Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

I quite enjoy learning trivia bits of history….. especially Washington state history…. especially as pertains to old towns and ghost towns.

Ever heard of Hylebos? (1925, Pierce Co) Kamilche? (1929, Mason Co)  Day Island? (1919, Pierce Co)  Manette?  (1910, Kitsap Co)  Monitor? (1917, Chelan Co) Ronald? ( 1902, near Roslyn, Kittitas Co)

These were all real towns….. for a short period of time…. and some still exist, having been incorporated into larger towns.

What about “real life” ghost towns? This colorful map is posted on the website, www.ghosttownsofwashington.com. It’s an interactive map, meaning if you click on a county, up will pop the map of that county with all sorts of little…….now ghost….. towns. Only 18 counties are linked as having ghost towns and Spokane has none.

If you want to spend a hot afternoon hour having some clicking-around fun, click to the link above. Have a cold drink handy.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
GFO Logo Halo 2 Large

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

August 9, 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.

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here. The current Insider newsletter awaits you HERE.
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Did You See Us On TV? KATU News Profiles GFO
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Did you catch the great story about the GFO on Portland’s Channel 2 on Monday? They did a great job showing what we do and gave us more than three minutes of air time!

KATU picked a good day to visit us. They had lots of action for their camera last Wednesday during our volunteer book relabeling blitz.

The news team of Special Projects Producer Stuart Tomlinson and Photojournalist Bob Foster interviewed GFO President Vince Patton, Library Chair Laurel Smith and Education Chair Kristin Parks. If you missed it on the air you can watch it here online.
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Those GPS Gumshoes are at it again! – Saturday, August 18th, 9:30 a.m.
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James Harvey Knapp was an educator who founded the Knapp School in Pettis County, Missouri, but his parents remain unknown.

James’s census records say he was born in New York and family theory states he was abandoned, or perhaps became an orphan and was raised by a relative. So far, the records show that James was born in New York in 1826, married in Michigan in 1848, and buried in Missouri in 1883.

Join the Genealogy Problems Solvers on Saturday, August 19th, at 9:30 a.m. in GFO’s Multipurpose Room and learn the team’s skills at navigating multiple state records as they try to track down the elusive Knapp parents.

This event is free and open to the public.
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August GenTalk Addresses End Of Life Planning at GFO
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As genealogists, we love end-of-life records: death certificates, probate/estate paperwork, cemetery records, obituaries, etc. But in our own lives, have we truly prepared for when we’re the ones who are leaving?

Full-time professional genealogist Leslie Brinkley Lawson tackles this important topic at this month’s GFO GenTalk.

Learn how to plan for the inevitable, for the sake of your genealogy research and for your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be difficult, let Leslie show you how.

Saturday, August 18 at 2pm at the GFO library.

This event is free and open to the public.
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Wales Digital History Fully Archived and Searchable!
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Ever wish the online history of your cultural heritage could be preserved before we all have to be dug up by an archaeologist thousands of years from now?

Well, the Welsh Government have recently made steps toward such assurances.

“The decision by the Welsh Government to archive the dual-language websites and Twitter accounts will digitally preserve the Internet heritage of the Welsh nation.”

Read the full article HERE and be inspired!
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What’s hot in local genealogy??
New GFO Website Design Surprise

South King County Genealogy Society – Fall Seminar 2018

Speaker: John Philip Colletta, PhD
When: Saturday, September 22nd, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Salish Hall at Green River College, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092
Topics: Archives and the Immigrant Experience
Register: http://skcgs.org/2018-seminar.html

LCGS September General Meeting – “Salem Witches”

Speaker: Jerri McCoy
When: Thursday, September 13th, 7 p.m.
Location: Somerset Retirement Apartments, 2025 Tibbets Drive, Longview, WA 98632 (in the dining room)
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This week at GFO…
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SUNDAY, August 12th

Library Work Party 9 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.

TUESDAY, August 14th

GFO Board Meeting 6:10 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.

Come see what makes GFO so great at our monthly Board Meetings. These meetings take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. All are welcome.

