Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club October 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Mystery Book Club
Saturday, October 18, starting at 4:00 pm via Zoom

Please join us as we discuss a fictional genealogical book, Gold and Gunslingers by Susan Finlay.

More information at:
Amazon: Gold and Gunslingers

TPCGS Book Club Zoom Meeting
Every month on the Third Sat beginning at 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUkfuCqrzgsG9RrrhNAdU65Lz86P0s92mu1/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGppzIjGNWWthiHRpwcHYr4XerzmHZdjfpvjg3tLQFXV1WjGvgaZIIvA4GC

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81999213610?pwd=Qkk2WFZTZ2Rzdzc1Z0szN1AzdEZCUT09
Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610
Passcode: 479394

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US
+12532158782,,81999213610#,,,,*479394# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 819 9921 3610
Passcode: 479394

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

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting October 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: Cyndi’s List in Practice presented by Cyndi Ingle.
Sometimes overwhelming to beginners and sometimes underused by veterans, Cyndi’s List is a research tool that is robust with resources helpful in everyone’s research. Using specific examples for beginners, as well as more advanced researchers, we will explore the site and point out how to make the most of the categories and the links found within.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:

University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

South King County Genealogical Society October 2025

by Charles Hansen

Stay connected! Get updates on our virtual and in-person events, plus the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online platform for discussion and information sharing:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe or change your email format at any time

PROGRAM UPDATES

All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches. 

Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request

Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.

OCTOBER TO EARLY NOVEMBER 2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless otherwise stated 

Friday 3 October, 12:30–2:30pm (online):

EGS German Interest Group

Topic: Germans to America’s Midwest, 1848-1900. Presenter Scott Norrick examines why so many Germans were leaving their homeland during this period and why so many settled in America’s Midwest. Additional information can be found on our Meetings page.

Saturday 4 October 10–11am (online)

Family Tree Maker Users Group 

Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we learn about using the features of FTM.

Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Tuesday 7 October, 6:30pm (online)

SKCGS Board Meeting 

Members who wish to attend, write to Board@skcgs.org for a Zoom link.

Wednesday 8 October, 2–3pm (online)

WikiTree User Group. 

Topic: Digging into Wikitree’s tools: Wikitree Sourcer. 

See https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:WikiTree_Sourcer_User_Guide 

Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

Thursday 9 October, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA. Registration not required. In-person event. More information at King County Library: email jwooten@kcls.org

Monday 13 October, 1–2pm 

Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). 

Topic: What’s New at MyHeritage DNA; Cousin Finder and more. 

Join the free email group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Thursday 16 October, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (In-person) Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA. Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org

Thursday 16 October, 2–4pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer. 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA. Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library: https://kcls.org/locations/federal-way, or phone: (253) 838-3668.

Friday 17 October, 1–3pm: Research Workshop. For SKCGS Members only: In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center, 12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (253) 631-3252

Saturday, 18 October, 9:30 am social time; 10am (online)

SKCGS Speaker Series: Craig K Gowens presents “The Border Reivers: The Beginnings of America’s Scotch-Irish.”

One of the most influential migrations in the early settlement of America was that of the Scots who came via Ulster. Many of these migrants were descendants of the Border Reivers; families who had lived for centuries on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish frontier until many were banished to Ulster in the early 17th century for their relentless raiding. This presentation explores the history of the Borderlands, the culture of reiving, and how these people were transformed from feared raiders into reluctant settlers. In America, their descendants became known as the Scotch-Irish, carving out a distinct cultural identity in the Appalachian backcountry. They left a lasting imprint on American history, westward expansion, and national character, producing many notable figures along the way. Meanwhile, in Britain, the 19th century Romantic movement reimagined the Border Reivers through historical romances, ballads, and folklore, recasting a turbulent past into legend.

Craig got his start in genealogy in the mid 1980’s helping his  father when he began researching his side of the family. They spent many hours in the library poring over census and land records, visiting cemeteries and libraries to build their tree back further. Eventually Craig started working on his mother’s side of the family. In 2014, he took his first steps into the world of DNA, testing four relatives to reveal the Y-DNA line of all four grandparents’ families. As autosomal testing became less expensive, he dove in testing as many relatives as were willing, numbering over 4 dozen testers now, some tested at multiple companies.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jO6neX4sSvKf_h4-Ty1vIg

Monday 20 October, 1–2pm 

Tech Users Group (Online)

Topic: Another Look at Full Text Search: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/full-text/  

The Tech Users Group is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Join our free email group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Monday 27 October, 1–2pm 

Genealogy Chat (Online)

Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!  

