Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

To me, and perhaps to you, this is a real mystery………. but a non-genealogical mystery.

We’ve been watching a good many TV shows about space and the mysteries thereof. There have been several shows exploring the dynamics of each of our planets in turn. All have been fascinating.

The mystery here to me is this: If we were to think of them as siblings, all created to be part of THIS solar system, then why are they so very different??

A mystery for you to ponder upon as you pause before sliding into the holiday frenzy, eh?

SCRIBE-ing it and lovin’ it!

by Charles Hansen

WOWSERS. I’ve gone from being number 169 on the list to being number 114. That means with my relatively puny accomplishment number of 955, I’m still ahead of lots of folks and climbing up the Getting It Done Ladder. And it feels good. I shall likely never catch up to Rose or Stephen or Charles but it surely is a warm-fuzzy feeling to be paying it forward with SCRIBE.

Are you SCRIBE-ing it yet???

Puget Sound Civil War Roundtable December Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Upcoming PSCWRT Meeting

December 13, 2018
Stuart Streichler will discuss the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson. He is the author of Justice Curtis in the Civil War Era: At the Crossroads of American Constitutionalism (Curtis was defense counsel for Johnson at the impeachment trial). Professor Streichler’s articles have appeared in many law reviews, newspapers, and other periodicals, and he has been interviewed by the BBC, CBC The National, Fox News, NHK, and local television news programs. He teaches at the University of Washington, Bothell, School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Social hour begins at 6:00 pm, Dinner at 6:45 pm, and program at 8:00 pm.  Click the button below to make a reservation. Students may attend free with no dinner.  Make a reservation and choose a dinner if you wish.
See website for more information and to make a reservation
PSCWRT

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
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THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News Edition

November 23, 2018

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?

We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932.

Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR.
Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider
***

GFO Member Meets Pulitzer Winner Who Wrote About Her
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For 14 straight summers, someone has run the same obituary in The Oregonian for three triplets who died the day they were born. Reporter Tom Hallman tracked down the woman responsible.

It was GFO member Bonnie Widerburg, memorializing her grandchildren.
Bonnie didn’t think it was a story, but Tom knew it would strike a chord.

His article “While They Lived All of One Day, They are Not Forgotten” was published on August 11th of this year. Bonnie was grateful and moved by Tom’s writing, but she had only talked to him by phone, never in person.

Last Saturday, Bonnie finally got to meet the reporter who told her family’s story. The Pulitzer winner presented GFO’s latest GenTalk about “Writing Your Own Story” to a crowd of 34 people at GFO’s library. Widerburg called the session “a real highlight for me. We were fortunate to hear from this talented man.”

All of us who were in attendance echoed Widerburg’s comments, as the talk ran 15 minutes long and no one wanted it to end.
***

Help GFO with Your Holiday Purchases!
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Did you know you can shop for the holidays and help the GFO at the same time?

The best part? Giving won’t cost you anything!

Cyber Monday is around the corner with some super big sales. If you buy on Amazon, please start your online shopping trips here: smile.amazon.com.

Be sure to register with Amazon Smile and choose the Genealogical Forum of Oregon to benefit from your purchases. We get a small donation with every purchase you make.

It’s a great way to preserve and share heritage. Member dues cover less than half of our annual library rent. Donations pay the bulk of GFO’s all-volunteer operation, and this is one more way you can help.

As always, thank you for all you do for GFO!
***

#GivingTuesday is Next Week!
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On #GivingTuesday, most non-profits are asking for monetary donations — and GFO would never turn those down — but this is our annual appeal for your TIME.

This year we’ll be attempting a partial inventory of our books. We want to discover what’s missing AND get the books in the correct order on the shelves. People will work in teams, and there will be some book labeling for those who can’t stand to do shelf reading.

Food, free passes to the library, and a general good time to be had by all! We hope to see you there.
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Don’t Miss the Virginia Group’s Land Records Discussion – Part 1 on December 1st
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“Land Records: Part 1” – Virginia, West Virginia, & Kentucky

Saturday, December 1st at 10 a.m. in GFO’s Multipurpose Room (at the back of the library)

Land records are some of the most rewarding records for genealogical research. They generally represent the longest time span for records and are rich in genealogical information. We’ll discuss the laws that were passed to manage land claims as new areas opened for settlement. We will explore the various original land records in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky, where the land is located … and where to find the records. The discussion will include headrights, bounty land, preemption certificates, and other methods of claiming land.

