THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

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!!

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WSGS Board Secretary Needed

by Roxanne Lowe

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.

Karen van Haagen Campbell 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.

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

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.

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of The Week

by Charles Hansen

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.

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

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

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

by Roxanne Lowe
Leilani Lucrisia

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

by Charles Hansen

whatcom-gsWhatcom 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. 14th, 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. 10th – “Lake Samish Reflections, Historical Views, and Memories” by the Lake Samish History Group

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

Serendipity Day

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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