You could feel the excitement and energy in the building as more than 250 genealogy enthusiasts gathered at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center for the first full day of the 2019 Northwest Genealogy Conference.
Our keynote speaker was the amazing Angie Bush. Angie is a senior genealogist with Ancestry ProGenealogists. She’s also one of my favorite DNA speakers. She uses clear language, great examples and case studies and really keeps up on the ever-changing world of DNA.
Angie Bush speaking at Thursday’s conference
Angie’s presentations today included Direct Line Testing (Y-DNA & mtDNA), Answering Genealogical Questions with Autosomal DNA and Power Tools to Make the Most of Your DNA Test. I had many “ah ha’s” to take home to apply to my own DNA results. Lots of notes scribbled on my syllabus.
Jill Morelli channeling her inner Sherlock Holmes with Roxanne Lowe
In addition to the three keynote presentations, the conference attendees had to make the difficult choice of choosing just two workshops from the ten offered. I opted for Janice Lovelace’s “Becoming Washington: Who Came to the Northwest and Why” and “The Genealogical Proof Standard According to Sherlock Holmes” with Jill Morelli. Both classes were standing room only — more chairs brought in to Janice’s Washington class and Jill’s Sherlock Holmes class was moved to a bigger classroom.
I had a chance to visit a few vendors — interesting! Will buy raffle tickets and visit the Heritage Quest Research Library book store tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow…great fun is in store! It’s “Dress Like Your Ancestor” day! You can still register for the day. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. We’re waiting for you!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 Join us as we welcome our member, Sue Foster, as a new instructor. Sue will speak on 2 subjects. 1)Meyer’s Orts- und Verkehrs- Lexicon includes all place names as they were designated during the time of the German Empire (1871-1918). She will discuss the online version, importance in locating the place where the vital records were recorded and the locations of the microfilmed/digitized records of the Family History Library based on this Gazetteer. She will also discuss 2) a free German web site, which translates to English, and its 2 divided sections: a) information (history, archives, links to regional family history groups and repositories and b) family trees submitted by researchers. $20.00 members / $25.00 non-members
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 Janet Camarata is back with this months regularly scheduled class. The town, county, and regional histories are important sources for genealogists for 18th and 19th-century research. Discover settlement patterns of a given area, origins of the early settlers, geography, religion, economics, education, the social conditions and major events of the times, and if lucky, a biographical sketch of your ancestor. Learn what’s been written, where to find them and how to assess their value. $20.00 members / $25.00 non-members
The Northwest Genealogy Conference is one of the region’s best learning and networking opportunities. I look forward to it all year and today didn’t disappoint! In case you hadn’t heard, the conference, in its sixth year, is August 14 – 17, 2019, at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School.
Angie Bush showing Julie Miller from Olympia how to maximize her DNA matches on AncestryDNA.
The afternoon began for many taking advantage of Janet O’Conor Camarata’s free beginning class. I saw more than beginners in the class — there’s always something new to learn or relearn in the world of genealogy. There were also three “advanced workshops” offered: Connecting DNA Matches with Angie Bush, Family History Writing with Lisa Alzo and Disaster Proofing Your Research with Sara Cochran. There was a lot of buzz about all three classes.
Daniel Earl and Michael Strauss enjoyed Wednesday evening’s Meet and Greet
The evening closed with a “Meet and Greet” taco bar at the Gleneagle Golf Course. What a great way to see old friends and make new ones.
Tomorrow we’ll be treated to three DNA-related plenary sessions with Angie Bush and “Making the Most from Your Public Library” with Jennifer Foreman. In addition to Angie’s and Jennifer’s presentations, we’ll also have to choose just two classes from the ten offered — everything from death, dying and burial customs to finding ancestors without the 1890 census. In combing through the 170-page syllabus, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to choose!
If you aren’t one of the 250+ people who have already registered for the conference, don’t despair! You can register at the door for one day, two days or all three! You can’t register online anymore (and meals are not available for on-site registrants), but show up at the door and the uber-efficient volunteers from conference host Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will get you set up. Just show up early! Doors open at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at 7:30 a.m.
