Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

VOLUNTEER AT SGS SGS is a member-driven and volunteer-run organization. We could not succeed without the support of our members, and the talents and dedication of our volunteers. The benefits of volunteering include camaraderie with fellow genealogists, sharing genealogical tips, enhancing your current skills, and discovering skills you never knew you had.

Help Wanted!

SGS has several upcoming events and projects and we need you.

Japanese Genealogy Seminar on February 2-3, 2019, at the Central Branch of the Seattle Public Library. We need several volunteers the week prior to the event to assemble handouts. On both days, we need volunteers to arrive by 8:45 am and greet attendees. We also need volunteers to distribute lunch on Saturday, February 2nd. 

Spring 2019 Seminar on May 18-19, 2019,  with Diahan Southard – the Seminar Committee needs help prior to the event to mail brochures, transport supplies to the venue, purchase snacks; and on the day of the event – help with set-up and break down. We also need lunchtime table hosts to facilitate conversations.

Board Elections are coming up! We need several members to join our Nominations Committee. Committee members are elected each spring along with the Board of Directors. If you want to assume a leadership role on the Board or help recruit new Board members, send an email to nominations@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

2020 Suffrage Centennial in Washington State – SGS will submit a grant for $5,000 this April to develop and deliver commemorative programs in 2020. Do you have an ancestor who was a suffragette? Or a female ancestor who lived in Washington state in 1920? We are seeking pictures, letters, journals, stories and family history. Help us plan one or more events focusing on the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. Want to learn more? Check out the Washington State Historical Society’s website .

100th Anniversary of SGS in 2023 – it is not too early to begin planning now. What events and programs do you envision to commemorate our 100th anniversary? What role do you want to play? Help us plan events to celebrate 100 years of SGS.

Indexers – we have more indexing projects lined up this winter and spring. Index when you want and where you want. Help SGS get those records online and searchable!

If you are interested  in volunteering with SGS, please contact Heidi L Mair, Director of Volunteers, volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org to set up a time to discuss your interests and our opportunities.  

FREE JAPANESE GENEALOGY SEMINAR
with Linda Harms Okazaki
February 2-3, 2019
Seattle Public Library,
1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA
Join the Seattle Genealogical Society and our partners for a weekend of learning how to research Japanese American ancestry. This seminar is funded through the generosity of the Heritage Grant program.

SGS is proud to sponsor one of the first seminars in the region to assist those interested in learning how to research Japanese-Americans heritage. While the program is free, registration is required. Sign up now.  

Entry level family historians are encouraged to attend  Saturday’s all-day program “Exploring Our Nikkei Genealogy” geared toward novice researchers. A box lunch ($15.00) may be ordered in advance. Those who attend this session are invited to return Sunday afternoon, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, for “Ask a Genealogist”.

Intermediate and advanced level researchers are encouraged to attend Sunday morning’s program “Japanese American Research for Genealogists”. Those who attend this session are asked to volunteer their research skills on Sunday afternoon, helping Saturday’s novice researchers  to get started on their family history journey by talking to an experienced researcher.

Click this link to register online:  Register for SGS Japanese Genealogy Seminar  

SAVE THE DATE
  Strategies for Breaking Down Brick Walls, 
With Mary Kozy,
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State,
LDS Factoria Church Building
4200 124th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
Monday, February 11, 7:15 pm
  Doors open at 6:30 pm for all to enjoy the extensive JGSWS library’s genealogical resources. Free Wi-Fi, admission, and refreshments.  Come early to network with other attendees. Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 pm.               SGS 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.  JANUARY    Saturday, January 19, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish SIG, Jean Roth, leader  Saturday, January 19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German SIG, Jean Roth, leader 

Saturday, January 26, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, this group meets quarterly at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, co-chaired by Cary Bright & Herb McDaniel. For more info contact SGSDNASIG@gmail.com
FEBRUARY    Saturday, February 2, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly is leader of this special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch.org

