Only 12 more days until our EWGS Fall Workshop ‘Coming to America’ Don’t miss out! Register, by check or Pay Pal on our website https://ewgsi.org 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8441 N Indian Trail Rd., Spokane, Washington
CLASS: CANADIAN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH–WHERE TO START?
Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 9-11 a.m.
CCGS Library
Many
families immigrated first to Canada while others became Americans first
and then relocated to Canada. Whether your ancestors were French or
English speaking, some ancestor records might begin in Canada. Take this
class to learn how to locate family records in Canada.
WEBINAR: A DAY OUT WITH YOUR DNA
Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
CCGS Library
While
DNA testing for genealogy is no longer a new idea, many companies are
offering a new way to look at your DNA. This Legacy Family Tree webinar
will cover the biggest and brightest options, and help you decide where
you should take your DNA to make the most of the results.
UNFOCUSED GENEALOGY DISCUSSION GROUP
Thu, 3 October 2019: 1-3 pm
CCGS Library
There’s
no meeting agenda, no special topic, just a group of curious people
bringing genealogy research notes, questions, brick walls, etc. to share
with the group. Get ideas for the next steps you should take in your
research.
FREE INTRO TO GENEALOGY CLASS
Saturday, October 5, 2019, 10am – 12 p.m.
CCGS Library
Just
getting started on your genealogy quest? Stuck at a stubborn brick
wall? Come in the first Saturday of the month and let the experts at
Clark County Genealogical Society teach you what you need to know to
successfully navigate your family tree. CCGS will have beginning
genealogy classes on the first Saturday of each month. These classes
are designed to interest brand new students as well as those who want to
revive dormant skills
LEGACY FAMILY TREE GENEALOGY SOFTWARE USER GROUP
Mon, 7 Oct 2019: 9:30-11:30 am
CCGS Library
If
you use Legacy Family Tree Software for tracking your genealogy
research, there is a Legacy Users Group that meets monthly to discuss
tips, tricks and problems. You will always come away with some new
ideas. The meetings are held regularly on the first Monday of the month.
Members and non-members are welcome.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH BOOK CLUB
Mon, 7 Oct 2019: 12-1:30 pm
CCGS Library
There
are many “research rich” books of genealogical historical collections,
as well as “how to” books on methods, collection and data storage of
genealogy research. This group delves into one book at a time and
discusses how to make the best use of it. Join this casual group as they
delve into their favorite topic of books on family history discovery
and sleuthing. (Brown baggers welcome!)
CLASS: DIGITAL RECORDS PRESERVATION & ORGANIZATION
Tuesday, 8 October 2019: 9-11 a.m.
Records,
records, we all have so many records! These records are clues and they
verify family information. Whether searching at a local or distant
genealogical research library, it is impossible to bring the file
cabinet along. Now is the time to organize your records so you can find
them now! Tuition for each class is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Advance registration is requested to guarantee reservation. Walk-ins subject to available seating.
BOOK AND FAMILY HISTORY FAIR FOR KIDS
Saturday, October 12, 2019
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
To
reach out to the younger set and get them excited about family
ancestry, a book fair and family journal class will take place on
October 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can bring in a book they’ve
read and exchange it for another one. Supplies and instructors will be
on hand to help kids make and take home a family journal (small fee).
Books will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest
Washington.
German Americans are the second largest ancestry group in the nation. But can you make sense of the names? Can you decipher records you find written in German? Sure you can, if you listen to Fritz Juengling’s lessons. Do a deep dive into locating German records using FamilySearch.
Learn key German words, phrases and phonetics to decipher records, as
well as naming conventions to identify who is who. Understand the
well-known, and lesser-known, factors for emigration. The GFO is proud to bring Fritz to Portland for our annual Fall Seminar on Oct. 5 and 6. Saturday is all about German research and will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland). Sunday’s
half-day seminar, held at the GFO Library, focuses on learning the best
way to approach Dutch research, what records were created and why, and
how to access those records. Become familiar with key words, phrases and
naming patterns to decipher and understand what you find. Seats are still available. Register now for one or both days! Download the flyer for full details.
Join Dale Deatherage at the GFO for this free GenTalk, Evernote for Genealogy, Part 2, on Saturday, September 21 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Evernote
is a cloud-based app designed for note taking, organizing, task lists,
and archiving. Notes can be made up of written information, audio
files, photos, and even video files. Once created, files can be viewed
and worked on across all of your electronic platforms (iOS, Android,
etc.). This
is a continuation of the presentation Dale gave at the GFO Open House
in March. He will review the basics and spend more time helping you dial
in some of the more advanced features. We hope you will join us!