Questions? Send them please to the group’s leaders, Judi Scott and Carol Surrency, at Virginia@gfo.org.
***

Photos 101 – A Free Class for GFO Members with Mac Computers
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As genealogists, we do a lot of photo handling. Apple’s free Photos App is a great tool to edit and organize your photos to make them look their best for all archiving purposes. Don’t struggle with tasks like fixing/cropping images when you can get a solid grasp of the basics in this free class.

The Portland Mac Users Group offers this PMUG College class on Wednesday, December 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the GFO library. FREE for GFO and PMUG members. $10 for non-members.

More information is available on the PMUG website.
***

Volunteer Shortage Threatens Wednesday Hours
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At this time of year, we are so thankful for all of you who help keep the GFO library open.

Every single person here is a volunteer. We have no paid staff.

But we need two (or three) more people to step up to help us keep the GFO library open.

We have lost our Research Assistant/Receptionists on two vital shifts:

▪ Wednesday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – each week.
▪ Wednesday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Can you spare some hours? We must have two people on duty on each shift. For the safety of our volunteers we must close the library if only one person is here.

Please contact Cathy, our volunteer coordinator, at volunteer@gfo.org.
***

Visit the Oregon Historical Society On Us
Oregon Historical Society Logo

We’re pleased to offer a new benefit to GFO Members.

You can now check out Cultural Passes from the GFO to visit the Oregon Historical Society.

As an affiliate of OHS, the GFO receives two annual membership cards. We’d like to share this benefit with you.

We’ve turned the cards into Cultural Passes, which you can check out one day and return the next.

HOW?? Just ask at our reception desk if you’d like to visit the Oregon Historical Society. You might like it so much that you choose to become a member there too!
***

This week at GFO …
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SATURDAY, November 24th

DNA Beginners 9 a.m. – noon

This session will be a discussion of your questions. It would be easier if you submit your questions to Emily Aulicino at least a few days before the class. This way, they will not be overlooked or lack time. We’ll address those first. Even if you are not planning to come, send in your questions.

This is the chance to cover your particular issues which could include what tests work for what problems, exploring how to use spreadsheets to help you organize your data, viewing the company websites, and more. Anyone interested in using DNA for genealogy is welcomed.

Time will be provided for additional questions. You are welcome to send me your questions before the meeting. Feel free to email us at dna@gfo.org.

African American Ancestry Group 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

We realize that for November’s meeting will be on Thanksgiving weekend. Because many people will be spending time with family instead of other family historians, rather than have a speaker and program, we will be holding an open-ended help session for the meeting. If you’re stuck in your research, want some advice, or just want to brainstorm, come on by. SIG coordinator Janice Sellers will be there for the entire time and will be happy to talk with you.

If you know of any other people interested in African American genealogy, tell them about the group. You do not have to be a GFO member to participate! For more information, contact us at African_American@gfo.org.

SUNDAY, November 25th

Library Work 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.

MONDAY, November 26th

Library Closed to prep for #GivingTuesday.

TUESDAY, November 27th

#GivingTuesday!! 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come join the fun and give of your time at GFO’s library this Giving Tuesday! We need able-minds and able-bodies.

Don’t forget! Non-members who come to volunteer can earn a free pass to the library so they can research on another day.

We will bring in food to fortify us, so please give a few hours or make a day of it!

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Just gotta, gotta, GOTTA share this one:

What did the astronauts say when they found bones on the moon?

“Darn, the cow didn’t make it.”

 

 

Hey, it’s C-O-L-D outside and I’m laughing to keep warm.

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

In this month of thinking turkey, here’s a question for you: How many kinds or species of turkey are there? The answer surprised me.

This image (from Wikipedia) is of a Mexican turkey. Other sorts are Eastern Wild Turkey (what we’re familiar with), Osceola Wild Turkey or Florida Wild Turkey, Rio Grande Wild Turkey, Merriam’s Wild Turkey and Gould’s Wild Turkey.

Wild turkeys are found in 49 of the 50 states (all except Alaska). They can be seen from southern Canada to southern Mexico. Many species have also been introduced into Europe and New Zealand. Turkeys are able to live in many different areas, including in the forests on the edge of suburban areas.