Sunday, February 3, 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, February 9, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speakers Series – “Using Manuscripts and Family Records for Genealogical Proof” with Steven Morrison

Saturday, February 16, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish SIG, Jean Roth, leader  Saturday, February 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German SIG, Jean Roth, leader 

Clark County Genealogical Society January Meetings

by Charles Hansen

CCGS HOURS

Thurs, 21 Feb 2019: 6-9 pm

CCGS Library

Do you find it hard to get to the Clark County Genealogical Library during daytime hours? Come in on Third Thursday to tap into our richest resource: knowledgeable librarians who can help you with your family history search. We won’t do it for you, but we will provide guidance. One librarian has Scandinavian research expertise. The library has over 10,000 books and resources, and free access on our computers to Ancestry.com and AmericanAncestors.com. Bring your own computer and use our free wifi.

GENEALOGY ENTHUSIASTS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tue, 22 Jan 2019:  10 am to noon

Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660

Cemeteries can be a rich source of information for genealogists, but how do you identify the right cemetery and where do you find it? What preparation should you make to prepare for a cemetery visit? Presenter Laurel Smith will help you answer these questions and share tips. Some resources to help you answer these questions will be shared by Laurel Smith. Smith is past president of the Genealogical Forum of Oregon.

USING ONE NOTE WITH YOUR GENEALOGY WEBINAR

Wed, 23 Jan 2019: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Library

OneNote has been one of Microsoft’s best kept secrets. Whether you use other software/applications in the Microsoft productivity family OR you want to use OneNote separately, it is a robust program to use in conjunction with your genealogy management software. Come learn how to get the most out of this great note-taking program in this Legacy Family Tree webinar presentation.

YOU CAN DO THIS: PHOTO ORGANIZING AND PRESERVATION WEBINAR

Wed, 30 Jan 2019: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Library

Are you sitting on a pile of old family photographs, slides, negatives or home movies and wondering how to maintain them? As Baby Boomers take on the task of organizing family history materials, how do we preserve these with all the technology available? Participants in this Legacy Family Tree webinar taught by expert Thomas MacEntee will learn the best ways to organize and keep family photos including outsourcing as well as the DIY approach. Starting with quick and easy inventory and organizing tips, we’ll move on to creating a strategic plan to finally get this photo project done!

“The good things you do and throw in the river of life, will be returned to you in the desert of life.” Sa’adi

Wednesday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

These photos are of Spokane’s famous and wonderful Duncan Garden at Manito Park. Which season would you prefer???

Even with Washington’s lovely mild winter, permit me to say BAH HUMBUG. Bet you all stand with me: We want sunshine!

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

Up for some Idaho trivia today? For years, Boise has held a Potato Drop in New Year’s Eve. For Idahoans, this is bigger than Times Square on New Year. And bet you never knew.

Of course it’s not a real potato but a styrofoam creation of some ilk. And on the subject of potatoes, wouldn’t you love to chomp into one of these, with or without ketchup??

Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

Today’s mystery is a “horse of a different color,” as is said. A friend told me that the Color of the Year for 2019 is Living Coral.

Sez who? How come? And who cares?? Gonna repaint your living room, redecorated your bathroom or buy a whole new wardrobe in fabulous Living Coral? Doubt.

German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society Meeting

by Charles Hansen

The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) will meet on Friday, February 1, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm in the Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church at 10675 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.



Topic: “Using the Online Catalogs for the University of Washington Suzzallo & Allen Libraries” –  Learn to use the advanced search functions of the card catalogs in preparation for our field trip to Suzzallo & Allen Libraries in March. Learn to develop quality search terms, access research guides and the university wi-fi network, obtain a copy card or use printing services and asking for assistance from the librarian.

