The Legend of the Coyote Mascots — and a Happy Reunion!

by Roxanne Lowe

WAGS Coyote (right) sitting with twin brother AppleSox Coyote on the steps of the WAGS Museum Annex Building. (Photo by Barbara Congdon)

Many years ago, two coyote brothers were romping the hillsides around Wenatchee. Playing hide and seek, the twins exuberantly worked their way into the mountain heights, losing track of time and place. The coyote youngsters were lost – neither twin could find tracks made by the other brother.

Before long, one of the youngsters was found by a coach hiking in the high hills, and taken to a beautiful ballpark in the city to spend his days. The other coyote was eventually rescued by a librarian and taken to Wenatchee just in time for presentations of the first Art on the Avenues. The Coyote was shaped into a new role, creating within him a voracious appetite for reading. He eagerly devoured a book of poetry by Blue Flute, and read whatever else he could get his hands on, most often a candy wrapper.

After many years of sitting on the steps of the Museum Annex Building, in 2016, the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society officially adopted WAGS Coyote as its mascot. No more reading just a candy wrapper – this astute WAGS Coyote became a genealogist. He researched books, maps, and even census records, and inquired of all the people he greeted at the Genealogy Library if they might know about his brother. At last, WAGS Coyote located his brother at the AppleSox ballpark in Wenatchee!

The ballgame on Sunday, July 23rd is celebrating their reunion at Paul Thomas Field in Wenatchee! You are invited to join in this celebration as the Coyote mascots make history! For more information, visit the WAGS website. Cheers to AppleSox Coyote and WAGS Coyote!!!

Story by Lynda Pheasant, Past President, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society

Monday’s Mystery

by Charles Hansen

Today’s mystery question:  Where can you see a metal sculpture “garden” complete with a larger-that-life Scrappy Sasquatch, made from driftwood and metal? (Can you tell I’m on a sasquatch kick?)

And a chocolaty WSGS cupcake to Lori Bell who sent this answer to my question “How many Native American tribes are registered in Washngton?” Here’s her answer:

“There are 29 Federally recognized tribes in WA. I teach my 4th graders about WA state, including Native Americans. Shocking to compare maps of tribal regions before and after 1855 treaties.”

Thanks to faithful responders Patty Olsen, Anne Grimm, Sonji Ruttan and Phyllis Griffith, for mostly-correct answers.

Wednesday Nostalgia

by Charles Hansen

Last week I posted the photos of an old schoolhouse near Walla Walla. When I walked around that building to take those photos, I also spotted this….the coal or wood chute door down into the basement:

In case you cannot read it, it says “Hercules Fuel Chute.”

Here’s a really big laugh: When I Googled those words, all the results I got pointed to a Hercules cargo aircraft!

Do you suppose a student chore was to load the fuel through this chute into the basement and then into the furnace???

Friday Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Idaho is one of our nearest neighbors and we in Eastern Washington travel back and forth to Idaho sometimes daily. The other day I saw a list of Idaho Place Names and jotted down the ones in the Idaho Panhandle….nearest to us. Enjoy…and bet you’ll be surprised at some of these.

Sandpoint  —  In 1809 David Thompson mentions a point of sand here in his journal; a white settlement dates there to 1880.

Rathdrum  —  Originally named Westwood but there were too many of that name so Rathdrum was the name of the Irish birthplace of an elderly resident in 1881.

Athol  —  Said to have been named for an Indian chief in 1895.

Hayden — In 1878 Matthew Heyden and John Hager were playing cards and the winner of the hand got to name the lake. Guess who won?

Coeur d’Alene  —  Name give to the Indians in the area by French fur trappers and traders; had something to do with “heart.”

Priest Lake  —  Was first named Lake Roothaan in honor of Father John Roothaan, a Jesuit, and renamed in 1890.

Post Falls  —  Named in 1887 for Frederick Post’s mill.

Harrison  —  Named in 1891 for President Benjamin Harrison.

Kellogg  —  Was first named Milo where Noah Kellogg found ore; in 1887 was renamed to honor him.