Saturday 1 November, 10–2am

Family Tree Maker Users Group  (Online)

Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we learn about using the features of FTM.

Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

MEMBERSHIP:  We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.

You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

Like – Facebook :: Blog :: Website – SKCGS.org :: Member support – info@skcgs.org

SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Heritage Quest Research Library See’s Candies

by Charles Hansen
At Heritage Quest Research Library, we rely on the generous support of our community through donations, memberships, and fundraisers, all of which enable us to provide the finest resources and dedicated staff—who are all volunteers! As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to indulge in the joy of giving by participating in our delightful See’s Candies fundraiser. Not only will you treat yourself and your loved ones to delectable sweets, but you’ll also be playing a vital role in helping passionate genealogists uncover their family histories. Together, let’s celebrate the spirit of discovery and connection that our collective efforts inspire, making this holiday season truly meaningful for everyone involved! Also, there is FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75! Below are just a few delectable sweets you have to choose from Click here for more irresistible
options! We appreciate your support. Have fun shopping!  Click here to make your selection!
Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US

Let’s Talk About: Archaeology Magazine

by Donna Phillips

Archaeology Magazine is the bi-monthly publication of the Archaeological Institute of America. Subscription cost is under $20 which is half what you’ll pay for the issues at a newsstand. I really enjoy this magazine and learn so much history from it!

The July-August 2025 issue had a bit, “Legend of the Crystal Brain.” This relates how in the 1960s the skeleton of a young man about 20 years old was found covered in ash lying on his wooden bed in the doomed city of Pompeii. In 2018, doing a more thorough study on this “man,” some “fragments resembling obsidian” were found in the man’s skull. The poor man’s brain had been turned into glass by the extremely high temperatures of that volcanic ash…. over 950o! The scientist was quoted as saying, “We were looking into the brain of that young Roman who lied 2000 years ago—a brain that, perhaps, held his last thoughts before dying.” How sad. 

Another fascinating bit was this:  “Cats curl up on couches in 1/3 of all American households. However, domesticated felines are not native to the New World but were introduced by Europeans. The earliest known cats in the present day U.S., an adult and a kitten, have been identified in the wreck of a Spanish ship that sank in Pensacola Bay in Florida at 1559. Cats were likely brought aboard to feast on rodents.”

This magazine has articles of historic and archaeologic interest from all over the world……… from where our ancestors lived and still live all over the world. Try it; you might just like it. 

Let’s Talk About: Civil War Research

by Donna Phillips

Tomorrow is the EWGS Fall Workshop with the spotlight on Civil War Research. F.Y.I. Family Tree Magazine offers this 8-page, laminated, Cheat Sheet to help you “find military records and study the history” of the Civil War. Cost for this is $14.95, + p/h. This Cheat Sheet offers

5 Steps to Trace Your Civil War Ancestor:

1. Search the Civil War Soldiers & Sailors (CWSS) Database…. a free National Park Service site which indexes over 6,000,000 soldiers and 18,000 African American sailors. 

2. Obtain service and pension records (explains how).

3. Find burial information. (National cemeteries were established in 1862 for the Civil War dead.) 

4. Seek additional records (explains what/where).

5. Broaden your knowledge (gives great ideas). 

This Cheat Sheet then gives two pages explaining in more detail what the records contain. Also a map of the U.S. during the Civil War (Did you know that Oregon remained loyal to the Union?) and a Civil War Timeline (helps greatly to understand that conflict). The final page of this Cheat Sheet lists 17 websites and 24 books for your further study. 

One resource listed was The Civil War, a film by Ken Burns. I’ve viewed this; it’s worth a second time around, especially if you have ancestors who participated in the Civil War.

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week October 2025

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
ARE THERE SPOOKY STORIES IN YOUR TREE?

October is the month of Halloween. Genealogists haunt cemeteries in search clues (join SGS’s Calvary Cemetery tour, see the details above in our feature story), but there are other spooky places to go in search of records of ancestors.

Accusations of witchcraft could lead to court records detailing claims. Although the witchcraft trials in Salem, Mass., are the most famous, there were others including the Hildebrand-Evans Case of 1805 as well as cases in Connecticut and Virginia. Was one of your ancestors connected to one?

