South King County Genealogical Society December 2025 Happenings

by Charles Hansen

🎄 Happy Holidays! Playback viewing date of Mags Gaulden’s presentation is now extended to December 31, 2025. Thank you Mags for your generosity to us, and to our admin for making this happen behind the scenes. SKCGS Members will find the playback access code at the end of this email. 🎄

*if you expected to find the code but do not see it, your SKCGS Membership has expired as of December 1, 2025. Renew on our website: https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership 

Stay connected! Get updates on our virtual and in-person events, plus the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online platform for discussion and information sharing:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe or change your email format at any time

PROGRAM UPDATES

All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches. 

Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request

Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.

*Members: passcode for the recording of this month’s speaker presentation is at the bottom of this email.*

DECEMBER TO EARLY JANUARY 2026 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless otherwise stated 

Friday, December 5, 2025, 12:30–2:30pm PT: EGS German Interest Group (online)

Topic:  Frohe Weihnachten: Unwrapping the Charms of German Christmas Traditions

Uncover the rich history and cultural significance behind cherished customs such as the Advent calendar, Christkindlmarkt, and St. Nicholas Day. Delve into the heartwarming tales of the Christkind and the festive decoration of the Tannenbaum, while also exploring the delectable delights of traditional holiday treats like Lebkuchen and Stollen. Join German Historian Anette Isaacs and journey through time and tradition, exploring how Germany’s unique customs have shaped the magic of Christmas celebrations worldwide.

Presenter: Anette Isaacs

German born, Anette Isaacs is a Historian and Public Educator who has been presenting programs all over the United States.  She holds Master’s Degrees in American Studies, Political Science, and History and is currently serving as the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, FL. 

Additional information can be found on our Meetings page. 

Registration is required:  https://tinyurl.com/4jpfbswx 

Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10–11 am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online)

Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program

Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: 

https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 2-3 pm PT: WikiTree User Group (Online) 

Topic: Wikitree Projects, taking Collaboration to the Next Level. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Projects. 

Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. 

Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG

Thursday, December 11, 2025, 11am–1 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA

Monday, December 15, 2025, 1–2 pm PT: Tech Users Group (Online). 

Topic: Wrapping up 2025: Where are we? AI, Full Text Search, and More.

Join our free online group:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Thursday, December 18, 2025, 11am–1 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (in-person) 

Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA. 

Thursday, December 18, 2025, 2–4 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person) 

Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer; 34200 1st Way S Federal Way, WA

No December Research Workshop. Enjoy your holiday! See https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search for your local FamilySearch Center open hours; confirm open status before traveling.

Monday, December 22, 2025, 1–2pm: Genealogy Chat (Online). Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 10-11 am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). 

Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program

Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: 

https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 6:30 pm: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online). Interested SKCGS Members write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 11am–1 pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA

Friday, January 9, 2026, 12:30–2:30 pm: German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). “Free Websites for Germany Genealogy” by Josiah Schmidt. Visitors welcome.  and More information at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/  

Monday 12 January 2026, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group. (Online).

Topic: Strategies for Success in 2026. How will all your new matches move your research forward? Join our free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday 14 January 2026, 2–3 pm: WikiTree User Group (Online). Topic: Digging Deeper: How to use Wikitree to move your research forward. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth.

Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

Thursday, January 15, 2026, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA. 

  2–4pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer; 34200 1st Way S Federal Way, WA

Friday, January 16, 2026, 1–3pm: Research Workshop. For SKCGS Members only. In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center: 12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (253) 631-3252

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10–11:15 am: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online)

Mary Kircher Roddy presents “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity“

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SKCGS Speaker Series: Monthly on the third Saturday, 10am. Featured speakers: 

  • September 20 2025: Roxanne Lowe: “Write Your Own Obituary”
  • October 18 2025: Craig K Gowens: “The Border Reivers: The Beginnings of America’s Scotch-Irish”
  • November 15 2025: Mags Gaulden: “WikiTree’s DNA Features, With A Splash of mitoYDNA.org”
  • January 17 2026: Mary Kircher Roddy: “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity”
  • February 21 2026: Robyn N. Smith: “Cluster Research: Using Other People to Find Your People”
  • March 21 2026: Winona Laird: “Publish Your Story using AI and Kindle Direct Publishing”
  • April 18 2026: Robbie Johnson “Writing for Relatives 101-–From Research to Family History” 
  • May 16 2026 Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal: “Research at the library…without leaving home!.”
  • June 20 2026:  Steven Morrison “Digging Up New Dirt: Part 1 Unearthing the Real New England Immigrant” AND Part 2 “Finding, Proving and Publishing”

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

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MEMBERSHIP:  We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.