Wallace  —  Named in 1888 for Col. W.R. Wallace, owner of the mine.

Mullan  —  Named in 1886 for John Mullan.

Moscow  —  Named for Moscow, Pennsylvania, AND Moscow, Iowa. “Moscow is from the Finnic tongue signifying “place for washing clothes.”

 

Source:  Idaho Place Names: A Geographic Dictionary, by Lalia Broone, 1988, accessed at the Hayden Lake Public Library, Genealogy Collection.

 

Seattle Genealogical Society Free Class

by Charles Hansen

The Seattle Genealogical Society will present a Beginning Beginning Genealogy class on Wednesday, 16 Aug 2017, The class will be held at the SGS Library from 11 am to 3 pm. Attendees can bring a brown bag lunch. The class is free and open to the public. Please call to reserve your place.

SGS is located at 6200 Sand Point Way N. E., Seattle, WA. Phone: 206-522-8658

Thank you.

 

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

 

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s
Wednesday Evening
E-News
5 July 2017

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!

 

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2017, 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 our new website (still gfo.org).
Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!
***
Half-Day Workshop, Aug 5th! Don’t forget to sign up!

Tips and Tricks: Finding What Your Need and Making the Most of What You Find

WHEN: Saturday, Aug 5th, 9:30am – noon
WHERE: GFO’s Multi-Purpose Room (map)
WHO: Pam Vestal, professional genealogist and lecturer
WHAT: As they say, borrow from the good, steal from the best! In this half-day workshop, you’ll learn from Pam, who is certainly one of the BEST, how to avoid popular pitfalls in genealogical research.

Continue reading →

Tuesday Trivia

by Charles Hansen

 

Washington State can add another item on its “Claim to Fame” list. Back in June, 1947, pilot Kenneth Arnold was flying over Mount Rainier and reported seeing “nine circular-type objects flying in formation at more than twice the speed of sound.” A report of what he saw blared “Supersonic Flying Saucers Sighted by Pilot.” His was the first widely reported UFO sighting in this country. But alas, the Air Force debunked what he saw, calling it a mirage. The point of the story here today is that from this event the term “flying saucer” entered the American language lexicon.

Clark County Genealogical Society Classes

by Charles Hansen

 

CENSATIONAL CENSUS STRATEGIES

Wed, Jul 05, 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center  

The US Federal census and its “little brother,” the state census, are among the major workhorses of genealogical research. But are you getting the most out of them? This Legacy Family Tree webinar presents 20-plus tips for finding missing ancestors and mining the census for more clues for follow-up research.

 

GOOGLE BOOKS: THE TOOL YOU SHOULD USE EVERY DAY!

Wed, 12 July 2017: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Learn how to make the most 25 million digitized and searchable free books full of historical data! This Legacy Family Tree webinar will teach you the best techniques for finding fully digitized books and even translate foreign language volumes from your ancestor’s homeland. We’ll also track down maps, images, photos and more.

 

TIPS FOR SNAPPING PICS: HOW TO TAKE PERFECT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS

Fri, 14 Jul 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center   

In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, you’ll learn from professional photographer, Jared Hodges, how to compose and shoot the perfect shot. Proper lighting, the right poses, what to wear, and more will be covered.

 

ANALYZING DOCUMENTS SPARKS IDEAS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Tues, 18 July 2017: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Taking the time to analyze documents for reliability, context and information can provided useful clues. Using these clues to map out a research plan can advance your research.

This Legacy Family Tree webinar is hosted and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

 

THE FIRELANDS, THE CONNECTICUT WESTERN RESERVE, AND THE OHIO TERRITORY

Wed, 19 July 2017: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center  

How did the the northeastern lands of Ohio come to be called “The Firelands”, and “The Western Reserve?” This Legacy Family Tree webinar will review these questions and also why “Ohio fever” brought a lot of settlers to the state following the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

 

FAMILY HISTORY ADHESIVE: HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY TO BIND FAMILY TIES

Wed, 26 July 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, you will learn to use the technology to create a strong family narrative together. You’ll leave with a plan for making your family history fun and strengthening your current family relationships using today’s communication and social media tools.