Presenter:  Janet Camarata is a genealogist with over 30 years’ experience. She is a seminar presenter, educator and trainer in genealogy societies, libraries, retirement centers and senior centers across Washington and supported genealogy by volunteering in a variety of ways – presenter, educator, newsletter editor, program coordinator, publicity and past-president of South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS).   She currently leads the SKCGS Technology User Group designed to address the technical needs of genealogists in the today’s world of online and offline genealogical research. She is also an instructor of a year-long, 6-week series of classes, Genealogy: Discovering Your Ancestors at Pierce College and Puget Sound Genealogical Society that addresses both topics – genealogy and technology support research in today’s world. Janet is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, 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.  She also taught within The Boeing Company and at the University of Phoenix.

For more information, kindly visit our website at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/  .

Olympia Genealogical Society DNA Seminar

by Charles Hansen

REGISTER FOR OLYMPIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY’S DNA SEMINAR

               Have you taken a DNA test to reveal your genetic origin, but you aren’t sure how to understand that data?  The Olympia Genealogical Society is pleased to have Blaine Bettinger, The Genetic Genealogist, as the speaker for our Spring Seminar.  Dr. Bettinger will be presenting four lectures on how to use results from DNA tests to understand your family history. DNA is a powerful tool in genealogy, but it is a challenge to unlock that toolbox. Dr. Bettinger will go beyond the basics of DNA testing. Instead, he will focus on various tools and methods for analyzing your DNA results.

     This year’s Olympia Genealogical Society Spring Seminar will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the Capitol Event Center, conveniently located at 6005 Tyee Drive SW in Tumwater, which offers plenty of level free parking and easy walking access.

     Registration is now open, at $50 for OGS members and $60 for others. Optional lunch is available for $15 extra. Registration details are on Olympia Genealogical Society’s website, www.OlyGenSoc.org

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Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Are you watching the PBS show, We’ll Meet Again, with host Ann Curry? She presents people who crossed paths with somebody long ago who had a life-long-lasting impression on their life. In Season 2, Episode 5, recently, they had the story of Nelson Figueras who was a young boy Cuban boat refugee in the 60s. He was placed in a foster home in Yakima, Washington, and he never forgot that family and wanted to find them again to thank them once again. They did find “his” family and host Ann Curry showed the reunion with the mother (the father had passed).