You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

Like – Facebook :: Blog :: Website – SKCGS.org :: Member support – info@skcgs.org

SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Let’s Talk About: Vanishing Pennies

by Donna Phillips

Did you catch the recent news story that the U.S. Mint won’t be making anymore pennies. Why? Well the story explains that it costs $3.69 to make a single penny, that’s why. But shed no tears yet, there are still an estimated 300 billion pennies remaining in circulation and they are still legal tender.
But consider some oft-quoted expressions that soon will fade:

  • A penny for your thoughts
  • Cost a pretty penny
  • A penny saved is a penny earned
  • Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.
  • No more “pinching pennies”
  • Worth every penny
  • I’ll give you my 2-cents worth
  • Penny-wise and pound-foolish
  • He’s a 2-bit criminal

What about my favorite penny, the 1943 zinc coated steel penny…… so made to save copper for the wartime effort:

Introducing myself, I often say “I was born the year of the Black Penny….who knows what that is?”  And most do not. When I was about eight years old, I collected a pint jar of black pennies…..wish I still had them today. 

Let’s Talk About: Christmas Town Names

by Donna Phillips


Bet you’d never guess at the number of American towns having Christmas-related names. I was amazed. Consider:

Santa, Benewah County, Idaho;   Santa Claus in Indiana;  Santa Claus in Mohave County, Arizona;  Santa Claus in Toombs County, Georgia;    Christmas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan;   North Pole near Fairbanks, Alaska;   North Pole in Essex County, New York;   Snowflake in Navajo County, Arizona;  Noel in McDonald County, Missouri;   Rudolph in Wood County, Wisconsin;  Holly in Oakland County, Michigan;   Christmas Valley in Lake County, Oregon, which is near Christmas Lake;   Dasher in Lowndes County, Georgia.

And I’d bet with a few minutes searching with Grandma Google, you could find dozens more! 
Dear Reader, were you born in a “Christmas” town? Love to hear from you if so.  

Heritage Quest Research Library Holiday Bazaar

by Charles Hansen
  Want to learn fun facts about genealogy & get inspired doing your family research? CLICK HERE to read our blog!!!!!!! You won’t be disappointed!
Taking genealogy classes is a great way to enhance your family research and history. While it’s possible to do research on your own, classes offer formal training and essential methodologies that can make your efforts more successful, accurate, and fulfilling. CLICK HERE to check out our exciting classes in 2026! You can attend via Zoom online or in person at HQRL.
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Let’s Talk About: Freddie Whitehouse, 1882-1888

by Donna Phillips


Does anybody living remember little Freddie Whitehouse? 

This dear soul rests in a remote part of Greenwood Cemetery in Spokane. The inscription reads:  FREDDIE, son of L.M. and H.M., died July 28, 1888, aged 5 years, 7 months, 27 days. He was likely named after Lewis’s brother, Fred, who died in 1872. 

In the summer of 1888, there was an epidemic of typhoid fever in Spokane. Is this his cause of death? 
A (well sourced) family tree found on Ancestry shows him to be the son of Lewis Hanson Whitehouse, born 1844 in Maine, died 1919 in California, and Hannah Mein, born 1845 in Scotland, died 1926 in California. Little Freddie had siblings Lewis, Herbert and Eva. Lewis and Hannah had married on 17 Aug 1871 in Port Townsend, Jefferson County, WA. 

Somehow Lewis and Hannah migrated unmarried from Maine and Scotland by 1871. So the Whitehouse family was in Washington Territory well before statehood and were living in Spokane by 1885.
Does anybody remember little Freddie Whitehouse?

This is why it is so important to record family stories. Not one child deserves to be forgotten. Take part of your day-after-Christmas to write down a memory from yesterday, Christmas Day, 2025. 

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Family Tree SIG Meeting December 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom

This month we will be watching and discussing Part 2 of the video “Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners”. If you are just getting started with Legacy Family Tree or haven’t used it for a while this should be a helpful video and discussion for you.

This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aid in learning more about using Legacy Family Tree software.

Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the learning. If you are just thinking about trying Legacy for the first time, you’ve been using it for a year or two or you are an old pro with many years of experience using Legacy this is the group for you.

We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Download: Meeting invite with Links

Meeting Invite with Links in file attached below:

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly Calendar Reminder: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYpfuyuqDovHNwtBgxtQjWKOjDQ8k5Q9bPD/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqjIvHNKUtR-PRpwQBor4Z-7wpn5Ygo1KiD3iGzRiaDTdGehmA-p0RemJ

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82495661568?pwd=dy85YmluVzF5aEU4SzFTcTUrVDlTUT09

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US
+12532158782,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731

Find your local number:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcphK19I1E

Heritage Quest Research Library See’s Candies

by Charles Hansen

At Heritage Quest Research Library, we rely on the generous support of our community through donations, memberships, and fundraisers, all of which enable us to provide the finest resources and dedicated staff—who are all volunteers! As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to indulge in the joy of giving by participating in our delightful See’s Candies fundraiser. Not only will you treat yourself and your loved ones to delectable sweets, but you’ll also be playing a vital role in helping passionate genealogists uncover their family histories. Together, let’s celebrate the spirit of discovery and connection that our collective efforts inspire, making this holiday season truly meaningful for everyone involved! Also, there is FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75! Below are just a few delectable sweets you have to choose from Click here for more irresistible options!
We appreciate your support. Have fun shopping!  Click here to make your selection!
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US