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.

 

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society New Hours at Library

by Charles Hansen

Changes to Genealogy Library Volunteers Schedule

Beginning Saturday, October 6, 2018 Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) genealogy library volunteers will begin a new schedule. Genealogy volunteers will be available from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Avenue to help visitors with their family history research. Members of SVGS are stationed in the genealogy section on the first Saturday of the month between 10:00am-Noon (except if the Saturday is during a holiday weekend such as July 4th, Labor Day or New Year’s.) The genealogy library volunteers will not do the research for you but they will give you an orientation to the research resources and materials available for your use in the library, and give some helpful suggestions. The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society’s book collection now has over 2000 reference books on various genealogy research related topics. Free access to Ancestry.com Library Edition is also available at the Burlington Library. You do not have to have a Burlington Library card to use the database resources. Note: No volunteers on Sat. Sept. 1 due to the Labor Day holiday weekend. For details call: Margie Wilson 360-757-6224, rootsproject@frontier.com. For more information about upcoming SVGS educational programs or how to become a member of the genealogy society visit: www.skagitvalleygenealogy.org.

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

This was just too good not to share: San Antonio, Texas, just a couple of weeks ago. Very pregnant lady was having contractions when she and husband stopped at a Chick-fil-A restaurant to drop off their kids. Mom had to use the restroom…… and baby girl Gracelyn came… in the bathroom! Company says “Gracelyn will have free Chick-fil-A for life and a job when she turns 14.”  Like I said, too good not to share.

 

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society August Meeting

by Charles Hansen

 

FRUSTRATED BY FINDING A DNA MATCH BUT NO LINKED TREE??? THEIR TREE IS PROBABLY NOT THE ONLY TREE THAT INCLUDES THE MATCHING ANCESTOR AND WITH PERSISTENT SLEUTHING, IT CAN BE FOUND.

To learn more, please plan to attend the August meeting, when we will share a ROOTSTECH VIDEO presentation, featuring DIAHAN SOUTHARD and LISA LOUISE COOK.

LOWER COLUMBIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

SOMERSET RETIREMENT APARTMENTS

2025 TIBBETTS DRIVE, LONGVIEW

DINING ROOM 7:00 PM

AUGUST 9, 2018

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.