September Star: Maggie McNair
Many people don’t realize how deep the GFO website is. It features thousands of records. We
can all thank our outgoing webmaster, Maggie McNair, for valiantly
bringing our website into the modern era. She insured that everything
made it from the old site to the new site and looks great to boot.
Maggie has since shepherded the updated site through two redesigns. For her many years of managing our site, the board is pleased to name Maggie as our GFO Star of the Month.
GFO Membership Needs Volunteer
Are you comfortable with a computer and data entry? Our
Membership team is facing some imminent long-term absences. We need to
be able to keep up with member renewals and welcome new members without
inordinate delays. We’re weeks away from losing a significant portion of
our team. Please contact Membership Chair Jane McGarvin at membership@gfo.org if you could help us once a month (or more)! Remember, the GFO is all-volunteer. We’ve never paid anyone. You are the reason the GFO is so strong.
The Portland Mac Users Group (PMUG) College offers free attendance for GFO members. The topic next Wednesday will cover:
▪ Email on the Mail program ▪ How to create and manage bookmarks ▪ Email on a web browser ▪ Find out how iCloud works ▪ Discover how iCloud synchs ▪ … And more!
PMUG meets at the GFO Library at 6:00 p.m. Sept. 25.
Volunteers still needed for GFO Fall Seminar
The Fall Seminar
is just around the corner, and event preparations are kicking into high
gear. Even if you do not plan to attend the seminar, there are still
ways you can help fulfill one of the GFO’s core missions: Education! Volunteer opportunities are available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at both the GFO and the venue (Self Enhancement, Inc.,
which is on N. Kerby just above Fremont). Many positions are only a
couple of hours, but those couple of hours are really important! Please
click on the link below to see if one of the seminar tasks is a fit for
your schedule. Thank you so much for your help!
We are delighted that Portland Center Stage is offering friends of GFO two special offers for an upcoming play that happens to revolve around genealogy! Redwood
is billed as “a beautiful, humor-filled excavation of our shared
history. When Steve Durbin sets out to chart his Black family’s ancestry
online, his revelations unwittingly throw his entire family into
turmoil.” On
October 26, GFO President Vince Patton and PCS Director at Large Julie
Ramos, will talk before the performance at about 6:45 p.m. about all the
GFO offers and why we find building personal links to history so
valuable. Redwood runs from October 26 through November 17 at Portland Center Stage at the Armory. PCS has two offers for friends of the GFO: October 26: Use promo code “GFO” for $25 tickets. October 27-November 17: Use promo code “COMMUNITY” for $10 off tickets. Get tickets here.
Our friends at the Troutdale Historical Society
are participating in the free Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on
Saturday, September 21. The Harlow House and the Barn Exhibit Hall will
be open from 9am – 4pm. Museum
Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by
Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions
across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day
ticket. The Museum Day ticket provides free admission for two people on
Saturday, September 21, 2019. Follow this link to get your tickets to all participating museums.
Saturday, September 21st African American Interest Group 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Our presenter will be Harold Hinds, discussing the new bibliography of resources for black genealogical research within the GFO Library. This bibliography will be made available at the library and online as a reference for researchers. Attendees at the meeting will each receive a copy of the bibliography.
You do not have to be a GFO member to participate! For more information, contact us at african_american@gfo.org. GenTalk: Evernote for Genealogy, pt. 2 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join presenter Dale Deatherage for a continuation of his Evernote for Genealogy presentation given at the GFO Open House in March. He will review the basics, and spend more time helping you dial in some of the more advanced features. Sunday, September 22nd 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. Wednesday, September 25th PMUG College 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Free for GFO Members! This evening’s topics: * How to create and manage bookmarks * Email on the Mail program * Email on a web browser * Find out how iCloud works * Discover how iCloud synchs * … And more! Bring your Mac to participate with instruction. If you would like additional information for attending this class, please email us at college@pmug.org. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.
