion Combat Team) in 1973, SETAF accepted the missions of maintaining and deploying the battalion on its own or as part of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land).
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, SETAF continued its tradition of helping out our Italian neighbors whenever disaster struck. Until 1992, SETAF was considered to be a logistical command, but changes in Europe in 1989 and 1990 resulted in new missions. SETAF shifted focus to regional tactical operations as a command and control headquarters for Army and Joint units. In March 1991, SETAF’s 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 325th Infantry Regiment, deployed to northern Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort, the U.S. led humanitarian mission to feed and provide other life support for thousands of displaced Kurds.
In July 1994, SETAF deployed to Entebbe, Uganda as the core staff of Joint Task Force Support Hope. A total of 2,100 U. S. military personnel, including SETAF’s 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 325th Infantry Regiment, deployed to the region to help prevent a humanitarian crisis resulting from large-scale refugee movements caused by the civil war in Rwanda. SETAF demonstrated its role as the theater’s reaction force in December 1995 by deploying as the lead element of the Dayton Peace Accord implementation forces into Bosnia-Herzegovina. April 1996 proved to be exceptionally busy: Elements of the SETAF Infantry Brigade deployed to Dubrovnik, Croatia to secure the crash site of U.S. Treasury Secretary Ron Brown’s plane. Another company-plus deployed to Monrovia, Liberia with special operations forces to facilitate noncombatant evacuation operations.
In November 1996, portions of the SETAF-led Joint Task Force Guardian Assistance deployed to Uganda and Rwanda to assess the needs of Rwandan refugees in Zaire. In March 1997, a SETAF-led JTF headquarters deployed to Brazzaville, Congo, in preparation for the potential evacuation of non-combatants from Zaire. The JTF redeployed in April 1997 upon a peaceful government transition in Zaire.
On March 26, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, SETAF’s 173d Airborne Brigade conducted a parachute assault into Northern Iraq. About 1,000 paratroopers jumped into Bashur Airfield in a historical and critical mission called Operation NORTHERN DELAY. The brigade remained in Iraq for a year conducting a variety of missions from defeating insurgents to building and renovating schools.
On July 25, 2003, SETAF was designated to lead the US military mission in Liberia to help prevent an impending humanitarian disaster. A peace agreement was implemented, forces of the warring factions were separated, air and seaports were reopened, and the United Nations and private humanitarian organizations resumed delivery of badly needed relief. In February 2005, both SETAF and the 173d Airborne Brigade were called upon to do their part in the global war on terror, deploying to Afghanistan, as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-76. The U.S. Army’s transformation saw the 173d Airborne Brigade change into an Airborne Brigade Combat Team in 2006.
The 173d ABCT, with its headquarters and two battalions from Vicenza and four battalions in Germany, deployed in May 2007, again to Afghanistan, in support of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. The brigade redeployed in the summer of 2008.
From June through November 2007, SETAF Soldiers deployed to Romania and Bulgaria as a part of Joint Task Force – East. JTF-East is an on-going United States European Command initiative to strengthen relationships between the United States and our Eastern European allies.
In July 2008, SETAF provided command and control for Exercise Immediate Response in the Republic of Georgia. IR08 provided U.S. European Command another opportunity to develop a partnership with our allies. SETAF went through major changes in the fall of 2008.
In August 2008, SETAF conducted its final airborne operation and shortly after, SETAF Soldiers replaced their maroon berets with black ones and replaced their airborne tabs with historic SETAF scrolls.
Then in early December 2008, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy and the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced in Rome that SETAF officially assumed duties as the Army component headquarters for U.S. Africa Command. U.S. Army Africa, as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Africa Command, strengthens the land force capabilities of African states and regional organizations, supports AFRICOM operations, and conducts decisive action in order to establish a secure environment and protect the national security interests of the United States. USARAF/SETAF remains available for deployment in support of NATO operations.
From October 2011 through January 2012, U.S. Army Africa was called upon to participate in Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn and Odyssey Guard. With a coalition of more than a dozen nations, JTF-Odyssey Dawn assisted to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gaddafi regime forces. It also orchestrated the aero medical evacuation of 26 injured Libyan freedom fighters. In January 2012, by Department of Army general order, SETAF was officially re-designated USARAF/SETAF and further designated as an Army Service Component Command, connecting USARAF/SETAF to Ninth U.S. Army’s lineage, fitting USARAF/SETAF fully within the Army’s evolving structure for units above the division level.
From December 2013 to mid-September 2014, the Ebola virus had swept through Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, killing thousands and threatening to spread throughout western Africa and beyond. By order of the President of the United States, the U.S. Department of Defense established Joint Force Command–United Assistance as part of a unified-action approach to combat the growing Ebola threat. Formed with a core of soldiers from U.S. Army Africa, the Army Service component command for U.S. Africa Command, Joint Force Command–United Assistance reached a combined strength of 686 personnel before transferring responsibility to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) on 25 October 2014.
In the years since USARAF’s inception, it has made progress through a consistent program of senior leader engagements and regionally focused activities. It has witnessed the restructuring of the African exercise program to address regional concerns, built multilateral relationships and supports a shared vision of 54 stable, secure nations. U.S. Army Africa, known also as Ninth U.S. Army, will continue the path of success and the command will remain in close collaboration with and responsive to our African and interagency partners in the years to come. The U.S. Army Africa team and its dynamic partners will continue to partner today for Africa tomorrow. America’s premier Army team dedicated to positive change in Africa.”
Credits US ARMY
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Army Air Corps Museum
The Air Corps Museum online presence encompasses over 225,000 web pages with thousands of photos and other materials. Our artifact collection contains hundreds of uniforms, albums, logs, medals and more from the Army Air Service, Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force.
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Cold War, Gulf War and current conflict donations welcome!
We will be highlighting more donations in upcoming issues; this month it is Matthew Pekar. Also are some interesting manuals for your reading pleasure.

