Seattle Genealogical Society News

Seattle

NOMINATIONS, PLEASE!

The SGS election is several months away, but the nominations committee already is at work searching for candidates willing to serve on the Board of Directors. Consider stepping up to run for office as an opportunity, not a chore. SGS exists because of the indispensable Board. These volunteers set the policy, manage the money, pay the bills, supervise the committees. Simply put: No Board, no SGS. If you are willing to consider running for office, or know someone who might agree to be a candidate, please email the names to nominations chairman, Nancy Hevly, at nominate@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org Committee members will contact possible candidates, answer questions and explain the duties of each office. The committee wants to get an early start, and so should SGS members. It’s like shopping for holiday presents. The sooner you begin the easier it is to get the job done on time.

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Puget Sound Civil War Roundtable Civil War Veteran Burial

Nov15 by Charles Hansen

civilwar

CIVIL WAR VETERAN FUNERAL
James H. Powers, Jr.

The Puget Sound Civil War Roundtable, in conjunction with the Missing in America Project and the National Cemetery Administration, is planning a very special and unique event…the burial of a Civil War veteran, James H. Powers, Jr. and his wife of 57 years, Irene Powers.

James passed away in 1921 and Irene in 1928. Since that time, their ashes have languished at a local funeral home. Most recently, James and Loretta Dimond discovered their record and, working with the funeral home, the Veterans Administration and the family, received the release of the cremains and received permission to have them interned at Tahoma National Cemetery.

The event will take place on December 10, 2016 at noon. Please assist PSCWRT in publicizing the funeral. Links to Powers’ obituary, biography and the flyer announcing the funeral accompany this email.

Thank you for playing a role.

Leilani Lucrisia Named Region 1 South Representative

Nov14 by Roxanne Lowe

Leilani Lucrisia

Leilani Lucrisia has been appointed Region 1 South Regional Representative by WSGS Mikal McKinnon. In his announcement, President McKinnon expressed his appreciation to Leilani for her willingness to serve. Her experience and enthusiasm will a great asset on the Board.

Leilani is an active member of the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society in Arlington where she served as newsletter editor. She has also been a member of the Northwest Genealogy Conference planning committee, responsible for the fabulous Syllabus. She is also a member of a genealogy society in Marysville and the Seattle Genealogical Society.

In a recent move by the WSGS Board, Region 1 (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties) was split into two regions to ease geographical issues. Leilani, the Region 1 South Representative, will be assisting societies in part of Island and Snohomish Counties, including Comeford (Marysville) Camwood (Stanwood), Sno-Isle (Lynnwood) and Stillaguamish Valley (Arlington).

The Board is still in search of a volunteer to serve as the Region 1 North Regional Representative which encompasses Island (part) Skagit, Snohomish (part), Whatcom and San Juan Counties. More information on the responsibilities of a Regional Representative, click here or email WSGS Vice President Donna Potter Phillips at Donna243@gmail.com.

Whatcom Gen Society Newsflash

Nov12 by Charles Hansen

Whatcom Genealogical Society

PO Box 1493, Bellingham, WA 98227-1493

Website: http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/WGS/wgs.htm

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/WhatcomGenealogicalSociety

Nov. 14^th, 2 pm – “Crafting History – Creating Keepsakes to Preserve Family Memories” by Mary Kirchner Roddy. We ask that you go to Mary’s Web site http://www.mkrgenealogy.com/lectures.html, go to her list of lectures, and print out a copy of the handout of this lecture to bring to the meeting. (Jill Peterson and Pam Shannon volunteered to bring treats.)

Genealogy Classes at Ferndale Library — Thanks to WGS member Judith Culver, assisted by Carol Signett, there are occasional genealogy classes being held at the Ferndale Library Meeting Room, 2125 Main Street. Please contact Judith for more information: judithculv@hotmail.com

Whatcom County Historical Society – meets second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm at the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room. Free and open to all. www.whatcomhistory.net

Nov. 10^th – “Lake Samish Reflections, Historical Views, and Memories” by the Lake Samish History Group

Dec. 8^th – “Annual History Holiday” – Open Mike Sharing and Holiday Gathering

Serendipity Day

Nov12 by Charles Hansen

** Did your ancestors meet via a newspaper ad?

** Max Rockover: Is He In Your Tree?

**Runes: Germanic/Viking alphabet

Dear sir or madam,

I am writing to ask whether any of the members of your genealogical society might be able to help me with some research.

I am a historian writing a book for a major U.S. publisher about the history of personal ads in America. To this end, I am trying to track down couples who met each other via a personal ad in a newspaper any time between about 1850 and 1950.

Perhaps you know someone whose grandparents or ancestors met their husband or wife via a personal ad? Or perhaps there was a story in your town that one of the neighbors once found love in this way?

If so, I’d be very interested to hear from you. I can be contacted by email at francescabeauman@gmail.com. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Many thanks. Francesca Beauman.

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Jim Kershner’s This Day In History, is a daily column in our Spokane paper. On September 11th, he wrote this story. Seems one Max Rockower, age 26, a deck hand on the steamer Rapid Transit, got into a fight in Seattle and was hit over the head causing severe amnesia. Doctors tried everything, including trepanning of his skull, but nothing worked. He was sent to the U.S. Marine Hospital in Port Townsend. He did not recognize his mother who came down from Calgary, Alberta, to see him. She took Max to a movie show which happened to depict a man being struck on the head with a hammer. Max immediately placed his hand on his head and exclaimed, “Somebody hit me!” His memory of before the accident returned and doctors proclaimed “that he was showing every indication that the cloud which had obscured his mind had vanished.” Is Max Rockower, born about 1890, in your family tree?? I did not find him in the U.S. census for 1920.