When:
Friday, October 4, 2019, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm
(Doors
open at 12:10 for networking)
Where:
Relief Society
Room of the Latter-day Saints Church
10675 NE 20th
St,
Bellevue, WA 98004
Topic:
“Professional
Time-Saving Research Tips” – Most
of us have limited time and limited money. Saving time in working
with records provides more time for research and reading. To save
time, consider the tools we use, e.g. keyboard short-cuts and smart
phone scanners. Consider our approach to research, to include going
online before going off-line, keeping a research diary/journal as we
research. Consider how to stay organized by building research lists
and timelines. Learn a few of my professional time-savers that don’t
cut corners.
Presenter: Janet Camarata is a genealogist with over 30 years’ experience. She currently leads the SKCGS Technology User Group and the SKCGS Genetic Genealogy/DNA Discussion Group and is a member of EGS, SKCGS as Director of Education, KCGS as newsletter editor and SVGS and presenter at the Northwest Genealogical Conference. She is currently a member of the GIG German Interest Group program committee. Janet is a graduate of the University of Washington Genealogy and Family History program. She has a B.A. (Education) degree from Central Washington University and a master’s degree from Antioch University.
AUTUMN QUEST 2019
3 WEEKS LEFT TO GET YOUR REGISTRATION IN FOR
OCTOBER 12, 2019 We need your help!
The number of registered attendees for Autumn Quest Seminar is down and we have plenty of room.
This is a great opportunity to see and hear DAVE OBEE, Internationally known speaker.
Get your Registration in NOW!
The fastest way to register is to call us at: (253) 863-1806 with your Credit Card number, or Registration information.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Emerald Queen Ballroom & Conference Center
5580 Pacific Highway East
Fife, WA 98424
TIP OF THE WEEK – FIX THAT INDEX!
It’s
finally here, and Family Search members are excited for the newest
enhancement that allows for correction to names in the indexes on Family
Search. If and when you find it necessary to correct an index record,
you will be asked to provide an explanation for the correction and given
a choice of two reasons :
Indexed incorrectly (such as misread of the original document)
-or-
Wrong in the original document (such as nickname used)
Keep
in mind that your correction does not override the information already
on FamilySearch. Instead, you are providing additional information. The
old index information remains intact. Your change, as well as the
original information, are both searchable; therefore, allowing other
members to more readily locate these persons. There could end up being
several changes for the same record, so please edit carefully since
multiple changes will muddy the waters.
TOM JONES RETURNS SGS FALL SEMINAR
OCTOBER 5 & 6, 2019
Back by popular demand, Seattle Genealogical Society is delighted to have Dr. Tom Jones visit Seattle once again.
The topic this year will be Creating Credible Conclusions While Circumnavigating Walls. Learn how to forge innovative paths around research brick walls with confidence and ethics.
Tom Jones is an award-winning genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. He has co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002, and he is the author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation.
In addition to the all-day seminar on Saturday, Oct 5th, Tom Jones will
present two sessions of “Planning an Exhaustive Search” on Sunday, Oct
6th, at the SGS Library. The Sunday sessions are limited to 30 attendees
each and seats are going fast!
Register by September 28, 2019 to avoid a late registration fee! Click here to Register Online Now or Print a Brochure to Register by Mail URGENT REQUEST FOR FALL RAFFLE DONATIONS!
We
are requesting donations of goods or services for the Fall Seminar
raffle (Oct 5th). In the past, we have gratefully received items such
as DNA kits, genealogy books, jewelry, ballet tickets, quilts, and
genealogy tools. Use your imagination. Proceeds from the raffle
support the SGS library, and donations are tax deductible. Donated
items can be sent or brought to the SGS library. Please also send an
email message to volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org telling us of your donation prior to mailing or delivering the item so we will be on the alert for its delivery.
Thank you for your support!
VOLUNTEER NEEDED
SGS
has a policy to donate duplicate items in our library to other
libraries that need them. We need a volunteer to locate libraries in
need of these items by emailing the library and asking if they need the
duplicates that we have available. The volunteer’s responsibilities
would entail emailing, picking up and packaging of the items for
shipping, and returning the packages to SGS. This volunteer will work
primarily from home. We will train interested person with more
explanation of what is needed to be done. Please contact Linda
Fitzgerald at the SGS Library (206) 522-8658 or library@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org.
