Nominations Sought for WSGS President and Secretary

Are you interested in being part of the WSGS Board of Directors? The positions of president and secretary are up for election and we are seeking nominations. The nomination period will close on 10 Dec 2025.

The president acts as the figurehead of the Washington State Genealogical Society. He/she presides over the monthly board meetings, as well as any special meetings. The president is responsible for creating a monthly agenda, in cooperation with the rest of the Board. He/she also ensures the society runs smoothly and for the benefits of its members.

The secretary composes the minutes of each business and board meeting, and ensures they are correct and accurate.

The two-year terms are from 01 Jan 2026 through 31 Dec 2027. The meetings are held monthly via Zoom. More information on the positions’ duties and responsibilities is available here.

Being a member of the WSGS Board is an excellent opportunity to involve yourself in a statewide organization designed to support local societies and individuals interested in the educational and historical value of genealogical research. And besides that — it’s fun and interesting!

If you’re interested in this opportunity or have questions, please contact LeAnne Koliha or Charles Hansen, members of the Nominations Committee.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Christmas Around the World

Holiday Customs Around the World 

Date: December 06, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM to 03:00 PM

Location: The Hive (Door code for the Hive: 985426#)

Zoom Link will be available on the website the day of the event. (Ewgsi.org)

We will hear about the customs of: Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, Kwanza, Jewish.

And there will be a visit from someone very special! 

Wear your Holiday Sweater, be it ugly or adorable.

Bring an unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive. 

Or you may contact one of the drop off sites to deliver.

Lola-East

Carol-South

Jennilyn-North

Lynn-West

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies (And Coffee Too)

  Please bring a couple dozen cookies to share, and be sure to bring the recipe

  You will be going home with cookies for sure!

Zip locks will be provided by our Hospitality Team 

Please remember some cash for $50/50$ and raffles.

Bring any items to add to Jeanne’s Genealogy Free Table

Clark County Genealogical Society Publications & Surplus Books

Clark County Genealogical Society

Black Friday Book Sale

All CCGS Publications and Surplus Books are 40% off!

November 20 through December 10

CCGS Publications

View the inventory and buy directly from ourwebsite. They are 40% off the posted price, plus sales tax, and USPS postage (if applicable).

Some books are available for immediate delivery as a pdf. Shipping for bound books is extra and is displayed on the checkout page.

Publications About Clark County

Clark County Pioneers (volumes 1 and 2)

Various mortuary/funeral home and cemetery records

Censuses, 1850 to 1880, and 1900

Death records, 1891 to 1903

Land records

Marriage records from the 1800s to 1923

St. Luke’s Parish Records, 1853 to 1886

Other miscellaneous titles

Publications About Skamania County

Cemetery records

Censuses, 1860 to 1887

Marriages, 1854 to 1931

Surplus Books

The books are available in the CCGS library and now 40% off the marked price. All prices for surplus books include the sales tax.

View and download the inventory from ourwebsite.

To purchase:

In person: purchase from a Librarian at the CCGS library with cash or a check.

By mail: contact Denise at denisee@ccgswa.org to determine book availability, and total cost (book + USPS postage). Payment by check only.

Clark County Genealogical Society

3205 NE 52nd St.

Vancouver, WA 98663

360.750.5688

info@ccgswa.org

www.ccgs-wa.org

Let’s Talk About: Broiled Frog Legs?

Found this old-time recipe in a 2005 issue of Nostalgia magazine. I’m sure you’ll want to try such a different dish in this new year. 

BROILED FROG LEGS…. To prepare select fine, fresh bullfrogs, reserve only the legs; skin them carefully, leaving the legs in pairs; cut off the claws and place in fresh cold water until ready to use. 

TO BROIL…. select good-sized legs, marinate them as for frying, using either vinegar or lemon juice; drain and place them on boiler and broil 4 minutes on each side; dress on hot plate with butter-sause and serve while hot. 

Since I know this will be your next question, here goes:  Can you buy frog legs at Walmart?

Yes, Walmart sells frozen frog legs, including a product from its Great Value brand and other brands like Sea Best. They are available for purchase online and for in-store pickup or delivery, though availability may vary by location. 

  • Brands: Great Value and Sea Best are two brands of frozen frog legs sold at Walmart. 
  • Product type: The products are typically sold frozen and are prepared for cooking. 
  • Availability: You can check online for specific availability, delivery, and pickup options at your local store. 
  • Details: Great Value Frozen Frog Legs are described as tender and slightly sweet and contain about 
  • 14g of protein per serving. 

Would certainly love to hear from anybody who tries this recipe.

