Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Shall we have some plain ole fun today? I gather pondering-points and so today share some with you:

“There is a relation between the hours of our life and the centuries of time.” (Emerson)

“Only in understanding the past an we interpret and use the present for history is not made but unfolded.” (Benjamin Ide Wheeler, 1854-1927)

“I didn’t exaggerate….. I just remember big!”

“I’ve been working on my brick walls and think I’ve chipped off a few bricks.”  (Donna Heine)

“When there is no one in the living world who remembers you, you disappear.” (movie Coco)

“All electronic devices hate people! But humans have the ultimate power….we can pull the plug!!” (Ron Tanner)

“We have intermarried all over the world…..so we are really a one-world family, so why not a one world family tree? We must realize this.”  (Ron Tanner, works for FamilySearch)

“Do you realize you share much the same DNA as a banana?  (Anna Swayne, formerly of Ancestry)

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
CAUTIONS ON SHARING DATA

It is easy to become lackadaisical and accept research data you have found in a public family tree at face value. Remember to treat information you get from someone else’s family tree as a helpful hint to aid you in your own research. No matter how credible their source citation looks, until you have examined a source yourself, it is just hearsay.

Likewise, don’t put speculative information in your public tree, where it can be perpetuated by others.  A good practice is to have two family trees. A tree you make public should only have substantiated data in it. Research you are still working on, not yet verified, should be in a private tree, your WIP (work in progress) tree, so to speak.

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

*** NOTICE ***
SGS LIBRARY HOURS ARE CHANGINGBeginning on December 2, 2018,  the Sunday hours of operation for the Seattle Genealogical Society library are changing to 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm. Tuesday through Saturday hours will remain the same, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.Additionally, the SGS Board has changed the hours for their monthly board meeting. Generally the Board will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.PUGET SOUND
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGISTS
MEETING ON DECEMBER 1stPS-APG will meet on Saturday, December 1, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the SGS Library. All are welcome to attend. Jill Morelli will be presenting a shortened rendition of “The Genealogical Proof Standard According to Sherlock Holmes” in the morning. This is also the Puget Sound – Association of Professional Genealogists’ holiday party. Come join in. Everyone is asked to bring a food item to share with the group.
DIGGING DEEPER: CIVIL WAR WIDOW’S PENSION

Do you have a pension file of your Civil War soldier? Ever wonder why the contents were collected and why your soldier didn’t collect sooner? We will cover the law and its impact on applications, typical contents, what the widow had to do to get the soldier’s pension, how to get the most out of the records by analyzing and correlating the information and how to obtain the pension records, if you haven’t yet. Briefly discussed will be other Civil War documents that may be available on your ancestor. This is a beta test and will be presented by Jill Morelli at the SGS Library on Sunday, December 9, 2018,  from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm.

SAVE THE DATE
DNA eWorkshop: After the Test
Family History Fanatics
Humble, TX 
Nov 29 – Dec 6 – Dec 13

Family History Fanatics is conducting an online workshop the evenings of Nov 29, Dec 6, and Dec 13. Participants will learn about what they can do with their DNA results after the test and how to start using this powerful genealogical tool.  Six hours of interactive instruction for the early bird price is $24.99 through November 18th and $29.99 thereafter. More details and registration can be found at :  https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/dnaworkshop . Feel free to let any of your friends or family know about this workshop. Phone  (346) 704-1433

Japanese Genealogy Seminar,
sponsored by Seattle Genealogical Society,
February 2-3, 2019 

Registration will open December 1, 2018.  Registration is free, but the Seminar and the Train the Trainer sessions are limited to 40 individuals. The registration for the One-on-One sessions will open January 1, 2019. Lunch will be provided for a fee on the first day only.

For more information contact Jill Morelli, President of SGS, at  president@seagensoc.org

This program is generously funded under the Heritage Grant program by 4Culture, a King County arts support agency.

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. The library will be closed from November 21-26, 2018 for Thanksgiving. The holiday closure in December will be from December 21, 2018 through January 1, 2019.

NOVEMBER

Saturday, November 17, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish SIG, with Jean Roth
Saturday, November 17, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Jean Roth
DECEMBER

Saturday, December 1, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, come join David Robert, group leader, for help researching your Canadian ancestors.