SAVE THE DATETom Jones – Guest Speaker,
SGS 2019 Fall Seminar,
Fairview Christian School,
844 NE 78th St,
Seattle, WA
October 5-6, 2019
Back
by popular demand! We are delighted to have Dr. Tom Jones visit Seattle
once again. Tom is an award-winning genealogical researcher, writer,
editor, and educator. He has co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002, and he is the author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation. Click here to Register Online Now or Print a Brochure to Register by MailCGSI Genealogical & Cultural Conference,
Lincoln, NE
October 15-19, 2019
The
Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI) is the leader in
genealogy and family history in the geographical areas now known as the
Czech and Slovak Republics. Their 2019 conference is the premier event to learn about techniques for genealogical research in those areas.
For additional information and registration, visit the website: www.cgsievents.comSGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Unless
otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand
Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes,
and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of
inclement weather.
SEPTEMBER
Tuesday, Sept 17, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com
Thursday, Sept 19, 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm, “DNA Learning Series”,at Mountlake Terrace Sno-Isle Library,
Seattle and Sno-Isle Genealogical Societies are co-sponsoring the “DNA
Learning Series”. Class 6 of the 7 class series is “Getting the Most Out
of Ancestry DNA & My Heritage”.
Pre-registration and class assignments are required. To register send an email to sgsdnasig@gmail.com
Saturday, Sept 21, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth Saturday, Sept 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 5, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, SGS Fall Seminar with Tom Jones, at Fairview Christian School. The SGS Library will be closed so our volunteers may attend the seminar.
Sunday, October 6, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright. Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro. Saturday, October 12, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly. Rescheduled date & time due to the seminar on October 5.
Saturday, October 12, 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm, SGS Fall Membership Meeting
Saturday, October 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series – The New SGS Website , Learn
how to log into the new web site and to use the new features; stay
current with our events; access our research resources and add your
family’s name to our surname registry. Facilitators: David Rimmer, Ann Wright, Christine Schomaker and Heidi Mair
Sunday, October 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Special Interest Group – meets quarterly with Karen Knudson. Share info and discuss researching your Scandinavian ancestors.
Monday, October 14, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, WAY To Go! Workshop: A Methodology for Efficient Report Writing (Classes and Workshops) Online only; with Jill Morelli, CG. Session 1 (Pre Registration is Required). Write as you go is a method of writing reports
efficiently and accurately. By focusing your attention on a single
research question coupled with other techniques learned in the program,
this two session course will improve the efficiency of your product.
Brick wall problems, client, and research reports benefit from this
approach. There will be assignments. Maximum class size is 30 members,
with priority given to SGS members. $40 for members, $50 for non-members
Tuesday, October 15, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com
Thursday, October 17, 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm, “DNA Learning Series”,at Mountlake Terrace Sno-Isle Library, Seattle and Sno-Isle Genealogical Societies are co-sponsoring the “DNA Learning Series”. Class 7 of the 7 class series is “Intro to Advanced Techniques”.
Pre-registration and class assignments are required. To register send an email to sgsdnasig@gmail.com
Saturday, October 26, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, this group meets quarterly at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Co-chaired by Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel. For more information contact sgsdnasig@gmailSaturday, October 26, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth Saturday, October 26, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Monday, October 28, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, WAY To Go! Workshop: A Methodology for Efficient Report Writing (Classes and Workshops) Online only with Jill Morelli, CG. Session 2 (Pre Registration is Required). See October 14th for complete description and links to additional information and registration.
The GFO has always been an all-volunteer organization. Keeping our library open 7 days a week is a tribute to everyone who gives their time so generously. We require a minimum of two people on duty per shift for the safety of our volunteers. However, not enough volunteers are offering to serve as research assistants. Our schedule is full of regular holes.
The board of directors has now begun grappling with some difficult questions. Should we reduce hours of operation? Do we close entirely on certain days?
We
are making one change immediately due to lack of demand and volunteers:
First Free Mondays will close at 5 p.m. rather than staying open late
to 8 p.m. Might you be willing to help at our reception desk or aid our patrons in their research? We need you. We offer training! We’re not experts and you don’t need to be either. It’s all about sharing what we know and learning together. Please contact volunteer coordinator Alice Duff at volunteer@gfo.org.
Seats are still available! Come for a full day of German Genealogy lessons and a half day of Dutch resources. Professional genealogist Fritz Juengling returns to Portland for the GFO’s 2019 GFO Fall Seminar On Saturday, Do a deep dive into locating German
records using FamilySearch, and learn key German words, phrases and
phonetics to decipher records, as well as naming conventions to identify who is who. Understand the various factors that led to emigration. On Sunday, learn key words, phrases and naming patterns to decipher Dutch records, then get started locating those records. Sign up for one or both days! The full-day German session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement
(3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland). The half-day Dutch presentation will be
at the GFO Library on Sunday, October 6th. Download the flyer for full details.