Volunteers
We need volunteers to transcribe documents, placing the material into a spreadsheet. We welcome new dedicated volunteers to help us with this project! Work from home.
Interesting Links & Resources
We are on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyAirCorps/ Trace a Family Members Military Service: https://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org/veteran-research.cfm Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aircorpsmuseum/ Honor Roll: https://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org/honor_roll.cfm YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqW3Z1UnB6leZH5g4XiPniQ
Donations
We welcome donations of papers, books, photos, gear, uniforms, jackets, medals, ribbons, weapons, equipment, scrapbooks, biographies, diaries, letters and more. Please Contact Us
You can make monetary donations through the following links. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
Matthew Pekar
A small display of artifacts from Matthew Pekar, 1069th Signal Company based in the Pacific, 13th Air Force during World War II. This group was involved with encryption equipment for secure communications.

Issued by the War Department an Army Air Forces Field Manual on Combat Orders June 16, 1942.
A Syllable of Flight For Pilots, 1963 1st Lt. Josephine Sansone receives an Air Medal from Lt. General Lewis Brereton the commander of the 1st Allied Airborne Army. Ms. Sansone a light nurse with 9th Air Force Troop Carrier Command completed many flights aboard transports bringing wounded from the front to rear area evacuation hospitals.
Preserve This History, Honor the Service, Provide Education For Future Generations.
Make a $ Donation to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum Thank You For Your Support ! Make a $ Donation To the Sons of Liberty Museum Thank You For Your Support !
Events
Unfortunately because of the current events all of our events are cancelled or postponed until further notice. However, we continue to receive donations and work on collection-artifact preservation plus web projects. We look forward to the day when we can get out in the community again.
Need a Good Book? Check out these new titles.
I was a navigator in the 459 Bomb Group 758 Bomb Squadron flying B-24’s from Torre Giulia Field, tower named ‘Coffee Tower’, a gravel airfield near Cerignola, on the Foggia Plains of Southeastern Italy during the period August 4, 1944 to May 16, 1945. I flew 50 combat missions over targets in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia and Northern Italy.
Project Option: 6×9 in, 15×23 cm # of Pages: 386 IsbnSoftcover: 9781714032860 Publish Date: Dec 12, 2019
Buy It $24.99 Most aircraft of World War II had pictures of sexy girls, tributes to sweethearts, songs and home. The planes were fondly referred to in a feminine manor. That was not the case with this B-17 tail number 42-25233. He was Rigor Mortis.
This is the story of Rigor Mortis and his men who flew over 120 missions from North Africa and Italy in 1943 and 1944.
Project Option: 8×10 in, 20×25 cm # of Pages: 382 IsbnSoftcover: 9781714727803 Publish Date: Apr 20, 2020
Buy It $29.95
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MIAs – Missing in Action
We have information on over 90,000 MIAs. This includes most all the World War II MIAs and some from World War I, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War.
With our strategic partners, the MIA Recovery Network, we want to tell the last chapter in the life of these Citizen Soldiers.
We would also like your help in telling the first chapters of the lives of those still Missing in Action. Do you have service photos of a family member that is or was MIA? News articles? Service related material?
Material on Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines MIAs: https://www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org/missing-in-action/
Air Corps: https://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org/missing-in-action/ X-Files – Buried Unknowns
There are many citizen soldiers whose body was recovered, but they are unidentified. There are thousands of these unknowns buried in American Battle Monument Cemeteries around the world. They are also known as X-Files.
Material on Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines X-Files can be found:
https://www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org/buried-unknowns/
https://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org/buried-unknowns/
Get Donation Information: Artifacts Monetary
Awards, Rosters Unit Documents
We need you ! A continued big thanks to our fantastic army of volunteers. We have much more so if you can type and have a couple hours each week we can use you !
Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force
We have received material on many units and are hoping to compile much more.
Unit Citations, Awards, Transfers, Rosters
Many groups received unit citations during their particular conflict. The paperwork, in triplicate, would include a roster of all assigned and attached personnel. We are seeking and requesting copies of those roster documents. Please search your papers, talk to your association and help us out with this information and get them to us pronto! Attention Website Owners & Veteran Associations
Many WWII veterans organizations have shut. Many these organizations had developed some type of website, some with enormous amounts of data and history. Sadly, many had/have not made provisions for their website to be continued and thus when the bill stops being paid, the website disappears and all the work and information is lost. We want to help and we need you to help us. If you know of a disbanding group, please have them get in contact with us; we would like to bring their website and information under our wing. If they want to continue to maintain it we can give them access to continue that as well. One of our top goals for this and every year is to preserve this history not lose it!
Not a WW2 unit? That’s ok. We are also interested in your history and want to help preserve it. Korea, Vietnam and all other conflicts.
If your organization has physical materials such as uniforms, patches, photos and other memorabilia do you have plans for them when you cease operations? We would be honored to be the custodian of your group’s history. .
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Contact Sons of Liberty Museum www.SonsOfLibertyMuseum.org history@sonsoflibertymuseum.org   Army Air Corps Library and Museum   www.ArmyAirCorpsMuseum.org history@armyaircorpsmuseum.org  
Directors’ Line: 214.957.1393
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GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday E-News

