The Yakima Valley Genealogy Society is holding its annual Christmas party at 10:00 am at the library on Saturday, December 3. This will be in lieu of the regular business meeting. Refreshments will be served and gifts for the library will be presented. Call 509-248-1328 for information.
Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 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 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
John Covey
Today we’re introducing John F. Covey of Richland, Washington, who was nominated by the Tri-City Genealogical Society (TCGS). He was recognized for his leadership and guidance through challenging times.
Mr. Covey has served two terms as TCGS President. During his extended tenure, he led without hesitancy and he never lost his focus on successfully leading the society during and through difficult times.
For many years, Mr. Covey has coordinated week-long trips to the Family History Center in Salt Lake City. He has also chaired the 2015 TCGS fall seminar “Traveling Through Time” with William Dollarhide as the featured presenter.
Mr. Covey’s dedication to the preservation and success of TCGS illustrates that he richly deserved being a recipient of a 2016 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, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.
Now is the time for genealogical societies and organizations to select their local outstanding volunteers and teams so they can be honored at the WSGS Annual Meeting on April 22, 2017 in Yakima. The annual meeting will be held in conjunction with the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar.
Each year, the State Society recognizes local volunteers and teams nominated by their society or organization at the annual conference. In 2016, more than 20 local volunteers and four teams from 20 organizations were recognized for their support and dedication to their society and the researching public.
The process for this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Award program is much like last year’s – no significant changes. In addition to the traditional Outstanding Volunteer Award program, there are three other recognition awards: Outstanding Project, Outstanding Communication, and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. Information about those awards will be forthcoming, but should not impact organizations’ Outstanding Volunteer Award nominations.
Letters to local societies and organizations, with additional details, have been emailed to society contacts. If you have not received that information, please contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair. The milestones for this year’s nomination process are:
• No later than January 15, 2017: Submit the name(s) of your honorees to the Recognition Committee.
• By February 15, 2017: Submit a narrative (approximately 150 words) explaining the accomplishments of your nominee and why you are honoring him/her. Include a good quality digital photograph (at least 300 dpi).
• April 22, 2017: Formal announcement and presentation of certificates at the Annual Meeting in Yakima.
Additional details and deadlines, plus indexes and narratives of accomplishments of past honorees, since 2003, may be found at the WSGS website here.
Please contact Roxanne Lowe at roxanne@thekeeffes.com if you have questions or suggestions.
** Identical Twins Question
** Ode to Moses Lake
** Queries: Would you pay for a query placed here?
From the “Ask Marilyn” in the Sunday Parade magazine: “If identical twins marry identical twins and each couple has children, are the children genetic cousins or siblings?” Her answer: “They are genetic siblings. If their DNA were examined, you couldn’t even tell which child was born to which set of parents. Not that any of the kids would look alike. They would look just as different from each other as any other siblings.” Any twins marry twins in your family tree?
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Found this in the Big Bend Register, Vol. 25, 2004, “Ode to Moses Lake,” penned in 1908:
There has been a wild commotion on Moses Lake’s green shore
A big dam has been constructed that will all the water store.
Upon its blue and sunlit waters you’ll hear the whistle of a boat
From the chuck, chuck of a gas launch to the steamboat’s deep toned note
It has lain long years as idle water dancing in the sun
God put it here for usefulness; man has now the work begun
Where the sly coyote and rabbit roamed at will so wild and free
Man has planned to make a city and a hummer it will be
It surmounts a grassy hilltop; pick the place you like the best
Where the sun rises at morning or where the boats land on the west
Streams of water will be flowing through the sagebrush and the sand
Big red apples will be growing; the finest fruit of the land
Then we’ll give to great Wenatchee the closest race of her life
And if you don’t just believe it see this land and bring your wife
Railroad lines will soon be running north and south and east and west
And the steamboats will be sailing on the blue lake’s rolling crest
And when other people tell you how their land is just a snap
Just brace up, be sure and answer Moses Lake is on the map!
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The WSGS Board is considering some simple fund raising ideas; we must fund our project and educational grants, of course.
Would you pay $5.00 for a Pacific Northwest query placed on this blog???? Your query would remain “forever” in the blog archives and would instantly reach hundreds of eyes. Think about the possibilities!
Please email and let me know: Donna243@gmail.com.