Dr.
Juengling brings amazing expertise as a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian
Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He
is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International Commission for
the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for Germany, the
Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and is certified by the Verband
deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. We hope to see you there!
Evernote
is a cloud-based app designed for note taking, organizing, task lists,
and archiving. Notes can be made up of written information, audio
files, photos, and even video files. Once created, files can be viewed
and worked on across all of your electronic platforms (iOS, Android,
etc.). Join Dale Deatherage at the GFO for this free GenTalk, Evernote for Genealogy, Part 2, on Saturday, September 21 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. This
is a continuation of the presentation Dale gave at the GFO Open House
in March. He will review the basics and spend more time helping you dial
in some of the more advanced features.
Just a reminder that the St. Helens Public Library is offering a full day of genealogy classes in its Bridges to the Past conference on Saturday, September 21. You can choose from an array of GFO stars to hear from. Every single speaker is a GFO Member! Kate
Eckman offers the keynote address. Laurel Smith teaches five classes,
Gerry Lenzen two, and Janice Handsaker and Sue LeBlanc each teach one. The best part…this conference is entirely free to attend! Registration is limited. Only 80 seats are available. If you would like to attend, you may register here.
These
are just a few of the German books we have at GFO to aid your research.
We hope you’ll come in to check out the robust collection—remember,
it’s not all on the internet. And don’t forget to register for our Fall Seminar with Fritz Juengling. He dazzled attendees when he was here last. This is one not to miss!
Volunteers needed for GFO Fall Seminar
The Fall Seminar
is less than a month away and event preparations are kicking into high
gear. Even if you do not plan to attend the seminar, there are still
ways you can help fulfill one of the GFO’s core missions: Education!
Volunteer opportunities are available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at both the GFO and the venue (Self Enhancement, Inc.,
which is on N. Kerby just above Fremont). Many positions are only a
couple of hours, but those couple of hours are really important! Please
click on the link below to see if one of the seminar tasks is a fit for
your schedule. Thank you so much for your help!
Photo provided by Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery The Friends of the Lone Fir Cemetery need volunteers now for the 2019 Tour of Untimely Departures
event at Lone Fir Cemetery. All positions are available; actors,
guides, set up, and logistics, starting now and up to the evening of the
event, Saturday October 26th. They need folks to make this popular
Halloween event amazing. You will help protect the cemetery while
learning about Portland history and having fun. Volunteer opportunities available (listed in order of time/experience requirements from most to least).
▪ Set Up: The weeks and days leading up to the event are full of preparation. ▪ Actors:
Dress in costume as a cemetery resident from long ago and tell your
tale of untimely departure to groups of 20 as they stop by your grave
site. ▪ Tour Guides: Dress in costume and act as a historical tour guide or assistant tour guide. ▪ Greeters: Dressed in costume, greeters welcome guests, provide information and help set up tour logistics. ▪ Ghouls:
In costume, “ghouls” roam the cemetery re-lighting candles and torches,
checking on actors, giving breaks, monitoring gates and providing
frightful ambiance for guests. ▪ Logistics Volunteers: Help set up and/or take down tents, tables, candles, torches. Assist our site maintenance coordinators ▪ Gate: Seeing 1200 people, there will be long lines needing organizing and questions that need answering. ▪ Musicians/Entertainers: Do you love to perform? Or have a skill to share? Lend a bit of ambiance to the tours. Station yourself, or wander the grounds. Friends?
Family? Group?: Sign up together and share the duties of the night.
Enjoy your Halloween together a fun, unique way for a good cause!
Proceeds from this event go towards the historic preservation efforts at
Lone Fir Cemetery. For more information and to sign up please email info@friendsoflonefircemetery.org
Know anyone with roots in the Columbia Gorge in Skamania County? Here’s a great resource for them. Obituaries from the Skamania Pioneer Newspaper, 1900-1929, features 476 death notices compiled by Homer and Alice Townsend. Don’t
judge this book by its 116 photocopied pages. Its rarity and the
stories inside make this so valuable that others are selling this book
on the internet for $53.
Our copy happens to be autographed by Homer Townsend himself! Your price to pickup at the GFO Library: $24 Price to mail it: $28 Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it. (Please don’t just come to the library to get it.)