I’m excited, full of energy and enthusiasm! More tomorrow…
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State is pleased to present our
September
meeting program
“Jewish Genealogy: How Is This Research Different from All
Other Research?” presented by Janice M. Sellers, Professional Genealogist
DATE:
Monday, September 9, 2018
LDS Factoria Building
4200 124th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
·
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., for all to enjoy the extensive JGSWS Library’s genealogical resources, including FREEaccess to the FHC computers and genealogical websites!
·
Free Wi-Fi available. Come early to network with other attendees!
·
Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 p.m.
·
Free admission and refreshments
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
This presentation provides an overview of the
unique aspects of Jewish culture and history that affect family history
research. Topics include history, geography, naming patterns, languages
and alphabets, rabbinical genealogies,
kehillah records, Yizkor books, cemeteries, and other
resources. The information presented will be of great help to those new
to Jewish genealogical research as well as providing important
information to more experienced researchers.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Janice M. Sellers is a professional genealogist
specializing in Black, Jewish, dual citizenship, forensic, and newspaper
research. She is the editor of ZichronNote, the quarterly journal of
the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical
Society (SFBAJGS) and has previously edited four other genealogy
publications. Currently, Janice is the publicity director, programming
director, and a board member of SFBAJGS and a member of the Association
of Professional Genealogists, Council for the Advancement
of Forensic Genealogy, Genealogical Speakers Guild, and Genealogical
Forum of Oregon. She has volunteered at Family History Centers since
2000 and gives presentations on many genealogical topics at the local,
regional, state, and national/international levels,
most recently returning from the International Association of Jewish
Genealogical Societies’ annual conference, held earlier this August in
Cleveland, OH. She has researched her own family history for more than
40 years. Before becoming a professional genealogist,
Janice worked in publishing for many years as an editor, indexer,
translator, and compositor. Her translation services primarily include
French, Spanish, and Russian.
Please visit our website at
http://www.jgsws.org
to join or to donate to JGSWS to help support the incredible speakers
and workshops
we bring to you, to view library listings, download handouts, or for
more information. JGSWS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit
organization. Membership dues and donations are tax deductible.
Bishop
Place Independent Living Social Room,
811 SE Klemgard, Pullman, WA
Saturday,
September 14, 2019
featuring:DAN OWENS and DULCE KERSTING-LARK
“Using the Public Library for Genealogy and Local History”
9:00 am:
The doors open.
9:30
am-10:30 am: Dan Owens will discuss the
resources in the Palouse Heritage Collection at Neill Public Library
in Pullman as well as working with public libraries, in general, when
doing genealogical research or learning more about local history.
This can be applied to researching in any area, not just our own
local area. In addition he will cover the ins and outs of
interlibrary loan.
10:30
am-10:45 am: Break and refreshments.
“Archival Power: Demonstrating the Importance of Primary Sources to Stakeholders and the Public”
10:45
am-11:45 am: Dulce
Kersting-Lark will discuss how working
with original source materials is a privilege, but it is also a
complex challenge. The nature of archives makes them both
authoritative and flawed. Creating a community repository in a border
town is just one of many challenges that we must make our users aware
of from the get-go. How we promote the value of primary source
material to the broader public is another. She will also speak to the
interesting and rewarding work she does at Latah County Historical
Society, as well as share information about the History Relevance
Campaign.
If you have
any questions or need more information contact WCGS President, Sue
Kreikemeier at:
aerocraft@completebbs.com
or 509-635-1303. Please
RSVP to Sue or whitmancgs@gmail.com
by
September 7 to accommodate handouts &
refreshments.
While
the seminar is free, donations are welcome at the door.
Directions:
Turn off Bishop
Boulevard onto Klemgard Ave., follow Klemgard Ave. up the hill and
turn left at the top. Do not go into the front entrance, but turn
right, continuing up the hill and turn left at the white car ports.
Find an appropriate parking place, enter the building through the
main doors and go straight ahead to the Social Room.
“Why don’t I recognize all those names on my DNA match list?” Half of your ancestry comes from women, yet we tend to focus our genealogical searches on men. No wonder those matches are mysterious!
