South King County Genealogical Society March Happenings

by Charles Hansen

Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10am-noon PT
Family Tree Maker User Group
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. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Monday, March 8, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA
“Case studies: From DNA matches to expanding the tree”
Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Monday, March 15, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Technical User Group
“Google Search, including Randy Majors’ AncestorSearch”
Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 6pm-7:30pm PT
KCLS & SKCGS Presentation
“Extra! Extra! I found it in the Newspapers,” presented by Winona Laird 
 Newspaper records include announcements, obituaries, anniversaries, legal notices, letters to the editor, social columns filled with personal news of the daily experiences and lives of your family and their neighbors. Learn to access a variety of historical newspapers to see your ancestors as part of a larger community.
Search for event at https://kcls.org and be sure to sign up when registration opens.

Saturday, March 20, 2021, 9:30am PT Social time, 10am-Noon Program
General Meeting & Speaker
“Irish Records Online at Findmypast and Ancestry,” presented by Steven W. Morrison
Most of us start our family history with what we’ve been able to collect at home. But, how does that line up with the historical records from the Emerald Isle? Explore and compare Irish records available on both Findmypast and Ancestry before paying for a subscription.
For meeting reminders and link, go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/society
This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

Monday, March 22, 2021, 1pm-3pm PT
Genealogy Chat
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society for meeting link, discussion and meeting reminders. This is a virtual meeting with closed captioning available. Dial-in (audio only) is also available.

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Website – SKCGS.org 
For more info, email info@skcgs.org

NGS Early-Bird Discount Ends Soon

by Charles Hansen
Early-Bird Discount Ends
15 March for NGS 2021
Virtual Family History Conference
Register Now
Dear ,

Only a few days are left for three representatives from Eastern Washington Genealogical Society to receive a discount on registration for the NGS Virtual Family History Conference, 17−21 May 2021. After 15 March, the price of registration for NGS 2021 Live! and On-Demand! will increase $50 across the various packages. To qualify for the early-bird discount, you must register online by 15 March.
 
Join us on Wednesday and Thursday, 19‒20 May, for NGS’s premier two-day virtual conference event― NGS 2021 Live!. Speakers include two award-winning authors, Dani Shapiro, author of Inheritance, and Ric Murphy, author of Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia. Other nationally recognized speakers will join them, including Barbara Vines Little, the keynote speaker for the opening session, Eric Grundset, Thomas W. Jones, Janice Lovelace, Elizabeth Shown Mills, Judy Russell, Craig Scott, and more. The two-day event also features the announcement of winners for NGS awards; the newest genealogical products and services from exhibitors in our virtual expo hall; and drawings for exciting genealogy-related prizes.
 
In addition to NGS 2021 Live!, we offer a choice of either a twenty or forty lecture package on-demand. Those who purchase a package may choose from more than eighty-five on-demand sessions available for viewing starting in June. Program content includes twenty-one bonus lectures provided by conference sponsors and sponsoring organizations.
 
NGS will host additional events throughout the week for NGS member societies and organizations.
 
Monday, 17 May: The Delegate Council Kickoff Workshop focuses on helping delegates understand their role within NGS. Be sure to send us the name and contact email of your delegate today! Email the name of your delegate to Susan Yockey on our staff by clicking here.
 
Tuesday, 18 May: NGS presents the debut of the SLAM! Idea Showcase, included in all NGS 2021 Live! packages, which highlights creative and innovative projects or programs by societies, libraries, archives, and museums (SLAMs). The deadline to submit a Video Poster Session is also 15 March.
 
Friday, 21 May: The week ends with Focus on Societies on Friday, an all-day event devoted to presentations offering expert advice for society leaders on managing and growing their genealogical or historical society. There is a group rate of $100 for up to five society leaders.
 
Finally, take advantage of the discounted Early-Bird registration fee, plus member discounts, when you sign up for the Virtual Family History Conference by 15 March 2021. You can also have your representatives contact our Conference Registrar at registration@ngsgenealogy.org to have up to three officers or directors register at the member rate.
 