Survey Results: Transportation Accidents
It’s not surprising that trains and automobiles grabbed the lead as the most reported accidents.
Some of the stories you sent were very interesting. Here are a few of our favorites: On
a stormy night, in the winter of 1925, Grandpa’s pickup slid into the
Rouge River when driving home after a party at Agness. Both he and
Grandma Dolly managed to escape the sunken truck and were eventually
picked up several miles downriver by others heading home.My
father was given the job of driving his grandmother, Mur, from Papa
Nelson’s farm to her home into Dublin, Georgia. As a teenager Dad
couldn’t resist applying leather and the buckboard dashed down the
country road. At a turn, Mur bounced off and laid unconscious in the
dust. She recovered, promising not to tell when Dad swore he’d be a
safer driver.
My
great-great-grandparents Anthony Simpson and Helen Crawford and their
four children, including my great-grandmother Emma Jane age 8, departed
New York on May 22, 1865, aboard the 530-passenger steamer Golden Rule
destined for Nicaragua. They planned to cross to the Pacific, then
continue up the coast to Oregon where Helen’s brothers lived, and where
Anthony was to take up a post as a minister with the Presbyterian
Church. Only eight days later, the ship ran aground on the infamous
Roncador Reef off the Nicaraguan coast. Miraculously, all passengers
survived and took refuge on a nearby island for 10 days before they were
rescued and taken to Aspinwall, Panama. They crossed the isthmus by
train and boarded the steamer America for San Francisco on June 30.
Helen wanted to stay longer in San Francisco to replace their clothing
ruined in the disaster. Anthony insisted they take the next boat north –
the Brother Jonathan. They averted another shipwreck by leaving
quickly. On July 30, the subsequent journey north of the Brother
Jonathan, the ship wrecked off Crescent City and only 19 of the 240
persons aboard survived.
New Survey: Closest Brick Wall
This
week we’re asking about your first (generationally) brick wall
ancestor. Take the survey to tell us the closest generation where you
are stuck.
Saturday, September 14th Great Lakes Region Interest Group 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. We will be welcoming two guest speakers. First, Ray Ashmun will tell the story of his great-great-grandfather’s brother, Samuel Ames Ashmun (1799-1886). At 19 years of age, Samuel walked from his home in Champlain, NY to Montréal to become a “clark” with the American Fur Company. He then spent time traveling the Great Lakes and was a pioneer of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Our second topic addresses a common quandary: Now that I’ve collected all this great information about my family, how do I organize it all? Second, Elsie Deatherage will demonstrate a spreadsheet system that can help both organize and analyze our genealogical research data. For more information or if you know someone who might be interested in speaking to our group, contact us at GreatLakes@gfo.org Writer’s Forum 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. We are currently working with Bruce Tarshis’s “How to be Your Own Best Editor,” chapters 14 and 15. and If you are already a part of this group, look also for the message coming with more specifics about this month’s meeting. If you are new to the group, just show up and we’ll get you started! Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at writers@gfo.org. Sunday, September 15th 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. Family Tree Maker User’s Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The topic will be importing media and photos into the program. Users of FTM can also bring other questions to discuss with the group. Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed and an empty usb thumb drive. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. FTM@gfo.org French Canadian Interest Group 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Share stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche. FrCan@gfo.org Wednesday, September 18th Learn and Chat 10:00 a.m. – Noon At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto. Questions? learnandchat@gfo.org. DNA Q&A: The Basics 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Today’s presentation will cover DNA Basics, which includes YDNA, mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA. It is ideal for those new to DNA testing for genealogy. It will include an introduction to DNA terminology and what DNA tests are available from various companies. General questions regarding DNA testing are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Lisa McCullough leads this group.. Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.
Join us for 12 thought
provoking, informative classes that include: Beginning DNA, Beginning
Genealogy, DNA Painter, Using the chromosome results from Family
Tree DNA, GEDmatch and 23 and me. Migration Mapping, Scotland,
Norwegian, Immigration – Why they Left, “Albion’s Seed” part 1
and 2, Ethnic Resources and Legal Implications of DNA testing.
Syllabus will be available for
download at our website prior to the seminar date:
Online Irish Records
With Steven W. Morrison
has been rescheduled for
October 22, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
due to the memorial services for one of our valued member/volunteers
We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope you will join us at this later date.
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