Monday Mystery

by Charles Hansen

It’s a mystery to me………… the experts proclaim that not one snowflake in 100 Bezillion is like another. (Has anybody looked at 100 bezillion??) Given for Christmas a cool book all about snowflakes, how they form and how to photograph them. Mysteriously interesting. One really cool factoid: Anybody, with a handheld magnifying glass and a black surface, can go outside and see the mystery that is a snowflake. 

Somehow I think our ancestors had a very different opinion of a snowflake than we do today……… we who sit warm and dry. 

Olympia Genealogical Society Seminar

by Charles Hansen

In the event that you haven’t yet been notified, I want to let you know
that the OGS Web site now can be found at http://OlyGenSoc.org.  In
response to the ongoing RootsWeb issue and other considerations, we have
undertaken the redevelopment of our site through EasyNetSites.  We
expect to complete this project within 2-3 months.  In the interim,
we’ll provide limited info at our new URL.

Full Brochure: 2018SpringSeminarBrochure

Seattle Municipal Archives Adds New Resource

by Roxanne Lowe

The Seattle Municipal Archives recently added a guide to SMA’s genealogical resources and how to find your ancestors in city records. The guide is available on their website.

The Seattle Municipal Archives is located on the third floor of Seattle’s City Hall at 600 Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle. The building is between Fourth and Fifth Avenues and James and Cherry Streets. The Archives is co-located with the Office of the City Clerk.

For more information about the SMA, contact Jeanie Fisher, Reference Archivist, Seattle Municipal Archives at Jean.Fisher@seattle.gov.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Wednesday Evening

E-News, Edition

10 January 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for January 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” > “Our Publications” menu at www.gfo.org.

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

 

GFO’s 2018 Elections Need Some Super Superhero’s!!

The following positions are available for new candidates this coming fiscal year:

▪ GFO President
▪ Director-at-Large
▪ Secretary

Interested in taking on one of these roles! Please email president@gfo.org today! We need candidates candidates candidates. And there is on-the-job training available for all of these positions.

These people help keep the GFO going in so many ways. Just curious?? Send a note to Laurel Smith at president@gfo.org for more information!

Insider Editors Needed

We also need two or three people to help take over editing and publication of the Insider this summer.

This is our monthly newsletter and our fearless editor is stepping down this summer. Interested in helping out? Email Jackie Olson at insider@gfo.org.

Continue reading →

Innovative Grant Applications Due March 1

by Roxanne Lowe

Is your local genealogy society interested in some FREE CASH for a special project? Applications for the WSGS Innovative Grants are being accepted through March 1, 2018.

The grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. The awards do not have to be repaid — they’re FREE MONEY to support worthy projects. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2018.

Last year’s grant awards were made to:

The simple application is only ONE page and is available here, as well as additional guidance on the program. For more information, visit the Innovative Grant page on our website

For more information, contact Roxanne Lowe, Interim Chair, WSGS Recognition Committee, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Jody Alfiere 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.

Jody Alfiere

Today we’re introducing Jody Alfiere of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Mason County Genealogical Society (MCGS). She was recognized for her exceptional efforts to preserve and document the headstones in a local cemetery in the Mason County area.

Single-handedly, Ms. Alfiere took on the task of documenting more than 11,000 headstones in Shelton Memorial Park. Some years ago, MCGS took on the task of correcting the errors and omissions of their cemetery’s records and to photograph the headstones. The project floundered for some time, however, until Ms. Alfiere took it upon herself to get the job done. She mapped out the project, section by section, and recruited volunteers to help. On many mornings for the past three years, Ms. Alfiere was seen documenting and photographing headstones, and even identifying unearthed sunken grave markers by herself.  On other mornings, she enlisted some helpers, but her commitment to documenting and photographing the headstones never wavered.

Now, thanks to Ms. Alfiere’s untiring work, the MCGS is closer to completing this project.  Her dedication to this task, and to the MCGS, is remarkable. It is for these reasons, Ms. Alfiere richly deserved being a recipient of a 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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.

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Did anybody take advantage of the subscription offer from Rick Cree of Internet Magazine?????? YOU, right along with WSGS, would benefit!

Hi Donna,  This is a great idea.

I have temporarily reduced the one year new subscription price to $20, but normally it is $27.95. Just so you know, Ed and I normally only offer the $20 at the big conferences.
In any case, you can send your readers to https://internet-genealogy.com or https://yourgenealogytoday.com and the option for a $20 1 year subscription is available through the regular channels. This applies to all three of our magazines.
In order for us to give you back the $3 per subscription, it is imperative that they indicate the code WSGS. This will have to be put in the area where we ask for their ID number (the actual wording on the box is: If available, please include your subscription ID number when renewing your subscription…).
I hope this helps.   Rick

Rick Cree
Associate Publisher
Moorshead Magazines Ltd
Publisher of Your Genealogy Today, Internet Genealogy, History Magazine

Seattle Genealogical Society Class

by Charles Hansen

You Are Invited
Saturday, January 13, 2018
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
at the SGS Library
with Trish Hackett Nicola

“Chinese Exclusion Act –
Original Documents at NARA Seattle”

Please join us for a 2nd Saturday presentation by Trish Hackett Nicola!

There are over 50,000 Chinese Exclusion Act case files at NARA-Seattle–all original documents. The Act was in effect from 1882 to 1943. Each file contains about 7-10 pages, sometimes more. The files include biographical information about the applicant, and sometimes his family and friends, affidavits from Chinese and Caucasian witnesses, maps, vital records, court records, photos and other unique items. This presentation will explain what led up to the Act being passed, who was excluded, give you examples of the documents and photos, and tell you how to search the records.