Let’s Talk About: American Ice Cream!

What’s more American than ice cream?? “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” right?

According to an article in The Saturday Evening Post, July-August 2024, “… at any given moment, 87% of Americans have a tub of ice cream in the freezers, pushing the value of the U.S. ice cream market alone to more than $19 billion in 2024.

Ice cream was what most people ate on Independence Day almost since the very first one; it forms the sweet, sticky bedrock of our childhood nostalgia. (What is YOUR favorite flavor???)

According to Google ice cream ingredients typical include mild, cream, sugar and flavorings. Some recipes include eggs. Thomas Jefferson was the first U.S. president to serve ice cream to his guests. Here is his original, handwritten, recipe and transcription:

Paul Wessell Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

Jun30 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Paul Wessell of Sequim, Washington who was selected by the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

A member for ten years, Wessel has been an active member from the beginning.

During the Covid epidemic, CCGS received a donation and purchased a very large facility that needed serious renovation. Paul spearheaded the effort, working almost daily with a few other dedicated volunteers. He arranged to have walls moved, the interior painted, carpets cleaned and new flooring put in. He put up most of the shelving for the library, oversaw the installation of windows, bathroom and light fixtures and wiring. He continues to fix leaks, pull weeds, and help with maintenance.

Paul has run our yearly rummage sales, and is a volunteer library docent. Elected president three years ago, he attended the Washington Presidents’ Council meetings and began a monthly strategic planning program. He has even written articles for our quarterly Bulletin. Paul has been an outstanding leader throughout his tenure.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Education Meeting July 2025

Jun30 by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, July 8, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: “Organizing Your Genealogy Information” will be an interactive discussion led by Tim Ward.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:
University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

Thrill of the Hunt Finds $2 Treasure

Jun29 by Roxanne Lowe

An Alabama woman’s discovery of a long-lost family heirloom, discovered gathering dust among items at a local thrift store, has led to an emotional reunion. To read the amazing story, click here: https://www.newsweek.com/woman-buys-thrift-store-painting-message-back-2090019

Note: The image on the right was created by Roxanne Lowe using ChatGPT.

New Blog Banner Photos Posted

Jun28 by Roxanne Lowe

Have you noticed the Blog banner changes every time you visit? The photos are submitted by readers like you — and Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane who sent all the current photos in the banner. Her photographic wonders include Banks Lake, rhododendrons in Port Angeles, spring lilacs, fall leaves and the ferry Coho leaving Port Angeles for Victoria. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your talents!

We’re always looking for scenic photos of our beautiful state for the rotating photo gallery on the blog banner. It’s easy — just send a Washington State jpg image to wsgsblog@wasgs.org with a description of the photo. The blog masters will take care of the rest!

Let’s Talk About: Surprising Military Facts

Jun27 by Donna Phillips

(SSBN-617 Alexander Hamilton; on which my husband served during Cold War)Surely somebody in your family, or yourself, served America in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The scope and power of this group is truly fascinating. Consider:

1. The scope of our military is spread between six branches (Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard) and employs nearly 3,000,000 people with an annual budget of $700 billion. (All of this to keep you and me safe in our beds; do not forget.)

2. The Army is older than the country itself. George Washington led the first Continental Army in June of 1775.
3. The Department of Defense is the world’s biggest employer with about 2.91 million employees; the Army with its branches is the biggest employer.
4. The Department of Defense owns over 30,000,000 acres of land (bases, testing, training).
5. The Army is responsible for mapping the entire United States. The Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery were an army unit and traveled 4900 miles over two years, mapping the way.
6. There have been only five 5-Star generals; the rank didn’t exist until 1944. It was retired in 1981 when Omar Bradley, the final recipient, died.
7. The Air Force used to be part of the Army. The U.S. Army Air Corps, formed in 1907, remained such for forty years until WWII and the need for an independent force was needed.
8. The Army is responsible for creating Ray-Ban sunglasses. In order to help Air Force pilots block the sun’s rays to reduce nausea and headaches while flying, Lt. General John MacCready asked Bausch & Lomb to create special glasses for them to wear.
9. The military used submarines as early as the Revolutionary War. Most people think of submarines as fairly modern inventions; however, the world’s first use of a submarine in warfare took place in 1776 when the American vessel The Turtle attempted to attach a time bomb to the bottom of the British ship Eagle in New York harbor. It was hand powered with only one person aboard; unfortunately the mission failed and the bomb blew up far away from its intended target.

Pacific Northwest SIG

Jun26 by Charles Hansen

Announcing the Pacific Northwest Genealogy SIG

Kenith Fritsche is leading a new Special Interest Group: Pacific Northwest (PNW) SIG. It is scheduled for the first Sunday of every month at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific), starting in July. It will be held online, via Zoom.

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) has a unique history, from hosting the most culturally diverse indigenous populations in the United States, to supporting the arrival of tens of thousands of Oregon Trail settlers, and cultivating the boom years of the Silicon Forest. The PNW region is a special collection of ethnicities, people, and culture that deserves to be studied and learned about. Please join us to discuss genealogy focused research topics, ideas, and project opportunities pertaining to the region.

Register to Attend the PNW Genealogy SIG

Lisa Vollrath Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

Jun25 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Lisa Atkins Vollrath of Leavenworth, Washington who was selected by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Lisa just naturally likes to help others with their genealogy. Even though she lives 40 miles from Wenatchee, she volunteers at the library regularly, and sometimes even comes to town for extra shifts when others have to cancel.

Her patience and accuracy are exactly what we need for our indexing projects. She works on them in the library as well as at home.

During Covid, Lisa was approached to be our recording secretary, and because of the convenience of Zoom, she accepted. Without having to travel, she is able to take minutes at the board, membership and library team meetings. She is also part of the website team.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Heritage Quest Research Library Genealogical Records in New England

Jun24 by Charles Hansen

Foundation for Eastern European Family History Studies Virtual Conference

Jun24 by Charles Hansen

On behalf of the Foundation for Eastern European Family History Studies (FEEFHS), I’m reaching out to share information about our upcoming virtual conference, taking place August 6–8, 2025. We hope this may be of interest to your members, and we’d be grateful if you’d consider sharing it in your social media or newsletter channels.

We’re currently offering an early bird registration discount for anyone who registers before July 6th. I’ve attached an image below with more information that you’re welcome to use.

If you or your members have any questions about the conference, please feel free to reach out. And if your society has any upcoming events or announcements that might be relevant to our audience, we’d love to feature you in our social media or newsletter as well.

Thank you for your continued work in the field of genealogy!

Warm regards,
Emma Ruddy

FEEFHS Board Member

CONTACT: ruddy.genealogist@gmail.com