Eastern Washington Gen Society News

by Charles Hansen
Saturday, January 7, 2017  —  12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
The Pearl Buffet, 21 E Lincoln Road Spokane WA 99208
Lunch at 12:00 followed by program. 
Welcome to the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum!! A gem in our area that perhaps you’ve overlooked visiting. Come hear director, Jayne Singleton, tell us all about this wonderful museum AND research station for the history of the peoples of Spokane Valley. 
Born in South Bend Indiana, raised in Redondo Beach CA, Jayne moved to Spokane 33 yrs ago and was educated at SFCC, Gonzaga and EWU.
She (with a group of others) established the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum in 2004 in the Opportunity Township Hall. She is now Museum Director & Valley Historian, presented programs to community, schools, clubs, groups and is a contributing author on historical events/people to magazines, newspapers etc.
 

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 28 December 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!

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for January 2017, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” –> “Our Publications” menu at our new website (still gfo.org).

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WSGS Bids Adieu to 2016

by Roxanne Lowe

As 2016 comes to a close, we want to reflect on the accomplishments of the Washington State Genealogical Society over the past 12 months. While there’s always more to do — and we’re going to continue working on improvements — we still celebrate what we’ve done and are getting ready to be bigger and better in 2017.

Here are a few of our most important accomplishments.

  • Successful partnership with Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society to host the highly successful WSGS Conference and awards ceremony in June.
  • Our blog continues to get active readership. 465 (and counting!) posts were sent to more than 500 blog subscribers. We had 284 seminars and meetings posted throughout the year — up from 112 in 2015! Most popular posts were “Tip of the Week” and Donna Potter Phillips’ “Serendipity.”
  • We have 369 proud members of WSGS – highest membership in years.
  • Offered complimentary memberships to all local societies.
  • Updated the Board’s Standing Rules.
  • Outstanding Volunteers/Teams awards were presented to 20 individuals and 4 teams with 20 members from 17 local genealogical societies.
  • Innovative Grants awarded to:
    • Jefferson County Genealogical Society – upgrade software designed to index and preserve more than 400,000 local records.
    • Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – event promotion to “adopt” coyote sculpture. See 28 Dec 2016 blog feature.
    • Whitman County Genealogical Society – assist with the purchase of a new society computer, 22” monitor and portable hard drive to ensure back-up of files.
  • President’s Award deservedly presented to Margie Wilson of Skagit Valley Genealogical Society.
  • Created the Education Assistance Fund to support local societies’ abilities to provide quality genealogical educational events.
  • Pioneer and First Citizen Certificates remain one of our most popular programs. Since its inception in 1984, more than 27,000 certificates have been issued. Check here for the index of early Washingtonians.
  • In our continuing effort to promote transparency and involvement, the Board minutes and society’s financial reports are now posted in the members’ area of website.
  • Website updated, with a special emphasis on the home page and publicizing local societies’ events and meetings.
  • Staffed WSGS information table at four events where we promoted WSGS, answered questions, and enrolled new members.

 

Wenatchee Area GS Adopts Coyote Using Innovative Grant

by Roxanne Lowe

WAGS Coyote

Hello, Mr. Coyote, how do you fare
Sitting and reading on the museum stair?
You are so handsome—really, quite dapper
Completely absorbed in your candy wrapper.

This excerpt of a poem written in 1996 by Mrs. Ella Dillon, a local writer and poet, was the perfect coda at the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society’s (WAGS) recent “adoption ceremony” of “Coyote Reading a Candy Wrapper.” Renamed the WAGS Coyote, the sculpture by renowned Northwest artist Richard Beyer, was originally installed in 1995 by Art on the Avenues, a non-profit promoter of the arts in the Wenatchee Valley. That same year, the coyote was voted Wenatchee’s favorite sculpture, purchased by the city and placed on the steps of the Museum Annex at 217 S. Mission Street — the home of the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Library.

Since 1996, Coyote has been “fostered” by Terry and Suzanne Sorom, supporters of the Art on the Avenues program. At the adoption ceremony, the Sorom’s were delighted to officially transfer to WAGS their baton of care and concern for WAGS Coyote.

