Bea Ritter 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.

Bea Ritter

Today we’re introducing Beatrice “Bea” Ritter of Vancouver, Washington, who was nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She was recognized for commitment to the satisfaction of the society’s members.

The Clark County Genealogical Society has been greatly improved by the efforts of long-time member Bea Ritter. She joined the CCGS in 1998 and has served in various leadership capacities since then. Over the past four years she has ably served as the society’s vice president. In 2015, the position of membership chair became vacant and Ms. Ritter graciously volunteered to fill in. Her efforts immediately resulted in a significant increase in member retention and new member satisfaction.

The strength of the Clark County Genealogical Society rises and falls with its membership and Ms. Ritter has made a mighty contribution to the society’s well-being. As such, she greatly deserved being a 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer.

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.

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

Last summer Cheryl Elder, Maureen MacDonald and I spent four wonderful delightful days at the Fiske Genealogy Library under the helpful hands of Gary Zimmerman. One of the things he offered to us was a tour of the upper floors of the Fiske Library building…….where the various pioneer organizations house their treasures. These photo are of things in that upstairs museum room:

Did you ever (or, lucky you, do you today) get to sleep in a bed like this? Keep in mind that while it’s huge and grand, it’s only a small-ish double bed. Bet you wouldn’t like that.

Share your memories of “Grandma’s Feather Bed?”  (Thank you, John Denver.)

Tri-City Genealogical Society Family History Discovery Day

by Charles Hansen

Family History Discovery Day – Free Workshop on Genealogy
 
March 24th: 9:00 a.m. – Noon
LDS Church on Jadwin Street in Richland next to the Diary Queen and across Uptown Richland or behind the Family History Center
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Opening Session – Keynote Speaker (Be a Part of the Miracles)
Workshops:
9:40 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
DNA: A Taste of Genetic Genealogy by Margie Beldin
                               or
Uploading Memories by Aaron Allen
10:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.
Amazing Resources at the Family History Center by Richard Allen
                              or
We’ve Only Just Begun – For Beginners by John Dearing
11:20 a.m. to Noon
Writing Stories & Personal Histories by Maureen Briscoe
                              or
Fun & Engaging Ideas to Involve Family in Family History by Kristie McShane
Note that TCGS will have a table/display in the Gym along with other displays. There will be a Coaches Corner for individual help and one on one teaching concerning descendancy.
(If you would like to volunteer at our booth for 30 minutes, an hour or more, please let me know.  Our table will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Art Kelly (summerfest.44@gmail.com or 943-9322)

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

Some tombstone inscriptions from the 18th century that I found in a book on Rattray Parish, Perthshire, Scotland: This one was 1754.

“Remember man impartial fate knocks at the cottage and the palace gate.

Life’s span forbids these to extend thy cares and stretch thy hopes beyond thy years.

Night soon will seize and you must go to frightful ghosts and dismal shades below.”

 

“Not gone from memory nor from love

but to our Father’s home above.”

 

“We loved them much, we loved them well.

We loved them more than tongue can tell.

God loved them too and thought it best

To take them home with Him to rest.”

 

Have you given any thought to what thoughts/words you’d want inscribed onto your tombstone?

Puget Sound Genealogical Society March Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Puget Sound Genealogical Society

Wednesday March 28, 1pm – 2p.m.
Class will be held at: Kitsap Regional Library, 1301 Sylvan Way, Bremerton
BEYOND ‘OUTLANDER’: Researching Your Scottish and English Ancestry
with Claudia Breland: Trace your Scottish and English ancestors using the
top record types and online databasis as well as records not online.
No registration necessary.
Jackie Horton, Publicity Chairperson

Monday’s Mystery

by Charles Hansen

Today’s mystery is a universal mystery for most people including most all genealogy people.

WHY DON’T WE REGULARLY AND PROPERLY BACK UP OUR PROGRAMS AND FILES AND DOCUMENTS AND AND AND AND………………………….. WHY DO WE NOT?????

Do you do regular computer backups? WHY? What motivates YOU to complete this vital research step??

I really would like to hear from all of you with your good reasons, bad reasons and whinnings.

Okay. We know we should back up our everything but we don’t for perhaps one or more of these reasons:

  1.  It won’t happen to me. (Yah, sure.)
  2.  I don’t know how. (You can/should learn how.)
  3.  I think it happens automatically. (If you’ve set it up that way, yes.)
  4.  There are so many choices and methods that I’m overwhelmed. (Start at the beginning and learn.)
  5.  There is nothing that important on my computer. (Your genealogy files aren’t important??)
  6.  These backup plans cost too much. (How much is your genealogy worth to you?)
  7.  Just didn’t realize I should. (You been living under a rock?)