WEDNESDAY, August 15th

Irish Interest Group 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Focus: This month Barb Schrag will present “Using the Irish Censuses.” Members of the GFO as well as their guests and any interested members of the public are welcomed to attend the Irish Genealogy SIG. One hour of each two-hour meeting will be spent on presentations about Irish history, genealogy, and resources while the second hour will focus on Irish Brick Wall questions.

The Irish group meets on the third Wednesday of the even months February,April, June, August, and October (there will be no meeting in December). Contact Irish@gfo.org for more information.

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, Sept 7, 2018, from 1 to 3 pm in the Relief Society Room of the LDS Church at 10675 NE 20thSt, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.       

Topic: Find Your Germanic Ancestor’s Village on Maps

You have the name of the village for your Germanic ancestor from any of many sources, like genealogical records, family stories, etc.  Now how do you locate that village on a map?  It could be a challenge.  So come learn some tips.

Presenter: Dorothy Pretare started collecting family history in 1995 and is active in 2 local genealogical societies, leader of the EGS German Interest Group and a member of 3 societies in Minnesota.  In 2008, she visited her ancestral villages in old East Germany and present day Poland.

For more information, kindly visit our website .  

NWGC Starts Wednesday

by Roxanne Lowe

It’s not too late to register for one of the premier conferences in the region! The Northwest Genealogy Conference opens on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

Here’s some of what’s in store:

Wednesday, August 15:

  • FREE Beginning Genealogy Class starts at 1:00 p.m. Amie Bowser Tennant will help beginners (and not-so-beginners) learn how to get started (or restarted). If you plan to attend, but forgot haven’t registered, please register here. The class is free, but organizers need a count to insure there are enough materials.
  • Meet & Greet Taco Bar from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  at the Gleneagle Golf Club. Available for full conference attendees. Registration is $5. No host bar available. If you plan to attend but forgot to register, please go to www.nwgc.org to register.

Thursday, August 16:

  • Registration opens bright and early at 7:30 a.m. at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington. The conference organizers have been hard at work for months and months to ensure you have a great time.
  • A full day of classes, including three keynote sessions with CeCe Moore. WSGS will also be holding a society management class in Room 113 during the lunch period. Come listen to WSGS Vice President Donna Potter Phillips talk about “How to Lasso a Good Speaker” for your society meetings.
  • Vendors and Information Tables. Make sure you visit the vendors and informational tables in the common area and classrooms.
  • A Night on the Town in downtown Arlington. Fifteen local businesses will stay open until 8:00 p.m. to allow conference attendees to browse and shop. Many shops will have appetizers and door prizes.

Friday, August 17:

  • A full day of classes, including three keynote sessions with Peggy Lauritzen. Also, Ginny Majewski, WSGS President, will conduct a class called “So, Now You’ve Been Elected” for society society officers and members. The class will be in Room 113 during the lunch period.
  • Dress as Your Ancestor Day. Rent/buy/make a costume to honor an ancestor or your heritage. Every year more attendees are taking part in this fun activity. There are consignment shops downtown Arlington that have costumes also.
  • Conference Banquet with CeCe Moore. Listen to CeCe talk about making history with genetic genealogy. The banquet requires pre-registration and, at last report, was almost sold out. No tickets will be sold at the door. If there’s still room, you can register here.

Saturday, August 18:

  • Our last full day of classes, learning, shopping and networking. Beth Foulk will be the keynote speaker for two sessions.
  • Heirloom Jewelry. Is it trash or is it treasure? Bring some of your heirloom jewelry items with you and find out. We will offer FREE expert analysis on Saturday during lunch. Sign-up at the Info Desk anytime during the conference to reserve your time…limit of 3-4 pieces please.

Don’t miss this conference! You can register for all three days, just one or even at the door. Click here for more information.

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society & Burlington Library On Google for Genealogists

by Charles Hansen

I’d like to let you know about an upcoming educational program we are offering on September 8, 2018 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in partnership with Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. The topic of the program is “Google Tools for Genealogists” and will be presented by George Ridgeway. This event is free and open to the public. I’ve attached a flyer with more information. Please feel free to forward or post on any wall you wish! We appreciate your help in getting the word out, because we would like as many people as possible to benefit from our programs.