Using their 2016 Innovative Grant, WAGS hosted the not-so-serious adoption ceremony and celebration as the WAGS Coyote became their official mascot. The event was also an excellent opportunity to promote WAGS and its resource library with approximately 600,000 pieces of information. Local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Wenatchee, attended the unique event and toasted the occasion with Tree Top apple juice, a local favorite.

The WSGS Innovative Grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2017.

In addition to WAGS, last year’s grant awards were made to:

• Jefferson County Genealogical Society – upgrade software designed to index and preserve more than 400,000 local records.
• Whitman County Genealogical Society – assist with the purchase of a new society computer, 22” monitor and portable hard drive to ensure back-up of files.

The deadline for the Innovative Grant application is March 1, 2017. The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. Additional guidance on the program is here.

Roberta Griset Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

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.

Roberta Griset

Roberta Griset

Today we’re introducing Roberta Griset of Sequim, Washington, who was nominated by the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She was recognized for her hard-working commitment to the society and field of genealogy.

For years, Ms. Griset has been the backbone supporting CCGS. She has served as president for three years and is currently the society’s vice president. She has also served as the society’s volunteer coordinator, making sure the research center is staffed, filling in herself when needed. She arranges for meeting and seminar speakers, sometimes even hosting out-of-town speakers at her home. For a number of years, she edited and published the society’s quarterly newsletter and even now works closely with the new editor.

Needless to say, Ms. Griset’s numerous contributions to the CCGS are invaluable, thereby proving 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.

Genealogical Forum of Oregon extends our warmest wishes

by Charles Hansen

The  to all our members, patrons and supporters for a safe and lovely Christmas holiday.

GFO’s Research Library will be closed today, Saturday, December 24th, and tomorrow, Sunday, December 24th, until 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 26th.

We will also be observing the world’s most recent revolution around the sun the last week of this month. In other words, the Library will be closed Saturday, December 31st, until 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 2nd.

Don’t forget! Monday, January 2nd, is a First Free Monday day!! Tell your friends and remind yourself if you don’t have a regular membership to take advantage of the holiday quiet to use the library resources for free that day!

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Serendipity Day……. Christmas Serendipity!

by Charles Hansen

The official White House Christmas Tree has come from Washington State only once, back in 1961.  It was a 75-foot tall Douglas Fir. I don’t think the above tree was it; Wikipedia said it was placed in the Ellipse.  (You can ask Grandma Google anything; I asked her “white house christmas tree from washington state” and from Wikipedia came an article listing each year this has been a tradition and from which state the tree came.)

Sugar Cookies  —  This addictive holiday essential was originated by the Amish and is now the Pennsylvania state cookie.  (Ask Grandma Google about other state’s cookies???)

Gingerbread Houses  —  Gingerbread dates back to Greece in the year 2400 B.C. and by the late Middle Ages Europeans had their own version. But Gingerbread HOUSES originated in Germany in the 1500s. The largest gingerbread house on record was erected in Bryan, Texas, in 2013. It required a building permit and covered 40,000 square feet and was constructed of 4000 gingerbread blocks. (Texas always has to be biggest.)

Eggnog  —  Eggnog derives from the British aristocracy. The wealthy drank warmed milk and egg beverages with expensive spices and brandy or sherry. The origin of the word nog is disputed but it may come from a noggin a kind of wooden mug. And did you know, December is National Eggnog month, so drink up!

Happy to be politically incorrect, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 21 December 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 click here.

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 HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” –> “Our Publications” menu at our new website (still gfo.org).

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GFO’s 2016 Annual Appeal
Don’t delay! To ensure your donation is tax-deductible on your tax return for 2016, checks need to be postmarked by December 31st. Donations can now be made by credit card right on our new website or you can still use PayPal if you prefer–but for a 2016 tax deduction, your gift must be received by midnight on December 31. Continue reading →

Kittitas County Genealogical Society January Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Jan 2017 KCGS is Mon Jan 9, not Jan 2,

7 PM 413 N Main Ste L, Ellensburg WA

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Jan 2017 program All members write, e.g. on 3X5 card, for one ancestor of ours:

Write our 2017 goal to learn more about that ancestor

2017 dues now due for 2016 members that have not paid yet.

Can mail $15 to KCGS, 413 N Main St, Ste L, Ellensburg 98926

 

“New” re-conditioned APPLE computer: in Suite M now,
Thanks to Dave Storla!

In addition, Bob Wieking (actually Nancy) will be providing our refreshments