PRESS RELEASE
TO: All Media
FROM: Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS), PO Box 715, Conway, WA 98238
Email: genealogy0715@gmail.com / Website: skagitvalleygenealogy.org
Contact: Margie Wilson, SVGS Vice-President; (360) 757-6224 / rootsproject@frontier.com
DATE: November 21, 2017
RE: O Canada! Heritage Weekend presented by SVGS
Release at Will No Later than January 2, 2017
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society presents
O Canada! Heritage Weekend and Genealogy Seminar
BURLINGTON, Washington, USA – In honor of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) is organizing a special Heritage Weekend, “O Canada!” for genealogists from both sides of the border. O Canada! Heritage Weekend begins with an anniversary celebration and opening reception on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 7:00pm, Burlington Senior Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington, WA, U.S.A. Internationally respected historian, author, lecturer and genealogist, Dave Obee of Victoria, British Columbia will present: “Between Friends: Cousins Across the Border.”
On Saturday, April 22, 8am-4:30pm at the First United Methodist Church, 1607 E. Division St., Mount Vernon, WA, SVGS gets to the heart of the weekend – O’ Canada! Genealogy Seminar. The theme of the seminar is Canadian and U.S. immigration patterns and paths and the extensive challenges researchers face in tracing their ancestors across the border. Guest genealogy instructors are professional genealogist, Mary Kathryn Kozy, discussing U.S. immigration topics, such as naturalization records, and research strategies using time lines. For the Canadian perspective, author/historian and genealogist, Dave Obee, will examine the Canadian immigration experience and historical influences affecting our ancestors.
Topping off this heritage weekend will be a guided living history tour of historic downtown Burlington. The tour begins Sunday, April 23, at 10am at the Burlington Visitors’ Information Center, 520 E. Fairhaven, Burlington. Local genealogist, and living history storyteller, Margie Wilson, in character as Burlington’s first school teacher, Clara Garl-Morrison, will conduct the history tour. Tour participants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and be prepared to walk approximately one-half mile, on and off sidewalks, crossing streets and railroad tracks numerous times. Rain will move the tour inside the visitors’ center for a history summary of the tour.
For details, and registration for this heritage weekend activities and the genealogy seminar, visit the SVGS website: skagitvalleygenealogy.org. For a mail-in registration form contact: 360-424-4608 or genealogy0715@gmail.com.
THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 16 November 2016
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 go to www.gfo.org/calendar.htm.
Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for November 2016, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Nov.pdf.
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Are you ready for GFO’s November GenTalk THIS Saturday?
WHERE? At the GFO Library
WHEN? Sat., Nov. 19th, 2pm
HOW? Just come, silly! It’s FREE!!
Always wondered whether your ancestors might have Native American roots? Not sure how to find out??
Come on out on Saturday, November 19th, to hear Kate Eakman’s talk on how to understand information about your Native American ancestors through census records!
Find out more HERE today!!
There will soon be an opening for Secretary on the WSGS Board of Directors. Are you interested?
The Board Secretary, a member of the WSGS Executive Committee, records the minutes at the society’s business meetings, including quarterly board meetings and the annual business meeting. More information on the position’s 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 WSGS President Mikal McKinnon.
Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 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 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Karen van Haagen Campbell of Bellevue, Washington, who was nominated by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State (JGSWS). She was recognized for her leadership skills, especially those related to promotion of meetings, events and conferences.
Karen van Haagen Campbell
Serving as the vice president of the JGSWS and in charge of publicity, Ms. Campbell has been creating flyers for monthly meetings and other promotions to increase the visibility of JGSWS and related events, increase interest in Jewish genealogy, and make it easier for those who are interested in Jewish genealogy to connect with like-minded researchers.
Ms. Campbell is also a major contributor on the publicity committee of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Society’s annual international genealogical conference that took place in Seattle from August 7-12, 2016. She is also the leader of the Eastside Genealogical Society’s German Interest Group and helps promote the Black Genealogy Research Group (BGRG) in Seattle.
Ms. Campbell’s leadership efforts in publicizing genealogical groups and events, helping others connect with specific research groups, and her inclusive and enthusiastic personality illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2016 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, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.
TIP OF THE WEEK –
Do you know about GEDmatch.com?
GEDmatch is a free repository website for people who already have taken tests at any of the DNA testing sites such as Family Tree DNA, Ancestry, and 23andMe. While free, donations are appreciated.
Testers first register on GEDmatch with their email and create a password, then download a copy of their autosomal DNA raw data file from their testing sight such as Ancestry or FTDNA, then upload that file to GEDmatch where it is processed and added to the large database.
The best two reasons for uploading to GEDmatch is you’ll find additional matches with folks who tested at sites other than the one you did and GEDmatch has a number of data analysis tools.
For plenty of detail on the site, watch the “GEDMatch Basics” video at Youtube
When you’re ready to try your hand at the download and upload of your raw data file to GEDmatch, you can find a short video on that at YouTube also. If you feel uneasy or intimidated by the process, stop by the SGS library on Technology Tuesday and talk to Lisa Chan.