 

Please contact me with any questions or feedback. Thank you for helping us spread the word about these free and valuable community resources.

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Kathleen Headden, Reference Librarian

Burlington Public Library

820 E. Washington Ave.

Burlington, WA 98233

360-755-0760, ext. 7906

Washington State Genealogical Society at the NW Genealogy Conference

by Charles Hansen

Come See WSGS at the NW Genealogy Conference

The Washington State Genealogical Society is delighted to partner with the Northwest Regional Genealogy Conference and have the opportunity to share thoughts on society management. Virginia Majewski, WSGS president, and Donna Potter Phillips, WSGS vice-president, will each offer a free session aligned with the theme of society management.  The sessions will be offered during lunch breaks on Thursday & Friday, so grab your lunch and come on in.

Donna’s presentation will discuss “How To Lasso A Good Speaker.” Every genealogy society struggles to find programs, presentations and good speakers. Donna will present some criteria on how to “lasso” or find a good speaker.

Ginny’s presentation will discuss “So You’ve Been Elected”; hints, helps and resources for society officers.  Officers, do you ever wonder what have I gotten myself into?  Ginny will present thoughts on what you need to know, what you ought to consider and resources to help.
Don’t forget to stop by the WSGS table at the NW Genealogy Conference and learn how you can win a free DNA kit!

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

Ever heard of handfasting? In times past (long times past) trial marriages were popular with the young couples all along the border regions of England and Scotland. That area was so unruly that very strict laws were made on those living on either side of the border about marrying without the consent of the English and Scottish officials. In 1587, some couples were even hanged because they had not obtained permission to marry. So the custom of handfasting, or trial marriage, was introduced. At the annual fair, the couple would join hands and be “married” until the next year’s fair. Or forever, if they chose.

Marriages were conducted in this way well into the 19th century when the requirements were relaxed. Today, Google handfasting, especially Images, and you’ll see it’s a popular thing to do today but not for the same reasons as for our ancestors.

 

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen

Early Stillaguamish Valley Schools

by Sue Walde, Helen Eliason and Joanne Wetmore
The story of the humble beginnings of Arlington’s rural schools in 1882 to the advent of the modern era. Despite the struggles to survive in an unforgiving wilderness, early settlers sacrificed to build the first schools and fulfill dreams of a better education for their children. Discover the mysteries of Arlington’s 44 rural schools, woven with local history and old-time stories. Enjoy numerous maps and over 150 photographs with many pictures of school children. View a 40+-page, easy-to-use index, cross-referenced with over 5,000 names. Perhaps you will find your ancestors in this unique book about Arlington’s early rural schools. Cost $30.00 Now available on the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, www.stillygen.org/store and at the upcoming N.W. Genealogy Conference in Arlington.

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

Question for August:  How many melon types can you name? We all enjoy watermelon, honeydew and canteloupe but did you know there are eleven different kinds of summer melons?  And, relating it to genealogy, how many are new hybrids and how many might our ancestors have enjoyed?

How about Crenshaw, Juane Canari, Piel de Sapo, Orange Honeydew, Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Heirloom Contaloupe, Galia, Hami, Casaba and Sharlyn.  How many have you tried??

Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

 

This real-true mystery was shared with me by a reader whose name I neglected to note…….. sorry! Please forgive me!!

Another Mystery
The Journal Times Feb. 10, 1921

Infants Body Found Buried In Stone Jar

The body of an infant was found last Thursday by Clarence Linville of Benge. It was contained in an earthen jar which had been sealed with sealing wax and buried in the yard near the residence.

Alcohol had been poured into the jar to fill the void so that body was in nearly a perfect state
of preservation. Its origin is a complete mystery. The body was interred in the potter’s field at Lind.

 

You realize that both Benge and Lind are in Adams County, Washington. Think this mystery will ever be solved? Didn’t even say if it was a baby boy or baby girl. So sad.