by Charles Hansen
THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition August 13, 2020
Thank you to all who have renewed their membership, especially those who included a donation with your renewal.
We are so grateful for your loyalty and support.
Renew Now
Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member! gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR.
Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider Want to share an easy-to-read version of this E-News? Click here.

Time is Running Out

by Charles Hansen
Like sands through an hourglass, so are the… Wait, that’s been used before!

Well, you get the idea, don’t let time escape you!
2020 FGS Virtual Family History Conference
Early Bird Registration
Ends Saturday, August 15th!

Register Now!

You Won’t Want to Miss
FGS Live!
September 2nd
with Judy G. Russell, Thomas W. Jones, CeCe Moore,
Lisa Louise Cooke, David Rencher, Ari Wilkins, Jenn Utley, and Ron Tanner

All registration packages include 30+ FREE BONUS hours
16 FREE Society Management sessions
Access to the Virtual Exhibit Hall
Digital Syllabus of ALL sessions
Access until March 15, 2021!
  Register Now!

MyHeritage In Color Free for a Month

by Charles Hansen

Starting today we’re unlocking both our popular photo tools — MyHeritage Photo Enhancer and MyHeritage In Color™ — for a whole month, until September 10, 2020. Normally, these features can be used by non-subscribers on up to 10 photos each, while users with a Complete plan enjoy unlimited use. But now, for a whole month, anyone can enhance and colorize as many photos as they’d like for free!

Free Access to Enhancer and InColor

This continues our tradition of giving back to the community. With so many people currently confined to their home and doing their best to stay safe and healthy — we’re giving everyone a fun way to pass the time and enjoy genealogy!

Using these tools, you can get to know your ancestors in a whole new way. Your old, faded, black and white family photos will come to life, in full color and sharp focus — making them look almost as though they were taken yesterday. We invite you and your followers to pull out your family photo albums today and join in the fun.

Please share this news on your social channels so your followers can make the most of this opportunity, and encourage them to share the results with their loved ones on social media. We know they’ll be blown away.