Join
Barb Schrag here at the GFO Library on Saturday, August 17, at 2:00
p.m. for a fascinating talk focused on the comprehensive genealogy, of
all of the descendants of your third great grandparents. Not only will
you begin seeing the relationships, but you’ll be creating the genealogy that future generations can refer to and build on. Barb is a member of the GFO as well as the Clark County Genealogical Society and has given numerous presentations for both organizations. As always, GenTalks are free and open to the public, so, member or not, check out our Calendar page and come spend an hour or so with us!
The 2019 GFO Fall Seminar,
featuring Fritz Jeungling, Ph.D., AG, will be an exceptional
educational opportunity that we are exited to be bringing to our
membership and the community at large. Dr.
Juengling is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International
Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for
Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and he is certified by
the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. He is also a German,
Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Consultant at the Family History
Library in Salt Lake City. The
full-day session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center
for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland) and will focus on
German Research, while the half-day presentation at the GFO Library on
Sunday, October 6th, will provide an introduction to Dutch research.
Download the flyer for full details. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register early!
On
Tuesday, August 20, join Laurel Smith for a full day of beginning
genealogy from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GFO Library. There will be
sessions about the census, vital records, discussions about genealogy
software and database use, organizing your research, using Ancestry.com,
and more — all geared toward beginners — but basic computer skills are a
prerequisite. All
communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and
print the class notes. Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a beverage so
you can keep going as the class does. Registration closes on August 16. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.
The LDS Stake in Boring, Oregon, donated 15 boxes of books to the GFO this week. We’d
like to thank the Mount Hood Family History Center for a sizable
donation this week. The LDS Stake brought us 15 boxes of books.
Apparently they’re scanning as much as they can and discarding the
physical copies. The
GFO welcomes donations like these. Our collections committee reviews
the genealogical value of all donations. Those that meet our criteria
will join the shelves. This
is a good time to remind you how we differ from historical societies.
We don’t park donations in a back room. Museums often have more than
they can display at once. The GFO operates an active research library. Our goal is to get all our holdings out in the library so you’ll have access to everything. Of course, since we’re all-volunteer, it takes time to process all our donations. But once they’re sorted, cataloged and labeled, you will find them!
Don’t Forget, We’re Cool!
How do I love thee, GFO?
Let me count the ways. Air conditioning, air conditioning, air conditioning.
Another great reason to visit our research library this summer!
Does Your Family Have a Story About Women Fighting to Vote?
Photo: Library of Congress Next
year marks the 100th anniversary of a watershed year in women’s rights
in the U.S. On August 18, 1920, Congress ratified the 19th amendment to
the U.S. constitution, finally giving women a right to vote. Did your ancestors play a role in the suffrage movement? Did any of your ancestors fight against giving women a voice? We’d like to hear from you. The Bulletin would like to publish stories next year about suffrage and we’d welcome your submissions. Please contact bulletin@gfo.org.
HOST THOMAS ALLEN HARRIS IN DETROIT WITH PAUL WASSERMAN Digital Diaspora Family Reunion LLC
There’s a good chance you have saved family photos. Do you know the stories behind the relatives pictured? Here’s
a program on PBS you might find interesting. Family Pictures, USA is a
new PBS series exploring American cities, towns and rural communities
through the lens of the family photo album. “Family
photos of everyday milestones — marriage, childhood, a new car, a
growing business — provide a visual portal through which to examine the
roots, surprising connections and provocative parallels that shed light
on our collective past and our shared future.” It airs on OPB Tuesday, August 13 at 8 p.m. Watch the trailer here.
Did you know that the GFO holds 170 original Oregon Masonic Lodge books? They contain the Mason’s proceedings of their annual conventions from 1851 to 1998. If one of your ancestors served in this fraternal organization, their names may well appear in one of these many compilations.
The
Masons diligently tracked and published the names of people who joined,
left, and died. Sometimes elaborate memorial tributes appeared for
certain members. These Masonic books are in the rare books section of the GFO Library. Ask an RA to show you. We
have indexed the following information contained in the proceedings: a
biography, a portrait/phototype, the death of a member since the last
convention, and memorial plates. A member’s name may have variations
within the same book and have been noted.