Register Now
To learn more about the NGS 2021 Virtual Family History Conference’s weeklong events, 17-21 May, visit the conference website and
download a copy of the program brochure.

A discounted Early Bird registration fee is available through 15 March 2021.

Be an NGS Virtual Exhibitor

by Charles Hansen

As you know, the National Genealogical Society is going fully virtual for the 2021 NGS Family History Conference. As a member organization of NGS, this is a really fantastic opportunity for your genealogy society, library, or organization to have a virtual exhibit this year. We offer nonprofit exhibitors a $300 package that includes a virtual booth, inbound leads, and more. We’ll even set up your booth for an additional $50 (you provide the content).

While the pandemic makes it difficult to deliver the type of expo experience we are all used to, we are doing everything we can to provide great opportunities to highlight your organization and its programs and services to our attendees.

We will do all we can to connect you and your organization to our attendees. The conference will be packed with engaging events and sessions for experienced genealogists as well as first-timers. We have a suite of sponsorship opportunities and can package various custom options to help you meet your objectives.

Here are some important things we want you to know:

  • Our primary objective is to showcase your efforts with video and digital documents.
  • Everything we are doing for this virtual expo is designed to put leads in your hands.
  • We chose the Grip platform, a sophisticated system designed not only to stream our content but to allow you to connect with attendees, get inbound leads, and highlight your organization.
  • We will share attendee information as well as insights to the extent we can.

The attached prospectus has information to help you determine your options. You can place your order via web form and we will send you a contract soon thereafter. We are also open to discussing additional ways we can help you meet your objectives.

If you have any questions about exhibiting at the NGS 2021 Virtual Family History Conference, you can email me at any time at mattm@ngsgenealogy.org.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to working with you,

Matt Menashes

——————————————————-
Matt Menashes,

CAEExecutive DirectorNational

Genealogical Society703-525-0050

mattm@ngsgenealogy.org

International German Genealogy Partnership

by Charles Hansen
International German Genealogy Partnership
Hello German genealogists,

The moment you have been waiting for is finally here! We are so excited to officially announce the entire conference program – over 50 in-depth lectures by German genealogy experts from around the globe – with presentations delving into all you want to know about German genealogy. Are you registered yet? 

How is this conference different from others? This much-anticipated virtual event is ONLY for German genealogy – which means we can go much deeper into topics and questions to help you on your journey to discover your German ancestors and connect you with present-day relatives in different countries. It’s going to be an event to remember. Will you be there?
Register with Early Bird Discount
Jetzt Registrieren – auf Deutsch
Four different packages are available for the conference (17-24 July, 2021). While the IGGP LIVE! Package includes the eight live lectures by an all-star lineup of genealogy experts (Early Bird $119, Regular $169), and the IGGP OnDemand package features more than fifty prerecorded sessions for you to watch at your convenience (Early Bird $179, Regular $229), the IGGP Combo Package is recommended for the genealogist wanting to get the most out of their virtual conference experience (Early Bird $229, Regular $279).
 
This recommended IGGP Combo Package includes access to both the eight LIVE sessions – featuring popular speakers Ute Brandenburg, Wolfgang Grams, Timo Kracke, Roger Minert, Judy Russell, Katherine Schober, Diahan Southard, and Michael Strauss – as well as one-year access to the over fifty OnDemand sessions, which include an extensive variety of German genealogy topics hand-selected to best aid your research.
 
If you would like these sessions indefinitely, the top-tier IGGP USB Works Package includes all of the Combo Package plus a preloaded USB flash drive with all the conference sessions, meaning that you will have lifetime access to these expert-level lectures (Early Bird $249, Regular $295).
 
All packages include access to the online sponsor and exhibit hall, as well as to the “Connections” breakout sessions that will bring together small groups with similar German genealogy or cultural affinities.
 
This virtual conference is a must-attend for anyone researching their German ancestors. With expected participation from genealogists around the world, researchers will have a unique opportunity to connect across borders while simultaneously learning from the top experts in the field.