Point of the story: The show’s research team visited the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society library and featured Sue Erickson helping Nelson Figueras!! The show aired on January 1st, and you can view it for free through January 30th. Go take a look at this episode and you’ll be hooked to want to watch more.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 10, 2019
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 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR.
Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider
We Don’t Look a Day Over 50, Wouldn’t You Say?
The GFO Turns 73 Years Old This Month! Thank you Dorothy Van Pelt, Caroline Higley, and Daisy Smith. On January 22, 1946, these three women created the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. They were members of the Daughters of the American Revolution but wanted to belong to a genealogy group. Miss Higley served as GFO’s very first Chair. That year, they met at the Central Library and dues were $2 per year. We’ve come a long way since then! The library, which started in a member’s home, finally found an independent space in 1968. It moved four more times, in 1974, 1994, 1999, and 2011. Now, with 50,000 holdings, the GFO has grown to become the largest genealogy library in the Pacific Northwest. There’s a great retrospective of our history in the September 2016 edition of The Bulletin. It’s now available online to everyone.
Stump Your Friends with Portland History
Trivia Time: On January 11, 1855, history was made right here in Portland. What happened that day? The answer rests in the rare books section of the GFO Library. That was the day Perry Baker married Maria Ward. What made this wedding so special? It was the first marriage ever recorded in Multnomah County. Even better, one of their direct descendants is a valued volunteer at the GFO today! Our library holds dozens of the county’s original marriage record books and we’re still in the process of indexing them. If you know anyone looking for marriage records, send them to the Marriage Indexes on our website.
We Need You to Run for the GFO Board
When I first attended classes at the GFO I wondered why I’d never heard of this place before. “It’s a hidden gem,” people would say. I knew it shouldn’t stay hidden! So I volunteered to boost the GFO’s Facebook page and later was recruited to be a Research Assistant.
A year later I was asked to join the board. It has felt great to contribute in a meaningful way to what we do. The GFO Board has three seats opening this year: Vice President, Treasurer, and Director at Large. Would you consider running for one of them? The GFO is an all-volunteer organization, and we could not function without the people who step up to serve. Some positions require more time, like the Treasurer, which requires bookkeeping experience with QuickBooks.
Others take only a few hours a month like the The Vice President and the Director at Large (who functions as a liaison with our Special Interest Groups). Board members are expected to attend a minimum of nine of the monthly board meetings which are held in the evening of the 2nd Tuesday of each month, and to actively participate in one or more of our significant events. Candidates must file by our annual membership meeting on March 16 at 2 p.m. New board members will take office in July when our new fiscal year begins.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and encourage anyone to apply. If you have questions please email president@gfo.org. Or, if you’re ready to run, send in your bio and a brief statement of candidacy. Vince Patton
President, GFO
Own This History
Forget Portlandia. Would you like a copy of Portania? That’s the yearbook from 1910 for Washington High School in Portland. We have a copy for sale at the GFO, along with The Beaver yearbooks of the 1920s from Oregon Agricultural College, now O.S.U. Find them all on our $10 shelves at the front of the library.
Share the Word – It’ll Help Us
Can you lend us a hand?
We’re not asking for money.
All we need is for you to share our news. Too many people refer to the GFO as a “hidden gem.” We’ve got to take “hidden” out of that equation.
Please tell others about all we offer: 50,000 holdings, access to expensive databases, and 180 free classes every year. Here’s a really easy way to do it: Please share our posts on Facebook and. Twitter to your circle of friends. It’ll help us reach a whole new community!
SCGS Jamboree 2019 Registration Now Open
The Southern California Genealogical Society has a big conference planned May 30 – June 2 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Registration is now open. SGGS says, “If your members are thinking of coming and want any of the limited supply events – Workshops, Meals, Marriott reservations — please consider registering this week.” The Jamboree features more than 70 speakers, including the GFO’s own Emily Aulicino and Pam Vestal.
Update to Last Week’s German Guidebook Tip
Last week we passed on a handy tip about a great German guidebook called Where does my family come from? It turns out this guide is not just in German. They have an English version of their guidebook too!
This week at GFO …
FRIDAY, January 11th Mexican Ancestry Group 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. This Special Interest Group (SIG) pertains specifically to Mexican ancestors from Mexico and the American Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California). Beginning and intermediate researchers are welcome. Some subjects will include online parish records, Hispanic genealogy societies, Family History Library/FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, solving genealogical problems, methodology of organizing your research, etc. Of course this group will also be about sharing our research experiences, and having fun. If you know of any other people interested in Hispanic genealogy tell them about the up and coming group. They don’t have to be a GFO member to participate.
For questions or comments, please email Vince at sw@gfo.org.

SATURDAY, January 12th Great Lakes Region 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Have you ever wondered if your ancestor was a Mason or Elk or Odd Fellow? Our first hour features guest speakers Dale and Elsie Deatherage who will discuss techniques for researching the records of fraternal organizations. It is an interesting topic that might shed some light on your family’s history. In the second hour we will share our genealogy brick walls and success stories. Feel free to bring your research questions to share. If your ancestors were in the area of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Ontario CANADA, this is the SIG for you! Contact the group leaders at greatlakes@gfo.org.

Writers’ Forum 1 – 3 p.m. This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at writers@gfo.org.

SUNDAY, January 13th Library Work Party Yes, of course there’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s always lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 a.m. 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, January 16th Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon “Maps: A Rich Resource – How and Where to Find, How They Change Over Time, Follow Your Ancestors Path.” 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 Jean Quan and Sandy Alto. Send questions to learnandchat@gfo.org. Open Late to 8 p.m.