Survey Results: Extreme Cold and Winter Weather
The survey results are in. Blizzards won out as the most reported cold weather disaster with 48%. Here are a few of the comments.
▪ Two
little girls, Eda and Mathilda Westphalen, died on 12 January 1888 on
their way home from school during an unexpected snowstorm in Dodge
County, Nebraska. They have a large cemetery monument erected after
children collected money to remember the sisters. Thirteen-year-old Eda
had wrapped her own coat around her eight-year-old sister to no avail.
The local paper published a poem. ▪ My grandfather went bankrupt when he lost an entire herd of cattle in a blizzard. ▪ My
4G-grandmother, Marie Dorion, escaped the war party of Indians who
killed her husband and some other members of the Hunt expedition on the
Snake River in 1813. She took her two young boys into the Blue Mts.,
built a snow cave and smoked horse meat to survive. They crawled down
the mountains and were taken in by friendly Walla Wallas two months
later. ▪ My
great-great-grandfather died of complications from pneumonia in 1884.
He was called to jury duty in Marion County in February when it was very
cold and there was deep snow. He developed a severe cold in the first
week. Rather than seeking an excuse, he continued to serve and developed
severe pneumonia which led to his death in March. He was only 59 years
old.
New Survey: Hot as Blue Blazes
We
continue our theme of disastrous events and how they affected our
ancestors. This week, we’re inquiring about hot weather and drought.
Sunday, August 11th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Tuesday, August 13th GFO Board Meeting 6:10 – 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, August 14th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.
There is only a week before the Northwest Genealogy Conference, August 14-17 in Arlington, WA.
If you’re still thinking about whether to attend or not, consider these benefits and offerings:
Unlimited networking with other enthusiastic genealogists.
More than two dozen top-notch presenters offering more than 30 classes. Keynote speakers will be Thomas MacEntee (through the magic of video), Angie Bush and Michael Strauss — all amazing presenters. What an opportunity to hear nationally renowned experts right here in Western Washington!
Whether you consider yourself a beginner or more advanced genealogist, attend the FREE beginning genealogy session on Wednesday, the 14th, with Janet Conor Camarata. There’s always something to learn (or relearn!) in the world of genealogy.
There are still openings in some of the “advanced” workshops held on Wednesday. Pre-registration and payment is required. Click here for more information.
If you’ve got a young person interested in attending, a complimentary youth registration (ages 13-17) is available with one paid full conference registration. (Email info@stillygen.org or call the Society at 360-435-4838 for further information.)
Vendors! Vendors! Vendors! Don’t miss the opportunity to see what’s new!
Sign up for all three days or just one — fit it into your schedule.
Maybe you’ll find a cousin if you post a surname message on the Cousin Board in the registration area. A great way to connect with other attendees.
Don’t miss this opportunity. Sign up today by clicking here.
Join us as we welcome our member, Sue Foster, as a new instructor. Sue will speak on 2 subjects: 1) Meyer’s Orts- und Verkehrs- Lexicon includes all place names as they were designated during the time of the German Empire (1871-1918). She will discuss the online version, importance in locating the place where vital records were recorded and the locations of the microfilmed/digitized records of the Family History Library based on this Gazeteer. She will also discuss 2) a FREE German website, which translates to English, and its 2 divided sections: a] information, history, links to regional family history groups and repositories, and b] family trees submitted by researchers.
$20.00 members / $25.00 non-members
Wednesday, August 28th, 1-3p.m. Janet Camarata’s topic for this month is: Discover County Histories and the Family Stories They Tell
The town, county, and regional histories are important sources for genealogists for 18th and 19th-century research. Discover settlement patterns of a given area, origins of the early settlers, geography, religion, economics, education, the social conditions and major events of the times, and if lucky, a biographical sketch of your ancestor. Learn what’s been written, where to find them and how to assess their value. $20.00 members / $25.00 non-members All of our classes are held in the Library classroom. To reserve a spot for either class, please call: 253-863-1806 or stop by HQRL and we will add you to the list of attendees. If you find you cannot attend the reserved spot, please let us know so that we can make room for others.
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