GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
GFO Logo Halo 2 Large

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

26 July 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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Giving Wednesday8-2-18

VOLUNTEER BLITZ! Can you help?

This is an all-hands-on-deck day to get GFO Library’s renumbering project on track. It’ll make the library much easier to use once we are done.

The library will be closed all day Wednesday, August 1st, so we can make some stupendously HUGE progress. We will provide beverages and snacks, lunch and laughter and genealogical tidbits throughout the day, completely free!

Won’t you join us and bring a friend? Join us and help whip our library into the best shape it’s ever seen!
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New Microfilm Reader! Many Thanks to the Kidd Family!
Kidd Microfilm Reader Donation

Julie Ann Kidd became a GFO member in 1971, when she was just in high school. We were saddened to learn that she passed away late last year.

Since her passing, her family has brought truckload after truckload of books, periodicals, manuscripts, and more as donations for the GFO.

This last weekend we had a wonderful surprise: We gained a working microfilm/microfiche reader thanks to the generosity of Ms. Kidd’s continued family donations!

Our second reader broke down a couple years back, and we have had no luck finding parts for such an ancient machine. We are indebted to Julie Ann Kidd for her phenomenal dedication to the GFO when she was alive, and we continue to benefit from the generosity of her family to this day.

Thank you again to the Kidd family!
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Help Keep GFO Membership Committee Strong!
Librarian working at the Pointe Coupee Parish Parish library in New Roads Louisiana in 1936

Our Membership Committee needs another wonderful volunteer to help with processing applications for new and renewed memberships.

Could this be your calling?? The Membership Committee will provide all the training you could ever want. Skills and experience in excel and data entry is a plus.

If you’re interested and able to lend a hand on this committee, please email membership@gfo.org today!
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My Heritage and Federation of Genealogical Societies Discount…
FGS MyHeritage Discount

Did you hear the news!?

For a limited time, GFO members will be able to get a MyHeritage Complete subscription for 50% off the normal price.

This is an exclusive offer for the members of FGS-member societies (like GFO) and it’s available through August 15th.

We also found the following hot tip: Did you know that MyHeritage lets you upload the data from a DNA test done with other companies (such as FTDNA, Ancestry, 23andMe)? And, the best part is, it’s free! If you are actively exploring DNA matches and also want to research more information, MyHeritage’s uploading service provides trees and sources that US based companies may not have.

DNA upload page can be found HERE.
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This week at GFO…
desk-calendar-12992149

SATURDAY, July 28th

Advance DNA Group 9 a.m. – noon

Two speakers | Two Handouts

Speaker 1: Herb Femling will present a case-study-oriented session to illustrate Advanced Excel tool capabilities and analytical concepts. High-level concepts and topics for leveraging the Data Analytics Power of Excel will include:

General Use of Excel in DNA & Genealogy Research,
Using Excel as a Database – Structuring your Data,
Importing Data from Other Sources (Genealogy Programs, FTDNA Exports, Gedmatch, etc.),
Adding/Appending Data using VLookup Function,
Advanced Filtering, Searching and Data Grouping,
Pivot Tables for Advanced Analysis and Database Queries, Mapping Chromosome Segments to Ancestors – Visual Phasing with Color Coding (DNA Painter Alternative), Combining Data from Multiple Testing Services for Match Management, Using Database to Aid in Triangulation.

Due to the broad variety of Excel skill levels, this session will not include a step-by-step process for all of examples covered. The emphasis will be on demonstrating how the tools available in Excel can enhance and accelerate your research process.

Speaker 2: Tim Janzen will give a presentation entitled “Working with Triangulated Groups.” This presentation will review the best techniques that allow you to create triangulated groups and utilize them optimally to solve genealogical research questions.

Handouts: Working with your Triangulated Groups and Excel Analysis Examples

Please also download, print, and bring to class the evaluation form which can be found HERE.

WEDNESDAY, August 1st

Giving Wednesday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

This is an all-hands-on-deck, all-day volunteer event. And we need YOUR help! All day, this date, we need as many volunteers as possible to help us get our re-cataloging, re-numbering, and re-labeling of our collection back on track.

Plus, we’ll provide pastries in the morning and pizza at lunch and dinner. Please come for an hour or more.

The library will be closed all day for this work party. We hope to see you!

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

I love summer; to be more exact, I love the going-into-water that summer brings. John and I spotted this at a little public park last January in New Zealand. The park, lake and playground was empty because it was their winter and was a cold-to-them 70 degrees.  Would you have loved a lake-playground place like this? Or maybe you had one?

 

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

Ah, recipes. We read them collect them and sometimes try them. In our Spokane newspaper, Dorothy Dean is the queen of recipes. In the 1940s she was the recognized authority locally on cooking….and there really was no such lady! These recent days, the paper has been re-publishing every week some Dorothy Dean recipes. Ever heard of Bubble and Squeak? Something from the lean 1940s I’m sure.  Also attached the Sauerkraut Quiche in hopes that one of you will make it and let me know how good (or bad) it was.

Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

This isn’t really a mystery except if we think so. Ever heard of  making arrowheads out of glass?

This reads: “Knife and projectile points. In some instances, American Indian residents of the Village** used traditional techniques to modify imported objects. This piece of glass had one edge “flakes”…struck with stone or another hard object…to turn it into a sharp-edged knife. This same method is used to make stone tools, like these projectile points.”

** Fort Vancouver Historical Site

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Apathy has a lot going for it.

It is easy to catch and is painless. You can ignore it and nothing happens. The stronger it gets the less you feel the need to do anything about it.

It becomes most noticeable when it begins to spread over a large area. When it does, the individual usually feels it belongs to someone else.

Another appealing thing about apathy is the warm glow of nothingness it gives.

The temptation is to leave it alone and hope it will go away. With this attitude, it may stay for a long, long time.

Apathy demands a special treatment for it will not go away alone.

The treatment starts with a good dose of involvement followed by long periods of action.

It may be had to get a confirmed apathetic to take the cure. And then, likely, it isn’t permanent.

Action must be rewarded while apathy is to be condemned. Since it is easier to condemn than to praise, it stands to reason that apathy is here to stay. It is needed by those who would rather condemn than act.

Apathy has a lot going for it, but action is more fun. It must be. Have you ever heard anyone say, “Let’s go where the apathy is??”

(Sorry, source unknown to me.)

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen
GFO Logo Halo 2 Large

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

18 July 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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The Case of the Missing Heir! This Saturday at GFO
GPS Logo

A GFO member’s ancestor inherited land in Kansas, sold it, and used some of the money to send his wife and children to California. They made it. He never arrived.

Was he murdered?
Did he die of pneumonia?
Did he take the rest of the inheritance and split on his own?

Learn what our experts found at this week’s Genealogy Problem Solvers. This free meeting is Saturday, July 21th, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the GFO library.

Remember, all our Special Interest Groups are free and open to the public!
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Genealogy in the News…
African Americans in the News

Preserving Our Black History

“The physical vestiges of these communities are gradually disappearing.” The Washington Post reminds us of the importance the physical locations of African American homesteads have in our collective memory. Read the full article HERE.

What is DNA Research Missing?

This article by the Wall Street Journal explores both sides of DNA research for African Americans. Hot Tip: Don’t have a Wall Street Journal subscription? Search for “Wall Street Journal” at Multnomah County Library’s website, click on “Resource: Wall Street Journal,” then put in your Multnomah County Library card information to login, and search for the article title “For Some African-Americans, Genetic Testing Reopens Past Wounds” and finally, click on “Full Text” to read this article!

The Seattle Times’s Riveting Story of DNA Surprises

Read all about this case of how Ancestry.com provided an unexpected family reunion [HERE]. “The Affair, the Son and the Cousin Who Came to Dinner” brings to life the “flesh and bone” of genealogical inquiry.
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The Early Bird Gets the Best Price! Register By October 8th!
Fall Seminar 2018 v2

You’ve probably heard of Cyndi Ingle and her invaluable website, Cyndi’s List.

Now come hear from the guru behind one of the most comprehensive reference lists there is online! GFO is proud to bring Cyndi Ingle in for our Fall Seminar November 3rd and 4th.

Topics include: Ten Resources I Use Every Day, Advanced Googling for Grandma, Unappreciated Treasures, Digital Research Plans, Google Maps & Google Earth and Online Resources for the Western U.S.

Register HERE now!
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GFO’s July Star – Liz Stepp
Liz Stepp GFO Star

Elizabeth Stepp serves as an RA, provides content for the Bulletin, and has assisted with the Membership Committee. She stepped into the role of Fundraising Chair, served on our board, and was instrumental in developing successful campaigns such as the one for our electronic microforms reader.

Liz also got the Grants Subcommittee going, helped to establish our diversity and inclusiveness statements as well as other policy-making documentation.

Thank you, Liz! We are so happy to have you as one of our rock-star volunteers.
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Thank you Rhonda

Rhonda Stone, one of our long-time Research Assistants (RA), has resigned her position with GFO, and it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye.

She began her duties as an RA when we were still located on Gideon Street (oh, the memories!), and has been a weekly Tuesday-morning volunteer since that time. She has worked on many projects while assisting patrons at the library, plus she was on the Board of Directors, representing our Membership Committee.

Rhonda is very active in area lineage societies, being the current Regent of her Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) group, Recording Secretary for the Oregon State DAR Society, and President of Willamette Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century. She is a busy lady and wants to spend more time with her family.

Thank you so much, Rhonda! We will miss you and we wish you much happiness in your further ventures.
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Fragrances Can Interfere
perfume

Several GFO members are acutely sensitive to fragrances. At a recent special interest group meeting, one person’s perfume or cologne was so strong that a member had to leave.

We ask for your help. Please avoid the use of fragrances before coming to the GFO for research, meetings or volunteer work.
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Twitter

The GFO is now on Twitter!

Follow us @GenForumOregon
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This week at GFO…
desk-calendar-12992149

SATURDAY, July 21st

Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

See details of this month’s topic above!

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 Voting Records: Genealogy’s Best Kept Secret 2 – 3 p.m.

Presenter: Pam Vestal

Looking for a date of birth or death? The date and court of naturalization? Where your ancestor disappeared to, or where he came from? His political outlook? Even what kind of house he lived in? Voting records may have the answer. These often-overlooked gems can be packed with genealogical information, and you won’t believe what they can tell us about our ancestors!

Pam Vestal entered the field of genealogy after a 21-year career as a professional writer. She does genealogical research for clients, has articles published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and lectures up and down the West Coast.

SUNDAY, July 22nd

Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon

There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help! Our work party at the GFO library today begins 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 for Beginners 1 – 3 p.m.

Laurel Smith will be giving her quarterly session on Introduction to Family Tree Maker software. This is a beginning class for Family Tree Maker users and for those considering a purchase. Laurel gives a lively fast-paced description of the program and then takes questions. Our lab class, Family Tree Maker Users’ Group, dealing with the manual in detail will meet again on August 19th.

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
THE BEST SOURCE FOR FINDING
PROBATE CASES & DIVORCE RECORDS
IN KING COUNTY, 1881-1980

The King County Court Cases Index, 1881-1980 (KC3I, for short) is an SGS database, created by SGS volunteers a decade ago.

This database contains every divorce and every probate case that occurred in King County between 1881 and 1980.

So if you have roots in King County, be sure to check this database!  All you need to do is to request a search via our website; we typically respond within 24-48 hours.

See the SGS website at http://seattlegenealogicalsociety.org/kc3i for more information, or to complete a look-up request online. This service is free to current SGS members.

One caveat: Because of the source from which it was created, the SGS KC3I is a subset of the Superior Court Cases of King County. Our index was compiled using records collected by the Seattle branch of Chicago Title Company.  They were required by law to record every court case that might affect a person’s right to clear title of property. Thus our index includes all probate cases, divorces, and mental competency hearings occurring in King County Superior Court; it does not contain criminal cases, marriages, adoptions, or other types of cases that have no bearing on one’s right to clear title of property.

Remember, too, that this is an INDEX of cases, not the case records themselves; those reside at the King County Court Clerk’s office.