For any additional questions, contact James Beidler at jamesmbeidler@gmail.com, Nancy Myers at n.myers@gmx.net, or Katherine Schober at language@sktranslations.com.
Please share this information with your genealogy societies and friends! The press releases regarding registration are available in both English and German at the links below. You may either copy the links or download the documents to share. Thanks for helping us get the word out!

English Press Release: http://bit.ly/registrationpressrelease_English 

German Press Release: http://bit.ly/registration_pressrelease_German 
See the Program and Register

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society March Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) will hold its March membership meeting via Zoom at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8. First, we’ll give you a sneak peek at the new WAGS website. It’s not ready for full operation, but we’re excited to show you the new look and some of the features. After a short business meeting, we will have time to just chat and find out how everyone’s research is going–how many took advantage of the virtual RootsTech Connect? The Zoom link is on the member section of our website (www.wags-web.org), or email WAGSLibrarian@gmail.com if you are not a WAGS member. Looking forward to seeing many of you on March 8!

Thanks,Susan RumbleWAGS

Olympia Genealogical Society’s March Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Olympia Genealogical Society’s March meeting on March 11 will be a LIVE WEBINAR with Thomas MacEntee presenting Genealogy Tech Talk. You may submit questions (concise! specific issues!) before Friday, March 5 at https://forms.gle/sRidycHQP6jP5g4w9  

Thank-you   JOYCE OGDEN/ PUBLICITY

======================================================================= 
Joyce T. Ogden 
 jtogden@comcast.net

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Wyoming Newspapers

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
WYOMING DIGITAL NEWSPAPER COLLECTION   Have Wyoming ancestors? The site www.wyomingnewspapers.org currently contains over 134,000 issues of historical and archived Wyoming newspapers with issues dating from 1849-1922. The database is searchable and use of the site is free to the public. It is a service of the Colorado & Wyoming State Libraries and the University of Wyoming, and it is partially funded through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen
SIGN UP BY MARCH 1st

  Last chance to register for the upcoming series “Level I – Genealogy Basics & Beyond” with Valerie Lair! The small-group course includes seven two-hour sessions, meeting weekly online. It covers how to successfully conduct research in census records, vital records, newspapers, city directories, churches, cemeteries, military records; using major online resources along with libraries and archives; and so much more. The course will challenge you in perfecting your genealogy skills.
The next class will meet online March 9 – April 27, 2021, Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm PT (8:00 pm CT). It is limited to just five participants, so sign up now to secure your place in the class.
Register for LEVEL I – Genealogy Basics and Beyond

LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING MARCH 13th
Mark your calendar. There are three SGS activities happening on Saturday, March 13, 2021. 

At 10:15 am PST, the Family Tree Maker SIG meets online via Zoom. Rob Sexton is the chairperson. If you are not yet a member, but are interested in joining this group whose focus is learning and sharing tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker 2017 by Software MacKiev, send an email to Rob at operations@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

The SGS General Membership Meeting is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm PST. SGS members, please plan to attend. There are important items on the agenda: nominations for the SGS board and the election, possible digitization of some materials owned by the SGS Library, and possible relocation of the SGS Library. 

After the SGS Membership Meeting, starting at 1:00 pm PST,  Pam Vestal will give this month’s Second Saturday Series presentation, “Why They Left, Where They Went, and the Tales Their Journeys Can Reveal”. Come learn:

  • Why did our ancestors leave their homes?  
  • Why did they settle where they did?  
  • What secrets about them might their migration paths reveal.

Sounds like a good one! 

As usual, the Zoom meeting id for any of these online events can be found on the SGS website Calendar of Events.     

* SAVE THE DATE *
The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society, 
“Research Like a Pro” virtual seminar,
April 24, 2021 10:00 am – 4:00 pm PDT

Author of Research Like A Pro, A Genealogist’s Guide, Diana Elder, will present morning classes outlining steps to develop a research plan and organizing what research you have using solid methodology. In the afternoon, learn about the types of probate records created at the death of your ancestor and what tax records reveal. This is a virtual seminar using Zoom.  

