Tony Birch and his late wife, Janette, were the EWGS meeting greeters when the group met at the Central Library downtown. Cindy Hval, The Spokesman columnist, did a story on 5 June 2025 about Tony and his unusual collection of once-candy-filled-glass-toys.

A favorite gift in the late 1800s, glass containers filled with candy were a favorite for decades. In the 1950s, glass was replaced by plastic. Tony and Janette would haunt garage sales for these treasures and amassed quite a diverse collection:

Quoting from Hval’s story: “I think the trains are my favorites,” Birch said. “My father gave me my first one when I was about six,” he recalled. “The best part is after the candy is eaten, you still have a toy,” Tony shared. 
Thanks, Tony, for sharing your story!

What about YOUR ancestors’ hobbies? What did they collect? What do you collect (and treasure) that you hope one of your kiddos will want and love? 

The Clallam County Genealogical Society is really looking up! I visited their huge collection in May when I was in Port Angeles house/dog sitting for my kiddos.

A good part of the reasons why interest and membership is up are these:

·         They applied and got a grant for 7 brand new computer stations and 3 laptops.

·         A generous member donated a much-needed new roof.

·         Their library is a FamilySearch affiliate; in the library you can freely use Ancestry, FindMyPast, GenealogyBank, Newspaper.com, Fold3 and American Ancestors.

·         New members are stepping up to accept Board positions.

·         The society offers regular classes and great workshops.

·         They do have a Facebook page too.

Ginny (Virginia) Majewski is once again the president but no surprise; she’s such a mover and shaker in the group that they keep reelecting her.

The coolest big news from the group is that their building (which has lots of space for the library and meeting rooms) is getting an update. Port Angeles is known for its murals on buildings and the Board received another gift to paint a mural on their building! (Used to be the State Patrol office and was a rather dull-looking squatty building.) Won’t this be fantastic! There are easily 100 reasons to visit PA and the Olympic Peninsula but for genealogists, a visit to this library is a must!

My name is Joseph Kerry and I’m reaching out on behalf of Bible Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing family Bibles—Bibles that contain handwritten genealogical records, personal notes, or family history.

These Bibles are more than religious texts—they are irreplaceable historical artifacts that tell the story of generations. Unfortunately, many are lost through estate sales, discarded in downsizing, or left in storage. Our mission is to recover these Bibles, preserve the records inside, and reconnect them with living descendants or provide them with a new, respectful home.

We’re currently inviting organizations like yours to partner with us in this effort. If you come across family Bibles—or if your members have any they’d like to donate—we would be honored to receive them. We can often reimburse shipping costs (especially via USPS Media Mail), and we make every effort to preserve both the physical book and the stories within. We will also let you know when the family Bible has found a new home.

You can learn more about us and search our growing online database at biblerescue.org

Please feel free to share this opportunity with your members, staff, or community. If you have any questions please let me know.

Thank you for the important work you do in preserving history. We’d love to partner with you to ensure that these family treasures are not lost to time.

Warm regards,
Joseph Kerry
Bible Rescue
M 610.329.1244
E   joe@biblerescue.org
W biblerescue.org