I just asked Grandma Google (who knows and happily tells all) for this phrase: “how to backup your computer.” There were 807,000 hits in 0.63 seconds. Would surely be the same when you talk to Grandma Google. Do you think that amidst those 807,000 hits that there are some tutorials for you? Answers for you?

I agree, 807,000 hits to explore is way too overwhelming. I do have a life and so do you. So skip through those 807,000 listings and pick a few that look the best to you……perhaps by companies or speakers or bloggers that you trust.

If all else fails, ask these two questions at your next genealogy gathering:  (1) What back up plan do you use on your computer?  (2) Will you teach me?

It’s “only” your life’s work, right?

Or maybe share with me how this sharp poke in the tail motivated you to action. Great. 

LOWER COLUMBIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY April Meeting

by Charles Hansen

PART OF THE DETECTIVE WORK OF GENEALOGY IS LOOKING FOR YOUR FAMILY IN PLACES YOU WOULD NOT NORMALLY LOOK AND REVIEWING PLACES YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF.

Among those resources is PERSI – the Periodical Source Index, the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world. PERSI is widely recognized as a vital tool for genealogical researchers.

At our April meeting JERRI MCCOY will help us learn how to effectively use PERSI.

LOWER COLUMBIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

SOMERSET RETIREMENT APARTMENTS

2025 TIBBETTS DRIVE, LONGVIEW

DINING ROOM 7:00 PM

April 12, 2018

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

COMING IN MAY
“AN INTRODUCTION TO DNA FOR GENEALOGY”
SEATTLE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY – ONLINE COURSE
 THURSDAYS –  MAY 10, 17, 24
 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Have you thought about doing a DNA test for genealogy? Have you taken a test and now you want to know how to make the most of your results?

Join Karin Borgerson for an online three-part Introduction to DNA for Genealogy. Bring your curiosity and your questions! The course is conducted via video chat and students will learn how to use ZOOM software​.

Week 1 – Why use DNA in your genealogy research? Learn about the different types of DNA tests and what you can learn from each.

Week 2 – Beyond the pie chart: Explore how autosomal tests like AncestryDNA and 23andMe (and several others) can help you learn about all of the branches of your family tree—there’s more to it than the ethnicity estimates!

Week 3 – A closer look at Y-DNA; tools and resources for learning more.

Fee for the 3-part series :​ ​$30 for SGS members,  ​$40 for all others

Register here:​ http://www.seattlegenealogicalsociety.org/content/join-sgs

At “New or Renewing Membership” select:​ Class

At “Membership Type” select:​ DNA Class – SGS Member ($30) or Intro Class – All others ($40)

Registration is processed in order received.

Course limit: ​14

Questions:​ email Karin – karin@borgersonresearch.com

Course Instructor: Karin Lovisa Borgerson is a professional genealogist specializing in using DNA to solve family mysteries. Her genealogical education includes the Institute for Genetic Genealogy (2016), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (Practical Genetic Genealogy, 2017) and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (Advanced Genealogical Methods, 2018). She holds a BA in biology and anthropology, an MBA, and has done graduate study in science, health, and environmental journalism.
3x your impact! From March 12-31, Amazon is tripling the donation rate on your first smile.amazon.com purchase! Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/91-0850085 and Amazon donates to Seattle Genealogical Society. For additional details about the promotion, visit the promotion detail page.
​
BEGINNING BEGINNING GENEALOGY
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018
10:15 AM – 3:00 PM

All necessary materials will be provided for this free beginners class.  No reservation required and no fee for this full day of instruction. Please bring your own sack lunch as there is nowhere close to SGS to get lunch.  Everyone is welcome. Linda Fitzgerald, past SGS president, will be the instructor.

 
* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED * 

Help us get the word out about the May 19th Spring Seminar with D. Joshua Taylor. The brochure will be ready for folding and labeling beginning March 15th and we plan to mail @ 900 brochures by March 27th. All work with be done during normal library hours Tuesdays – Sundays. If you can help, even if only for an hour or so, please respond to (include your availability information) :  seminar@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org  

SGS 2018 SPRING SEMINAR,
“Family History: What the Future Holds”,
featuring D. Joshua Taylor,
Co-host of the PBS series Genealogy Roadshow

The SGS Spring Seminar on May 19th is fast approaching. Mark your calendar. Brochures for the seminar will be mailed the last week in March and seminar registration will open April 1.

