Eastern Washington Genealogical Society October Civil War Seminar

by Charles Hansen

EWGS Fall Seminar: Civil War Research 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!  

There are many attendees already registered, so don’t miss out!  Go to the website to register now! 

$40 – MEMBERS (attending in person) $50 – NON-MEMBERS (attending in person) $20 – ZOOMERS

Date: October 04, 2025

Time: 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM (Doors open at 8:30)

Location: Southside Community Center – 3151 E 27th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223

 Hybrid-Zoom available for this event 

From Muster Rolls to Family Roles: 

Discovering Civil War Histories Researching Your Civil War Ancestor – by Craig R. Scott

    Oh Yes, I Went to the Front!: Women in the Civil War – by Melanie McComb   

Refugees, Claims, and Pardons: 

Reconciliation during the Reconstruction Era – by Michael L. Strauss

Handouts will be emailed to registered attendees 2-3 days PRIOR to the event. (please print your handouts at home)

In-Person Attendance includes:  lunch, snacks, dessert, coffee, tea, and possibly door prizes!

Deadline for mailing checks is SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 BY 5:00 P.M. 

NOTE:  IF YOU WISH TO REGISTER VIA WRITTEN CHECK: Write your check for the correct amount (see above),

MAIL TO: EWGS 9116 E SPRAGUE AVE., #438   SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206

Cancellation for this event AND TO RECEIVE A FULL REFUND deadline is SEPTEMBER 26TH BY 5:00 P.M.

Exciting new vendors

 Book sale of donated Civil War books and many others!

Free Table

If you feel that you cannot afford the tuition fee for this seminar, please apply for a scholarship.  

Sign in to EWGS as a member. Click on Events and Choose Scholarship Grant Forms.  

Let’s Talk About: What’s New at FamilySearch

by Donna Phillips


Here is the latest news regarding FamilySearch which I learned during RootsTech 2025 presented by Todd Powell, Tree Product Manger:

  • FamilySearch has nearly 24 million monthly visits
  • 1.68 billion persons in Family Tree
  • 156 million persons added to Family Tree in 2024
  • “a person is never deleted for good!”
  • “FamilySearch is the largest linked tree as of 2024”
  • Nearly 20 million memories attached
  • Nearly 3.5 billion sources added (up 1 billion in 1 year)
  • Nearly 5.6 billion digital images
  • Nearly 700,000 digital books
  • Nearly 20 billion searchable names
  • Can search in 48 different languages (Arabic the latest)
  • Are 6580 FamilySearch centers in the world
  • The goal is to correctly/accurately identify each person
  • Striving to slow down inaccurate merging

Todd smiled and said, “As each of us improves the documentation for each ancestor or person in our tree, we can increase the odds of folks making goofy changes….that does drive us crazy!” And he explained that they’re really concerned about and working on fixing wrong matches and “people changing stuff without documentation.”


He ended his lively presentation with this:  “Quit complaining… learn to use the available tools to full advantage!!’ 

Let’s Talk About: FamilySearch Record Collections

by Donna Phillips

It’s back to learning time, back-to-school time, right? How about taking a deeper look at the Major Records Collections offered for free at FamilySearch.org?? Think you might oughta take a looksee??

  • US Census
    • 1790-1950 federal censuses
    • Various state censuses
  • US Vital Records
    • B-M-D indexes for many cities and states
    • Social Security Death Index
    • Find A Grave Index
    • BillionGraves Index
  • US Probates & Wills
    • Various state and county records
    • Freedman’s Bank records
  • US Military Records
    • WWI and WWII draft cards
    • WWII enlistment records
    • Civil War service and pension records
    • Revolutionary War pension and service records
  • Canadian Records
    • 1851-1911 censuses
    • Passenger lists
  • UK Records
    • B-M-D register indexes
    • 1841-1911 censuses
    • WWI service records
    • Outgoing passenger lists
  • Irish Records
    • Civil Registration indexes
    • Catholic parish registers
    • Valuation Office books
  • German Records
    • B-baptism-M-D records
    • Germans to America index
  • Mexican Records
    • Baptisms – M- D records
    • 1930 census
  • Immigration Records
    • LOTS of passenger lists
    • Border crossing records from Canada and Mexico
    • US passport applications
    • Naturalization records and indexes for various states and counties
  • Newspapers
    • Obituaries from GenealogyBank and various publications

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History September 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below

Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMoc-2qqDMjHNXnACfWJ0dop_pMeQXMRoYM/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqz8uGNKduR-GRpwEGY-gLOrwplxEgo1lkj7GBRd5Mgf5Jt1SH7dOKPXi

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87544268961?pwd=oNtdztP51tePuSn3bt45J3wuxnGXzl.1
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

One tap mobile:
+12532158782,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US (Tacoma)
+12532050468,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US

Dial by your location:
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kclCP1SsOV

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society September Education Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: What genealogy research have you done this summer, and what did you find?