Locations also play an important role in family history. Rumors of haunted buildings and other sites have been passed down over the years. Legends about the supernatural are connected to many places right here in Washington state. Did your family live near one of them?

What other spooky stories are in your family tree?

Heritage Quest Research Library October Happenings

by Charles Hansen
October Happenings 
OCTOBER 4 – SATURDAY HQRL Booth Proctor Farmers Market 9 am to 2 pm Corner of N. 27th St. &, N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98407

OCTOBER 11 – SATURDAY HQRL Booth Cider Squeeze at Meeker Mansion 10 am to 3 pm 312 Spring Street, Puyallup, WA 98372   We can always use volunteers at our booths to share enthusiasm for our genealogy library – stop by!

OCTOBER 15 – WEDNESDAY Management Team Meeting 12 noon – 1 pm Heritage Quest Research Library Classroom —– All members are invited to attend —–

October 16 – Thursday Beginning Your Family History, Getting Started  (Classroom & Zoom) FREE 11 am to 12 noon
This class will be taught by our Education Coordinator, Heidi Geiss. Learn how HQRL can help you with your family research. Whether a beginning researcher or a seasoned veteran, this class is for you. Learning or reviewing the basics can help you get on track or get back on track. There are always useful take aways, even if you have been researching for years.
You can attend the class in one of two ways – In Person at the HQRL Classroom or by ZOOM
To sign up to attend the class in person Call the library at 253-863-1806 or stop by the library
Advantages of attending this class in the classroom Additional staff will be there to provide one-on-one assistance An after-class discussion period provides attendees extra time to discuss the class It is an opportunity for sharing information, asking questions and getting feedback from other researchers Provides access to Library resources and the bookstore 
OR To sign up using ZOOM Online, go to hqrl.com Scroll down the menu on the left side of the page to HQRL Store Select the box labeled “2025 classroom and ZOOM” Then select the class Beginning Your Family History, Getting Started  On the right-hand side is a box labeled “add to cart” Click this box and then select “checkout”

REMEMBER
THIS CLASS IS FREE >>>>>>>>>> HEADS UP <<<<<<<<<< Heritage Quest Research Library will be open on Sunday, November 9 10 am – 4 pm Our regular scheduled days are Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. Many of you can’t come to the Library on weekdays or Saturdays. This special opening gives you the opportunity to visit the library to jump start your research, work on one of those brick walls, or gather historical information that can make your family history come to life.
It may be helpful to make a research plan for the day to get the most out of your searching. Hope to see you November 9 
October Bookstore Specials  (These Books 50% Off)
The Hidden Half Of The Family By Christina Kassabian Schaefer This book addresses the difficult task of finding women in traditional genealogical record sources. The first part of the book deals with the special ways women are dealt with in federal records such as immigration records, passports, naturalization records, census enumerations, land records, military records, and records dealing with minorities.
The bulk of this reference work, however, deals with the individual states, showing how their laws, records, and resources can be used in determining female identity. Regular Price $35.25, October Special Price $17.62
Preserving our Family Photographs By Maureen A. Taylor Maureen A. Taylor, author of Family Photo Detective, provides all the information you need to care for your family photograph collection. She outlines in straightforward steps how to add value to your home collection using the methods that conservators and photo curators use everyday! Do today what may be too late to do tomorrow. Preserve your family photographs now—and capture memories that will last a lifetime. Regular Price $24.50, October Special Price $12.25  
The Family Tree Historical Atlas of American Cities 1800-1920 By Allison Dolan Explore your ancestors’ hometowns! This book guides you through American history by looking at the United States’ sixteen most populous and historically influential cities…. Whether your family hails from the streets of Brooklyn or the hills of San Francisco, this atlas–designed especially for genealogists–will help you better understand your city-dwelling ancestors. Features include: More than 130 full-color historical maps of sixteen important cities, including New York, Houston, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles Timelines highlighting the most important moments in each city’s history Lists of city-specific genealogy websites and resources for records that will help you discover your family history An index with instructions on viewing online versions of each map, allowing you to zoom in for more detail or use them with programs like Google Earth You’ll also discover easy genealogy research tips for finding local birth, marriage, and death records; federal and state censuses; and city directories
Regular Price $22.75, October Special Price $ 11.37