At the SGS 2017 Fall Seminar,  the new idea “Lunch Table Topics” was well received, so we will have more topics and more tables at our spring seminar.  The expanded list of lunch topics will be posted on our website and you may sign up for your choice during check-in at the seminar.

SAVE THE DATES

SEATTLE’S 2018 IRISH FESTIVAL,
Seattle Center Armory,
Seattle, WA
Saturday and Sunday, March 17 & 18, 2018
FREE admission both days

This year the festival is actually on St Patrick’s Day.  How fun will that be!  More info :
http://irishclub.org/irish-festival-seattle/

IRISH GENEALOGY SEMINAR,
Seattle Center Armory,
Seattle, WA
Sunday, March 18, 2018
9:30AM – 6:00PM  

You won’t want to miss speakers Finton Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation, Belfast.  Registration and more details at :

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-genealogy-seminar-tickets-42301967323?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_event_email&utm_term=viewmyevent_button
          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. Note there will be no Irish or German Interest Group meeting in March due to the Irish Week festivities that same weekend. The SGS Library will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 1.

MARCH

Saturday, March 17, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, “Washington at War:  The Evergreen State in World War I”, presenter is Lorraine McConaghy, public historian, Humanities Speakers Bureau Program of Washington State

Saturday, March 24, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, “Finding a Father for Molly Using DNA” , presenter Jill Morelli. This presentation is featured above in this edition of the eNews!

Saturday, March 31, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, this group meets at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Co-chaired by Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel. For more information contact SGSDNASIG@gmail 

APRIL

Thursday, April 5, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Online Introduction to Genealogy and Family History – Part 1, Heidi Mair will be the instructor of this 4 part interactive online class series. Cost for the 4 class series is $30 for SGS Members, $40 for non-members.  Registration required.

Saturday, April 7, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, Come join David Robert, group leader, for help researching your Canadian ancestors.

Saturday, April 7, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly, leader of this special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch.org

Sunday, April 8, 1:30pm – 3:30pm, Scandinavian SIG, with Karen Knudson. There will be a short review of Nordic Gothic handwriting & a discussion of what topics to cover in future meetings. Please bring your projects and ideas.

Tuesday, April 10, 10:15am – 3:00pm, Beginning Beginning Genealogy, with Linda Fitzgerald. All necessary materials will be provided for this free beginners class.  No reservation required and no fee for this full day of instruction. Please bring your own sack lunch as there is nowhere close to SGS to get lunch.

Thursday, April 12, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Online Introduction to Genealogy and Family History – Part 2, Heidi Mair will be the instructor of this 4 part interactive online class series. Cost for the 4 class series is $30 for SGS Members, $40 for non-members.  Registration required.

Saturday, April 14, 10:15am – 12:15pm, Family Tree Maker (FTM) Users Group, leaders Reiley Kidd & Betty Ravenholt, this group meets  the second Saturday of every even month, FTM is the tool long associated with Ancestry.com

Saturday, April 14, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm,  Second Saturday Speaker Series, the speaker will be Janet Camarata

Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Seattle Mac Genealogy SIG, Sponsored jointly by SGS, Fiske, and dBug, meets quarterly at Pioneer Hall at the Fiske Genealogical Library, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle. Contact Diane Hettrick at dhettrick@earthlink.net with questions.

Thursday, April 19, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Online Introduction to Genealogy and Family History – Part 3, Heidi Mair will be the instructor of this 4 part interactive online class series. Cost for the 4 class series is $30 for SGS Members, $40 for non-members.  Registration required.

Saturday, April 21, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish SIG, with Jean Roth
Saturday, April 21, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, German SIG, with Jean Roth

Thursday, April 26, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Online Introduction to Genealogy and Family History – Part 4, Heidi Mair will be the instructor of this 4 part interactive online class series. Cost for the 4 class series is $30 for SGS Members, $40 for non-members.  Registration required.   

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –  Yearbooks at SGS

Did you know SGS has an extensive collection of Seattle area schools yearbooks?

If you are looking for local school annuals, come check out our assortment. We have some from Broadway High School. Also known as Seattle High School, Broadway was Seattle’s first building constructed specifically to be a high school. We have Roosevelt High School annuals from 1923 through 1988!

Some other alma maters you’ll find on our shelves include:

* Eckstein Junior High/Middle School
* Franklin High School
* Garfield High School
* Queen Anne High School
* University of Washington “Tyee”
* West Seattle High School

Stop by.  Browse the shelves.  We are open:
Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.