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Was Your Ancestor Involved in Politics?

Nov10 by Roxanne Lowe

Dan Murphy lending support to his candidate.

Whether your candidate won or didn’t, the 2016 election is finally over. But imagine one of your descendants searching old newspaper stacks (or the web or whatever form of news distribution there will be in the future) for news of this election.

Do you have an ancestor that was involved in politics at the local, state or national level in America or another country? Did he/she run for office? Involved in a campaign? Here’s a picture of my grandfather Dan Murphy “campaigning” for Sheriff M.B. “Tiny” Taylor in Grays Harbor County in the 1930s.

We’d love to hear your story, including what resources you used. “Leave a comment” at the bottom of this post.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

Nov10 by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 9 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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Diane Hunter Boyd Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

Nov9 by Roxanne Lowe

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.

Diane Hunter Boyd

Today we’re introducing Diane Hunter Boyd of Spokane Valley, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). She was recognized for her dedicated, creative efforts as the EWGS’s web manager.

In August 2011, Ms. Boyd agreed to become EWGS’s web manager “for a few months.” She remained in the position for the next four-and-one-half years.

In additional to her duties as web manager, including creation of a new home page at ewgsi.org, Ms. Boyd became the web coordinator of EWGS’s new digital publication, Digital Digest. When Ms. Boyd stepped down as EWGS’s web manager, she continued to answer questions from both the new web manager and the Digital Digest coordinator.

Ms. Boyd ensured EWGS had an easy-to-use, current website, and was always helping anyone that needed help. As such a dedicated member, she richly deserved being named an Outstanding Volunteer by the Washington State Genealogical Society.

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.

Meet the Board: Sue Ericksen

Nov7 by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Sue Ericksen

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Sue Ericksen from Zillah in Yakima County. Sue is WSGS’s Treasurer, but her involvement has been longstanding: WSGS’s President from 2009 – 2012, membership chair, web manager and Region 5 representative.

In addition to her WSGS dedication, Sue is an active member of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society, currently serving as its vice president and web manager. She was also a major player in YVGS’s recent acquisition of the massive Yakima Family History library collection that used to be housed in the LDS Yakima Family History library (approximately 6,000 microfilm and 6,000 microfiche). You can also add presenter to Sue’s long list of credentials. She will be presenting a talk on “Copyright vs. Plagiarism” at the February 4, 2017 YVGS meeting.

Susan Bernice Semenza was born to Norman and Sallie (Gallupe) Semenza in National City, California, not far from San Diego. Sue has researched her family lines for many, many years, following their migrations and journeys through Germany, Italy, England and Canada. When she does find time to do her research, she often uses Ancestry.com.

Sue married William Leroy Ericksen on 18 Sept 1965 in Wapato (Yakima County). They celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing earlier this year. Together, they were successful orchardists in the fertile Zillah area, growing apples, peaches and pears. They are the parents of three children and grandparents of five.

A few other tidbits about Sue:
• Hobbies besides genealogy – reading, bird watching
• Favorite color – yellow
• Favorite dessert – cherry pie
• Word that best describes her – busy!

Now you know a little more about one of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Sue, say hello and thank her for her service to the WSGS.

Serendipity Day

Nov4 by Charles Hansen

** Mount Rainier

** Is your society contributing to the WSGS blog?

** “Weather Forecasting Game to End in N.W.”

** Snoqualmie Pass closed for 30 days???

Did you know that the highest point in Washington is our Mount Rainier. This peak was named for Peter Rainier (1741-1808), a British soldier who fought AGAINST us in the Revolutionary War. Anybody but me wonder why HIS name was chosen for this majestic mountain?????

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Most genealogical societies within our region do submit information to us about their upcoming meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. Does yours? If you are a regular reader of this blog, have you noticed posts about your society’s doings? Perhaps you might ought to ask your Board about this? Why turn down such wonderful free publicity???

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On September 22, 1947, this article appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune: “Harried, heckled and much maligned meteorologists along the Puget Sound who have borne the brunt of long-range weather miscalculations for lo! these many years are breathing great sighs of relief.

The head men in the weather bureau in Washington, D.C., announced that its new forecast center at Seattle would probably begin operations about Nov. 1st.

This means that the Pacific Northwest will not have to depend henceforth on San Francisco for its long-range forecasts, which has been the case for more than the 35 years Tacoma Observer Ross O. miller has been in the service.

Miller, who has always felt that the San Francisco forecasts were not any too accurate for Puget Sound if only because of the distance involved, sees a definite improvement in the business of weather prediction with the advent of the new center in Seattle.

“Puget Sound weather has always been difficult to forecast at best,” Miller pointed out. “The state is too big for accuracy in the blanket predictions that have been coming from the Bay City.”

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According to a Seattle newspaper for November 23, 1959: “Snoqualmie Pass, the state’s major 4-lane route through the Cascades, will be closed for a minimum of 30 days (and could be up to a year) due to the rampaging south fork of the Snoqualmie River.” Can you imagine that happening today??? Right before Thanksgiving??????