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who can 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

GFO Beyond the Click The Power of Onsite Research

by Charles Hansen

September 6 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Free!

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to host this GenTalk as part of our monthly series of talks.

Presenter:  Colette Hokanson, AG® and FamilySearch Research Specialist

In today’s world of digitized records and searchable databases, it’s easy to think that every answer to our family history questions is just a click away. Yet some of the most meaningful discoveries – those that bring our ancestors’ stories to life – still require us to step beyond the computer screen.  

This session explores the irreplaceable value of onsite research: walking through cemeteries where generations rest, paging through local archives filled with documents never scanned, and swapping stories with relatives during spontaneous visits. These experiences reveal family history in ways no search bar can.

Colette Hokanson, AG® and FamilySearch Research Specialist, will share her personal experiences finding missing family from the mountains of Norway to the valleys of Wales. She’ll illustrate how combining traditional onsite research with the power of innovative tools—including artificial intelligence—can break through decades-old brick walls and open new paths of discovery.

Registration: gfo.org/gentalk

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Locate Original Quaker Records

by Charles Hansen

Steven W. Morrison

Genealogist and lecturer

Using Hinshaw & Other Finding Aids to Locate Original Quaker Records

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

September 11th Zoom meeting.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm

The speaker’s program will begin at 7:00 pm.

The public is invited to attend.

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event.

South King County Genealogical Society September 2025 Meetings & Events

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 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.

Members: passcode for the recording of this month’s speaker presentation is at the bottom of this email.

SEPTEMBER–EARLY OCTOBER   2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

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

Monday September 1 is Labor Day. No SKCGS events; KCLS Libraries are closed

Friday, September 5, 2025 from 12:30–2:30pm (online)

EGS German Interest Group

Topic: Using German Genealogy Societies/Special Interest Groups to Break Your Brick Wall  Presenter Ann Broihier  explores some prominent German genealogy societies and special interest groups in the US, plus genealogy groups in Germany. Additional information can be found on our Meetings page.

Saturday September 6, 2025, 10am–12pm 

Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)

Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we will 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

Monday, September 8, 2025, 1–2pm

Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online) 

Topic: Using all the tools at Family Tree DNA

Start at Your Results & Tools: https://help.familytreedna.com/hc/en-us/categories/1500001411561-Your-Results-Tools 

This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday, September 10, 2025,  2–3pm

WikiTree User Group (online)

Topic: Using the WikiTree DNA tools. 

See: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:DNA_Tests 

& https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:DNA_Features

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, September 11, 2025, 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. 

Thursday, September 11, 2025, 5–6:30pm

Special meeting of the SKCGS Family Tree Maker User Group with speaker Mark Olsen. Topic: 2024 upgrade of FTM. We all have the new 2024 version and have lots of questions. 

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5opcBKBQTqSFYd4KMjzCw. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Monday, September 15,1–2pm 

Tech Users Group (Online)

Topic: What’s the Plan? From your research questions to a workable research process. See: Create Great Genealogical Research Questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr20axYxjT8 (5 mins) & What Your Genealogy Research is MISSING! |Psst! It’s a Plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zadMApiMgDc (15 mins)

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

Friday, September 19, 1–3pm

Research Workshop (In-person/RSVP req)

SKCGS Members only. In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center

12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA 98030, USA

RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (253) 631-3252

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 9:30am Social time. Speaker: 10–11:30am

SKCGS Speaker Series (online)

Writing Your Own Obituary

Your obituary is probably the most important thing that will ever be written about you. So why not write it yourself? Writing an auto-obituary is a way to make sure you’re remembered the way you want to be remembered. Roxanne will share examples and styles of obituaries. You’ll also get started on your own!


Roxanne Lowe is the proud great granddaughter of Washington Pioneers Daniel and Mary (Donovan) Murphy who came to Chehalis County (now Grays Harbor) in 1888. She is the past president of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society and webmaster of the Washington State Genealogical Society’s website. She was the 2024 recipient of the WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. 
The program will be recorded for playback by SKCGS Members. Guests welcome! Register

Thursday, August 21, 2025,  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, August 21, 2025, 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 98003

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 

Monday, September 22⋅1–2pm

Genealogy Chat (Online)

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

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 mailing list, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY