Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Overview of Lineage Societies

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Overview of Lineage Societies: An Introduction to Heritage and Membership

Tuesday, October 14th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, LeAnne Koliha. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.

Our business meeting will follow the presentation at 2 PM.

LeAnne’s topic: Overview of Lineage Societies: An Introduction to Heritage and Membership

Lineage societies are organizations whose membership is based on proving descent from a particular ancestor or group connected by bloodline, historical event, or notable accomplishment. These societies, often rooted in historical preservation and civic engagement, function as both social organizations and custodians of heritage. Members typically trace their lineage through careful genealogical research, sometimes requiring documentation that connects them to figures from wars, colonial settlements, or other significant moments in history. Examples include the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mayflower Society, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Through meetings, commemorations, and educational outreach, lineage societies foster a sense of identity and continuity, helping members honor their ancestors while promoting historical awareness and community service in the present day.

Bio: 

LeAnne has been an active member of SVGS since 2022. She serves as the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Washington State Committee Chair for E Pluribus Unum, focusing on uncovering and honoring forgotten patriots, including African Americans, Native Americans, and women. As a member of the DAR State Review team, she assists in reviewing applications and supplementals before their submission to the National level. LeAnne is also the secretary of the Lady Stirling Chapter in Bothell. As a member of the National Society of American Colonists (NSDAC), she serves as chapter registrar for the Pilchuck chapter, where she guides potential members through the application process and supports their research by helping locate necessary documentation.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group

Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

New England Interest Group

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club October 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club
Saturday, October 18, starting at 4:00 pm via Zoom

Please join us as we discuss a fictional genealogical book, Gold and Gunslingers by Susan Finlay.

More information at:
Amazon: Gold and Gunslingers

TPCGS Book Club Zoom Meeting
Every month on the Third Sat beginning at 4:00 PM Pacific Time
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:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81999213610?pwd=Qkk2WFZTZ2Rzdzc1Z0szN1AzdEZCUT09
Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610
Passcode: 479394

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US
+12532158782,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610
Passcode: 479394

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

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting October 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: Cyndi’s List in Practice presented by Cyndi Ingle.
Sometimes overwhelming to beginners and sometimes underused by veterans, Cyndi’s List is a research tool that is robust with resources helpful in everyone’s research. Using specific examples for beginners, as well as more advanced researchers, we will explore the site and point out how to make the most of the categories and the links found within.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:

University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

South King County Genealogical Society October 2025

by Charles Hansen

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 Highland 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.

OCTOBER TO EARLY NOVEMBER 2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

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

Friday 3 October, 12:30–2:30pm (online):

EGS German Interest Group

Topic: Germans to America’s Midwest, 1848-1900. Presenter Scott Norrick examines why so many Germans were leaving their homeland during this period and why so many settled in America’s Midwest. Additional information can be found on our Meetings page.

Saturday 4 October 10–11am (online)

Family Tree Maker Users Group 

Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we learn about using the features of FTM.

Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Tuesday 7 October, 6:30pm (online)

SKCGS Board Meeting 

Members who wish to attend, write to Board@skcgs.org for a Zoom link.

Wednesday 8 October, 2–3pm (online)

WikiTree User Group. 

Topic: Digging into Wikitree’s tools: Wikitree Sourcer. 

See https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:WikiTree_Sourcer_User_Guide 

Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

Thursday 9 October, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA. Registration not required. In-person event. More information at King County Library: email jwooten@kcls.org

Monday 13 October, 1–2pm 

Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). 

Topic: What’s New at MyHeritage DNA; Cousin Finder and more. 

Join the free email group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Thursday 16 October, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (In-person) Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA. Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org

Thursday 16 October, 2–4pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA. Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library: https://kcls.org/locations/federal-way, or phone: (253) 838-3668.

Friday 17 October, 1–3pm: Research Workshop. For SKCGS Members only: In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center, 12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (253) 631-3252

Saturday, 18 October, 9:30 am social time; 10am (online)

SKCGS Speaker Series: Craig K Gowens presents “The Border Reivers: The Beginnings of America’s Scotch-Irish.”

One of the most influential migrations in the early settlement of America was that of the Scots who came via Ulster. Many of these migrants were descendants of the Border Reivers; families who had lived for centuries on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish frontier until many were banished to Ulster in the early 17th century for their relentless raiding. This presentation explores the history of the Borderlands, the culture of reiving, and how these people were transformed from feared raiders into reluctant settlers. In America, their descendants became known as the Scotch-Irish, carving out a distinct cultural identity in the Appalachian backcountry. They left a lasting imprint on American history, westward expansion, and national character, producing many notable figures along the way. Meanwhile, in Britain, the 19th century Romantic movement reimagined the Border Reivers through historical romances, ballads, and folklore, recasting a turbulent past into legend.

Craig got his start in genealogy in the mid 1980’s helping his  father when he began researching his side of the family. They spent many hours in the library poring over census and land records, visiting cemeteries and libraries to build their tree back further. Eventually Craig started working on his mother’s side of the family. In 2014, he took his first steps into the world of DNA, testing four relatives to reveal the Y-DNA line of all four grandparents’ families. As autosomal testing became less expensive, he dove in testing as many relatives as were willing, numbering over 4 dozen testers now, some tested at multiple companies.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jO6neX4sSvKf_h4-Ty1vIg

Monday 20 October, 1–2pm 

Tech Users Group (Online)

Topic: Another Look at Full Text Search: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/full-text/  

The Tech Users Group is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join our free email group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Monday 27 October, 1–2pm 

Genealogy Chat (Online)

Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!  

Saturday 1 November, 10–2am

Family Tree Maker Users Group  (Online)

Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we learn about using the features of FTM.

Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

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.

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.

Like – Facebook :: Blog :: Website – SKCGS.org :: Member support – info@skcgs.org

SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Heritage Quest Research Library See’s Candies

by Charles Hansen
At Heritage Quest Research Library, we rely on the generous support of our community through donations, memberships, and fundraisers, all of which enable us to provide the finest resources and dedicated staff—who are all volunteers! As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to indulge in the joy of giving by participating in our delightful See’s Candies fundraiser. Not only will you treat yourself and your loved ones to delectable sweets, but you’ll also be playing a vital role in helping passionate genealogists uncover their family histories. Together, let’s celebrate the spirit of discovery and connection that our collective efforts inspire, making this holiday season truly meaningful for everyone involved! Also, there is FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75! Below are just a few delectable sweets you have to choose from Click here for more irresistible
options! We appreciate your support. Have fun shopping!  Click here to make your selection!
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Let’s Talk About: Archaeology Magazine

by Donna Phillips

Archaeology Magazine is the bi-monthly publication of the Archaeological Institute of America. Subscription cost is under $20 which is half what you’ll pay for the issues at a newsstand. I really enjoy this magazine and learn so much history from it!

The July-August 2025 issue had a bit, “Legend of the Crystal Brain.” This relates how in the 1960s the skeleton of a young man about 20 years old was found covered in ash lying on his wooden bed in the doomed city of Pompeii. In 2018, doing a more thorough study on this “man,” some “fragments resembling obsidian” were found in the man’s skull. The poor man’s brain had been turned into glass by the extremely high temperatures of that volcanic ash…. over 950o! The scientist was quoted as saying, “We were looking into the brain of that young Roman who lied 2000 years ago—a brain that, perhaps, held his last thoughts before dying.” How sad. 

Another fascinating bit was this:  “Cats curl up on couches in 1/3 of all American households. However, domesticated felines are not native to the New World but were introduced by Europeans. The earliest known cats in the present day U.S., an adult and a kitten, have been identified in the wreck of a Spanish ship that sank in Pensacola Bay in Florida at 1559. Cats were likely brought aboard to feast on rodents.”

This magazine has articles of historic and archaeologic interest from all over the world……… from where our ancestors lived and still live all over the world. Try it; you might just like it. 

Let’s Talk About: Civil War Research

by Donna Phillips

Tomorrow is the EWGS Fall Workshop with the spotlight on Civil War Research. F.Y.I. Family Tree Magazine offers this 8-page, laminated, Cheat Sheet to help you “find military records and study the history” of the Civil War. Cost for this is $14.95, + p/h. This Cheat Sheet offers

5 Steps to Trace Your Civil War Ancestor:

1. Search the Civil War Soldiers & Sailors (CWSS) Database…. a free National Park Service site which indexes over 6,000,000 soldiers and 18,000 African American sailors. 

2. Obtain service and pension records (explains how).

3. Find burial information. (National cemeteries were established in 1862 for the Civil War dead.) 

4. Seek additional records (explains what/where).

5. Broaden your knowledge (gives great ideas). 

This Cheat Sheet then gives two pages explaining in more detail what the records contain. Also a map of the U.S. during the Civil War (Did you know that Oregon remained loyal to the Union?) and a Civil War Timeline (helps greatly to understand that conflict). The final page of this Cheat Sheet lists 17 websites and 24 books for your further study. 

One resource listed was The Civil War, a film by Ken Burns. I’ve viewed this; it’s worth a second time around, especially if you have ancestors who participated in the Civil War.

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week October 2025

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
ARE THERE SPOOKY STORIES IN YOUR TREE?

October is the month of Halloween. Genealogists haunt cemeteries in search clues (join SGS’s Calvary Cemetery tour, see the details above in our feature story), but there are other spooky places to go in search of records of ancestors.

Accusations of witchcraft could lead to court records detailing claims. Although the witchcraft trials in Salem, Mass., are the most famous, there were others including the Hildebrand-Evans Case of 1805 as well as cases in Connecticut and Virginia. Was one of your ancestors connected to one?

Locations also play an important role in family history. Rumors of haunted buildings and other sites have been passed down over the years. Legends about the supernatural are connected to many places right here in Washington state. Did your family live near one of them?

What other spooky stories are in your family tree?