Let’s Talk About: Washington Place Names

There are so many itty-bitty places in our state that I’d never heard of or could pinpoint where they were on a map. How about you?Venersborg, Clark County. This community was established in 1909 by the Swedish Land Co. on land owned by a farmer named Vener. 

Venice, Kitsap County. Known as Venice Landing, site of the longest wharf on Puget Sound (780′) circa 1908, this Bainbridge Island community is the namesake of California’s once artificially canaled copy of the Italian city.

Veradale, Spokane County. Namesake of Vera McDonald whose father helped plat the district in 1911. First named Vera but changed to Veradale in 1923.

Victor, Mason County. Source of the name was selected in 1892 when ships delivered mail to the “pigeon hole” post office house in the community’s general store is unknown. This tiny community is near Belfair. 


Viti Rocks, Whatcom County. Named by Wilkes for Viti Levu, one of the Fiji Islands that was the home of a cannibal the expedition took prisoner and brought to the Pacific Northwest. 


Vega, Pierce County. Community on Anderson Island derived its name from Vegatorp, Sweden, home town of the first postmaster.

Let’s Talk About: Stolen History

In September, two historic Spokane bridge marker plaques were pried loose and offered for sale on Facebook. Luckily, both plaques were recovered and returned to the Spokane Streets Department for re-placing on the Latah Bridge and Marne Bridge.

This sad occurrence got me to ask the question, “How many other historic markers, specifically tombstones, have been stolen?” BOY!

May 21, 2012, story on a Memphis, Tennessee, TV station: “A Memphis man was shocked to find more than one dozen tombstones in his backyard when he was clearing the area for landscaping. He said, “They were all buried in the dirt.” Now he’s on a mission to find the families to which the tombstones belong.

August 15, 2025, Girard, Kansas, story on a local TV station: “A routine event for the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office turned into an amateur archaeology project this week when the department recovered a stolen pickup truck. In the bed of the truck they found a worn, broken headstone belonging to a gravesite. Time and exposure left the headstone difficult to read but it marked the grave of an unnamed infant and gave the simple epitaph: “Daughter of J.M. & ?? Johnson, born March 20 187?.  (?? means illegible). So sad.

August 30, 2025, Woodlawn Celestial Gardens, Compton, California: “Thieves took and damaged more than a dozen headstones from a historic cemetery in Compton…… one of the oldest and most historic cemeteries in the area. Celestina Bishop, the owner of the cemetery, said she believes the thieves took the headstones for the bronze and copper plaques. “It’s just sickening!” Bishop mourned.

Googling for bits for this post, there were hundreds! Going back years! So, so sad. Let’s hope our ancestors’ cemeteries, wherever they are, are safe. 

International German Genealogy Partnership 2027 Conference Survey

Hello IGGP friends and followers,
Having marking its first 10 years as a partnership at the recent conference in June, the IGGP board has decided to take stock before moving forward on two important efforts: a 2027 conference and the future of a partner newsletter.
For more information, and to provide your feedback as a follower of IGGP, please open the current edition of the Partner Zeitung. There you will find a link to a survey on a 2027 international conference. Or just use this link:
2027 conference survey link
The Partner Zeitung will be on hiatus after this edition as the partnership evaluates new ways of sharing information about IGGP activities. We will continue to use this method of contacting you with developments. So as a reminder, you can use the link below to manage your subscription or unsubscribe. Thank you.
 LogoCopyright © 2025 International German Genealogy Partnership, All rights reserved.
You subscribed to receive news about IGGP and its activities. Use the links below to change your subscription preferences or unsubscribe.

Our mailing address is:
International German Genealogy Partnership
1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100
c/o Minnesota Genealogy Center
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-1367

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat Meeting November 2025

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

Please join us and let’s chat!

Discussion starter topic is: What are You Thankful For?

This topic does not have to be limited to our genealogy/family history research.
This is a monthly opportunity to connect with others and talk about anything and everything genealogical. The value of this meeting increases with the participation of each person that attends and contributes to the conversations.

This is your chance to celebrate the breaking down of a brick wall in your research, or ask questions of others that can help you find records or relatives. Everyone, members and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below.
Date & Time: Every month on the Third Tue, from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Pacific Time

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

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMldOCprTsqGtSoVglOBTElUaBRgTq5IEgI/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvpjgjG9eVsBmHRpwEGojCXevztmJfjbdukyniDw9xVib6A-NgALVLAY35

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87839130000?pwd=dGdHY2wrZ0d1bDNRTEQ4Uk15OVk0Zz09
Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000
Passcode: 836216

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US
+12532158782,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000
Passcode: 836216

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdesX0el3t