Saturday, December 1, 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
Saturday, December 1, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Puget Sound – Association of Professional Genealogists, meeting and Holiday Party. Everyone welcome. A presentation, “The Genealogical Proof Standard According to Sherlock Holmes”, by Jill Morelli in the AM. Bring a treat to share with the group.

Saturday, December 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, SGS Holiday Social Gathering
ing
Sunday, December 9, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Digging Deeper  Workshop: Civil War Widow’s Pension,  with Jill Morelli

 

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
GFO Logo Halo 2 Large

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News Edition

November 15, 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
***

Join GFO for #GivingTuesday!
GivingTueday 2018 v2

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.

Non-members 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!
***

Come Learn How to Write Your Own Family Story!
GenTalk-Hallman-11-17-18

The job of the journalist and that of the genealogist are surprisingly similar: we both research the facts and the context of people. And then we tell their stories!

Genealogists tend to focus more on the research. So what do journalists bring to the table?? Journalists add the reporting element that can help genealogist share their stories with others.

Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Hallman, Jr., of The Oregonian knows a thing or two about journalism, and he is coming to the GFO to share his insights with us this weekend!

Join us for this amazing GenTalk at the GFO this Saturday, November 17th at 2 p.m.

All our GenTalks are free and open to the public.
***

Would you like to be a part of GFO’s Open House?
Open House Ford Building

GFO’s 2019 Open House is right around the corner. Mark you calendars for March 23rd through 31st!

We are looking for presenters to give 50-minute sessions on any topic that may be of interest to beginning genealogists.

Opening weekend: Saturday will be devoted to Irish research and is being planned by the Irish Special Interest Group. Sunday will be a Beginners’ Boot Camp.

The closing Saturday and Sunday will be DNA Days planned by Emily Aulicino and team and will feature a very special guest. Stay tuned for more information.

The theme on Wednesday will be finding biological family and additional participants are being sought. There will be panel discussions and presentations relating to questions about whether to search for biological family. There will also be resources available on topics such as how to make first contact. If you are an adoptee, a biological parent, or someone seeking a biological relation and would like to share your views or provide a presentation, please contact laurel.smith@gfo.org.

There are lots of presentation spots open on Monday and Tuesday, as well as some on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Again, if you can participate by leading a session at GFO’s 2019 Open House, please send a message to laurel.smith@gfo.org.

Presenters will be compensated with profuse gratitude! GFO will print and provide any handouts for attendees.

We don’t know of any other genealogical organization that provides a 9-day event, packed with content, absolutely FREE to all attendees. But we need your help to make it happen!
***

Support GFO with Your Holiday Shopping This Year
Amazon Smile Logo

Link up with these great Rewards Programs to donate to GFO when you shop!
FredMeyer-GFO

Through a one-time link, you can trigger an automatic donation to GFO every time you make purchases through the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program, AmazonSmile, and Family Tree DNA.
FamilyTreeDNA Rewards Program

The best part is that linking your Rewards Programs will not diminish any benefits or rewards you already receive.

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

This week at GFO …
desk-calendar-12992149

SATURDAY, November 17th

Genealogical Problem Solvers 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

GPS is a monthly support group where we help each other find information about a family line. We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. For more information contact Katie Daly at GPS@gfo.org.

GenTalk 2 – 3 p.m.

Presenter: Tom Hallman, senior reporter for The Oregonian

On March 4, 2018, you may have read “Della’s Lost Letter,” and wondered about the methods Tom used to locate her, and the other principals in the story. Learn how reporters find people for their stories (sound familiar, genealogists?) and get some writing/storytelling tips from a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Tom Hallman Jr., a senior reporter for The Oregonian, was born and raised in Portland and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1977. He’s worked at a car wash, a grocery store, a greyhound race track and was a volunteer at a VA hospital. He won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing.

SUNDAY, November 18th

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.

Family Tree Maker Users’ Group 1 – 3 p.m.

Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed – build 1-480 of FTM installed. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. Questions? Email FTM@gfo.org.

French Canada Group 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Sharing stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. This group leader is Bob LaMarche. Send him a note at FrCan@gfo.org.

WEDNESDAY, November 21st

Library Closes at 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, November 22nd

Library Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Please note, our Thursday Evening E-News will be sent out on Friday.

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

As you probably know by now, I’m fascinated by names. Especially names from long ago. They cause me pause (why did the parents chose that particular name?) and cause me to laugh. (Sorry, ancestors.)