Here’s some bits that will win you the $10,000 prize: A bunch of turkeys is called a rafter. A baby turkey is called a poult. And when writing to refer to a rafter of turkeys it is turkeys not turkies.

Think your ancestors ate turkey???? 

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Christmas Party

by Charles Hansen

 

Annual Christmas Party - Your Pioneer Ancestor

Saturday, December 1
Annual Christmas Party – Your Pioneer Ancestor  (EWGS Meetings)
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Spokane Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Spokane
This year’s theme is “Your Pioneer or Early American Ancestor.”
Tell us about a family, or family member, that came from somewhere other than the United States of America. America is the “Great Melting Pot” so we should see some wonderful diversity in the presentations. Each presentation will be limited to a maximum of 5 Minutes.
The following questions come to mind: Why did your ancestors come here? When? How?
Maybe your story will enable the group to learn a new research trick or prompt some ideas for you to solve a brick wall. Visual aids are always welcome. Show and tell!!
Our annual cookie parade will continue. Please bring a couple dozen of your favorite homemade holiday cookies to share. Don’t forget your recipe! We still have hopes of a cookbook some day.
There will be door prizes so be prepared for a fun and festive holiday get together.
Organizer – Mary Holcomb.
If you have questions or suggestions please contact Mary at:  mkholcomb@live.com

2019 International German Genealogy Conference

by Charles Hansen

Seven months to go:
73 reasons for dressing cool casual

Wondering about the weather when you arrive in Sacramento for the International German Genealogy Conference next June?

It is true that, on average, there are 73 days in the year when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). But if you were on the French Riviera, would you mind? No! Just think of Sacramento as the “California Riviera” because it enjoys the same Mediterranean climate: mild winters and very warm, dry summers that stay comfortable because of the low humidity. Think cool and casual when packing for your trip.

The Mediterranean climate’s characteristics were first described by Wladimir Peter Köppen. Born in St. Petersburg in 1846, he was the grandson of a German doctor invited to Russia by Empress Catherine the Great. Köppen spent most of his life and professional career in Germany and Austria. His interest in climate and its effect on vegetation led to the development of the “Köppen climate classification system,” which is still in use.

Now that you have some guidance on the weather, register for the conference and book your hotel. A sell-out in the early-bird registration period is a possibility. And you don’t want to miss the Mediterranean in California!

  NEW!   Follow conference updates on our blog.
Register now
Take advantage now of the early bird registration rates, which end Jan. 15. With limited seating available, it’s best not to hesitate. If the conference is full, your registration will go on a wait list.
Book a room
The conference hotel, The Hyatt Regency, now has limited availability. But you can get a conference rate for rooms at the Marriott Residence Inn, just two blocks from the conference hotel.
Your hosts, the Sacramento German Genealogy Society and the International German Genealogy Partnership, encourage you to learn more about the products and services offered by conference sponsors. We thank them for their support.

Gift Idea: Washington Pioneer Certificate

by Roxanne Lowe

pioneerIf your ancestor was one of the 350,000 people who lived in the Washington Territory when it became the nation’s 42nd state on 11 Nov 1889, you may be eligible for a Washington Pioneer certificate. Or if your ancestors arrived a little later — before 31 Dec 1900 — you can get a First Citizen certificate. What a great gift for yourself and your family members!

We began the Washington State Centennial Pioneer Certificate Program in 1984 in anticipation of the state’s centennial admission to the union in 1889. The initial certificates were issued to applicants who could prove their ancestors were in Washington Territory prior to 11 Nov 1889. Those descendants’ names, almost 18,000, were printed in a two-volume set of firstcitizenbooks entitled “Washington Pioneers” in 1992. A third volume, published in 1993, included Pioneers and First Citizens (those in the state on or before 31 Dec 1900). The three original volumes are out of print, but an index is available here. WSGS members have access to family lineages in the Members’ Only section of the website.
Pioneer and First Citizen Certificates are still being issued, although they are published only on the WSGS website at this time. If you can prove your ancestor was in Washington prior to 11 Nov 1889, you may be eligible to purchase a Pioneer Certificate. If your ancestor was in Washington on or before 31 Dec 1900, you may be eligible for a First Citizen Certificate. More information, including resources to prove residency, is available in the Pioneer and First Citizen Program brochure. An application and instructions are available here.