Michele Cozad 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.

Michele Cozad

Michele Cozad

Today we’re introducing Michele Cozad of Arlington, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). She was recognized for her active volunteerism and many years of service to the society.

Ms. Cozad currently serves as SVGS and Northwest Genealogy Conference secretary and is vital to the success of the organization. Her exemplary recordkeeping skills keep all committees on track. She is also a gifted writer creating entertaining and informative pieces which are published, gaining the society great local press. She has been a librarian at SVGS since 2014 and serves on the Tombstone and Membership committees, and takes the lead on multiple conference teams.

Ms. Cozad also represents SVGS at many community events and at statewide genealogy seminars. In addition, she can be counted on to help others. Her delightful personality makes her a great asset to SVGS, and 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.

WSGS Elections Open December 1

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS members will receive a link to their election ballot via email on Thursday, 01 Dec. Offices on the ballot include President, Secretary and Regional Representatives in Regions 1, 3, 5 and 7. Below are profiles for President candidate Virginia Majewski and Secretary candidate Karin Coppernoll.

Virginia "Ginny" Majewski

Virginia “Ginny” Majewski

Virginia “Ginny” Majewski of Sequim, Washington, is running to serve as WSGS President for the next two-year term. For the past two years, she has served as the WSGS Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee. Prior to that she was the Regional Representative for Region 3 (Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason and Thurston counties). She has served as President and on the Board of Directors for Clallam County Genealogical Society for many years. She has given a number of presentations for various societies and Family History Centers throughout Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap Counties.

Ginny has worked on her personal family history for over 20 years. She attended the National Institute of Genealogical Studies, University of Toronto and graduated with a certification in advanced genealogical studies in both American Records and Methodology.

Ginny’s personal statement: Genealogy is one of my passions. The past 10 years have brought about a tremendous amount of change in genealogy with so many advances in science and technology. We need to keep informed and relevant if both WSGS and local societies are to survive. I believe that WA State Genealogical Society can be a resource and help to local societies. The Board has been working hard the past few years to make WSGS more visible, active and relevant and I hope to continue that effort — and more.

Karin Coppernoll

Karin Coppernoll

Karin Coppernoll of Monroe, Washington, is running to serve as WSGS Secretary for the next two-year term.

Karin is a professional genealogist with more than 30 years of experience research her family history. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, as well as two state genealogical societies and trustee of her local historical society. She is also a member of Sno-Isle Genealogical Society.

Karin has a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and  has attended the Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy.  For more information about Karin, visit her website.

Karin’s personal statement: I’m excited about the opportunity to serve genealogists and local societies in Washington on the state board. It’s my way to share my passion and experiences in the wonderful world of genealogy and family history.

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

*** Legacy Family Tree Webinars: Great Idea & Value

*** Grandpa’s Moustache cup

*** Funny names in YOUR family tree?

*** Researching UK Vital Records Getting Easier

*** More Washington Trivia

 

Online learning, or personal-to-you-at-home learning, is a great thing. Legacy Family Tree Webinars fill this bill entirely. And they’re having a Black Friday sale!  With membership, you get all the new webinars as well as having access to the webinar archives.  I signed up and have mentally committed myself to viewing these webinars and increasing my research knowledge. How about you? 

Legacy Family Tree Webinars – Yearly Membership

Price: $49.95 $34.95 annually

1 year unlimited access to our recorded webinars at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com. Also includes access to the instructors’ handouts, chat logs from live webinars, and 1 year of 5% off anything in the store (must be logged in at checkout), and a chance for a bonus subscribers-only door prize during each live webinar.
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cup
Do you have a cup that looks sorta like this? Know what it is? It’s a moustache cup!  From Wikipedia:  The moustache cup (or mustache cup) is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. It is generally acknowledged to have been invented in the 1860s by British potter Harvey Adams (born 1835).  These cups were specifically constructed so men could drink from them without wetting their perfectly groomed moustaches. 
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What were those momma’s thinking? I keep coming across really (to me) bizarre first names for yesterday’s children. How about Barzilla? Ambrosia? The Family Tree Magazine , Jul-Aug 2015, had an article on this topic and listed these names:  Petronella, Quixana, Hyacinthe Flower (for a boy!), Kunagunda, Hatevil, Cincinnatus and Orange. Those are not Bible names!
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A recent blurb-update from NGS (National Genealogical Society) shouted that the GRO (General Records Office) in England now has FOR FREE and online indexes to all their birth and death records that have been already been digitized. The index is accessible via the GOV.UK website.   Once at the website, this question pops up:  “What would you like to do?” You then choose what you want: Search the GRO Indexes, Place an Order, Find out about GRO services, contact GRO, or Find out about researching my family history. Is this is a genealogical need for you, do check it out.
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Who does not know that the headquarters of Microsoft Corporation is in Redmond (north of Seattle)? That the Gov. Albert D. Rosellini Bridge at Evergreen Point is the longest floating bridge in the world? The bridge connects Seattle and Medina across Lake Washington.  That Washington is the birthplace of both Jimi Hendrix (Seattle) and Bing Crosby (Tacoma)?
May I post a contest question to YOU: Bet you know that Seattle is the biggest city in Washington but what is the teeniest incorporated town???  Email me at Donna243@gmail.com. 

Olympia Genealogical Society Meeting

by Charles Hansen

ogsnameogslogog

WRITING YOUR MEMOIRS will be presented by Delores Nelson at the December meeting of Olympia Genealogical Society. Join us on Thursday December 8 at 7 pm at Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 152.

Thank you,   JOYCE OGDEN, publicity

=======================================================================                                                                  Joyce T. Ogden             jtogden@comcast.net

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News Early Edition 23 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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We cordially wish you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

thanksgiving

Our Holiday Hours This Week… A gentle reminder that the GFO Library will be closed from 1pm today, Wednesday, November 23rd, until 9:30am on Friday, November 25th. Just think of all the fun turkey-filled stories we’ll have to swap!

Continue reading →

John Covey 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.

John Covey

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.

Time to Select Outstanding Volunteers and Teams

by Roxanne Lowe

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.

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

** 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.  

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society’s “O Canada! Heritage Weekend” for April 21-23, 2017.

by Charles Hansen

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.

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