Here are some I’ve gleaned recently:

Zymetta Phillips b.ca. 1875, m. Joan Abston

Onesephorus Masch, had dau, Hannah, b, 1757, Boston

Aylett Waller, m. Miss Armstead

Lorcufo Phillips

Maphibosheth Marsh, original settler of NJ

Truman Derastus Phillips, b. 1731, PA

Zalmuna Phillips, 1804-1883, m. Eunice Cobb

Lerias Phillips, m. 1816 Elizabeth Smith

Please use the comment box below to share some of the more unusual names from your pedigree. 

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

Some twisted crazy quotes highlighting a necessity of modern life:

“If at first you don’t succeed, use duct tape.”

” All we have to fear is no duct tape.”  (F.D.R.

“Duct tape in time saves dimes.”  (B. Franklin)

“The duct tape is mightier than the wood glue.” (Shakespeare)

“Duct tape it now or pay the repair guy later.”

“All we need is duct tape. Duct tape is all we need.” (Lennon/McCartney0

And my most favorite:

“This is the tape that mends men’s soles.”  (Thomas Payne)

 

(From that little Duct Tape book.)

Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

Names. Names are all-important in doing genealogy. Where did our ancestors get their names……… or our names?  Surnames just came with birth in most cases but many times were changed somewhere along the way to adulthood and for a hundred reasons.

What about first names? Our ancestors didn’t have the “search for baby names” on the Internet or even baby-names books (pre-dating the Internet, right?). They had the Bible. That’s why so many of our ancestors have biblical names.

My lineage includes a distant uncle named Deloss Carr, 1876-1954, born and died in the midwest. Always thought that was an odd name and was fairly certain it was not a Bible name. Then, WOW. Doing some SCRIBE indexing, I came upon a Deloss Clement, born in 1907, enumerated in the Yakima county school census.

So I asked Grandma Google for the meaning or origin of that name and by golly, I stumped her. She had no clue except to state that it was a male name.

Anybody else have a Deloss in their family??? Any clue as to its origin?

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society December Meeting

by Charles Hansen

As the holidays approach, the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society is happy to welcome to our December meeting

CHARLES GOURDE, representing the

CHILDREN’S JUSTICE & ADVOCACY CENTER OF COWLITZ COUNTY

whose mission is to provide abused children with a coordinated community approach to investigation, prosecution, treatment, and advocacy that promotes their safety, healing and well-being.

Anyone wishing to bring donations to the meeting should use the following guidelines:

Small value gasoline gift cards, children’s snacks, art supplies, copy paper, stuffed animals and bottled water.

LOWER COLUMBIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~walcolgs/

SOMERSET RETIREMENT APARTMENTS

2025 TIBBETTS DRIVE, LONGVIEW

DINING ROOM 7:00 PM

DECEMBER 13, 2018

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

WSGS Needs YOUR Help…… Big Time

by Charles Hansen

In the past, WSGS has asked for YOUR help and you have responded most eagerly and graciously and we thank you. Now we have another big need and ask for your help.

WSGS is going to partner with a Civil War veterans buried in WA website:  www.civilwarvetswastate.com.  Bruce Smith and Karyn Zielasko Weingarden have invested hours of their time and emptied their wallets to create, support and maintain this wonderful website all by themselves. Now the time has come and they are asking for help.

The website needs a website manager. This is a request from both Bruce and Karyn. They have brought it this far but their website-creator-tech-person is stepping down and they need help….our help.

If you have the skills to manage this one website, which is up and running most awesomely, won’t you please raise your hand and help us??

Please let me know, Donna Potter Phillips,  Donna243@gmail.com, and I will be intermediary with Bruce and Karyn. They will be so very grateful and so will we, the WSGS Board.

 

 

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Read a cute thing in our local paper. It had to do with repairing a huge clock face on one of our downtown buildings which “had always been there.” Point of the story is that this clock wasn’t installed until the late 1980s so it really hasn’t been there always. But in old-timers’ memories of Spokane it has! And that’s where the editorial writer explained the concept of “revisionist nostalgia.” This is why, he wrote, “that our parents or grandparents explain in vivid detail walking to school everyday, uphill both ways, in the snow.” My father always said that Mother was his babysitter and he thought she was taking him to get a fishing license and poof! they were married.  That’s revisionist nostalgia big time. Surely you have stories like that??