Registration is now open.  For more details, or to register, visit :
www.rvgslibrary.org 

The International German Genealogy Partnership presents,a
“Researching Together Worldwide / Weltweit Gemeinsam Forschen”, 
the first ever International German Genealogy Virtual Conference, 
July 17-24, 2021

Is German genealogy one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for July 17-24, 2021. The IGGP Conference, which only takes place every two years, is your chance to take a deep dive into all things German genealogy – and learn from the experts themselves. This year, the conference will be virtual, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world!

Don’t miss the “Early Bird Special” price. To learn more about this event, sign up for the conference newsletter on their website:

https://iggp.org  

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*

In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed until further notice and SGS in-person events have been replaced with online events.
** Go to the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.  Wednesday, March 3, 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, March 6, 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, March 7, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 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.  

Tuesday, March 9, 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 welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, March 10, 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, March 10, 2021, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC SIG Interest Group (Virtual), Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske, this group meets every other month from October through June on the second Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Meetings address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion program in their genealogy research.

The link to logon will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. People wishing to attend should email dhettrick@earthlink.net to be added to the mailing list. Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick

Saturday, March 13, 2021, 10:15 am – 12:00 pm, Family Tree Maker (FTM), chaired by Rob Sexton, Learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker 2017 by Software MacKiev™ . Want to join this SIG? Email operations@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org 

Saturday, March 13, 2021,  12:00 pm – 12:50 pm, SGS Membership Meeting – Virtual, The March SGS Membership meeting is the time that the Board presents the slate of nominees for Board positions in preparation for the May election.  We expect to have some open positions, so remember that nominations may be made by the membership at any time, including at this meeting.

In addition, there are two major interconnected projects underway we will discuss.  First, we are working to reduce the physical size of our library, part of which is a plan to move large parts of it online to facilitate access by SGS members and the genealogy community at large.  Second, as mentioned at earlier meetings, our lease runs out this year and we have been looking for a new location.  We will be providing information about both of these topics and asking for feedback from the membership.

Saturday, March 13, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series:”Why They Left, Where They Went, and the Tales Their Journeys Can Reveal”, presenter will be Pam Vestal

Wednesday, March 17, 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, March 23, 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 welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 pm, 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, March 27, 2021,  10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA Interest Group, with Cary Bright & Craig Gowens, to be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list.
Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join. Link to be sent to the email group prior to the meeting with the pdf handou

National Genealogical Society to Showcase Societies, Libraries, Archives, and Museums

by Charles Hansen
National Genealogical Society to Showcase Societies, Libraries, Archives, and Museums
Register Now for NGS Live! Dear , Join us on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, when we dedicate an entire afternoon during the weeklong 2021 NGS Family History Conference to highlight creative and innovative genealogy research projects or programs by societies, libraries, archives, and museums (SLAMs).
 
Family historians are welcome to attend the SLAM! Idea Showcase and learn about research projects and programs around the country. During this free event, attendees will be able to view and browse virtual posters (short videos featuring the projects and programs), download handouts, and chat with individual poster presenters.
 
Guest host Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, The Legal Genealogist, will open the event and announce the winner of the 2021 Filby Award for Genealogical Librarianship and the top poster winners. Community OutReach Specialist, Ashley Ramey, from the Library of Virginia will provide an overview of the library and its offerings. Scott Holl, Manager, History & Genealogy Department, at the St. Louis County Library will offer closing remarks. How to Attend SLAM! I’m Attending NGS Live! – You are automatically registered for SLAM! when you register for NGS 2021 Live!

I’m Not Attending NGS Live! – You can register for SLAM! separately for FREE.
  Register Now for NGS Live! To learn more about the NGS 2021 Virtual Family History Conference’s weeklong events, 17-21 May, visit the conference website and
download a copy of the program brochure.

A discounted Early Bird registration fee is available through 15 March 2021. Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society inspires, connects, and leads the family history community by fostering collaboration and best practices in advocacy, education, preservation, and research. We enable people, cultures, and organizations to discover the past and create a lasting legacy. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian.