Whitman County Genealogical Society Spring Mini-seminar

by Charles Hansen 

Seminar reminder--
 For those of you who have not yet registered for our spring 
mini-seminar, but plan to attend, we encourage you to register 
by April 14 so we can plan for refreshments, handouts and room 
set-up. We have two excellent speakers in Prof. Horace Alexander
Young and Fr. Mike Savelesky. Please see the attached flyer for 
seminar details as well as the bios of the speakers. It promises 
to be an exciting and informative morning. The seminar is being 
held at Bishop Place in the Independent Senior Living Social Room, 
811 SE Klemgard, Pullman, WA. Driving directions are on the flyer. 
Doors open at 9 AM and the program begins at 9:30, ending by noon. 
For questions or to RSVP, e-mail whitmancgs@gmail.com or call 
Sue Kreikemeier, 509-635-1303.
 Hope to see you there. Monica Bartlett Peters

 

Fr. Savelesky’s & Horace Young’s bios

Seminar Flyer April 2018 with pix

Claire Smith Awarded 2017 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 500 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2017 award recipients and learn why they received the 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Claire Smith

Today we’re introducing Claire Smith who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS). She was recognized for her exceptional leadership and consistent support of her local society.

Ms. Smith was instrumental in her local society’s creation in 2005, and shaped its growth, serving as president, vice president/program chair, webmaster, newsletter editor, mentor and special interest group (SIG) leader. Because of her astute business sense and organizational skills, procedures and processes were put in place, creating a legacy for the organization to rely on into the future.

Ms. Smith unselfishly shared her knowledge and time with anyone asking for help. She consistently encouraged and supported members to continue to gain and improve skills.

In Ms. Smith, BIGS found a rare combination of leadership and vision, commitment and dedication, technological know-how, and a passion for genealogy. Without a doubt, she richly deserves being a recipient of a 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Interim Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Meet the Board: Barbara Johnson

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Barbara Gorham Johnson

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Barbara Jeanne Gorham Johnson. Barb lives in Mount Vernon (Skagit County) and is in her first term as WSGS’s Region 1 South Representative. Besides being a member of WSGS, she is a long-time member of the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society where she has served on the Board as secretary, vice president, and currently as education chair and communications chair. She also belongs to Clan Johnstone in America and Saddleworth (Yorkshire) Historical Society.

Barbara Jean was born in Seattle in 1943, the daughter of Arthur and Emily (Kochis) Gorham. Her mother, the good Catholic that she was, named her daughter after St. Barbara and St. John. Her names mean “stranger” and “God/like/ly.” With a twinkle in her eye, Barb’s mother told her daughter that she was a “strange gift from God.” What a sense of humor!

Barbara in kindergarten

While born in Seattle, Barb grew up on the idyllic Vashon Island. After high school, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology at the University of Washington and did virus research for several years. After marrying Roger Johnson, she became a full-time mom. After that, she became a King County police officer, then did security duty at Bellevue Square. After that, she became the first park ranger for the City of Bellevue. She has also been a science teacher with Pacific Science Center’s “Science On Wheels” program. When she and Roger “retired” to Skagit County, she worked part-time as a park ranger for North Cascades National Park. This girl loves the great out of doors!

Barbara and Roger

Barb has been interested in family history for years. She used to listen to her parents talk about their childhood years in New York City and (at that time) Czechoslovakia. Barb would often ask her  maternal grandmother to tell her about the old country, curious about her native homeland. About 25 years, ago, Barb got serious about researching her roots. She has traveled to ancestral lands in Massachusetts, Ireland, Scotland and Yorkshire, England.

Barbara and her family

Speaking of Yorkshire, one of her most fascinating genealogical discoveries was finding her Yorkshire cousin who helped her with her research back to the 1500’s. Barb and Roger visited him in the Parish of Saddleworth in West Riding of Yorkshire last year. He was kind enough to escort them all over the parish, regaling them with stories of ancient and family history and architectural history.

Barb and Roger, a retired banker who is a model railroader, are the proud parents of Steven and Michelle. Steven is a Navy veteran now working for a defense contractor in Washington, D.C. Steven and his wife Jen, a school teacher who is also a Navy veteran, have two children: Jeffrey (age 12) and Lexie (age 9).  Daughter Michelle and her husband Bob live in Edmonds. She is an early education teacher at Edmonds Community College, while Bob is a home inspector.

A few more interesting tidbits about Barb:

  • Barb does DNA and genealogy presentations in Washington and British Columbia. She also participates in a living history program as Abigail Adams.
  • Favorite genealogy websites: Ancestry.com as they have wonderful Yorkshire records that have been digitized
  • Favorite color: Blue
  • Favorite dessert: Dark chocolate – Death by Chocolate, in particular!
  • When she’s not doing genealogy, Barb likes to hike, quilt, scrapbook and do needlework.
  • It’s easy to describe Barb in one word: enthusiastic!

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Barb say hello and thank her for her service to WSGS.

President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Nominations Due April 15

by Roxanne Lowe

Does your society have a member who has exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future? That person (or persons) may be deserving of the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. The award is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. The person(s) does not have to be a past president of your society.

Previous honorees include:

2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. Read more about Margie’s accomplishments here.

2017 – Joanne Calhoun, Wenatchee Valley Genealogical Society. Read more about Joanne’s accomplishments here.

The deadline for this esteemed, competitive honor is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, April 15.  Details, including the nomination form and other requirements, are available HERE.

Communication and Project Awards Closing SOON

by Roxanne Lowe

You still have a few days to sneak in your society’s nomination for the Washington State Genealogical Society’s Outstanding Communication Award and Outstanding Project Award! The deadline for both awards was April 1, 2018, but Spring Break caused a delay in my schedule, so I’m keeping the  nomination process open until Tuesday, April 10.

It’s super easy to apply for either/both of these awards:

Outstanding Communication: This award honors the society that makes the best use of any form of communication, including websites, social media, newsletters, lectures, videos, podcasts, etc. to convey valuable information and/or training to its members or the public. More information, including the nomination form for the Outstanding Communication Award, is available HERE.

Outstanding Project Award: The award is given to local genealogical society that completes an exceptional genealogical or historical project in the past year. The project may be either one-time or ongoing, a single program or a series of programs, but must have been completed by December 31, 2017. More information, including the Nomination Form, for the Outstanding Project Award is available HERE.

Questions should be directed to Roxanne Lowe, Interim Chair, WSGS Recognition Committee.

Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

First, thank you, Many Guessers, for sharing your guess as to what county I was referring to last week. Dorothy (no last name) was first and Roy Rutherford was second to correctly say Snohomish County. Congrats!

Today’s mystery question:  How many main passes are there through the Cascade range? What are their names?

Our favorite looked like this yesterday and is closed today, April 2nd. GOLLYGOSH.

Civil War Veterans Buried in Washington State

by Charles Hansen

Bruce Smith and Karyn Zielasko Weingarden are the originators of the website www.civilwarvetswastate.com which they hope and expect to become the “One-Stop-Shopping” for those researching a Civil War veteran who came to the Pacific Northwest and died and is buried in Washington state.

Did you know about this website? Ever looked at it? Suggest you do so!

Their goal with this project is to have, in one place, a complete listing of all Civil War vets resting in Washington soil along with a bit of a biography on him. These bios are gleaned from official records or submitted by researchers.

So what does this mean for you? Do you have a Civil War veteran ancestor buried here? Is he documented on Bruce and Karyn’s website? Would you like to submit your information to the website?

Directions on how to submit your info is on the website but bottom line, send an email to Bruce at smith.bruce123@comcast.net

And do stay tuned for more information and updates!