Keep safe and healthy,Daniel Horowitz Genealogy Expert

MyHeritage Logo Trans 208

MyHeritage (USA) Inc.,
2975 Executive Parkway,
Lehi, Utah

FGS-NGS Merger Vote

by Charles Hansen
A Toast to the Future! FGS Membership Approves Decision to Merge with NGS
The boards of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) are thrilled to announce that the FGS membership has voted to approve the merger with NGS. The final tally of eligible voters expressed unanimous support for the merger.
“We are so excited about the bright future of the combined organization that is the new NGS. During the process of preparing for this merger, we have seen a unified commitment and huge enthusiasm of the leaders for serving family history organizations,” said Faye Stallings, FGS President.
“We are so thrilled to be ready to welcome all of the FGS membership to the new NGS,” said Ben Spratling, NGS President. “This merger is all about building a strong, vibrant community of family history organizations that assist people as they discover their ancestors, connect with their relatives, and learn their family stories. This is an exciting time to be part of the genealogy community.”
While there are still several steps before the merger is effective on 1 October 2020, the vote was a big milestone on the way to creating the “new” NGS. The next big step is the NGS election, which will take place from noon (CDT) on Friday, 28 August 2020, and close at 5:45 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, 1 September 2020. 
The slate of candidates includes several candidates with connections to FGS. Cheri Hudson Passey, the FGS Secretary, is the candidate for the new NGS role of Vice President of Society & Organization Management. Current FGS Board member Ed Donakey is nominated as Secretary of NGS, and current FGS President Faye Jenkins Stallings is nominated as a director. Former FGS President David Rencher, who replaced Mike Hall on the NGS Board earlier this year, is also again nominated. Three other first-time nominees to the NGS Board are Colleen Robledo Greene of California; Marlis Humphrey of Florida; and Andre Kearns of Washington, DC.
Keep an eye on the NGS-FGS Merger Gathering Place for more exciting merger news!
http://fgs.z2systems.com/np/clients/fgs/unsubscribeEmail.jsp?type=16&emailId=48bb51eee4c29065cda79cd091a721354m4897348b&userId=7uFsyMYKVC9vr3%2BbI2KOmT%2FhqXwm67EE

Update on the USCIS Fee Hike

by Charles Hansen

Dear Fellow Fee Fighters:

We wanted to provide an update on the USCIS fee hike campaign and a helpful chart summarizing the new changes. Thanks for all your previous support, and we are looking forward to working with genealogists and records access advocates moving forward to demand the transfer of USCIS’ historical documents to the National Archives, where they belong.

USCIS announced their final fee rule this past Monday. Records Not Revenue is dismayed at the astronomical fee hikes that will be imposed by USCIS for obtaining copies of historical records via the USCIS Genealogy Program. Many of the records held by the USCIS Genealogy Program should already be available at the National Archives, and we call upon USCIS and NARA to create and make public a plan to transfer the historical records and their associated indices, as soon as possible.

As of October 2, 2020, researchers will pay a minimum of $160 to initiate a records request, and pay up to $415 total to obtain certain historical records. USCIS will also impose additional fees if the requests are made by mail. There may also be additional fees to repay Congress, in the event of a bailout.

You can view the final rule in its entirety on the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/08/03/2020-16389/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule-and-changes-to-certain-other-immigration.

In the coming days, Records Not Revenue will update its website with additional information on fees, how all the different permutations of fees will impact researchers, and HOW YOU CAN HELP. Stay tuned.

–Records Not Revenue

https://www.recordsnotrevenue.com/

Vital Records Access

by Charles Hansen

This is the latest update on the changes for ordering birth and death certificates in WA State, coming January 1, 2021 as a result of a new vital records law and rules going into effect.

  • For increased security of personal information, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the record being requested can receive a certificate.
  • Identity and proof of relationship documentation will be required.
  • Certificate fee will increase to $25.00 per copy.

The Department of Health recently published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage to assist everyone in better understanding what the new requirements are for ordering birth and death certificates. The FAQ webpage contains information about who can, and how to, order birth and death certificates.

More information and resources will become available as January 1, 2021 approaches.  DOH is working on developing informational handouts to provide to customers that may have questions about how to order birth and death certificates after January 1, 2021.

Coming To America

by Charles Hansen

Talk: Coming to America, on Thursday, 20 August, 6-7:30 online.


South King County Genealogical Society President Barbara Mattoon will present Coming to America about how our immigrant ancestors got here, and how to find the records about their journeys. Online through the King County Library System Thursday, August 20, 2020 from 6 – 7:30 pm. 
Register here:

Word will spread quickly, so register soon. 

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday E-News

by Charles Hansen
THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition August 6, 2020
Thank you to all who have renewed their membership, especially those who included a donation with your renewal.
We are so grateful for your loyalty and support.
Renew Now
Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member! gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR.
Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider Want to share an easy-to-read version of this E-News? Click here.